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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 14. HOUSING |
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Chapter 14-53. RECERTIFICATIONS, HOUSING QUALITY STANDARD INSPECTIONS, AND FAMILY MOVES |
Section 14-5332. UTILITY ALLOWANCE SCHEDULE SIMPLIFICATION
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5332.1If the Family pays for some or all utilities, DCHA shall provide the Family with a utility allowance. The allowances are based on actual rates and average consumption estimates, not on a Family's actual energy consumption. The utility allowance is given as a reduction in the Family’s portion of rent to be paid to the owner.
5332.2The Family’s share shall be the TTP minus an allowance for utilities based on income determinations as enumerated by 24 C.F.R. § 5.609 and 24 C.F.R. § 5.611.
5332.3DCHA shall review the Utility Allowance Schedule on an annual basis. If a revision is needed, based on methods required by HUD, the Utility Allowance Schedule shall be revised.
5332.4Approved utility allowance schedule(s) shall be given to families along with their Housing Voucher. The same schedule(s) shall be used by DCHA to record the actual allowance for the unit the Family selects if there are Family-paid utilities.
5332.5Where the Utility Allowance exceeds the TTP of the Family, DCHA shall provide a Utility Reimbursement Payment on behalf of the Family each month.
5332.6 DCHA shall publish the utility schedule by bedroom sizes annually. DCHA shall also provide the utility allowance schedule to applicants at their initial briefing.
5332.7A utility allowance shall be determined based upon the lesser of either:
(a) Number of bedrooms; or
(b) Voucher size;
5332.8 If any Family’s simplified utility allowance decreases by more than $25.00 and the decrease equals more than 10% of the household’s adjusted monthly income, the Family may request a hardship waiver.
5332.9 To qualify for the hardship waiver, the head of household must provide tenant paid utility bills, or other proof of tenant paid utility charges from the assisted unit from the previous six months to demonstrate that the average monthly cost exceeds their new utility allowance.
5332.10Any request for a hardship must be in writing and received by DCHA within thirty-five (35) days of the DCHA notice to the family of their new rent determination.
5332.11A Family that can demonstrate hardship shall be provided with a one-time six month simplified utility allowance waiver and the utility allowance will be set at either the lower of:
(a) the previous utility allowance; or
(b) Family’s average tenant paid utility bills from the past six months.
5332.12 At the end of the six month hardship period, the simplified utility allowance shall be applied.