Payment standards represent the maximum amount of subsidy that SCHA can provide for a family. However, SCHA does not automatically approve this rent level for a given unit. SCHA’s monthly rent subsidy depends on a number of factors, including these payment standards, the rents of other comparable unsubsidized rental units in the area, and the income of the family.

The asking rental price plus the utility allowance must be below the payment standard for bedroom size of the unit in which the unit is located; otherwise the resident will pay the difference between the payment standard and contract rent, up to 40% of the family’s adjusted gross income.  If the difference is greater than 40% of the family’s adjusted gross income the unit will not be approved.

The unit must meet housing quality standards. SCHA determines the number of bedrooms each assisted family is allocated based on the family size.

Payment Standard = Rent to owner + the SCHA utility allowance.

REMEMBER:  These figures are not maximum rents for a particular unit.  The unit must meet specific standards before the rent amount can be approved.

Payment Standard Chart

Effective: December 1, 2023

Utility Chart 2026

Participants in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) pay approximately 30% of their income for rent and utilities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has defined Total Tenant Payment (TTP) for “rent” to include both shelter and the costs for reasonable amounts of utilities. The amount determined necessary to cover the resident’s reasonable utility costs is the utility allowance. The Sioux City Housing Authority calculates this by structure type and voucher size. The numbers below represent the average amount spent on utilities and are used to calculate each household’s utility allowance. These numbers are updated annually to reflect changes in the local market.