Which of the following is a permissible deduction from income for HCV eligibility?

Child care expenses are a permissible deduction from income for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) eligibility because they directly relate to the ability of family members to gain or maintain employment, thereby supporting the goal of promoting self-sufficiency. Under the regulations governing HCV, reasonable child care expenses incurred to enable an adult family member to work or pursue education or training are considered deductions, recognizing the financial burden that child care can impose on working families.

In contrast, the other options do not qualify as permissible deductions as they do not directly support employment or are not recognized under HCV regulations. For instance, rent expenses for market rent are not deductible since the purpose of the HCV program is to assist families in obtaining affordable housing, not to reduce their own rent costs. Leisure activity expenses, which do not contribute to work or education, are also not deductible as they fall outside the scope of necessities defined by the program. Lastly, home improvement costs are not deducted from income as they pertain to personal expenses related to property maintenance or enhancement rather than ongoing financial responsibilities necessary for family subsistence or employment-related needs.