6506 CALCULATING RENT

6506.1 The first step in calculating income-based rent is to determine each family’s total tenant payment (TTP).

6506.2 TTP is the highest of the following:

(a) Thirty percent (30%) of the family’s monthly adjusted income;

(b) Ten percent (10%) of the family’s monthly gross income;

(c) The welfare rent; and

(d) The minimum rent of $0.

6506.3 DCHA has authority to suspend and exempt families from minimum rent when a financial hardship exists.

6506.4 Welfare rent does not apply in the District of Columbia.

6506.5 The minimum rent for the District of Columbia is Zero Dollars ($0).

6506.6 Utility reimbursements are not paid to the family when there are no tenant-paid utilities (for example, DCHA pays for all utilities).

6506.7 [RESERVED]

6506.8 [RESERVED]

6506.9 [RESERVED]

6506.10 [RESERVED]

6506.11 [RESERVED]

6506.12 [RESERVED]

6506.13 [RESERVED]

6506.14 [RESERVED]

6506.15 [RESERVED]

6506.16 [RESERVED]

6506.17 [RESERVED]6506.18 [RESERVED]6506.19 [RESERVED]6506.20 [RESERVED]6506.21 [RESERVED]6506.22 [RESERVED]6506.23 [RESERVED]6506.24 Utility allowances are provided to families paying income-based rents when the cost of utilities is not included in the rent.6506.25 When determining a family's income- based rent, DCHA must use the utility allowance applicable to the type of dwelling unit leased by the family.6506.26 All current DCHA-managed public housing properties include utility costs in the rent, so no utility allowance is applied nor is any utility reimbursement given.6506.27 Privately-managed public housing in mixed-finance properties may or may not include the costs of utilities in the rent. For those that do not include utilities in the rent, the utility allowance is subtracted from the TTP. Then:- (a) If the result of this calculation is a positive number, that is the tenant rent;

- (b) If the result of this calculation is a negative number, that is referred to as a utility reimbursement, which may be paid to the family or directly to the utility company by DCHA6506.28 On request from a family whose rent does not include the cost of utilities, DCHA shall approve a utility allowance that is higher than the applicable amount for the dwelling unit if a higher utility allowance is needed as a reasonable accommodation to make the program accessible to and usable by the family with a disability.6506.29 Residents with disabilities may not be charged for the use of certain resident-supplied appliances if there is a verified need for special equipment because of the disability.

6506.30 For families whose rent does not include the cost of utilities, DCHA may grant requests for relief from charges in excess of the utility allowance on reasonable grounds, such as special needs of the elderly, ill, or residents with disabilities, or special factors not within control of the resident, as the DCHA deems appropriate. The family must request the higher allowance and provide DCHA with an explanation about the additional allowance required.

6506.31 DCHA does not require the families to pay utilities at DCHA owned and operated properties. As noted above, families in public housing in privately managed mixed-finance properties may be required to pay utilities.

6506.32 In determining the amount of the reasonable accommodation or individual relief for tenant-paid utilities, DCHA shall allow a reasonable measure of additional usage as necessary. To arrive at the amount of additional utility cost of specific equipment, the family may provide information from the manufacturer of the equipment, or the family or DCHA may conduct an internet search for an estimate of usage or additional monthly cost.

6506.33 Information on reasonable accommodation and individual relief for charges in excess of the utility allowance is provided to all residents of properties managed directly by DCHA and managed by a third-party with tenant-paid utilities at move-in and with any notice of proposed allowances, schedule surcharges, and revisions. DCHA shall also provide information on utility relief programs or medical discounts (sometimes referred to as “Medical Baseline discounts”) that may be available through local utility providers.

6506.34 Families with tenant-paid utilities must request the higher allowance and provide DCHA with information about the amount of additional allowance required.

6506.35 At its discretion, DCHA may reevaluate the need for the increased utility allowance as a reasonable accommodation at any regular reexamination.

6506.36 If the excessive consumption is caused by a characteristic of the unit or DCHA-supplied equipment that is beyond the family’s control, such as a particularly inefficient refrigerator or inadequate insulation, the relief to the family ceases when the situation is remedied.

6506.37 DCHA must review at least annually the basis on which utility allowances have been established.

6506.38 DCHA must revise the utility allowance schedule if there is a rate change that by itself or together with prior rate changes not adjusted for, results in a change of ten percent (10%) or more from the rates on which such allowances were based.

6506.39 Adjustments to resident payments as a result of the changes in § 6503.37 must be retroactive to the first day of the month following the month in which the last rate change taken into account in such revision became effective. Such rate changes are not subject to the sixty (60) day notice.6506.40 The tenant rent calculations must reflect any changes in the DCHA's utility allowance schedule.6506.41 Between annual reviews of utility allowances, DCHA shall only revise its utility allowances due to a rate change, when required by the federal regulations.6506.42 A 'mixed family' is one that includes at least one (1) U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and any number of ineligible family members. DCHA must prorate the assistance provided to a mixed family in accordance with 24 CFR § 5.520(d).6506.43 Policies related to the reexamination of families paying flat rent are contained in Chapter 68, and policies related to the establishment and review of flat rents are contained in Chapter 81.6506.44 Changes in family income, expenses, or composition will not affect the flat rent amount because it is outside the income-based formula.6506.45 [RESERVED]6506.46 DCHA shall offer a family the choice between flat and income-based rent upon admission and upon each subsequent regular reexamination.6506.47 DCHA shall require families to submit their choice of flat or income-based rent in writing and shall maintain such requests in the tenant file as part of the admission or annual reexamination process.6506.48 [RESERVED]6506.49 A family can opt to switch from flat rent to income-based rent at any time if they are unable to pay the flat rent due to financial hardship.6506.50 Upon determination by DCHA that a financial hardship exists, DCHA shall allow a family to switch from flat rent to income-based rent effective the first of the month following the family's request.6506.51 [RESERVED]6506.52 DCHA considers payment of flat rent to be a financial hardship whenever the switch to income-based rent would be lower than the flat rent.

SOURCE: Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 33 DCR 7973, 8029 (December 26, 1986); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 007351 (May 15, 2026).