Acronyms and Definitions
AVAZA: INTERPRETER SERVICES
AVAZA is the interpreter services that THDA uses to communicate with non English speaking individuals
EIN: EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique identification number that is assigned to a business entity so that it can easily be identified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
FMR: FAIR MARKET RENT
Fair Market Rents are used to determine rental voucher amounts for government assistance housing programs such as Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher Program).
FSS: FAMILY SELF SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM
FSS is a program that enables HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies.
HAP: HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT
HAP is the monthly payments the THDA pays to the owner on behalf of the Tenant.
HAPC: HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT CONTRACT
The HAP contract is a written agreement between the PHA and the owner of a unit occupied by a housing choice voucher program participant.
HCV: HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER
The housing choice voucher program (HCV) is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
HOV: HOME OWNERSHIP VOUCHER
The homeownership program (HOV) allows families that are assisted under the HCV program to use their voucher to buy a home and receive monthly assistance in meeting homeownership expenses.
HQS: HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS
Housing Quality Standards (HQS) are minimum standards for tenant-based programs and are required both at initial occupancy and during the term of the lease. HQS standards apply to the building and premises, as well as to the unit.
HUD: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a U.S. government agency created in 1965 to support community development and home ownership.
PD: PERSONAL DECLARATION
The Personal Declaration (PD) is a form completed by the household to determine and verify household income and other household factors as per HUD requirements.
PHA: PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY
PHA administers the Section 8 voucher program under HUD’s rules and regulations.
For example: THDA is a Public Housing Agency.
RA: REASONABLE ACCOMODATION
Under the Fair Housing Act Reasonable Accommodation (RA) is a change, exception or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service.
RTA or RFTA: REQUEST FOR TENANCY APPROVAL
Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA/RFTA) is the form used by the PHA to collect the information of the unit to determine if the client is eligible to lease that specific unit.
SRO: SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY
A Single Room Occupancy unit is a self contained unit that houses everything in the single room space except the bathroom.
SSN: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
In the United States, a Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents.
TIN: TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
A number which is used to identify entities for tax-related purposes such as filing tax returns for an individual, his or her TIN is the same as his or her Social Security Number (SSN). For businesses, its TIN is the same as its Employer Identification Number (EIN).
TTP: TOTAL TENANT PAYMENT
Total tenant Payment (TTP) is the amount a tenant is expected to contribute for rent and utilities. TTP is based on family's income.
UAP: UTILITY ASSISTANCE PAYMENT
If the utility allowance exceeds the Total tenant Payment (TTP), the Public Housing Authority) PHA must pay the excess amount either to the family or directly to the utility supplier on behalf of the family.
VASH: VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) provides rental assistance to qualified veterans.
VAWA: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN'S ACT
The Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) protects program applicants, tenants, and program participants in certain HUD programs from being evicted, denied housing assistance, or terminated based on acts of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking.