Feature Articles

Don't Let Inspectors Deduct Points for Five Common Site Conditions

December 11, 2018

Inspectors sometimes hit sites with inspection violations (what HUD calls “defects” or “deficiencies”) for conditions that aren’t actually violations or that the inspector shouldn’t have inspected in the first place. This happens because HUD’s inspection...

HUD Issues Utility Allowance Adjustment Factors for 2019

December 11, 2018

HUD recently posted the Utility Allowance Adjustment Factors (UAFs) for 2019. HUD permits owners to use the UAFs to adjust baseline utility allowances prepared in accordance with Housing Notice 2015-04. The factors are effective for any site with an anniversary date on or after Feb. 11, 2019....

Avoid HUD Scrutiny by Taking Residents' Rent Debt Collection Seriously

November 19, 2018

Some sites don’t pursue residents aggressively enough to collect back rent owed and excess assistance. They believe that because residents’ income levels are low and the amounts owed are small, it’s not worth the sites’ time or money to chase after these debts. So these...

EIV Income Report Updates Delayed

November 19, 2018

HUD recently released RHIIP Listserv #416, which explains that, due to technical difficulties, the New Hires, Employment, and Unemployment information in the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system won’t be updated in November 2018 and in December 2018.

HUD Issues Best Practice Guidance for Guest Suites

November 19, 2018

HUD recently released HUD Notice 2018-10, which provides best practice guidance for determining under what circumstances guest suites are permissible in multifamily housing. This best practice guidance is effective immediately for all new and existing FHA-insured and HUD-held multifamily rental...

HUD Releases Notice on Public Housing Heating Standards

November 19, 2018

HUD recently released PIH Notice 2018-19, “Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) – Implementation of Minimum Heating Standards in Public Housing Properties.” It provides implementation guidance related to the minimum heating requirements within public...

HUD Updates Guidance for Addressing Low Physical Inspection Scores

November 19, 2018

HUD recently issued Notice H-2018-08 to provide updated guidance to HUD Multifamily staff regarding actions to take when a private property assisted with various HUD programs has a Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) score of less than 60 and/or when a property owner fails to certify...

How to Avoid Discrimination Complaints When Dealing with Environmental Concerns

October 16, 2018

According to federal reports issued in June 2018, HUD lacks adequate oversight of lead-based paint in the public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs. The reports, issued by the HUD Office of Inspector General and U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), described disjointed...

How to Verify Income of Newly Self-Employed Ride-Hailing Service Drivers

October 16, 2018

Explosive growth in ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are attracting more and more drivers. These drivers earn extra income with the benefit of working flexible hours. According to recent research by JPMorgan Chase Institute, from late 2013 to this spring, the number of households...

What to Know Before Setting a Gun Policy at Your Site

September 24, 2018

Each week, gun-related violence makes headlines, followed shortly by hotly contested debates on gun control. The right to bear arms as defined by the U.S. Constitution, as well as by many state constitutions, has and remains an issue that divides individuals, businesses, communities, and...

Seven Rules for Preventing and Dealing with Sexual Harassment of Residents

September 12, 2018

As a site owner or manager, you must be concerned about your liability for sexual harassment. Federal fair housing law protects residents from sexual harassment at your site. A resident can sue you if she thinks that you or any employee at your site sexually harassed her. Sexual harassment can...

Avoid Unnecessary Delays with Document Checklist for Certification Interviews

September 12, 2018

HUD requires managers to cover a long list of topics during the certification meetings. At these times, it’s important that households bring certain key documents with them to the certification interview. These are documents containing the information you need to process the initial...