24 C.F.R. § 983.260
§ 983.260 Overcrowded, under-occupied, and accessible units. (24 CFR Part 983)
Operative Text
(a) Family occupancy of wrong-size or accessible unit. (1) The PHA subsidy standards determine the appropriate unit size for the family size and composition. (2) If the PHA determines that a family is occupying a wrong-size unit, or a unit with accessibility features that the family does not require and the unit is needed by a family that requires the accessibility features (see 24 CFR 8.27), the PHA must: (i) Within 30 days from the PHA's determination, notify the family and the owner of this determination; and (ii) Within 60 days from the PHA's determination, offer the family continued housing assistance, pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section. (b) PHA offer of continued assistance. (1) The PHA policy on continued housing assistance must be stated in the Administrative Plan and may be in the form of: (i) PBV assistance in an appropriate-size unit (in the same project or in another project); (ii) Other project-based housing assistance (e.g., by occupancy of a public housing unit); (iii) Tenant-based rental assistance under the voucher program; or (iv) Other comparable tenant-based rental assistance. (2) If no continued housing assistance as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is available, the PHA must remove the wrong-size or accessible unit from the HAP contract to make voucher assistance available to issue the family a tenant-based voucher. Section 983.206(b) does not apply to families issued a tenant-based voucher under the circumstance described in this paragraph (b)(2). (c) PHA termination of housing assistance payments. (1) If the PHA offers the family the opportunity to receive tenant-based rental assistance under the voucher program in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section: (i) The PHA must terminate the housing assistance payments for a wrong-sized or accessible unit at the earlier of the expiration of the term of the family's voucher (including any extension granted by the PHA) or the date upon which the family vacates the unit. (ii) If the family does not move out of the wrong-sized unit or accessible unit by the expiration date of the term of the family's voucher, the PHA must remove the unit from the HAP contract. (2) If the PHA offers the family another form of continued housing assistance (other than tenant-based rental assistance under the voucher program), in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the PHA must terminate the housing assistance payments for the wrong-sized or accessible unit and remove the unit from the HAP contract when: (i) In the case of an offer by the PHA of PBV assistance or other project-based housing assistance in an appropriate-size unit, the family does not accept the offer and does not move out of the PBV unit within a reasonable time as determined by the PHA, not to exceed 90 days. The family may request and the PHA may grant one extension not to exceed up to an additional 90 days to accommodate the family's efforts to locate affordable, safe, and geographically proximate replacement housing. (ii) In the case of an offer by the PHA of PBV assistance or other project-based housing assistance in an appropriate size unit, the family accepts the offer but does not move out of the PBV unit within a reasonable time as determined by the PHA, not to exceed 90 days. (iii) In the case of an offer by the PHA of other comparable tenant-based rental assistance, the family either accepts or does not accept the offer but does not move out of the PBV unit within a reasonable time as determined by the PHA, not to exceed 90 days. The family may request and the PHA may grant one extension not to exceed up to an additional 90 days to accommodate the family's efforts to locate, affordable, safe, and geographically proximate replacement housing. (d) Reinstatement. The PHA may reinstate a unit removed under paragraph (b)(2), (c)(1)(ii), or (c)(2) of this section to the HAP contract after the family vacates the property, in accordance with § 983.207(b).
Under 24 CFR Part 983 § 983.260, the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program establishes a process for addressing situations where a family occupies a unit that is either the wrong size for their household or has accessibility features they do not need while another family requires those features. When a Public Housing Authority (PHA) makes such a determination, it must notify both the family and the owner within 30 days and offer the family continued housing assistance within 60 days. That continued assistance can take several forms, including a different PBV unit, public housing, or a tenant-based voucher, and if the family does not transition to the offered alternative within the applicable timeframes, the unit may be removed from the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract. A unit removed from the HAP contract may later be reinstated once the family vacates.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners and managers participating in the PBV program should be aware that under § 983.260, a PHA may determine that a unit in their project is occupied by a family whose size or accessibility needs do not match the unit, triggering a formal notification process. Compliant operators generally maintain open communication with their PHA so they are prepared when such a determination is made and understand the timeline under which HAP payments may be terminated or the unit removed from the HAP contract. Owners also typically stay informed about reinstatement procedures under § 983.207(b), which allow a unit removed from the HAP contract under § 983.260 to be returned to the contract after the family vacates.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Families in PBV housing have rights under § 983.260 if their PHA determines they are in a wrong-size unit or an accessible unit they do not require — including the right to receive written notice within 30 days and an offer of continued housing assistance within 60 days of that determination. The continued assistance options outlined in § 983.260(b) include placement in another PBV unit, other project-based housing, or a tenant-based voucher, and in some circumstances families may request an extension of up to an additional 90 days to locate suitable replacement housing. Tenants who have questions about how this process applies to their household may benefit from contacting their local PHA for clarification or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization familiar with federal housing voucher programs.
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 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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