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Use Correct Version of HUD Model Lease to Avoid HUD Trouble

January 22, 2015    

As an owner or manager of a HUD assisted site, you probably know that you must use one of HUD’s model leases for all your assisted residents. But are you certain which model lease applies to your site? Appendix 4 of HUD Handbook 4350.3 contains four different model leases. Which version...

Screen Live-In Employees for Criminal Activity, Other Red Flags

December 15, 2014    

Last month, we discussed renting units to police or security officers as a potential method of deterring crime at your site. Whether your site houses security officers or other types of live-in employees who enhance services provided to households, you need to be mindful of the safety of your...

How to Get HUD's Approval to House Over-Income Police or Security Officers

November 19, 2014    

If you’re having problems with criminal activity or other undesirable conduct at or near your assisted site, you may want to house a police or security officer in one of your site’s units. The presence of a police or security officer may help deter crime at your site and help create...

How to Implement Limited English Proficiency Rules

October 17, 2014    

HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) issued its final guidance on limited English proficiency (LEP) in 2007. The final guidance was based on an Executive Order signed by President Clinton in August 2000, later reaffirmed by President Bush with Executive Order 13166,...

Healthy Food Access: Improve Resident Health, Save Site Money

September 27, 2014    

By Carolyn E. Zezima, Esq.

Overview of the Reports Generated by HUD's EIV System

September 12, 2014    

The Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system is a web-based computer system implemented by HUD that owners have been required to use since January 2010. It contains employment and income information on individuals participating in HUD’s rental assistance programs. It derives data from...

How to Hold Effective Initial Certification Meetings

August 17, 2014    

When applicants approach the top of the waiting list, you must meet with them to certify their eligibility for housing assistance. HUD requires managers to cover a long list of topics during the initial certification meeting. But site staff may be poorly prepared or may not cover all the...

Take Five Steps When Opening Waiting Lists

July 10, 2014    

After years of having a closed waiting list, your site may find itself having enough vacancies to open waiting lists again. HUD allows a site to close waiting lists in the first place for one or more unit sizes when the average wait is excessive, such as one year or more [HUD Handbook 4350.3,...

Nine Required Topics to Include in Your Resident Selection Plan

June 16, 2014    

If you own or manage an assisted site, you must have a written resident selection plan that incorporates the policies and procedures covering each step of the selection process. And your plan must comply with HUD’s eligibility, admission, and screening requirements [HUD Handbook 4350.3,...

Five Tips to Combat Rising Insurance Costs

May 20, 2014    

As a site owner or manager, you understand the severe financial consequences that can result from things beyond your control, such as a loss due to fire, flood, weather, or other causes. In addition, whether it’s a legitimate claim or not, you could also face expensive legal difficulties...

How to Calculate and Verify Income from Self-Owned Businesses

April 17, 2014    

When certifying or recertifying households, you may occasionally encounter a household member who earns income from a self-owned business. For example, a household member may own a small retail store or hair salon, be a computer consultant or house painter, or own and run a daycare center or...

Adopt Thorough Travel Policy to Avoid Audit Problems

March 28, 2014    

Many management companies charge employees’ travel expenses to site operating accounts. Travel expenses to visit sites, meet with owners, and attend training are allowed because charges involve work-related travel by employees who perform such frontline tasks as certification, accounting,...