Chapter 1 - San Diego Housing Commission

Chapter 4 – Tenant Rent Calculation
[24 CFR Part 5, Subpart F; 24 CFR Part 982, Subpart K]
verify circumstances that have resulted in financial hardship. Requests for minimum rent exception
must include a statement of the family hardship that qualifies the family for an exception.
5. Suspension of Minimum Rent
SDHC will suspend the minimum rent for all families whose requests meet the criteria, effective the
first day of the month after the request is received by SDHC.
The minimum rent will be suspended until SDHC completes verifying the family’s eligibility for the
exemption and determines if the hardship is temporary or long term.
"Suspension" means that SDHC must not use the minimum rent calculation until SDHC has made this
decision.
During the minimum rent suspension period, the family will not be required to pay a minimum rent
and the housing assistance payment will be increased accordingly.
If SDHC determines that the suspension of minimum rent is not covered by statute, SDHC will
impose a minimum rent retroactive to the date of suspension.
6. Temporary Hardship
If SDHC determines that the hardship is temporary, a minimum rent will not be imposed for a period
of up to 90 days from the date of the family’s request. At the end of the temporary suspension
period, a minimum rent will be imposed retroactively to the time of suspension.
SDHC will offer a Payment Plan Agreement to the family for any such rent not paid during the
temporary hardship period. (See "Owner and Family Debts to SDHC" chapter for Repayment
agreement policy).
7. Long-Term Duration Hardships
If SDHC determines that there is a qualifying long-term financial hardship, SDHC must exempt the
family from the minimum rent requirements.
C. MINIMUM INCOME
There is no minimum income requirement. Families who report zero income will be required to submit
supporting documentation and report any increase of income in writing within ten (10) days for the
purpose of an interim adjustment in their share of the rent.
If SDHC is subsidizing a family’s entire Contract Rent despite the family’s income, the family will be
required to report any increase of income in writing within ten (10) days for the purpose of an interim
adjustment in the share of the rent.
D. REIMBURSEMENT POLICY WHEN HOUSING COMMISSION ERROR
For every change in the rent, SDHC will provide the participant with an updated rent portion letter. The
letter will give information regarding the method for calculating the rent and it will allow 17 calendar
days to dispute the calculation. If the participant disputes the calculation within the 17-day period and
it is determined that an error was made, the rent will be corrected retroactively and reimbursement will
be made.
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