Glossary

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This glossary has been adapted from housing terms and definitions provided by the Corporation for Supportive Housing.

A

Accessible Housing
Housing with features needed by persons with physical disabilities.

Adaptable Housing
Housing with features needed by persons with physical disabilities already installed or that has the capacity to have such features installed.

Adjusted Gross Income
Income after standard deductions set by federal guidelines.

Affordable Housing
Housing that costs no more than 30-40% of a household’s income.

Amenities
Attractive improvements or features to a property.

Area Median Income (AMI)
An “average” income for an area. Used to calculate eligibility for certain affordable housing programs. One-half of the incomes in the area are above the amount and one-half are below. Figures are published annually by HUD.

At risk of Homelessness
A person or family that is coming out of a treatment program, institution, transitional living program, half-way house or jail and has no place to go; is living in a situation where the person/family is at great risk of loosing their housing; is in need of supportive services to maintain their tenancy; or is living in an inappropriate housing situation (i.e. substandard housing, overcrowding, etc.).

Assisted Living
Services provided within a housing site that assists residents with daily living activities. (Such as bathing, dressing, cooking, etc.)

Authorized Agent
Person appointed by a landlord to collect rent, receive legal notices, and act on the owner’s behalf.

B

Barrier Free Housing
See accessible housing.

Base Rent
The minimum amount of rent collected.

C

Certificate
A rent subsidy that the tenant uses to lease up private market units. Usually associated with Section 8 or Shelter Plus Care Programs.

CHFA
See Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

Chronically Homeless
A person who is disabled and who 1) has been homeless for a year or more and has not resided in a transitional housing program during that time, or 2) has had at least four episodes of homelessness within the past three years.

Congregate Housing
See Single Site

Connecticut Supportive Housing Demonstration Program
A State-led, collaborative initiative that financed the creation of 281 units of supportive housing in nine projects between 1993 and 1998. The projects serve single adults who are homeless and disabled, as well a other households in need of affordable housing.

Connecticut Supportive Housing Pilots Initiative
The State’s second collaborative initiative to create supportive housing. The Pilots program is financing the creation of over 650 supportive housing units in scattered and single site projects. Projects may serve both families and single adults. A portion of the units are targeted to persons with disabilities experiencing homelessness.

Contract Rent
The amount of rent charged as stated in the lease.

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA)
CHFA was created by the State legislature to help alleviate the shortage of affordable housing for low- and moderate- income individuals and families in CT. CHFA administers State and Federal housing tax credit programs, and provides financing for the development of multi-family housing, and provides mortgage financing for first time homebuyers.

CSH
Corporation for Supportive Housing. CSH supports the expansion of permanent housing opportunities linked to comprehensive services for persons who face persistent mental health, substance abuse, and other chronic health challenges, and are at risk of homelessness, so that they are able to live with stability, autonomy and dignity and reach their full potential.

Credit History
A summary of an individual’s past financial records.

Credit Report
A report produced by a credit bureau detailing an individual’s credit history and used to determine an applicant’s ability to make rental and utility payments.