Family Definition

FAMILY DEFINITION

The term “family” includes, but is not limited to the following, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

A single person, who may be an elderly person, displaced person, disabled person, near-elderly person or any other single person; or
A group of persons residing together and such group includes, but is not limited to (a) a family with or without children (a child who is temporarily away from the home because of placement in foster care is considered a member of the family; (b) an elderly family; c) a near-elderly family; (d) a disabled family; (f) a displaced family; and (g) the remaining member of a tenant family.

Disabled family means a family whose head (including co-head), spouse or sole member is a person with a disability.

Elderly family means a family whose head (including co-head), spouse or sole member is a person who is at least 62 years of age.

Elderly Family may also include: An elderly family household whose head or spouse is a single person family consisting of a person who is disabled, handicapped or 62 or older; or a multi-person family whose head or spouse is disabled, handicapped or 62 or older.

Near elderly family means a family whose head (including co-head), spouse or sole member is a person who is at least 50 years of age but below the age of 62; or two or more persons, who are at least 50 years of age but below the age of 62, living together; or one or more persons who are least 50 years of age but below the age of 62.

Two or more persons who have lived together previously, or certify individual income and other resources will be available to meet the needs of the family; who may have a history as a family unit or show evidence of a stable family relationship.

Each family must identify the individuals to be included in the family at the time of application, and must update this information if the family’s composition changes.

A child who is temporarily away from home (maximum of 6-months) because of placement in foster care is considered a member of the family. This provision only pertains to the foster child’s temporary absence from the home, and is not intended to artificially enlarge the space available for other family members.

An expectant mother with no children will qualify for assistance as a family. She will be listed on the waiting list and qualifies for admission into housing unless she aborts or miscarries prior to admission. The expectant mother must provide a written statement from the attending physician. The unborn child will be considered for occupancy standard purposes. No allowances for the unborn child will be given and applicable income limited for a one-person family will be used.