Occupancy Standards

 

Q:
How does the Housing Authority determine the number of bedrooms on my voucher?
A:
The Housing Authority counts the number of persons in your family when determining unit size. The Housing Authority does not make distinctions based on sex and age of family members, nor the relationship of persons in the family. The Housing Authority applies this same criteria and standard to all families.
 
 
Q:
How many bedrooms will I qualify for?
A:
The Housing Authority has set the following Occupancy Standards for family and unit size:
 
 
 
NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS
BEDROOMS
Head Only
1
Head and Spouse
1
Head and 1 or 2
2
Head, Spouse and 1 or 2
2
Head and 3 or 4
3
Head, Spouse and 3 or 4
3
Head and 5 or 6
4
Head, Spouse and 5 or 6
4
Head and 7 or 8
5
Head, Spouse and 7or 8
5
Head and 9 or 10
6
Head, Spouse and 9 or 10
6
 
 
Q:
What if I need an extra bedroom?
A:
The Housing Authority can only approve a larger bedroom size for verified medical reasons.

Q: Can I select an apartment that is larger or smaller than the one determined by the Housing Authority?
A: Yes, provided it does not violate HUD's Housing Quality Standards (HQS) space requirement. HUD's HQS space requirement allows at most two persons per bedroom or living/sleeping room. The Housing Authority must always use the smaller of the voucher bedroom size or the actual unit size to determine the subsidy. Example: You have a 2-Bedroom Voucher. You have selected a 3-Bedroom unit. The 2-Bedroom Voucher Payment Standard (VPS) will be used.

Q: If my family size increases, will the Housing Authority subsidize a larger apartment?
A: Each year the Housing Authority will review the unit size currently assigned to your family. If your current unit size is too small, the Housing Authority may give you a new Voucher. All requests for a larger unit are processed in the order they are received.
 

Content Last Updated: August 2008