3-2 Key Terms

• A. There are a number of technical terms used in this chapter that have very specific definitions established by federal statute or regulations or by HUD. These terms are listed in Figure 3-1 and their definitions can be found in the Glossary to this handbook. It is important to be familiar with these definitions when reading this chapter.

• B. The terms “disability” and “persons with disabilities” are used in two contexts – for civil rights protections, and for program eligibility purposes. Each use has specific definitions.

  1. When used in context of protection from discrimination or improving the accessibility of housing, the civil rights-related definitions apply.

  2. When used in the context of eligibility under multifamily subsidized housing programs, the program eligibility definitions apply.

NOTE: See the Glossary for specific definitions and paragraph 2-23 for an explanation of this difference.

Figure 3-1: Key Terms

• Applicant Assistance animals

• Chronically mentally ill

• Citizen

• Developmentally disabled

• Disabled family

• Disabled household

• Displaced family

• Elderly family

• Elderly person

• Eligible noncitizen

• Enterprise Income Verification (EIV)

• Evidence of citizenship or eligible status

• Family

• Income limit

  • Live-in aide

  • Mixed family

  • National

  • Near-elderly family

  • Noncitizen

  • Nonelderly disabled family

  • PAC (Project Assistance Contract)

  • Person with disabilities

  • Physical disability

  • PRAC (Project Rental Assistance Contract)

  • Prorated assistance

  • RAP (Rental Assistance Payment)

  • Remaining member of a tenant family

  • Rent Supplement

  • Section 8

• Independent student

HUD Occupancy Handbook Chapter 3: Eligibility for Assistance and Occupancy

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3-2

Section 1: Program Eligibility

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