A Special Case: How Mixed-Families Affect Your HAP Payment

While most Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) calculations are standard, there is a specific scenario that dramatically changes the math: leasing to a “mixed-family.” This is a household that includes members who are U.S. citizens or have eligible immigration status, alongside members who are ineligible or choose not to declare their status.

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The Proration Factor: The Heart of the Calculation

The PHA determines the reduction using a simple formula called the proration factor.

Proration Factor = (Number of Eligible Family Members) / (Total Number of Family Members)

For example, in a family of four where three members are eligible citizens and one is an ineligible non-citizen, the proration factor would be:

3 (Eligible) / 4 (Total) = 0.75

This means the PHA will only pay 75% of the otherwise calculated HAP subsidy.

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Step-by-Step: Calculating a Prorated HAP

The proration factor is the very last step in the calculation. You must first determine what the HAP would have been for the entire family, and only then apply the reduction.

Let’s walk through the detailed example provided in the HUD handbook.

Scenario Data:

• Family Size: 4 people (3 eligible, 1 ineligible)
• Payment Standard: $600
• Gross Rent for Your Unit: $550
• TTP _{(based on all household income)}: $250

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Step 1: Calculate the HAP Before Proration

• $600 (Payment Standard) - $250 (TTP) = $350
• $550 (Gross Rent) - $250 (TTP) = $300

The PHA takes the lower amount. The HAP before proration is $300.

Step 2: Determine the Proration Factor

• 3 eligible members / 4 total members = 0.75

Step 3: Apply the Factor to Find the Prorated HAP

This is the actual HAP you will receive from the PHA.

• $300 (HAP before proration) x 0.75 (Proration Factor) = $225
• The Prorated HAP to Owner is $225.

Step 4: Calculate the New Family Share

This is the amount the family is now responsible for paying.

• $550 (Gross Rent) - $225 (Prorated HAP) = $325
• The Family Share is $325.

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What This Means for You, the Investor

The impact of proration is significant and shifts the financial dynamics of the tenancy.

Impact Summary	Before Proration	After Proration
PHA HAP Payment	$300	$225
Tenant Share	$250	$325
Total Rent to Owner	$550	$550

• Your Total Rent Does Not Change: You are still owed the full Gross Rent for the unit ($550 in this case).
• The Payment Source Shifts Dramatically: Instead of a $300 HAP and a $250 tenant portion, you now receive a $225 HAP and must collect a $325 tenant portion. The tenant’s responsibility has increased by 30%!
• Increased Collection Risk: Your “guaranteed” government portion of the rent is smaller, and your reliance on the tenant’s ability to pay their larger share increases substantially.
• The 40% Rule Still Applies: A mixed-family is not exempt from the Maximum Initial Rent Burden rule. The PHA will still check if the family’s new, higher share ($325) is more than 40% of their monthly adjusted income. In many cases, this higher burden can cause an otherwise approvable tenancy to be denied.