If a resident pays for their utilities, they receive a fixed amount reduction in their rent — a Utility Allowance. That fixed amount is established by adding up utility bills and, for example, coming up with a dollar amount that equates to the utility allowance of a particular floor plan. Utility Allowance Schedules are reviewed at least annually and updated as needed based on significant fluctuations in average utility charges.
Making Utility Allowance Calculations Easy?
Utility allowance calculations may sound easy – but it’s not. Complications and confusion can arise because different areas have different utility rates, and you must also consider how these rates apply to a particular type of property. We can perform a Utility Allowance analysis for your Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Section 8 Project-Based, Tax Credit Properties, HOME, RAD (PBV and PBRA), State Housing, or USDA (Rural and Farm Labor) housing.
US Housing Consultants possesses a complete database of utility rates from around the country. All you need to do is provide signed tenant releases and project worksheets (rent rolls for HUD or Tax Credit Projects). We will take it from there by accurately calculating utility allowances by development, structure type, bedroom size, and utility rates.
Utility Allowance Schedules for Individual Properties or Entire Public Housing Agencies Whether you have a single property that needs to take actual usage data and establish an annual update of the utility allowance schedule, or if you want to establish a schedule for a voucher program or an entire public housing portfolio – we can help you create effective and accurate schedules.
What is the HUD Utility Schedule Model (HUSM)
The HUD Utility Schedule Model (HUSM) is an allowable method for determining a utility allowance under the Low-Income Housing LIHTC program and the HOME Investment Partnership Program. The current HUSM web application uses correlations and regression techniques to calculate allowances for end-uses, as specified on form HUD-52667 (Allowances for Tenant-Furnished Utilities and Other Services).
How does the HUD Utility Schedule Model Work?
This model uses data based on the Residential Energy Consumption Survey—this survey collects energy data of housing units, utility usage patterns, and household demographics. This method considers specific data such as the project location and type, unit information, Energy Savings Design (Energy Star Certification, LEED Certification, Significant Green Retrofit), the utilities paid by tenants, and the utility tariffs, charges, and fees.
We’ll Keep it Real.
What’s better than the real thing? With a property’s utility allowances, our calculations use actual use analysis. This approach allows allowances to be based on reality, not rough estimates. Whether the data is from one year or multiple seasons, it will allow correct seasonal adjustments.
The Result of Professional Utility Allowance Calculations
We will provide you with complete and correct utility allowance reports in a simple and professional format. And you don’t have to research local utility rates or invest time and money into learning complex compliance requirements.
THE ENERGY AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION CENTER (EPIC) For PHAs, we can assist with creating submissions to EPIC. EPIC now allows for submissions of an agency’s annual cap fund submissions and ACCs. Creating proper submissions to EPIC in accordance with HUD’s Capital Fund Reporting Guidance for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) (PIH Notice 2020-07) is vital for any PHA.
