Utility Allowance: Board of Commissioners Letter Approved

Housing Choice Voucher / Landlords

APPROVED: May 13, 2025

Marin County Housing Authority

Board of Commissioners

May 13, 2025

Board of Commissioners

Housing Authority of the County of Marin

3501 Civic Center Drive

San Rafael, CA 94903

SUBJECT: Request to adopt Resolution 2025-5-1 approving the Schedule of Allowances for Tenant Purchased Utilities for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) participants, effective July 1, 2025.

RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution 2025-5-1 approving the proposed Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Utility Allowance Schedule, effective July 1, 2025.

SUMMARY: Each year, all housing authorities are required to set or re-set the ‘Utility Allowance Schedule’ that guides the amounts for utility allowances for units in the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program. These Utility Allowances are the maximum amount of utility allowance that the housing authority will allow a program participant for a given unit.

HUD regulations state that Housing Agencies shall review utility allowances at least annually and revise allowances established if there has been a 10% change in utility rates since the last study. The proposed Utility Allowance Schedule is based on an independent countywide survey of utilities conducted by the Nelrod Corporation.

This year the survey showed that the allowances for Pacific Gas & Electric’s electricity rates decreased by 10%. Pacific Gas & Electric’s natural gas rates increased by at least 22% and the climate credit remained the same. Propane fuel rates increased 9%. The water providers’ total rates increased by an average of 10%. All four trash collection providers’ monthly charges increased by more than 10%.

As an example, in 2024 the total allowance for a 3-bedroom apartment where the tenant was responsible for all of the utilities was $304. The allowance for 2025 is $345, which represents an increase of $41.

The staff is recommending that the proposed Utility Allowance Schedule be adopted effective July 1, 2025. A copy of the proposed schedule is attached.

FISCAL IMPACT: The Authority will have sufficient funding from HUD to support these utility allowances.

Sincerely, 

Kimberly Carroll

Executive Director 

Attachments:

Resolution 2025-5-1, Energy Efficiency Multifamily Utility allowance, Multifamily Utility allowance schedule, Single Family Utility Allowance Schedule