3 - PUBLIC HEARING ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

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. Administrative Plan 4/1/16 . Page 6-40 family unless SAHA has subsequently increased the payment standard, in which case the payment standard will be determined in accordance with procedures for increases in payment standards described below. Increases If the payment standard is increased during the term of the HAP contract, the increased payment standard will be used to calculate the monthly housing assistance payment for the family beginning on the effective date of the family’s first regular reexamination on or after the effective date of the increase in the payment standard. Families requiring or requesting interim reexaminations will not have their HAP payments calculated using the higher payment standard until their next annual reexamination [HCV GB, p. 7-8]. Changes in Family Unit Size Irrespective of any increase or decrease in the payment standard, if the family unit size increases or decreases during the HAP contract term, the new family unit size must be used to determine the payment standard for the family beginning at the family’s first regular reexamination following the change in family unit size. Reasonable Accommodation If a family requires a higher payment standard as a reasonable accommodation for a family member who is a person with disabilities, SAHA is allowed to establish a higher payment standard for the family within the basic range. 6-III.D. APPLYING UTILITY ALLOWANCES [24 CFR 982.517] Overview A SAHA-established utility allowance schedule is used in determining family share and SAHA subsidy. A family's utility allowance is determined by the size of dwelling unit leased by a family or the voucher unit size for which the family qualifies using SAHA subsidy standards, whichever is the lowest of the two [FR Notice 06/25/14]. See Chapter 5 for information on SAHA’s subsidy standards. For policies on establishing and updating utility allowances, see Chapter 16. Reasonable Accommodation HCV program regulations require a SAHA to approve a utility allowance amount higher than shown on SAHA’s schedule if a higher allowance is needed as a reasonable accommodation for a family member with a disability. For example, if a family member with a disability requires such an accommodation, SAHA will approve an allowance for air-conditioning, even if SAHA has determined that an allowance for air-conditioning generally is not needed. The family must request the higher allowance and provide SAHA with an explanation of the need for the reasonable accommodation and information about the amount of additional allowance required [HCV GB, p. 18-8]. 3-168