Feature

Follow Six Dos & Don’ts to Avoid Problems with Live-In Aides

October 11, 2013    
Very often, household members applying to or already living at a site say they need to have an aide live with them to help them with daily tasks. If a resident who is elderly (age 62 or older) or near elderly (age 50 or older) or who has a disability, asks you to allow her to have a live-in aide to...
Related Tools: Live-In Aide Agreement
Income Calculations

12 Common Items You Shouldn’t Include in Household Income

October 11, 2013    
When certifying and recertifying households, you may come across certain items that look like income, but that HUD doesn’t consider income. It’s important to recognize these items and not mistakenly count them in a household member’s annual income. Otherwise, you’ll...
In the News

The Shutdown’s Impact on HUD & Federal Housing Programs

October 11, 2013    
On Sept. 27, 2013, HUD released a “Contingency Plan for Possible Lapse in Appropriations” if Congress failed to approve funding for the federal government past Sept. 30. Nearly two weeks later, as this issue is being published, Congress still hasn’t been able to pass a bill to...
In the News

HUD Relaxes Annual Financial Statement Requirements for Small Sites

October 11, 2013    
For sites that receive less than $500,000 in combined federal financial assistance, HUD recently issued Notice 2013-23 that revises the financial reporting requirements for small multifamily housing developments. Specifically, the notice eliminates the audit requirements for small entities (defined...
The Trainer

The Trainer — November 2013

October 10, 2013    
Avoiding Problems with Live-In Aides; What Not to Include in Household Income  
Recent Court Rulings

PHA Not Liable for Deaths Caused by Lack of Smoke Alarm and Second Egress

October 10, 2013    
Facts: In 2010, a fire in a unit took the lives of a Section 8 resident and her guest. Their bodies were found on the third floor of the unit, and an autopsy confirmed that both women died from smoke inhalation. The third-floor bedroom lacked a smoke detector and an alternate means of egress—...
Feature

Take 10 Steps to Create a Successful Community Garden for Residents

September 26, 2013    
By Carolyn Zezima, Esq.  
Dealing with Households

Focus on Resident Conservation to Reduce Site’s Energy and Water Consumption

September 26, 2013    
HUD rules on energy assessment and conservation encourage managers to take steps to reduce their site’s energy and water usage and to engage and educate residents in making the site a greener, more sustainable place to live. Some energy assessment and conservation measures can require...
HUD Audits

Owner of Brownsville Apartments Didn’t Comply with Regulatory Agreement

September 26, 2013    
HUD auditors conducted a review of Brownsville Apartments in Brownsville, Pa., based on a referral from HUD’s Departmental Enforcement Center and the Pittsburgh Office of Multifamily Housing, due to concerns that project funds were used inappropriately for purposes other than the operation of...
Feature

How to Adopt Smoke-Free Policies at Your Assisted Site

September 12, 2013    
Since 2009, HUD has strongly encouraged public housing agencies to adopt smoke-free buildings to protect the health of residents, and recently HUD has urged owners of federally assisted multifamily properties to go smoke-free. And you may be considering banning smoking at your site—or in...