Determining Bedroom size

B. Determining family unit size (NBHA subsidy standards). The following NBHA subsidy standards have been established to determine the number of bedrooms needed for families of different sizes and compositions. For each family the NBHA will determine the appropriate number of bedrooms under the NBHA subsidy standards. The family unit size number is entered on the voucher issued to the family.

The following factors are used to determine the family unit size:

a) The head of household (and spouse or domestic partner, if applicable). shall be entitled to one bedroom.

b) Household Members under the age of twenty-five (25) who are of the same sex shall share a bedroom, with the following exemptions:

i. Persons of different generations or opposite sex, other than head and spouse or partner, are not required to occupy the same bedroom. ii. Household Members more than 10 years apart in age and regardless of gender may qualify for separate bedrooms, if the older Household Member is fourteen years of age or older. For example, a fifteen-year-old Household Member may be eligible for a separate bedroom when living with a 4-year old Household member of the same gender. HOWEVER, a thirteen-year-old Household Member can be required to share a bedroom with a 4-year old Household Member of the same gender.

c) Two persons who are of the same sex shall only be entitled to one bedroom.

d) The NBHA shall inform the applicant/participant that s/he may elect to have a child share a bedroom with another child of the opposite sex. if the children’s combined ages are 12 or less. in order to be eligible for a smaller voucher unit size.

e) The NBHA may assign an additional bedroom as a reasonable accommodation to a disabled family member.

f) A single pregnant woman, as documented by a physician, with no other persons will be treated as a two-person family. A pregnant woman whose family includes other children will not be assigned an additional bedroom until the sex of the child is determined and documented by a physician (either before or after birth). Once the sex of the child is documented the NBHA will assign the family an additional bedroom if they are eligible.

g)A child who is temporarily away from the home because of placement in foster care. (as documented by the Department of Children and Families or DCF) is considered a member of the family in determining family unit size. The NBHA at its’ discretion after consultation with DCF may determine, based upon length of time child is in foster care and likelihood that child will return to the home. that the placement is no longer temporary and no longer consider the child a member of the family for purposes of determining family unit size.

h) Live-in-Aide.
Any Live-in-Aide, approved to live in the unit to care for a family member who is disabled or is at least 50 years of age (near-elderly), will be counted in determining the family unit size.