Feature

How to Request a ‘Technical Review’ to Raise REAC Inspection Score

June 16, 2017

If you work for a PHA or own a property that’s required by HUD to undergo physical property inspections with the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC), it’s important to keep your property safe and sanitary. Doing so will maintain and increase federal funds for your site and reduce...

Follow Eight Rules for Proper Handling of Security Deposits

May 18, 2017

As an assisted site owner or manager, you must collect security deposits from all households when they move in. These security deposits protect you from losing money when residents damage your units or fail to pay rent. However, handling security deposits incorrectly can cost you.

How to Verify Cash Value, Income of Foreign Bank Accounts, CDs

April 17, 2017

In HUD-assisted programs there is no asset limit for participation. However, the definition of “annual income” includes net income from family assets. And net family assets include monies held in savings and checking accounts in the United States or abroad. As a site owner or manager...

Implementing Integrated Pest Management

March 28, 2017

By Carolyn E. Zezima, Esq.

Controlling pests is an essential aspect of maintaining your site in a safe and healthy condition as well as complying with HUD physical inspection standards. Pest infestations create significant health risks for people and can result in a pretty big...

How to Avoid Fair Housing Problems When Applicants and Residents Use Wheelchairs

March 10, 2017

Federal fair housing law bans discrimination against people on the basis of disability. And mobility impairment is a disability under the law. So if you or your staff treat mobility-impaired applicants and residents in a discriminatory manner, you’re violating the law.

Five Dos & Don'ts for Calculating Income from 'Gig Economy' or Irregular Employment

February 10, 2017

With the rising popularity of online services that match freelance labor and local demand, you may find that an increasing number of applicants or residents are earning their income from Uber and other “gig” companies like Lyft and TaskRabbit. These companies hire their workers as...

Nine Requirements to Charge Sites for Frontline Retirement Plan Costs

January 13, 2017

Offering a retirement account plan, such as a 401(k) plan, for your frontline on-site staff is a good way to attract and keep quality employees. And HUD lets you charge your contributions to these plans, as well as related administrative costs, to your site’s operating account.

Save Time by Knowing When to Deal Directly with HAP Contract Administrator

December 13, 2016

Your site’s Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract may be administered by a contract administrator other than your HUD field office. In these cases, where HUD isn’t the contract administrator, the HUD field office is responsible for monitoring the contract administrator...

Best Practices for Complying with HUD’s Criminal Background Check Guidance

November 15, 2016

This year, HUD and the courts have brought much attention to possible Fair Housing Act violations from criminal screening policies. In April, HUD issued guidelines that spell out how HUD will evaluate fair housing complaints in cases where a site rejects an applicant based on criminal history....

How to Classify Six Items that May Be Treated as Income or Assets

October 31, 2016

When certifying or recertifying households, you must list both the household’s income and its assets. However, deciding whether to treat an item as income or an asset can be tricky. If you treat an item incorrectly, you will make a certification mistake that could result in a HUD audit or...

Eight Site Improvements to Reduce Water Usage at Your Site

September 29, 2016

By Carolyn E. Zezima, Esq.

How to Determine Eligibility of Remaining Household Members

September 14, 2016

HUD Handbook 4350.3, paragraph 3-16, spells out the rules for determining who can stay at an assisted site after the original qualifying household member dies or moves out of the unit. Whether the remaining member can stay depends on several factors, including the type of assisted site involved...