; and (f) Payment standard For purposes of assistance under this section, the payment standard for each size of dwelling unit in a market area may not exceed 150 percent, or such higher percentage that the Secretary may approve, of the fair market rental established under section 8(c) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for the same size dwelling unit in the same market area, and shall be not less than 70 percent of such fair market rental. (g) Authority To contract with PHAS and others The Secretary may contract with any State or local government agency or public housing agency, or in consultation with any State or local government agency, with any other entity, to administer assistance payments under this section and ensure that such payments are provided in an efficient and expeditious manner. (h) Nondiscrimination In selecting individuals or families for tenancy, a landlord or owner may not exclude or penalize an individual or family solely because any portion of the rental payment of that individual or family is provided under this section. (i) Duration A voucher under this subsection for rental assistance shall provide such assistance for a period of 24 months, except that such period may be extended if the Secretary considers necessary to respond to the public health emergency relating to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or for other reasons. (j) Allocation Amounts made available for assistance under this section shall be allocated to public housing agencies based on the Secretary’s most recent point-in-time count of the extent of homelessness in the area served by such public housing agencies. (k) Direct administration by Secretary If the Secretary determines that a State or local government agency, public housing agency, or other entity is unable to implement this section due to the effects of the public health emergency relating to COVID-19, the Secretary may— (1) directly administer a voucher program under this section for the area affected