2026 Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) Payment Standards
The Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) administers Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance throughout Harris County, Texas. The 2026 HCHA payment standards establish the maximum subsidy calculations used when determining rent assistance for voucher holders. These payment standards vary by bedroom size, ZIP code tier, utility responsibility, and housing authority program rules.
Many renters search for Harris County Housing Authority payment standards, Houston Housing Authority payment standards, HCHA payment standards, and Section 8 payment standards. These terms generally refer to the rent benchmark amounts used during the Housing Choice Voucher rent approval process.
Related Resources: Waiting List | Income Limits | Section 8 Guide
- Efficiency: $1,073 - $1,288
- 1 Bedroom: $1,135 - $1,362
- 2 Bedroom: $1,357 - $1,628
- 3 Bedroom: $1,792 - $2,150
- 4 Bedroom: $2,303 - $2,764
2026 Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) Payment Standards Overview
The 2026 schedule uses ZIP code tiers. Tier A-1 and Tier A-2 use the highest amounts shown below, while Tiers B, C, and D use lower amounts. Some ZIP codes are full-coverage tier ZIP codes, while others are partial-coverage ZIP codes, meaning the exact property location may matter.
2026 Harris County Housing Authority Payment Standards Table
| Bedroom Size | Tier A-1 | Tier A-2 | Tier B | Tier C | Tier D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency / Studio | $1,288 | $1,288 | $1,073 | $1,073 | $1,073 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,362 | $1,362 | $1,135 | $1,135 | $1,135 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,628 | $1,628 | $1,357 | $1,357 | $1,357 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,150 | $2,150 | $1,792 | $1,792 | $1,792 |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,764 | $2,764 | $2,303 | $2,303 | $2,303 |
| 5 Bedroom | $3,179 | $3,179 | $2,648 | $2,648 | $2,648 |
| 6 Bedroom | $3,593 | $3,593 | $2,994 | $2,994 | $2,994 |
| 7 Bedroom | $4,008 | $4,008 | $3,339 | $3,339 | $3,339 |
| 8 Bedroom | $4,422 | $4,422 | $3,685 | $3,685 | $3,685 |
Source note: Payment standards should always be verified against the current housing authority document before signing a lease, issuing an RFTA, or advertising a voucher-specific rent amount.
Houston Housing Authority (HHA) vs Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA)
Many Houston renters also search for Houston Housing Authority (HHA) payment standards. While HHA and HCHA operate separately, both agencies use payment standards and rent reasonableness procedures when administering Housing Choice Voucher assistance.
Houston Housing Authority primarily serves residents within the City of Houston, while Harris County Housing Authority administers programs across many areas of Harris County. Renters should always verify which housing authority issued their voucher before relying on payment standard tables or submitting a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA).
How Section 8 payment standards work
Section 8 payment standards help the housing authority calculate how much rental assistance may be available for a voucher household. They are tied to bedroom size and location, but they are not the only factor that controls rent approval.
1. Bedroom size
The voucher bedroom size matters. A 2-bedroom voucher and a 3-bedroom voucher can produce very different rent expectations.
2. ZIP code tier
The same bedroom size may have a different benchmark depending on whether the unit is in a Tier A, B, C, or D ZIP code area.
3. Utilities
Who pays utilities can affect whether the total housing cost works under program rules.
4. Rent reasonableness
The asking rent still has to make sense compared with similar nearby units.
ZIP code tier examples
Many Houston-area ZIP codes are assigned to a tier. Some ZIP codes are listed as full coverage, while others are listed as partial coverage. Partial coverage means not every address in that ZIP code may qualify for the listed tier.
Full coverage examples eligible for Tier A-1
Partial coverage examples eligible for Tier A-1
Tier A-2 examples
Full coverage: 77044, 77339, 77379, 77449
Partial coverage: 77385, 77477
Tier B examples
Full coverage: 77003, 77025, 77042, 77047, 77057, 77069, 77082, 77084, 77085, 77089, 77396
Partial coverage: 77053, 77058, 77355, 77365, 77447
Tier C and Tier D examples
Tier C full coverage examples: 77004, 77009, 77014, 77022, 77032, 77033, 77034, 77037, 77038, 77040, 77043, 77045, 77049, 77050, 77055, 77066, 77067, 77068, 77072, 77073, 77075, 77078, 77080, 77081, 77083, 77086, 77092, 77096, 77099, 77336, 77375, 77565, 77598.
Tier C partial coverage examples: 77302, 77338, 77504, 77511, 77521, 77532, 77539, 77562.
Tier D full coverage examples: 77011, 77012, 77013, 77015, 77016, 77023, 77026, 77028, 77029, 77031, 77051, 77060, 77061, 77065, 77071, 77074, 77093, 77530, 77547.
What landlords should know before setting rent
Landlords should not simply copy the payment standard into the listing price. A strong Section 8 pricing strategy should compare the voucher benchmark with actual market rent, unit condition, local competition, utility responsibility, and inspection readiness.
- Confirm whether the unit is in a full-coverage or partial-coverage ZIP code tier.
- Estimate market rent using comparable rental homes, not just the voucher table.
- Account for tenant-paid versus owner-paid utilities.
- Prepare for inspection before the lease-up process begins.
- Screen tenants consistently and follow fair housing rules.
- Do not promise approval until the housing authority completes its process.
Example: 3-bedroom home in a higher-tier area
A 3-bedroom unit in a Tier A area may have a higher payment-standard benchmark than the same size unit in a Tier B, C, or D area. However, the rent still has to pass rent reasonableness and the total housing cost must work with utilities and tenant income.
Example: 4-bedroom home with tenant-paid utilities
If the tenant is responsible for utilities, the effective amount available for contract rent may be lower than the payment standard. This is why utility allowance and rent reasonableness need to be reviewed before the landlord relies on the table.
What renters should know
Renters often ask, "How much is my voucher worth?" The better question is whether a specific home works with the household's voucher size, income, utility responsibility, housing authority rules, and the property's rent reasonableness review.
- Confirm your voucher bedroom size before applying.
- Ask whether utilities are included or paid separately.
- Make sure the unit location works with your voucher program.
- Do not assume every home under the payment standard will be approved.
- Use voucher-friendly listing sites to reduce wasted calls.
Related Houston Section 8 resources
This page should be used with the rest of the Houston Section 8 resource library. These pages help Google and users understand that this is the main payment standards page, not a thin article or duplicate resource.
- Houston Section 8 Guide
- Houston Section 8 Waiting List
- Houston Section 8 Income Limits 2026
- Houston Section 8 Rent Estimate
- Section 8 Property Management Houston
- Section 8 Landlord Services Houston
- Section 8 Houses for Rent Houston
- Apartments That Accept Section 8 Houston
- Harris County Section 8 Housing
- Section8Rents.com Rental Portal