How the Trump Plan Would Raise Rents on HUD-Assisted Households

The Trump Administration has unveiled legislation that would raise rents on over 4 million low-income households with Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rental assistance by $3.2 billion annually when fully phased in. Working families, the elderly, and people with disabilities would pay more than three-fourths of the $3.2 billion increase. Among other things, the plan would raise minimum housing payments for households with little or no income and eliminate deductions that lower rents for households with high expenses, such as for medical costs or child care. Though billed as a simplification, the plan creates two separate rent formulas based on household composition. If a household includes anyone aged 18-65 who isn’t disabled (under HUD’s definition), the plan would raise the share of income the household must pay for rent and allow housing agencies and owners to end assistance if adults don’t work a specified number of hours.

Under Current Law

Most households pay the highest of…

1. 30% of adjusted income (gross income minus deductions)
2. 10% of gross income
3. Minimum payment^a ($0-$50 per month depending on program and housing agency)

Households can receive these income deductions:

• $400 annually for elderly and disabled households^b
• $480 annually per dependent
• Unreimbursed child care expenses needed for employment or education
• Unreimbursed medical expenses (for elderly and disabled families only) and certain disability-related expenses (for any family with a disabled member) that exceed 3 percent of family income

A household is considered elderly or disabled if the head, the head’s spouse, or the sole member is over 62 or has a disability.

Under Proposed Legislation

The rent formula varies based on the composition of the household, and deductions are eliminated. Elderly and disabled households are reclassified under new criteria: a household is considered elderly or disabled if all members of the household are either over 65 or have a disability. Once the plan is fully phased in,^c rent is determined using the following:

Example: Single Elderly Household with High Medical Expenses

John is a 75-year-old who rents from a private landlord in HUD’s project-based rental assistance program. His income is $16,000 a year with $4,000 in annual unreimbursed medical expenses. The program charges a monthly minimum monthly payment of $25.

Note: Income and rent calculations are rounded to the nearest $10.

Example: Disabled Household with a Non-Disabled Adult Member

Mary and her 19-year-old daughter, Carol, use a voucher to rent their apartment. Mary has a disability and cannot work. Carol is a full-time college student living at home. Their income is $11,000 a year with $600 in annual unreimbursed medical expenses for Mary. Their housing agency charges a monthly minimum housing payment of $50.

Note: Income and rent calculations are rounded to the nearest $10.

Example: Family in Deep Poverty with Minimum Housing Payment Increase

Sarah and her two children, an infant and a toddler, live in Public Housing. Sarah provides full-time care to her children because she lacks affordable child care. Her income is $3,000 a year, or $250 a month. She pays $80/month for utilities. The housing authority does not charge a minimum payment.

Note: Income and rent calculations are rounded to the nearest $10.