HUD HCV Guidebook § 3.5
Prorated Assistance (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
For mixed families that include both members who are citizens or have eligible immigration status
and members who do not have eligible immigration status (or elect not to state that they have
eligible status), assistance is prorated based on the number of household members who are citizens
or eligible immigrants in relation to the total number of members in the family.26 See the Eligibility
and Denial of Assistance chapter for a discussion of citizenship status.
24
24 CFR 982.514(b)
25
PIH Notice 2016-05
26
24 CFR 5.508
Calculations of total annual income, adjusted income and TTP are identical for mixed families,
including those who do not have eligible immigration status or do not contend eligible status.
In order to calculate the prorated HAP and the resulting family share, the PHA must27 follow these
steps:
1. Determine gross rent (rent to owner plus utilities) for the unit;
2. Determine the HAP amount, taking into consideration the income of all family
members;
3. Determine the proration factor by dividing the number of eligible family members
(citizens and those with eligible immigration status) by the total number of members
in the family;
4. Multiply the HAP amount calculated in Step 2 by the proration factor calculated in
Step 3 to determine the prorated HAP; and
5. Subtract the prorated HAP (Step 4) from gross rent (Step 1) to determine the family
share.
Example 13 shows a sample utility reimbursement calculation for when the tenant pays some of the
utilities.
Example 13: Calculating Prorated HAP and
Family Share
Gross rent $550
Payment standard $600
TTP based on all household income $250
Family size 4
Number of ineligible noncitizens 1
HAP is the lower of
Payment standard ($600) minus TTP ($250) or
Gross rent ($550) minus TTP ($250)
HAP is $300, before proration
3 eligible family members of 4
Proration factor
members = ¾ or .75
HAP before proration ($300) 300 x
Prorated HAP
proration factor (.75) = $225
Gross rent ($550) – Prorated HAP
Family share
($225) = $325
There is no exception to the statutory maximum initial rent burden (described in Section 2.3 -
Maximum Rent Burden at Initial Occupancy) for mixed families. Accordingly, the PHA will not approve
a unit for which family share would exceed 40 percent of monthly adjusted income.
27
24 CFR 5.20(c)Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.5, when a household includes both members who qualify as citizens or eligible immigrants and members who do not (or choose not to declare their status), the housing assistance payment (HAP) is reduced proportionally. The proration is calculated by dividing the number of eligible members by the total household size, then applying that fraction to the full HAP amount. The family's share of rent is then the gross rent minus the prorated HAP, and the standard 40-percent-of-adjusted-income cap on initial rent burden still applies to mixed families without exception.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.5, operators participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program who rent to mixed families should be aware that the PHA calculates a prorated HAP rather than a full subsidy, meaning the family's out-of-pocket share will be higher than it would be for a fully eligible household. The gross rent and utility structure of the unit factor directly into the proration calculation, so accurate reporting of rent-to-owner and utility costs is part of standard compliance practice. Because the PHA must follow the five-step calculation outlined in § 3.5 before approving a unit, landlords can expect the process to involve verification of household composition and eligibility determinations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.5 establishes that mixed-family households have a right to prorated assistance rather than being denied voucher benefits entirely, meaning eligible members of the household can still receive a proportional subsidy. Tenants in mixed families should understand that their total rent burden—the family share—is calculated based on gross rent minus the prorated HAP, and that this share cannot exceed 40 percent of monthly adjusted income at initial occupancy. If a family believes their proration was calculated incorrectly, general enforcement paths include raising the issue with the administering PHA, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development directly.
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 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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