Housing authorities must maintain utility allowance schedules for all tenant-paid utilities (except telephone and cable), the cost of tenant-supplied refrigerators and ranges, and other tenant-paid housing services, such as trash collection. Utility allowances are based on the typical cost of utilities and services paid by energy-conservative households of similar size and type in the same locality. In compliance with the regulatory requirements under the Housing Choice Voucher program, the MCHA reviews the utility allowances annually and adjusts the utility allowances accordingly. These reviews are typically completed in July of each year, and the Board of Commissioners typically adopts new utility allowance schedules by October 1st  of each year. Utility allowance schedules are provided for five housing types: Mobile/Manufactured Home, Duplex/Semi-detached, Lowrise/Townhouse/Rowhouse, High Rise (5 or more stories), and Single Family Detached, and are divided into North and South of the 7 Mile Bridge to address the difference in base rates and per kilowatt hour rates between the Florida Keys Electric Co-op (serving Marathon – Key Largo) and Keys Energy Services (serving Key West – Big Pine Key). The Sewer Allowance document should be referenced for sewer rates throughout the Keys.