HUD HCV Guidebook § 4
Group Homes (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
A group home is a state-licensed, certified, or otherwise state-approved facility intended for occupancy by elderly persons and/or persons with disabilities. The group home consists of residents’ bedrooms, which can be shared by no more than two people, and a living room, kitchen, dining area, bathroom, and other appropriate social, recreational, or community space that may be shared with other residents. For purposes of this program, a group home is for the exclusive residential use of 2 to 12 persons who are elderly and/or are persons with a disability.18 This includes assisted and unassisted residents, and any live-in aides. There is a separate lease and HAP contract for each assisted person.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 4, a group home is defined as a state-licensed or state-approved residential facility designed for elderly individuals and/or people with disabilities, housing between 2 and 12 persons total. The physical space must include private or semi-private bedrooms (shared by no more than two people) along with common areas such as a kitchen, living room, dining area, and bathroom. Each assisted resident in a qualifying group home has their own individual lease and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract, distinguishing this arrangement from a single shared lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of group homes participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 4 generally ensure that their facility holds the required state license, certification, or approval before accepting voucher holders. Compliant operators maintain bedroom occupancy at no more than two residents per room and confirm that the total residential population, including assisted residents, unassisted residents, and any live-in aides, falls within the 2-to-12-person range. Because each assisted resident requires a separate lease and HAP contract, operators typically maintain distinct documentation for every voucher-assisted occupant in the home.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HCV Guidebook § 4 establishes that eligible tenants living in a qualifying group home — including those with disabilities or elderly individuals — are entitled to their own individual lease and HAP contract rather than being grouped under a single agreement. Residents can verify that their group home meets program requirements, such as state licensing and proper bedroom occupancy limits, by contacting their local Public Housing Authority (PHA), which administers the voucher program. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with HUD programs can also help residents understand whether a specific group home arrangement aligns with the standards set out in this provision.
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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