Agenda packet, joint meeting — Glendale City Council, May 5, 2026 (part 6 of 8)

Hearing Officer’s Decision [24 CFR 982.555(e)(6)]
The person who conducts the hearing must issue a written decision, stating briefly the reasons for the decision. Factual determinations relating to the individual circumstances of the family must be based on a preponderance of evidence presented at the hearing.

GHA Policy
In rendering a decision, the hearing officer will consider the following matters:

PHA Notice to the Family: The hearing officer will determine if the reasons for the PHA’s decision are factually stated in the Notice.

Discovery: The hearing officer will determine if the PHA and the family were given the opportunity to examine any relevant documents in accordance with PHA policy.

PHA Evidence to Support the PHA Decision: The evidence consists of the facts presented. Evidence is not conclusion and it is not argument. The hearing officer will evaluate the facts to determine if they support the PHA’s conclusion.

Validity of Grounds for Termination of Assistance (when applicable): The hearing officer will determine if the termination of assistance is for one of the grounds specified in the HUD regulations and PHA policies. If the grounds for termination are not specified in the regulations or in compliance with PHA policies, then the decision of the PHA will be overturned.

The hearing officer will issue a written decision to the family and the PHA no later than 10 business days after the hearing. The report will contain the following information:

Hearing information:

Name of the participant;
Date, time and place of the hearing;
Name of the hearing officer;
Name of the PHA representative; and
Name of family representative (if any).

Background: A brief, impartial statement of the reason for the hearing.

Summary of the Evidence: The hearing officer will summarize the testimony of each witness and identify any documents that a witness produced in support of their testimony and that are admitted into evidence.

Findings of Fact: The hearing officer will include all findings of fact, based on a preponderance of the evidence. Preponderance of the evidence is defined as evidence which is of greater weight or more convincing than the evidence which is offered in opposition to it; that is, evidence which as a whole shows that the fact sought to be proved is more probable than not. Preponderance of the evidence may not be determined by the number of witnesses, but by the greater weight of all evidence.

Exhibit 2
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Conclusions: The hearing officer will render a conclusion derived from the facts that were found to be true by a preponderance of the evidence. The conclusion will result in a determination of whether these facts uphold the PHA’s decision.

Order: The hearing report will include a statement of whether the PHA’s decision is upheld or overturned. If it is overturned, the hearing officer will instruct the PHA to change the decision in accordance with the hearing officer’s determination. In the case of termination of assistance, the hearing officer will instruct the PHA to restore the participant’s program status.

Issuance of Decision [24 CFR 982.555(e)(6)]
A copy of the hearing order must be furnished promptly to the family.

GHA Policy
The hearing officer will mail a “Notice of Hearing Decision” to the PHA and to the participant on the same day. This notice will be sent by first-class mail. The participant will be mailed the original “Notice of Hearing Decision” and a copy of the proof of mailing. A copy of the “Notice of Hearing Decision” will be maintained in the PHA’s file.

Effect of Final Decision [24 CFR 982.555(f)]
The PHA is not bound by the decision of the hearing officer for matters in which the PHA is not required to provide an opportunity for a hearing, decisions that exceed the authority of the hearing officer, decisions that conflict with or contradict HUD regulations, requirements, or are otherwise contrary to federal, state, or local laws.

If the PHA determines it is not bound by the hearing officer’s decision in accordance with HUD regulations, the PHA must promptly notify the family of the determination and the reason for the determination.

GHA Policy
The Executive Director has the authority to determine that the PHA is not bound by the decision of the hearing officer because the PHA was not required to provide a hearing, the decision exceeded the authority of the hearing officer, the decision conflicted with or contradicted HUD regulations, requirements, or the decision was otherwise contrary to federal, state, or local laws.

In such a case, the PHA will mail a “Notice of Final Decision” to the PHA program director and the participant on the same day. The “Notice of Final Decision” will be sent by first-class mail. A copy of this notice will be maintained in the PHA’s file.

Exhibit 2
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16-III.D. HEARING AND APPEAL PROVISIONS FOR NONCITIZENS [24 CFR 5.514] Denial or termination of assistance based on immigration status is subject to special hearing and notice rules. Applicants who are denied assistance due to immigration status are entitled to an informal hearing, not an informal review.

