Local and state governments and nonprofits are experimenting with guaranteed income programs (also called universal basic income, basic income guarantee, or unconditional basic income). These guaranteed income programs provide individuals with monthly payments, usually for a defined period.

Many potential participants in guaranteed income programs also rely on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-assisted housing. These potential participants, and the governments and organizations running guaranteed income programs, would like more information about how participation in a guaranteed income program could impact people living in HUD-assisted housing.

This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document explains the flexibilities that public housing authorities (PHAs) and owners have when determining how guaranteed income payments will impact a family’s income eligibility for HUD-assisted housing, and how much those families will pay in rent. More specifically, this FAQ explains how guaranteed income payments may impact a family’s annual and adjusted income and the flexibilities that PHAs and owners have in making determinations around annual and adjusted income in this context. Practitioners should make use of this guidance and communicate flexibilities and impacts to families to ensure that these programs do not adversely impact families’ income calculations or income eligibility.