HUD HCV Guidebook § 13

The following terms are used in this Chapter:

Contract unit is the housing unit rented by the tenant with assistance under the program.

Family means the persons who may reside in the unit with assistance under the program as defined
in the PHA’s Administrative Plan and consistent with 24 CFR 5.403

HAP contract is the housing assistance payments contract between the PHA and the owner. The PHA
pays housing assistance payments to the owner in accordance with the HAP contract.

Household refers to the persons who may reside in the contract unit. The household consists of the
family and any PHA-approved live-in aide. (A live-in aide is a person who resides in the unit to provide
necessary supportive services for a member of the family who is elderly, near-elderly, or a person
with disabilities.)

73 24 CFR § 982.158(e)

Housing quality standards (HQS) are the HUD minimum quality standards for housing assisted under
the Section 8 tenant-based programs.

Lease is the written agreement between the owner and the tenant for the lease of the contract unit
to the tenant. The lease includes the tenancy addendum prescribed by HUD.

Premises mean the building or complex, in which the contract unit is located, including common
areas and grounds.

Rent to owner is the total monthly rent payable to the owner for the contract unit. The rent to owner
is the sum of the portion of rent payable by the tenant plus the PHA housing assistance payment to
the owner.