Terms Commonly Used in the Section 8 Program

Abatement. The suspension of housing assistance payments when an owner fails to make repairs and the unit is not in compliance with HQS. The Owner is not "reimbursed" (repaid) for any "abated" HAP payments.

Anniversary Date. The date assigned by OHA for the annual inspections and re-certification. The date usually coincides with the first of the month in which the tenancy began.

Annual Inspection.The inspection designed to ensure that a unit continues to meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Rental housing rented through the Section 8 program must be inspected on an annual basis.

Contract Rent. The total rent paid to the property owner, including both the tenant’s portion plus the OHA subsidy.

Effective Date. The date when a contract, lease, or notification (i.e. abatement) begins.

Eviction. The legal removal of a tenant from the rental unit.

Fair Market Rent (FMR). The rent, including the cost of utilities, that must be paid in the housing market area for privately owned modest housing. FMR’s are determined by HUD and published annually in the Federal Register.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS). A program established by OHA to promote self-sufficiency of assisted families, including the coordination with supportive services.

Gross Rent. The total amount of contract rent plus the utility allowance.

Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). The amount of rent paid by OHA on behalf of the eligible family.

Housing Assistance Payment Contract (HAP Contract). The written contract between OHA and the property owner that details the terms and conditions of OHA’s payments on behalf of a family with rental assistance.

HUD. The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a federal agency.

Housing Quality Standards (HQS). ). The minimum standards set by HUD for rental housing rented through the Section 8 program.

Initial Inspection. The move-in inspection used to determine that the unit passes Housing Quality Standards (HQS) before rental assistance begins.

Interim. A re-examination of a household's income, expense or status conducted between the annual re-certifications when there is a change in the family’s circumstances.

Lease. The written agreement between the property owner and the tenant. This contract establishes the terms and conditions for renting the unit.

Mutual Agreement. The written agreement between the property owner and tenant to end the tenancy before the end of the initial lease term or with less than 30 days notice from the tenant.

Occupancy Standard. The standard that OHA uses for determining the appropriate number of bedrooms needed to house families of different sizes or composition.

OHA. The Oakland Housing Authority.

Payment Standard. The amount used to determine the maximum subsidy that OHA can pay to a property owner on behalf of a Voucher participant.

Portability.The process of renting a dwelling unit with Section 8 assistance outside of the jurisdiction of the initial housing authority. A family participating in Voucher program in Oakland may request to transfer to another Housing Authority, or a family may transfer into Oakland from another Housing Authority.

Re-Certification/Re-Examination. The process of annually documenting that a family continues to meet the eligibility requirements for housing assistance. This process also includes determining how much the tenant will pay for their portion of rent.

Tenant Rent. The portion of rent HUD requires the tenant to pay.

Total Tenant Payment (TTP). The portion of rent a tenant pays plus the amount designated as the utility allowance.

Unit. The apartment, house or condominium rented by the family. The size of the "unit" is based on the number of bedrooms.

Utility Allowance. An estimate of the typical utility costs (such as gas and electric) for a unit taking into consideration the unit's size and type. Only the utilities paid directly by the tenant are considered. If all the utilities are included in the rent there is no utility allowance.

Voucher. The document issued by OHA to families receiving assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher program. The voucher is evidence of the family’s assistance and reviews their obligations under the program.