COS Utility Allowances & Housing Assistance Payments 2

Question 1

What is the minimum rent established by HUD for most assisted multifamily housing programs?

Accepted Answer

$25

Answer

HUD regulations set the minimum rent at $25 per month for most assisted housing programs, though owners may set higher minimums up to $50 with HUD approval.

Question 2

What happens when a tenant's Total Tenant Payment exceeds the contract rent?

Accepted Answer

The HAP is set to zero and the tenant pays the contract rent

Answer

When TTP exceeds contract rent, the Housing Assistance Payment is zero and the tenant pays only the contract rent amount, not the full TTP.

Question 3

How is the HAP calculated when the property owner pays all tenant utilities?

Accepted Answer

HAP = Contract Rent minus TTP

Answer

When the owner pays all utilities, HAP equals contract rent minus TTP because there is no utility allowance component to be added.

Question 4

What serves as an acceptable basis for establishing utility allowance schedules in HUD-assisted housing?

Accepted Answer

Local PHA utility allowance schedules or surveys of actual utility costs in comparable units

Answer

Owners may base utility allowances on local PHA utility allowance schedules or conduct surveys of actual utility consumption in comparable units.

Question 5

In a HUD-assisted unit where the owner provides all utilities, what is the utility allowance amount?

Accepted Answer

Zero

Answer

When the owner pays all utilities, the utility allowance is $0 because there are no utility costs for the tenant to cover.

(COS) Certified Occupancy Specialist Practice Test

(COS) Certified Occupancy Specialist Practice Test

COS Utility Allowances & Housing Assistance Payments 2