Assistance to a family may not be delayed, denied, or terminated on the basis of immigration status at any time prior to a decision under the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) appeal process. Assistance to a family may not be terminated or denied while the PHA hearing is pending, but assistance to an applicant may be delayed pending the completion of the informal hearing.

A decision against a family member, issued in accordance with the USCIS appeal process or the PHA informal hearing process, does not preclude the family from exercising the right, that may otherwise be available, to seek redress directly through judicial procedures.

Notice of Denial or Termination of Assistance [24 CFR 5.514(d)] The notice of denial or termination of assistance for noncitizens must advise the family:
• That financial assistance will be denied or terminated and provide a brief explanation of the reasons for the proposed denial or termination of assistance. • The family may be eligible for proration of assistance. • In the case of a participant, the criteria and procedures for obtaining relief under the provisions for preservation of families [24 CFR 5.514 and 5.518]. • That the family has a right to request an appeal to the USCIS of the results of secondary verification of immigration status and to submit additional documentation or explanation in support of the appeal.
• That the family has a right to request an informal hearing with the PHA either upon completion of the USCIS appeal or in lieu of the USCIS appeal. • For applicants, assistance may not be delayed until the conclusion of the USCIS appeal process, but assistance may be delayed during the period of the informal hearing process.

Exhibit 2
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USCIS Appeal Process [24 CFR 5.514(e)]
When the PHA receives notification that the USCIS secondary verification failed to confirm eligible immigration status, the PHA must notify the family of the results of the USCIS verification. The family will have 30 days from the date of the notification to request an appeal of the USCIS results. The request for appeal must be made by the family in writing directly to the USCIS. The family must provide the PHA with a copy of the written request for appeal and the proof of mailing.

GHA Policy
The PHA will notify the family in writing of the results of the USCIS secondary verification within 10 business days of receiving the results.

The family must provide the PHA with a copy of the written request for appeal and proof of mailing within 10 business days of sending the request to the USCIS.

The family must forward to the designated USCIS office any additional documentation or written explanation in support of the appeal. This material must include a copy of the USCIS document verification request (used to process the secondary request) or such other form specified by the USCIS, and a letter indicating that the family is requesting an appeal of the USCIS immigration status verification results.

The USCIS will notify the family, with a copy to the PHA, of its decision. When the USCIS notifies the PHA of the decision, the PHA must notify the family of its right to request an informal hearing.

GHA Policy
The PHA will send written notice to the family of its right to request an informal hearing within 10 business days of receiving notice of the USCIS decision regarding the family’s immigration status.

Informal Hearing Procedures for Applicants [24 CFR 5.514(f)] After notification of the USCIS decision on appeal, or in lieu of an appeal to the USCIS, the family may request that the PHA provide a hearing. The request for a hearing must be made either within 30 days of receipt of the PHA notice of denial, or within 30 days of receipt of the USCIS appeal decision.

The informal hearing procedures for applicant families are described below.

Informal Hearing Officer
The PHA must provide an informal hearing before an impartial individual, other than a person who made or approved the decision under review, and other than a person who is a subordinate of the person who made or approved the decision. See Section 16-III.C. for a listing of positions that serve as informal hearing officers.

Exhibit 2
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Evidence
The family must be provided the opportunity to examine and copy at the family’s expense, at a reasonable time in advance of the hearing, any documents in the possession of the PHA pertaining to the family’s eligibility status, or in the possession of the USCIS (as permitted by USCIS requirements), including any records and regulations that may be relevant to the hearing.

GHA Policy
The family will be allowed to copy any documents related to the hearing at a cost that is in accordance with the City of Glendale’s ordinance. The family must request discovery of PHA documents no later than 12:00 p.m. on the business day prior to the hearing.

The family must be provided the opportunity to present evidence and arguments in support of eligible status. Evidence may be considered without regard to admissibility under the rules of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings.

The family must also be provided the opportunity to refute evidence relied upon by the PHA, and to confront and cross-examine all witnesses on whose testimony or information the PHA relies.

Representation and Interpretive Services
The family is entitled to be represented by an attorney or other designee, at the family’s expense, and to have such person make statements on the family’s behalf.

The family is entitled to request an interpreter. Upon request, the PHA will provide competent interpretation services, free of charge.

Recording of the Hearing
The family is entitled to have the hearing recorded by audiotape. The PHA may, but is not required to provide a transcript of the hearing.

