Terminology

The plan that describes PHA policies for administration of the tenant-based programs. The Administrative Plan and any revisions must be approved by the PHA’s board and included as a supporting document to the PHA Plan. 

HUD defines affordable housing as housing where a household spends no more than 30% of its gross income on housing costs. This includes utilities, rent or mortgage payments, property taxes and insurance.

Area median income is determined by HUD, with adjustments for smaller and larger families. HUD may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 30 percent of median income if HUD finds such variations are necessary due to unusually high or low family incomes.

Housing Authority of the County of San Diego

Housing and Community Development Services

Housing Choice Voucher

Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (2016)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The maximum monthly assistance payment for a family assisted in the voucher program (before deducting the total tenant payment by the family).

Project Based Voucher. Rental vouchers that are tied to a specific unit. The assistance stays with the unit after the tenant moves out. 

Public Housing Authority (Agency). Any state, county, municipality, or other governmental entity or public body, or agency or instrumentality of these entities, that is authorized to engage or assist in the development or operation of low-income housing under the 1937 Act.

Standards established by a PHA to determine the appropriate number of bedrooms and amount of subsidy for families of different sizes and compositions.

A document issued by a PHA to a family selected for admission to the housing choice voucher program. This document describes the program and the procedures for PHA approval of a unit selected by the family. The voucher also states obligations of the family under the program. This is more commonly known as a Housing Choice Voucher.