Utility Allowance Calculations for Section 8 and Public Housing units

CHS staff has completed several "Utility Allowance Calculations" for public housing and Section 8 units. CHS conducts a four-phase process for all utility allowance calculations. In the first phase CHS will obtain and review the applicable utility rates of utility companies in the required area that service the units, identify all allowance categories (service company, neighborhood, construction type, bedroom size, appliance type etc.). CHS will then identify a listing of the "Typical Units" within each of the allowance categories. CHS will conduct site visits of the "Typical Units" to collect data necessary for calculations. In the second phase CHS will Estimate Energy Consumptions in the following manner: 

• Calculate gross area; determine number of windows, doors and existing conditions of each typical unit.
• Calculate the heat loss and associated heating & cooling costs for each typical unit.
• Calculate electrical usage for each typical unit.
• Calculate natural gas usage for each typical unit using natural gas.
• Calculate heating oil usage for each typical unit using heating oil.
• Calculate water and sewerage usage for each typical unit using municipal water.
• Calculate trash removal costs for each typical unit.

In phase three of the process, CHS will develop Aggregate Consumption Amounts. Phase four of the process will use the above information to convert to a cost allowance for the consumption. This will be accomplished by determining the allowance dollar amount for each resident of a "Typical Unit." All work will be performed in accordance with 24CFR subpart E. 

Dollar amount for each resident of a "Typical Unit." All work will be performed in accordance with 24CFR subpart E. 965.501- 965.508 for public housing units and in accordance with 24CFR part 982.517, Chapter 11 of the Section 8 Handbook No. 7420.7 and all related documents for Section 8 units