GHA Policy
The PHA will record the hearing by audio tape for their records. The PHA will not provide a transcript of an audio taped hearing. The family is entitled to record the hearing by audio tape at their own expense, or may request a copy from the PHA at their own expense.

Hearing Decision
The PHA must provide the family with a written final decision, based solely on the facts presented at the hearing, within 14 calendar days of the date of the informal hearing. The decision must state the basis for the decision.

Exhibit 2
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Informal Hearing Procedures for Residents [24 CFR 5.514(f)] After notification of the USCIS decision on appeal, or in lieu of an appeal to the USCIS, the family may request that the PHA provide a hearing. The request for a hearing must be made either within 30 days of receipt of the PHA notice of termination, or within 30 days of receipt of the USCIS appeal decision.

For the informal hearing procedures that apply to participant families whose assistance is being terminated based on immigration status, see Section 16-III.C.

Retention of Documents [24 CFR 5.514(h)]
The PHA must retain for a minimum of 5 years the following documents that may have been submitted to the PHA by the family, or provided to the PHA as part of the USCIS appeal or the PHA informal hearing process:
• The application for assistance
• The form completed by the family for income reexamination • Photocopies of any original documents, including original USCIS documents • The signed verification consent form
• The USCIS verification results
• The request for a USCIS appeal
• The final USCIS determination
• The request for an informal hearing
• The final informal hearing decision
Exhibit 2
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PART IV: OWNER OR FAMILY DEBTS TO THE PHA
16-IV.A. OVERVIEW
PHAs are required to include in the administrative plan, policies concerning repayment by a family of amounts owed to the PHA [24 CFR 982.54]. If the family breaches an agreement with the PHA to pay amounts owed to a PHA, or amounts paid to an owner by a PHA, the PHA, at its discretion, may offer a family the opportunity to enter an agreement to pay amounts owed to a PHA or amounts paid to an owner by a PHA. The PHA may prescribe the terms of the agreement [24 CFR 982.552(c)(1)(vii)]. This part describes the PHA’s policies for recovery of monies owed to the PHA by families or owners.

GHA Policy
When an action or inaction of an owner or participant results in the overpayment of housing assistance, the PHA holds the owner or participant liable to return any overpayments to the PHA.

The PHA will enter into repayment agreements in accordance with the policies contained in this part as a means to recover overpayments.
16-IV.B. REPAYMENT POLICY
Owner Debts to the PHA
GHA Policy
Any amount due to the PHA by an owner must be repaid by the owner within 30 days of the PHA determination of the debt.

If the owner fails to repay the debt within the required time frame and is entitled to future HAP payments, the PHA will reduce the future HAP payments by the amount owed until the debt is paid in full.

If the owner is not entitled to future HAP payments the PHA may, in its sole discretion, offer to enter into a repayment agreement on terms prescribed by the PHA.

If the owner refuses to repay the debt, does not enter into a repayment agreement, or breaches a repayment agreement, the PHA will ban the owner from future participation in the program and pursue other modes of collection.

When an owner refuses to repay monies owed to the PHA, the PHA will utilize other available collection alternatives including, but not limited to, the following:

Collection agencies
Small claims court
Civil lawsuit
State income tax set-off program
Exhibit 2
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Family Debts to the PHA
Families are required to reimburse the PHA if they were charged less rent than required because the family either underreported or failed to report income. PHAs are required to determine retroactive rent amounts as far back as the PHA has documentation of family unreported income [Notice PIH 2018-18].

GHA Policy
Any amount owed to the PHA by an HCV family must be repaid by the family. If the family is unable to repay the debt within 30 days, the PHA will offer to enter into a repayment agreement in accordance with the policies below.

Criminal Prosecution for Program Fraud/Abuse
Local, state or federal criminal prosecution should be considered by the PHA in flagrant cases, if the abuse was committed over several years, the fraud and/or underpayments are substantial and the PHA documents that a family and/or owner willfully intended to misrepresent the truth [HUD OIG Integrity Bulletin, Summer 2015].

GHA Policy
The PHA will consult with the HUD Field Office and regional OIG Special Agent in Charge (SAC) to determine whether it will refer the matter to the state or local district attorney to pursue criminal fraud charges.

