HUD HCV Guidebook § 5.1
Occupancy (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
An assisted family may share a unit with other persons assisted under the HCV program, or with other unassisted persons. The owner of a shared housing unit may reside in the unit, but housing assistance may not be paid on behalf of the owner. The resident owner may not be related by blood or marriage to the assisted family. 35 24 CFR § 983.613(b)(1) 36 24 CFR § 982.613(b)(2) If approved by the PHA, a live-in aide may reside with the family to care for a person with disabilities. The PHA must 37approve a live-in aide if needed as a reasonable accommodation so that the program is readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. PHA approval of a live-in aide is subject to HCV program regulation 24 CFR § 982.316.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 5.1, a household receiving HCV assistance may live in a shared housing unit alongside other assisted or unassisted individuals. If the unit's owner also lives there, housing assistance payments cannot be made on the owner's behalf, and that owner must not be related by blood or marriage to the assisted family. Additionally, a live-in aide may be approved to reside with the family to support a member with disabilities, and such approval is required as a reasonable accommodation under applicable fair housing principles.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HCV Guidebook § 5.1, owners who choose to reside in a shared unit they rent to an assisted family should be aware that no housing assistance payments will flow to them personally, and they must not have a familial relationship with the assisted household. Compliant operators ensure that any shared-housing arrangement is clearly documented and consistent with PHA requirements. When a family requests a live-in aide, operators generally cooperate with the PHA's review process, as approval under 24 CFR § 982.316 may be required as a reasonable accommodation for a person with disabilities.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HCV Guidebook § 5.1 gives assisted families the right to live in shared housing with other people, whether or not those others receive assistance, subject to program rules. If a family member has a disability and requires a live-in aide, the PHA is obligated to approve that arrangement as a reasonable accommodation under 24 CFR § 982.316, making the program accessible to persons with disabilities. Tenants who believe a live-in aide request has been improperly denied may consider raising the issue directly with their PHA, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or reaching out to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for guidance.
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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