At its January meeting, the SMHA Board of Commissioners adopted new “Flat Rents” (a.k.a. “ceiling rents”), which are set at 80% of the Fair Markets Rents calculated by HUD for the Austin-Round Rock, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for 2018. This includes Hays County.
Residents who live in our public housing sites usually pay rent based on 30% of their adjust gross income, after certain deductions. “Family Rent” includes required utilities such as electricity and natural gas, which are not included in their rent, therefore a certain amount (known as a utility allowance) is deducted from the rent calculation.
However, when a family has enough income that their calculated rent would be close to or above market rates, they have the option to switch to the flat rent based on their unit size. There are limits in how often a family may switch between income-based rent and flat rent.
Here are the new flat rent levels for our housing sites and for our stand-alone homes:
FLAT RENTS WITH UTILITY ALLOWANCE
Apartments –80% Flat Rent — Allowance — Flat Rent
0 B/R — $688.00 — $27.00 — $661.00
1 B/R — $818.00 — $56.00 — $762.00
2 B/R — $1,001.00 — $71.00 — $930.00
3 B/R — $1,343.00 — $79.00 — $1,264.00
4 B/R — $1,614.00 — $92.00 — $1,522.00
5 B/R — $2,321.00 — $118.00 — $2,203.00
Homes — 80% Flat Rent — Allowance — Flat Rent
2 B/R — $1,001.00 — $140.00 — $861.00
3 B/R — $1,343.00 — $156.00 — $1,187.00 (G/E)*
3 B/R — $1,343.00 — $192.00 — $1,151.00 (E)**
4 B/R — $1,614.00 — $205.00 — $1,409.00
*For homes that have natural gas and electricity.
**For homes that have electricity only.