Refusal to Enter into an Agreement
If the family refuses to repay the debt, does not enter into a repayment agreement, or breaches a repayment agreement, the PHA must terminate assistance [Notice PIH 2018-18].

GHA Policy
When a family refuses to repay monies owed to the PHA, in addition to termination of program assistance, the PHA will utilize other available collection alternatives including, but not limited to, the following:

Collection agencies
Small claims court
Civil lawsuit
State income tax set-off program

Exhibit 2
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Repayment Agreement [24 CFR 792.103]
The term repayment agreement refers to a formal written document signed by a tenant or owner and provided to the PHA in which a tenant or owner acknowledges a debt in a specific amount and agrees to repay the amount due at specific time periods.

General Repayment Agreement Guidelines for Families
Down Payment Requirement
GHA Policy
Before executing a repayment agreement with a family, the PHA will generally require a down payment of 10 percent of the total amount owed. If the family can provide evidence satisfactory to the PHA that a down payment of 10 percent would impose an undue hardship, the PHA may, in its sole discretion, require a lesser percentage or waive the requirement.

Exhibit 2
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Payment Thresholds
Notice PIH 2018-18 recommends that the total amount that a family must pay each month—the family’s monthly share of rent plus the monthly debt repayment amount—should not exceed 40 percent of the family’s monthly adjusted income. However, a family may already be paying 40 per cent or more of its monthly adjusted income in rent. Moreover, Notice PIH 2018-18 acknowledges that PHAs have the discretion to establish “thresholds and policies” for repayment agreements with families [24 CFR 982.552(c)(1)(vii)].

GHA Policy
The PHA has established the following thresholds for repayment of debts:

Amounts over $3,000 must be repaid within 36 months.

Amounts between $2,000 and $2,999 must be repaid within 30 months.

Amounts between $1,000 and $1,999 must be repaid within 24 months.

Amounts under $1,000 must be repaid within 12 months.

If a family can provide evidence satisfactory to the PHA that the threshold applicable to the family’s debt would impose an undue hardship, the PHA may, in its sole discretion, determine that a lower monthly payment amount is reasonable. In making its determination, the PHA will consider all relevant information, including the following:

The amount owed by the family to the PHA
The reason for the debt, including whether the debt was the result of family action/inaction or circumstances beyond the family’s control The family’s current and potential income and expenses
The family’s current family share, as calculated under 24 CFR 982.515 The family’s history of meeting its financial responsibilities Execution of the Agreement
All repayment agreements must be in writing, dated, and signed by both the family and the PHA [Notice PIH 2018-18].

GHA Policy
Any repayment agreement between the PHA and a family must be signed and dated by the PHA and by the head of household and spouse/cohead (if applicable).

Due Dates
GHA Policy
All payments are due by the close of business on the 1st day of the month. If the 1st does not fall on a business day, the due date is the close of business on the first business day after the 1st.

Exhibit 2
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Late or Missed Payments
GHA Policy
If a payment is not received by the end of the business day on the date due, and prior approval for the missed payment has not been given by the PHA, the PHA will send the family a delinquency notice giving the family 10 business days to make the late payment.

If the payment is not received by the due date of the delinquency notice, it will be considered a breach of the agreement and the PHA will terminate assistance in accordance with the policies in Chapter 12.

If a family receives three delinquency notices for unexcused late payments in a 12-month period, the repayment agreement will be considered in default, and the PHA will terminate assistance in accordance with the policies in Chapter 12.

No Offer of Repayment Agreement
GHA Policy
The PHA generally will not enter into a repayment agreement with a family if there is already a repayment agreement in place with the family or if the PHA, in consultation with HUD and local law enforcement, determine to pursue criminal charges in connection with the conduct and the amounts owed.

