HUD HCV Guidebook § 2.2

Housing quality standards found in 24 CFR 982.401 apply to SRO housing with the exceptions
described below.

The regulations, 24 CFR 982.401(b) (sanitary facilities) and 982.401(d) (space and security) do not
apply to SRO units. Instead, sanitary facilities and space and security features must3 meet local code
standards for SRO housing. In the absence of local code standards, the following requirements apply:

    •   Sanitary Facilities4. At least one flush toilet that can be used in privacy, a lavatory basin, and a
        bathtub or shower in proper operating condition must be provided for each six persons (or
        fewer) residing in the SRO facility. If the SRO units are leased only to men, flush urinals may be
        substituted for up to one half of the required number of toilets. There must, however, be at
        least one flush toilet in the SRO facility. Every lavatory basin and bathtub or shower must
        always have an adequate supply of hot and cold running water. All sanitary facilities must be in
        proper operating condition, and must be adequate for the personal cleanliness and the disposal
        of human waste. In addition, the SRO facility must utilize an approvable public or private
        disposal system. Sanitary facilities must be reasonably accessible from a common hall or
        passageway to all persons sharing them, and may not be located more than one floor above or
        below the SRO unit. They may not be located below grade unless the SRO units are located on
        that level.

    •   Space and Security5. An SRO unit must contain at least 110 square feet of floor space, and at
        least four square feet of closet space with an unobstructed height of at least five feet, for use by
        the occupant. If the closet space is less than four square feet, the habitable floor space in the
        SRO unit must6 be increased by the amount of the deficiency. Exterior doors and windows

2 24 CFR § 982.54(d)(16)
3 24 CFR § 982.605(b)(2)
4 24 CFR § 982.605(b)(2)(i)
5 24 CFR § 982.605(b)(2)(ii)
6 24 CFR § 982.605(b)(2)(ii)(C)

accessible from outside the SRO unit must7 be lockable.

Federal regulations for SRO units include special provisions for access and fire safety as follows:

   •   Access. Access doors to the SRO unit must8 have working locks for privacy. The occupant must9
       be able to access the unit without going through any other unit. Each unit must10 have
       immediate access to two or more approved means of exit from the building, appropriately
       marked and leading to safe and open space at ground level. The SRO unit must also have all
       other means of exit required by state or local law.

   •   Fire Safety. All SRO facilities must11 have a sprinkler system that protects major spaces. “Major
       spaces” are defined as hallways, large common areas, and any other areas specified in local
       fire, building, or safety codes. SROs must12 also have hard-wired smoke detectors, and any
       other fire and safety equipment required by state or local law.

The HQS applicable to food preparation and refuse disposal do not apply to SRO units. The HQS
applicable to lead-based paint do not apply since SRO units will not house children.