HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 5-27
Calculating Assistance Payments for Authorized Police/Security Personnel (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
A. The amount of the monthly assistance payment to the owner is equal to the
contract rent minus the monthly amount paid by the police officer or security
personnel. HUD will not increase the assistance payment due to nonpayment of
rent by the police officer or security personnel.
NOTE: The owner is not entitled to vacancy payments for the period following
occupancy by a police officer or security personnel.
B. For police/security personnel whose income exceeds the income limit for the
property, the rent is set by the owner.
1. The determination of the rent amount in such circumstances should take
into consideration the income of the officer, the location of the property,
and rents for comparable unassisted units in the area.
2. Owners should establish a rent that is attractive to the officer, but not less
than what the officer would pay as an eligible Section 8 tenant.
3. Owners are expected to use a consistent methodology for each property
when establishing the rents for officers in these circumstances.HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 5-27 governs how assistance payments are calculated when police officers or security personnel occupy Section 8 units. The monthly assistance payment equals the contract rent minus whatever the officer or security personnel pays; HUD will not make up the difference if that occupant fails to pay rent. When an officer's income exceeds the property's income limit, the owner sets the rent based on the officer's income, local market conditions, and comparable unassisted rents — but that rent may not fall below what the officer would owe as an eligible Section 8 tenant. Vacancy payments are not available for periods following occupancy by police or security personnel.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 5-27, compliant owners track the distinction between the contract rent and the amount the officer or security personnel actually pays, since HUD will not supplement any shortfall caused by nonpayment. When an officer's income exceeds the property's income limit, owners generally document their rent-setting methodology — accounting for the officer's income, local comparable rents, and the floor set by what the officer would pay as an eligible Section 8 tenant — and apply that methodology consistently across the property. Owners also note that vacancy payment eligibility ends once a police or security personnel occupant has taken possession, so lease-up and turnover planning should account for that limitation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 5-27 establishes specific rules for police officers and security personnel living in Section 8 properties, including a floor on the rent they can be charged — it cannot be set below what they would pay as an eligible Section 8 tenant. Officers or security personnel who believe their rent has been set inconsistently or outside the parameters described in this provision may raise that concern with the property's contract administrator or with HUD directly. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Section 8 program rules can help occupants understand how these calculations are supposed to work and what recourse options may be available.
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 25, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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