Feature

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 required...
Compliance

Take Three Steps to Prevent Subsidy Abuse When Household Member Moves Out

August 17, 2014    
The departure of a household member can bring about changes that affect a household’s subsidy as well as other aspects of its placement at your site. HUD expects you to stay on top of such changes so that your households are paying the correct amount of rent and your assisted units are fully...
In the News

Federal Court of Appeals Denies HUD's Request for PBCA Rehearing

August 17, 2014    
On Aug. 8, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied HUD’s request for a rehearing and rehearing en banc in the ongoing performance-based contract administrator (PBCA) lawsuit. PBCAs administer Section 8 housing assistance payment (HAP) contracts for HUD.
In the News

HUD Issues Notice on Relocation Requirements under RAD

August 17, 2014    
HUD recently issued a notice regarding tenant relocation requirements under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. This notice provides public housing agencies and their partners with information and resources on applicable program and relocation assistance requirements when planning...
In the News

Julian Castro Sworn in as HUD Secretary

August 17, 2014    
On July 28, Julián Castro was sworn in as the 16th secretary of HUD. In this role, Secretary Castro will oversee 8,000 employees and a budget of $46 billion.
Recent Court Rulings

PHA Can Evict Resident for Threatening Behavior

August 17, 2014    
Facts: In the summer of 2012, a resident began to engage in bizarre and, at times, alarming behavior with fellow residents at the site. One resident, who considered the troubled resident a friend and expressed her concern for his well-being, complained that he repeatedly showed up at her unit...
The Trainer

The Trainer — September 2014

August 17, 2014    
Holding Effective Certification Meetings; Preventing Subsidy Abuse When Household Member Moves Out In this month’s feature, we discussed meeting with households to certify their eligibility for housing assistance. HUD requires managers to cover a long list of topics during the initial...
Recent Court Rulings

PHA Didn't Follow State's Notice Requirements

August 16, 2014    
Facts: A local PHA claimed that a resident violated his lease by using marijuana. One of the site’s security officers testified at the eviction evidentiary hearing that he smelled marijuana coming from the resident’s unit during his routine patrol of the building. Although the resident...
Recent Court Rulings

HUD Not Required to Advance Subsidy Payments

August 16, 2014    
Facts: An owner’s site has had a history of “unsatisfactory” HUD audit reviews since 2005, and in 2009 and 2010 HUD refused to pay more than $700,000 in subsidies due to the site’s violations of HUD regulations. To satisfy HUD, the owner hired a HUD-approved managing agent...
Feature

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, par....