HUD HCV Guidebook § 4.2

Housing quality standards found in 24 CFR § 982.401 for the HCV program apply to group homes, with
the following standards below applying in place of HQS standards for sanitary facilities, food preparation
and refuse disposal, space and security, structure and materials, and site and neighborhood. The
entire unit must comply with HQS standards.

      •   Sanitary Facilities. Group homes must20 have at least one bathroom in the unit, with a flush
          toilet that can be used in privacy, a fixed basin with hot and cold running water, and a shower
          or bathtub with hot and cold running water. A group home may contain private or common
          bathrooms. However, no more than four residents can be required to share a bathroom. All
          sanitary facilities must be readily accessible to and usable by residents, including persons with
          disabilities. All sanitary facilities must be in proper operating condition, and must21 be
          adequate for the personal cleanliness and the disposal of human waste. In addition, the group
          home must utilize an approvable public or private disposal system.
    •     Food Preparation and Service. Group home units must22 contain a kitchen and dining area with
          adequate space to store, prepare, and serve food in a sanitary manner. Food preparation and
          service equipment must23 be in proper operating condition and be adequate for the number of

18 24 CFR § 982.4
19 24 CFR § 982.610(b)(2)
20 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(1)(i) and (ii)
21 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(1)(ii)
22 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(2)(i)
23 24 CFR § 982.614(c)(2)(ii)

residents in the group home. The facilities for food preparation and service may be private or
           may be shared by the residents. The kitchen must24 contain a stove or range, and oven, a
           refrigerator, and a sink with hot and cold running water. The sink must25 drain into an
           approvable public or private disposal system. Group homes must26 contain adequate facilities
           and services for the sanitary disposal of food waste and refuse, including facilities for temporary
           storage where necessary.

       •   Space and Security. Group homes must27 contain at least one bedroom of appropriate size for
           every 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. Each unit
           must28 provide adequate space and security for the assisted person. Doors and windows that
           are accessible from outside the unit must be lockable.29

       •   Structure and Material. To avoid any threat to the health and safety of the residents, group
           homes must30 be structurally sound. Elevators must31 be in good condition. Group homes
           must be accessible to and usable by residents with disabilities.32

       •   Site and Neighborhood. Group homes must33 be located in a residential setting. The site and
           neighborhood should be reasonably free from hazards to the health, safety, and general welfare
           of the residents, and should not be subject to serious adverse conditions, such as:
               o Dangerous walks or steps;                          o Smoke or dust;
               o Instability;                                       o Excessive noise;
               o Flooding, poor drainage;                           o Vibrations or vehicular traffic;
               o Septic tank back-ups;                              o Excessive accumulations of trash;
               o Sewage hazards;                                    o Vermin or rodent infestation;
               o Mud slides;                                        o Fire hazards.
               o Abnormal air pollution;

The housing quality standards applicable to lead-based paint do not apply, unless a child under the age of 6 is
expected to reside in the unit.