The Housing Choice Voucher Program uses a Payment Standard to determine the maximum rent amount that will be allowed for safe, decent and sanitary housing. Payment Standard as defined by HUD as, "the maximum monthly assistance payment for a family assisted in the voucher program (before deducting the total tenant payment for the family)."

The family has the option to select a unit that rents for more than the payment standard and pay the difference. At the time a voucher is issued, the family is informed that if the rent is more than the payment standard, they will be responsible for the additional rent amount so long as when calculating the family's portion does not exceed 40% of their adjusted monthly income. In the event the rent exceeds their 40%, the family will not qualify for the unit unless the rent is reduced by the owner.

BEDROOM	PAYMENT STANDARDS
0	$581.00
1	$640.00
2	$756.00
3	$1,100.00
4	$1,184.00
5	$1,362.00
6	$1,539.00
Payment Standards Effective Date: Tuesday, December 01, 2009

• For every dollar the contract rent exceeds the payment standard, the family pays in excess of their 30% towards rent and utilities.

The above amounts are not a guarantee of what an owner will receive monthly. A property MUST pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection conducted by the Housing Authority. Once the unit passes, a contract rent will be negotiated based on rent reasonableness.

RENT REASONABLENESS

The purpose of rent reasonableness is to assure that a fair rent is selected and does not inflate rents in the community. Rents must not exceed what is being charged for comparable unassisted units in the private market. Rent reasonableness will be applied when a unit is initially placed under a Housing Assistance Contract or when an owner requests an annual rent adjustment.

REQUEST FOR RENT ADJUSTMENT

ATTENTION: Fresno Housing Authorities are currently accepting requests for Rent Adjustments.To request a Rent Adjustment please visit the Forms and Applications section on this website and download the form "Notice of rent adjustment". Please be assured that we will keep you posted with any future updates.

Should you require additional information please contact:

Fresno Housing Authorities
Housing Choice Department
ATTN: NORA Processing
PO Box 11985
Fresno, CA 93776-1985