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7 AAC 45.528. Allowable shelter costs. (a) To calculate the reduction for low shelter costs under 7 AAC 45.527, the department will establish an allowable shelter cost amount based on the monthly expenses incurred for the housing unit that is the assistance unit’s home, as determined under 7 AAC 45.225. Allowable shelter costs are limited to

(1) rental payments, including payments for a trailer or mobile home space or a boat berth, and security deposits required to secure a permanent housing unit;

(2) mortgage payments, including payments on a trailer, mobile home, or boat, and the property on which the trailer, mobile home, or boat usually rests;

(3) property taxes and other assessments levied against the home property;

(4) mortgage, homeowner’s, or renter’s insurance; and

(5) utilities, as allowed under either 7 AAC 45.529 or 7 AAC 45.530. (b) If an assistance unit lives in the same housing unit with an individual who is not a member of the assistance unit, the shelter costs incurred by a member of the assistance unit are allowable shelter costs. If an applicant or recipient claims a shelter cost that is billed to an individual who is not a member of the assistance unit, the applicant or recipient shall provide documentary evidence that a member of the assistance unit incurs the cost. If the applicant or recipient incurs heating or utility costs, the standard heating and utility allowance in 7 AAC 45.529 or allowable utility costs in 7 AAC 45.530 will be allowed. (c) Except as provided in (d) of this section, and except for payments made by the department for ATAP supportive services, no portion of an assistance unit’s shelter costs that is paid by a public or private organization or by an individual who is not a member of the assistance unit may be treated as an allowable shelter cost. (d) Utility expenses that are paid by a program funded under 42 U.S.C. 8621 — 8629 (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981; P.L. 97-85, as amended) are allowable shelter costs. (e) If the assistance unit is absent from the home for a temporary reason allowed under 7 AAC 45.220 or 7 AAC 45.225, the costs for maintaining the home are allowable shelter costs under (a) of this section. The costs for maintaining a temporary residence during such an absence are not allowable shelter costs. (Eff. 2/27/97, Register 141; am 10/1/97, Register 143; am 10/1/2001, Register 159; am 1/7/2005, Register 173) Statutory Authority: