HUD Releases 2026 Operating Cost Adjustment Factors

By: Tushar Gurjal, Senior Policy Manager

February 2, 2026 – Earlier today, HUD issued a pre-publication copy of a notice in the Federal Register titled “Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2026.” The notice established certain operating cost adjustment factors (OCAFs) for “. . . project-based assistance contracts issued under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 and renewed under the Multifamily Assisted Housing and Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 . . . .” These OCAFs are used to adjust the Section 8 rents. In addition to publishing the OCAFs, the notice solicits comments on the methodology and data sources used in the calculation of the OCAFs.

The OCAFs become effective on February 11, 2026.

Comments are due 60 days after they are officially published in the Federal Register.

The pre-publication copy of the notice can be found here.