 | A Proven Method to Efficiently and Accurately Develop Utility Allowances for Your Agency! For More Information: Contact Cheryl Lord |
As specialists in the field of Public Housing and Section 8 Utility Allowance development, we provide assistance to hundreds of housing agencies across the U.S.
Our most common approach is to determine base consumptions by using an engineering methodology which utilizes a tested and approved energy software tool. We can also calculate base consumption averages utilizing an actual/historical consumption usage by your residents. Our consumption averages approximate a reasonable consumption by an energy-conservative household of modest circumstances, as per HUD Regulations and we establish utility allowances for each dwelling unit category and unit size.
It is important that we stay in close communication with our clients and assist them with the HUD required Annual Review of their current allowances. If there are significant changes in rates and/or consumptions, we assist in the revision of those allowances as well.
Compliance
Our Utility Allowances are developed in accordance with 24 CFR 965 Subpart E-Resident Allowances for Utilities and Public Housing Utility Allowance Guidebook for the Low-Rent Public Housing Program.
And our Utility Allowances for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program are developed in accordance with 24 CFR 982.517-Utility Allowance Schedule, HUD Guidebook 7420.10G and Instructions to Form HUD-52667- Allowances for Tenant-Furnished Utilities and Other Services. Additionally, allowances are compliant with all applicable Federal and state regulations.
Data Collection
Assistance is given to a housing agency in gathering pertinent information needed to conduct a new utility allowance study or update current utility allowances. Such items needed are: supporting documentation from previous development of utility allowances, Utility Allowance Schedule(s), a copy of a monthly residential utility bill for each applicable utility company, and documentation on type of dwelling unit appliances and equipment, to customize criteria for each development and bedroom size for the existing Public Housing units.
We will also gather data from outside sources such as, current utility rates and charges for each applicable utility company and local climatic data.
Methodology and Data Analysis
For the Low-Rent Public Housing Program, our ResidentLife Utility Allowances® database is used to develop utility allowances by development, structure type, bedroom size and utility. Over 17,000 energy engineering building structure models have been created for our database. The software program utilized to develop these building structure models is HUD compliant. Sources for developing these models include: REM/Rate™ Home Energy Rating software program, Energy Conservation for Housing…A Workbook – 1998, IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) – 2000, Utility Allowance Guidebook – 1998, Calculating Consumptions and Utility Allowances – 1986, Mechanicals – 1992, and PIH Notice 90-8 T.D.C. Different models are created for each possible location and number of stories of the sample unit at each development (example: inside unit, end unit, 1 story, 2 story, top floor, bottom floor, etc.). HUD regulations for Public Housing (CFR §965.505 (e)) do not allow for air conditioning utility allowances. Therefore, our models are built without air conditioning mechanicals or we eliminate air conditioning consumptions from the electric portion of actual usage data.For the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program our ResidentLife Utility Allowances® database is used to develop utility allowances by building/structure type, bedroom size and utility which satisfy the HUD regulations statement that “the PHA must use normal patterns of consumption for the ‘community as a whole’ and current utility rates.” Currently, it is difficult to find local sources that provide community-wide data of average consumption usage. Therefore, we utilize the average consumptions provided by HUD (HUD’s Utility Schedule Model).
Results
Our Low-Rent Public Housing proposed Utility Allowances are provided in easy-to-read charts. We will prepare Section 8 proposed Utility Allowance Schedule(s) for all applicable building types for the agency (e.g. Apartment/Walk-Up, Row House/Townhouse, Detached House, etc.) and we will submit the allowances in accordance with HUD requirements on the form prescribed by HUD (form HUD-52667). We also provide a comparison of the Agency’s currently adopted utility allowances and the proposed utility allowances from our study in an easy-to-read chart.
Reports
Our utility allowance studies are presented in a professional report format which is easily reviewed and understood by Agency staff, concerned residents, and HUD engineering personnel.
Our report binder includes the following important information:
- Objectives and methodology for conducting survey and study
- Overall results of survey and study (utility allowance schedule and comparison)
- Rate calculation tables for each utility
- All support documentation
- Special bonus: a sample Residential Energy Conservation Booklet entitled The Meter Is Running! A Resident’s Guide to Energy Conservation
Certified Energy Efficient Utility Allowances for Tax Credit Properties
We will provide an Implementation Packet to guide Developers and Housing Agencies regarding the process for developing a special category of Section 8 Utility Allowances that meet the needs of energy efficient construction and has been reviewed and approved by HUD.
If you would like more Information:
Contact Cheryl Lord
Phone: 817-922-9000 ext.139
Fax: 817-922-9100
