Chapter 1 - San Diego Housing Commission

Chapter 5 – Subsidy Standards, Voucher Issuance, and Briefings
[24 CFR Part 982, Subpart B]
A. INTRODUCTION
HUD guidelines require that SDHC establish subsidy standards for the determination of family unit size,
and that such standards provide for a minimum commitment of subsidy while avoiding overcrowding.
The standards used for the unit size selected by the family must also be within the minimum unit size
requirements of HUD's Housing Quality Standards. This chapter explains the subsidy standards, which
will be used to determine the voucher size for families when they are selected from the waiting list, as
well as SDHC's procedures when a family's size changes or a family selects a unit size that is different
from the Voucher size issued.
SDHC's goals and objectives are designed to assure that families selected to participate are equipped
with the tools necessary to locate an acceptable housing unit. Families are provided sufficient
knowledge and information regarding the program and how to achieve maximum benefit while
complying with program requirements. When eligibility has been determined, SDHC will conduct a
mandatory briefing to ensure that families know how the program works. The briefing will provide a
broad description of owner and family responsibilities, SDHC procedures, and how to lease a unit. The
family will also receive a briefing packet that provides more detailed information about the program,
including the benefits of moving outside of areas of low income and poverty concentration. This
Chapter describes how briefings will be conducted, the information that will be provided to families, and
the policies for how changes in the family composition will be handled.
B. DETERMINING FAMILY SUBSIDY STANDARDS (VOUCHER SIZE)
1. Initial Issuance and Decreases in Household Composition
SDHC does not determine who shares a bedroom/sleeping room.
All standards in this section relate to the number of bedrooms on the Voucher, not the family’s
actual living arrangements. The subsidy standards for voucher size shall be applied in a manner
consistent with fair housing guidelines.
SDHC may make the administrative decision to change its subsidy standards at any time, without
prior notice to its participants, should the circumstances warrant it, such as in the case of funding
reductions.
The unit size on the Voucher remains the same as long as the family composition remains the same,
regardless of the actual unit size rented, except when there is a Subsidy Standard change. Subsidy
Standard changes will be implemented at the next annual reexamination or move, whichever occurs
first. For Moving Forward Biennial households, subsidy standard changes will be implemented three
(3) months after the effective date of the certification for the change in family size, or with the next
recertification or move; whichever occurs first. For purposes of reasonable accommodation, the
subsidy standard may change prior to the next annual re-exam or move.
The guidelines below will be used to determine initial eligibility and decreases in household size.
- SDHC must approve all members of the family residing in the unit.
- One bedroom will be assigned to each two household members, regardless of sex, age or
relationship. When funding is available, one bedroom will be assigned for the head of
household and/or spouse or co-head, and one bedroom awarded to each two family
members, regardless of sex, age or relationship.
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