1. (a) The Household must participate in a self-sufficiency program.
2. (b) The amount of assistance will be determined using the Housing Choice Voucher method.
3. (c) Households certifying to zero income must also complete a questionnaire which includes a series of questions regarding how basic hygiene, dietary, transportation, and other living needs are met.
4. (d) The minimum Household contribution toward gross monthly rent must be ten percent of the Household's gross monthly income.

5. (e) Project funds are limited to:

   1. (1) rental subsidy: The rental subsidy term is limited to no more than twenty-four (24) months under a contract award. Households served under a reservation agreement may be granted a twelve (12) month extension, for a period of assistance not to exceed thirty-six (36) month cumulatively. A household may be eligible for an additional twenty-four months of assistance, for a period of assistance not to exceed sixty (60) months cumulatively, if:

      1. (A) the Household has applied for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, or HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program, and is placed on a waiting list during their TBRA participation tenure; and
      2. (B) the Household has not been removed from the waiting list for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, or HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program due to failure to respond to required notices or other ineligibility factors; and
      3. (C) the Household has not been denied participation in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, or HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program while they were being assisted with HOME TBRA; and
      4. (D) the Household did not refuse to participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, or HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program when a voucher was made available;
   2. (2) security deposit: no more than the amount equal to two (2) month's rent for the unit.
   3. (3) utility deposit in conjunction with a TBRA rental subsidy.
6. (f) The payment standard must be the current U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) "Fair Market Rent for the Housing Choice Voucher Program" at the time the household is income certified (or the rental coupon is executed). In instances where the area rents exceed the established Fair Market Rent, the Administrator may submit a written request to the Department for approval of a higher payment standard. The request must be evidenced by a market study. For HOME-assisted units, the payment standard must be the current HOME rent applicable for the unit.
7. (g) The lease agreement start date must correspond to the date of the TBRA rental coupon contract. The dates may be different only upon prior approval of the Executive Director or his/her designee.
8. (h) Project soft costs are limited to $1,200 per Household assisted for determining household income eligibility, including recertification, and conducting Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections. All costs must be reasonable and customary for the Administrator's service area.
9. (i) Funds for Administrative costs are limited to 4 percent of Direct Project Costs, excluding Match funds. Funds for Administrative costs may be increased an additional 1 percent of Direct Project Costs if Match is provided in an amount equal to 5 percent or more of Direct Project Costs.
10. (j) Rental units must be inspected prior to occupancy, annually upon Household recertification, and must comply with Housing Quality Standards established by HUD.

Source Note:The provisions of this §23.61 adopted to be effective October 31, 2012, 37 TexReg 8491; amended to be effective January 5, 2014, 38 TexReg 9497.