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PY26 WHEAP Manual

Revised: August 2025 • In some cases, the heating vendor can verify if heat is included

NOTE: Observation of previous years’ information is not an acceptable form of verification. New verification must be obtained.

NOTE: For multi-unit buildings, the agency may obtain information from the landlord/management company verifying that all units have heat and/or electric included in rent, a separate payment is made to landlord, or are “do not pay.” This verification may be used for all units within the building and must be obtained on an annual basis. The means of verification must be indicated in HE+ System Notes.

When verifying that the heat is included in rent or separate payment to landlord, workers shall verify with the landlord or vendor what the primary heating type is for that dwelling and include that verification in HE+ System Notes.

4.4.17 Field #11 Room Count Count and enter the number of rooms in the applicant’s dwelling. Do not count bathrooms, unfinished basements, entryways, hallways, laundry rooms, porches, closets, or unheated attics. Do not count rooms that contain a swimming pool, hot tubs, or spa. • If the housing type selected is “Motel or Camper/RV,” the number of rooms must equal one. The HE+ System will not accept a value greater than one. • The maximum number of rooms the HE+ System will accept is nine. For a household that has more than nine rooms, enter nine.

If the applicant uses part of the home for business use, do not count rooms that have been used on a regular basis in the last 12 months for business purposes.

Example: If the applicant is the owner of a building which includes rooms the applicant has rented to roomer/boarders or overnight guests ("Bed & Breakfast”), do not count the rented rooms.

To aid in determining an accurate room count for combined living spaces such as kitchen/dining area, great room, studio or efficiency apartment, or other large living space, hypothetically insert a wall(s) separating the spaces. If the residents can utilize the resulting rooms with the same or more utility and without increased inconvenience, the room count shall be counted as more than one room. If the existence of the hypothetical wall would result in a lack of utility and increased inconvenience, the room count should be one. No more than three rooms shall be counted for any open living space.

4.4.18 Field #12 Living Situation Selecting “Are currently in a homeless situation moving to a permanent residence” will not make the applicant ineligible. Document the proof of permanent address in the HE+ System Notes.

4.4.19 Field #13 Is Government Assisted Housing: Rental Assistance There is a broad range of rental assistance programs available to low-income families. Government-assisted housing includes any living situations where the tenant’s rent amount is