Guidelines for Setting the Level of Housing Allowance
This is not official; they are only suggested guidelines
It is recommeded that a guideline be established for determining housing allowances amounts, and that it include these two components:
- Monthly rental amount equal to the average monthly rental of a property meeting the parsonage standards in the agreed locale, as determined by an independent Realtor appraisal. (Validation of this number would be by comparison to 1% of the property valuation; the housing allowance should not exceed this figure.)
- Utilities amount based on historical data of the past three years for the parsonage being replaced by the housing allowance, with consideration for inflation.
Encourage individuals to seek out the most competitive rates; for example, for telephone usage.
The reasonable housing allowance numbers would be determined through consultation of the trustee liaison and the appropriate parsonage committee. Facts from independent Realtors or appraisers should be obtained, at least for the base year.