Nan McKay Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Specialist
Exam 2026 | 100 Verified Questions & Answers | Full
Study Guide | Guaranteed Pass
1. What is the primary purpose of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Program?
Answer:
To assist low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in
obtaining safe, decent, and sanitary housing in the private market by subsidizing
rent payments.
2. What does PHA stand for, and what is its role?
Answer:
Public Housing Agency (PHA). It administers the HCV program locally,
determines eligibility, calculates subsidies, and ensures compliance with HUD
regulations.
3. What are the three main eligibility criteria for HCV applicants?
Answer:
Income limits
Citizenship or eligible immigration status
,Background screening (criminal history, etc.)
4. What is “annual income” in the HCV program?
Answer:
Total anticipated income from all sources received by all household members over
the next 12 months before deductions.
5. Name two types of income that are excluded from annual income.
Answer:
Earned income of children under 18
Lump-sum additions such as inheritances or insurance payments
6. What is adjusted income?
Answer:
Annual income minus allowable deductions (e.g., dependents, elderly/disabled
allowance, medical expenses).
7. What percentage of adjusted income do families typically pay toward rent?
Answer:
Approximately 30% of adjusted monthly income.
8. What is the Payment Standard?
, Answer:
The maximum subsidy amount set by the PHA, based on Fair Market Rent (FMR)
for a unit size in a specific area.
9. What is Fair Market Rent (FMR)?
Answer:
An estimate by HUD of the cost to rent moderately priced housing in a local
market.
10. Define Total Tenant Payment (TTP).
Answer:
The amount a family must contribute toward rent and utilities, based on income
calculations.
11. What is the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)?
Answer:
The portion of rent paid by the PHA directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant.
12. What is the difference between tenant rent and gross rent?
Answer:
Tenant rent: What the tenant pays
Exam 2026 | 100 Verified Questions & Answers | Full
Study Guide | Guaranteed Pass
1. What is the primary purpose of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Program?
Answer:
To assist low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in
obtaining safe, decent, and sanitary housing in the private market by subsidizing
rent payments.
2. What does PHA stand for, and what is its role?
Answer:
Public Housing Agency (PHA). It administers the HCV program locally,
determines eligibility, calculates subsidies, and ensures compliance with HUD
regulations.
3. What are the three main eligibility criteria for HCV applicants?
Answer:
Income limits
Citizenship or eligible immigration status
,Background screening (criminal history, etc.)
4. What is “annual income” in the HCV program?
Answer:
Total anticipated income from all sources received by all household members over
the next 12 months before deductions.
5. Name two types of income that are excluded from annual income.
Answer:
Earned income of children under 18
Lump-sum additions such as inheritances or insurance payments
6. What is adjusted income?
Answer:
Annual income minus allowable deductions (e.g., dependents, elderly/disabled
allowance, medical expenses).
7. What percentage of adjusted income do families typically pay toward rent?
Answer:
Approximately 30% of adjusted monthly income.
8. What is the Payment Standard?
, Answer:
The maximum subsidy amount set by the PHA, based on Fair Market Rent (FMR)
for a unit size in a specific area.
9. What is Fair Market Rent (FMR)?
Answer:
An estimate by HUD of the cost to rent moderately priced housing in a local
market.
10. Define Total Tenant Payment (TTP).
Answer:
The amount a family must contribute toward rent and utilities, based on income
calculations.
11. What is the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)?
Answer:
The portion of rent paid by the PHA directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant.
12. What is the difference between tenant rent and gross rent?
Answer:
Tenant rent: What the tenant pays
