Last August, HUD launched a demonstration—that is, a pilot program—to test new approaches for making certain PHAs and private owners provide housing that’s safe and livable and to overhaul HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) physical inspection protocol. The change...
HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) recently released a memorandum that details the return-to-operations plan for inspections. The annual REAC inspection is a critical indicator of a federally assisted site's ability to maintain the physical standards established by HUD to...
Under normal circumstances, when an assisted unit becomes vacant, a new household doesn’t usually move in right away. It takes time to find an eligible household. And even if you have a waiting list, you may need time to complete the applicant household’s eligibility review and...
On June 18, David Vargas, REAC’s Deputy Assistant Secretary, gave a presentation to the National Leased Housing Association (NLHA) to discuss the safe return of Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) and National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) operations. In...
U.S.-style federalism allows for federal and state laws to exist side by side. In the context of federally assisted housing, leases and landlord-tenant relations are governed by HUD rules even though they’re located on property subject to state regulation. Nevertheless, it can also get...
In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, HUD made certain limited electronic signing and document delivery options available to help reduce virus exposure for important resident interactions such as income recertifications and applicant processing. In a new notice issued by HUD’s...
In May, HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing Programs, which oversees contracts with private owners of HUD-assisted properties, made a fifth and sixth update to its “Questions and Answers for Office of Multifamily Housing Stakeholders: Coronavirus (COVID-19).” HUD has been using...
In April, HUD observed Fair Housing Month by initiating a campaign against sexual harassment. This year's theme focused on protecting individuals from harassment by property owners, managers, maintenance workers, or other residents, and helped educate the public about what behaviors and...
HUD recently published the income limits for HUD programs. These new income limits are effective as of April 1, 2020. HUD sets income limits that determine eligibility for assisted housing programs including:
On March 18, HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing held a national conference call updating stakeholders on their COVID-19 response and operations. HUD staff who spoke on the conference call included Deputy Assistant Secretary Lamar Seats, Assistant Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeff Little,...
In line with its ongoing process of increasing quality control procedures on REAC inspections, HUD recently implemented a new Quality Assurance Inspection (QAI) process, which may be done within five days of the REAC inspection. Generally, within two business days of the contract inspection, a...
HUD recently issued new guidelines relating to assistance animals under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Notice FHEO-2020-01, referred to as the “Assistance Animals Notice,” replaces prior HUD guidelines from 2013 and can be found at...
