Feature Articles

Ensure Building and Common Areas Comply with Federal Accessibility Requirements

July 19, 2017    

Federally assisted sites are covered by accessibility requirements for design and construction under either the Fair Housing Act (FHA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. As a site owner or manager, you must make sure that your site complies with these requirements. Because HUD and...

HUD Issues VAWA Implementation Guidance for Owners of HUD-Assisted Housing

July 19, 2017    

Following the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA) Guidance issued by HUD’s office of Public and Indian Housing in May, HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing Programs recently issued its own guidance (Notice 2017-05) to owners and management agents of HUD-assisted...

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...

Procedural Changes to HUD REAC Failed Inspections Signed into Law

June 16, 2017    

As a result of President Trump signing a new HUD appropriations bill in early May, the rules that govern what happens when a site fails its REAC inspection have changed. The appropriations bill included Section 223, which details changes to the required provisions for properties that score 59 or...

HUD Provides VAWA Guidance for PHAs and Owners Who Accept Vouchers

June 16, 2017    

HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing recently issued Notice PIH-2017-08, which provides guidance on complying with the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013). The notice is directed to PHAs and owners of private housing who accept Housing Choice Vouchers.

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.

Take Four Steps to Verify Zero-Income Status

May 18, 2017    

An applicant or household member may claim to get no income from any source. In these situations, it’s important to be skeptical. HUD management reviewers and auditors scrutinize these claims to keep HUD from overpaying assistance to household members. If it turns out that a household...

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...

Send Post-Inspection Letters to All Residents to Head Off Maintenance Problems

April 17, 2017    

If you’re like most managers, you probably follow up with a resident after an annual unit inspection only if you found serious housekeeping problems during the inspection. But by limiting your follow-up to this situation, you could be missing a great opportunity to head off maintenance...

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.

HUD Provides Guidance to PHAs on Implementing Smoke-Free Public Housing Rule

March 10, 2017    

HUD recently published Notice PIH-2017-03, which provides guidance to public housing agencies (PHAs) regarding the implementation and enforcement of smoke-free policies as required by HUD’s final rule prohibiting smoking in public housing. The effective date of the rule is Feb. 3, 2017,...

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