HUD HCV Guidebook § 2.2
Payment Standard Groupings (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
PHAs may choose to establish separate payment standards for each ZIP Code area but are not required to do so. In lieu of establishing a unique payment standard schedule for each ZIP Code area within its jurisdiction, a PHA may wish to establish payment standard schedules for “grouped” ZIP Code areas. For example, a PHA could establish a payment standard schedule that falls within the basic range for a group of Zip Code areas and identify that group of Zip Code areas as Group A, another as Group B, and so on. ZIP Code SAFMR Basic Range Payment Standard Group 90012 $1,490 $1,341-1,639 $1,440 A 90013 $1,630 $1,467-1,793 $1,630 B 90014 $1,810 $1,629-1,991 $1,630 B 90015 $1,110 $999-1,221 $1,000 C 90016 $1,340 $1,206-1,474 $1,440 A 90017 $1,090 $981-1,199 $1,000 C Adopting groups, as illustrated above, may help to minimize the administrative burden of managing multiple payment standard areas.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2.2 describes a flexible administrative option that allows Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to organize ZIP Code areas into named groups, each sharing a single payment standard schedule, rather than maintaining a separate schedule for every individual ZIP Code. Each payment standard set under this approach must still fall within the federally defined basic range tied to the Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) for the relevant ZIP Codes. The grouping method is entirely optional and is presented as a way to reduce the complexity of administering multiple distinct payment standard areas.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2.2, the payment standard a PHA establishes for a grouped ZIP Code area determines the maximum subsidy baseline used when calculating Housing Assistance Payments for units in that group. Operators who manage properties across multiple ZIP Codes within a single PHA's jurisdiction generally track which group each property falls into, since different groups may carry different payment standards even within the same city. Staying current with a PHA's published payment standard schedule and group assignments helps owners accurately anticipate the subsidy amounts associated with voucher-holding tenants.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2.2 establishes that the payment standard applicable to a voucher holder can vary depending on which ZIP Code group a PHA has designated for the area where a unit is located. Because grouped payment standards affect how much of the rent a voucher will cover, tenants using Housing Choice Vouchers may want to ask their PHA which group applies to a prospective unit's ZIP Code and what the corresponding payment standard is. Tenant-rights organizations and local PHA offices can help voucher holders understand how grouping decisions may affect their housing search and out-of-pocket rent contributions.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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