GHVP Lease & Operational Guidelines

GHVP Lease & Operational Guidelines – Detailed Summary Chart (Last Updated: 8/4/26)

 

 

Section	Requirements	Key Actions / Notes
Lease Term Requirements	GHVP pays 12 months only. Leases should begin on the 1st day and end on the last day of the month.	Correct: Feb. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026. Incorrect: Feb. 1, 2025 – Feb. 1, 2026, which creates a 13th month of rent.
Transition Period	Extra month payments were temporarily allowed while providers adjusted.	Transition period ended September 30, 2026. Moving forward, all leases should follow the standard monthly cycle.
Mid-Month Leases	Mid-month lease dates should be avoided because Carelon does not prorate rent.	If a lease runs Feb. 15–Feb. 14, GHVP's last payment is Jan. 31, leaving February unpaid unless a renewal is processed.
Lease Renewals	Renewal leases should transition to first-of-the-month dates.	Begin renewals 90 days before expiration (best practice) and no later than 60 days before lease end. Overlapping lease dates are acceptable if payments do not overlap.
Late Renewals	Delayed renewals may create payment gaps.	HSP is responsible for covering any uncovered period and may request reimbursement through Bridge Funding.
Lease Review – Rent	Verify the base rent listed on the lease.	Rent must match the approved amount and remain within the payment standard.
Payment Standard	Rent must meet GHVP payment standards.	An approved Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) is required before the lease is signed.
Document Consistency	All housing documents must match.	Verify consistency between the Lease, GHV-2, GHV-4, and GHV-5.
Utilities & Flat Fees	Flat utility fees can be included in rent if they are fixed and listed in the lease.	Usage-based utilities cannot be included in the Total Property Payment (TPP). Any flat fees must match across all GHVP documents.
Special Stipulations	Additional charges must be documented.	Lease should clearly identify flat fees and any special conditions.
Zero-Income Participants	Clients with no income are eligible but face housing sustainability challenges.	HSPs should support employment, workforce development, and submit SOAR referrals when disability benefits are appropriate.
Program Limitations	GHVP provides rental assistance only.	GHVP does not pay ongoing utilities. Limited Bridge Funding may be available for emergencies.
General Lease Review	Review all lease terms before approval.	Verify tenant names, property address, rent, deposits, maintenance responsibilities, utilities, renewal terms, legal clauses, pet rules, parking, smoking policies, and occupancy limits.
Household Size Standards	Bedroom size is determined by household composition.	1 BR = 1–2 people; 2 BR = 2–4; 3 BR = 3–6; 4 BR = 4–8; 5 BR = 6–10.
One-Bedroom Exception	A one-bedroom household may lease a two-bedroom unit only under limited circumstances.	Allowed only when no one-bedroom units are available, documented housing search efforts exist, and rent remains within the one-bedroom payment standard. No similar exception exists for larger units.
Household Composition	Household members must be approved.	Head of Household must report changes. Prior approval is required before adding anyone to the lease.
Bedroom Assignment	GHVP determines the number of bedrooms—not who shares them.	Married couples share a room; unmarried heads of household receive separate bedrooms; children of different genders require separate bedrooms.
Exceptions to Occupancy Standards	Medical or disability-related exceptions may be approved.	Requests must be submitted in writing with supporting documentation and reverified annually.
Minor Children	Children must legally qualify to be included in household size.	Primary custody and legal documentation are required before lease approval.
Compliance Requirements	Program rules must be followed at all times.	No subleasing, business operations, or illegal activity. Unit must be the participant's primary residence.
Guest Policy	Guest stays are limited.	Guests may stay 14 consecutive days or 30 cumulative days within a 12-month period.
Death of Participant	GHVP payments stop when the Head of Household dies.	Up to 30 additional days may be approved for removal of belongings or relocation of remaining household members. Remaining household members cannot remain under the deceased participant's voucher.
Transfers	All regional transfers require coordination.	HSPs must coordinate with the State Transition Coordinator before moving any GHVP or HCV participant to another region.

Key Compliance Reminders

 

Priority Area	Remember
Lease Dates	Always use 1st through the last day of the month.
Renewals	Start 90 days early; never later than 60 days.
RFTA	Must be approved before the lease is signed.
Documents	Lease, GHV-2, GHV-4, and GHV-5 must match exactly.
Utilities	Only flat fees may be included in Total Property Payment.
Unit Size	Based on household composition, not participant preference.
Guest Limits	Maximum 14 consecutive or 30 cumulative days.
Transfers	Coordinate before relocating participants.
Program Scope	GHVP pays rent only—not ongoing utilities (consideration is given to properties that have flat fees for utilities).
Goal	Ensure compliance, prevent overpayments, and promote long-term housing stability.