HUD HCV Guidebook § 4.3
Payment Standard and HAP Calculation (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
Unless there is a live-in aide, the family unit size for an assisted occupant of a group home is 0- or 1-bedroom,
depending on the PHA’s subsidy standard. If there is a live-in aide, the aide must34 be counted in determining
the family unit size.
24 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(2)(ii)(A)(B)(C)
25 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(2)(ii)(C)
26 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(iii)
27 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(3) (ii)
28 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(3)(i)
29 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(3)(iii)
30 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(4)(i)
31 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(4)(ii)
32 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(4)(iii)
33 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(5)
34 24 CFR § 982.613(c)((1)(ii)
The payment standard used to calculate the HAP is the lower of the payment standard for the family unit size
or the pro-rata share of the payment standard for the group home size. The pro- rata share is calculated by
dividing the number of persons in the assisted household by the total number of persons (assisted and
unassisted) living in the group home. The number of persons in the assisted family equals one assisted
person plus any PHA-approved live-in aide.
Example 5: Calculating Payment Standards for a Group Home Unit
Household includes a person with Family unit size is 2
disabilities plus a live-in aide
Total persons in group home (assisted and 8
unassisted)
Group home size 8 bedrooms
2-bedroom payment standard $400
8-bedroom payment standard $1500
Pro-rata share 2 persons in assisted
household/8 persons
in group home =
.25
Pro-rata share of payment standard for $1500 x .25 = $375
group home
Payment standard for group home unit $375
Example 6: Calculating HAP for a Group Home Unit
Total tenant payment $135
Group home payment standard $375
Gross rent $370
HAP is the lower of
Group home payment standard ($375) minus TTP ($135) = $240
OR
Group home gross rent ($370) minus TTP ($135) = $235
HAP $235
The HAP for an assisted occupant in a group home is the lower of the payment standard minus the TTP or the
gross rent minus the TTP.HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 4.3 establishes how Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) are calculated for voucher holders living in group homes. The family unit size is set at 0 or 1 bedroom unless a live-in aide is present, in which case the aide is counted and the unit size increases accordingly. The actual HAP amount is determined by taking whichever is lower: the applicable payment standard minus the Total Tenant Payment (TTP), or the gross rent minus the TTP. The payment standard itself is the lower of the standard for the family unit size or the pro-rata share of the payment standard for the entire group home, calculated based on the proportion of assisted persons to all residents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 4.3, operators of group homes that accept Housing Choice Voucher holders should understand that the HAP they receive is calculated using a pro-rata formula tied to the ratio of assisted household members to all residents in the home. A compliant operator typically maintains accurate occupancy records that reflect both assisted and unassisted residents, since this ratio directly affects the payment standard calculation. Operators also generally ensure that any PHA-approved live-in aide is properly documented, as the aide's presence changes the family unit size and therefore the applicable payment standard.
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 § 4.3 governs how much rental assistance a voucher holder living in a group home is entitled to receive, and understanding this formula can help residents verify that their HAP is being calculated correctly. If a live-in aide has been approved by the PHA, that aide must be counted in determining the family unit size, which can affect the payment standard used in the calculation. Tenants who believe their HAP has been calculated incorrectly may raise the issue with their local Public Housing Authority, consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with HCV program rules, or contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for guidance.
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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