Repayment Agreement Terms
All repayment agreements must be in writing, dated, signed by both the family and the PHA, include the total retroactive rent amount owed, any amount of lump sum payment made at time of execution, if applicable, and the monthly repayment amount. Notice PIH 2018-18 requires certain provisions, at a minimum, be included in any repayment agreement involving amounts owed by a family because it underreported or failed to report income:
• A reference to the items in the family briefing packet that state the family’s obligation to provide true and complete information at every reexamination and the grounds on which the PHA may terminate assistance because of a family’s action or failure to act • A statement clarifying that each month the family not only must pay to the PHA the monthly payment amount specified in the agreement but must also pay to the owner the family’s monthly share of the rent to owner
• A statement that the terms of the repayment agreement may be renegotiated if the family’s income decreases or increases
• A statement that late or missed payments constitute default of the repayment agreement and may result in termination of assistance
Exhibit 2
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PART V: SECTION 8 MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (SEMAP) 16-V.A. OVERVIEW
The Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) is a tool that allows HUD to measure PHA performance in key areas to ensure program integrity and accountability. SEMAP scores translate into a rating for each PHA as high performing, standard, or troubled. Scores on individual SEMAP indicators, as well as overall SEMAP ratings, can affect the PHA in several ways.
• High-performing PHAs can be given a competitive advantage under notices of funding availability [24 CFR 985.103].
• PHAs with deficiencies on one or more indicators are required to correct the deficiencies and report to HUD [24 CFR 985.106].
• PHAs with an overall rating of “troubled” are subject to additional HUD oversight, including on-site reviews by HUD staff, a requirement to develop a corrective action plan, and monitoring to ensure the successful implementation of the corrective action plan. In addition, PHAs that are designated “troubled” may not use any part of the administrative fee reserve for other housing purposes [24 CFR 985.107].
• HUD may determine that a PHA's failure to correct identified SEMAP deficiencies or to prepare and implement a corrective action plan required by HUD constitutes a default under the ACC [24 CFR 985.109].

Exhibit 2
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16-V.B. SEMAP CERTIFICATION [24 CFR 985.101]
PHAs must submit the HUD-required SEMAP certification form within 60 calendar days after the end of its fiscal year. The certification must be approved by PHA board resolution and signed by the PHA executive director. If the PHA is a unit of local government or a state, a resolution approving the certification is not required, and the certification must be executed by the Section 8 program director.

PHAs with less than 250 voucher units are only required to be assessed every other PHA fiscal year. HUD will assess such PHAs annually if the PHA elects to have its performance assessed on an annual basis; or is designated as “troubled” [24 CFR 985.105].

Failure of a PHA to submit its SEMAP certification within the required time frame will result in an overall performance rating of “troubled.”
A PHA’s SEMAP certification is subject to HUD verification by an on-site confirmatory review at any time. For small PHAs, HUD may conduct a remote confirmatory review.

Upon receipt of the PHA’s SEMAP certification, HUD will rate the PHA’s performance under each SEMAP indicator in accordance with program requirements.

Exhibit 2
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HUD Verification Method
Several of the SEMAP indicators are scored based on a review of a quality control sample selected for this purpose. The PHA or the Independent Auditor must select an unbiased sample that provides an adequate representation of the types of information to be assessed, in accordance with SEMAP requirements [24 CFR 985.2].

If the HUD verification method for the indicator relies on data in the Form-50058 module (formerly known as MTCS) in the PIH Information Center (PIC), and HUD determines that those data are insufficient to verify the PHA's certification on the indicator due to the PHA's failure to adequately report family data, HUD will assign a zero rating for the indicator [24 CFR 985.3].

Exhibit 2
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16-V.C. SEMAP INDICATORS [24 CFR 985.3 and Form HUD-52648] The table below lists each of the SEMAP indicators, contains a description of each indicator, and explains the basis for points awarded under each indicator.

A PHA that expends less than $300,000 in Federal awards and whose Section 8 programs are not audited by an independent auditor, is not to be rated under SEMAP indicators 1-7.

SEMAP Indicators
Indicator 1: Selection from the waiting list
Maximum Score: 15
• This indicator shows whether the PHA has written policies in its administrative plan for selecting applicants from the waiting list and whether the PHA follows these policies when selecting applicants from the waiting list.
• Points are based on the percent of families that are selected from the waiting list in accordance with the PHA’s written policies, according to the PHA’s quality control samples.

Indicator 2: Rent reasonableness
Maximum Score: 20
• This indicator shows whether the PHA has and implements a reasonable written method to determine and document for each unit leased that the rent to owner is reasonable based on current rents for comparable unassisted units at the required times. • Points are based on the percent of units for which the PHA follows its written method to determine reasonable rent and has documented its determination that the rent to owner is reasonable, according to the PHA’s quality control sample.

Indicator 3: Determination of adjusted income
Maximum Score: 20
• This indicator measures whether the PHA verifies and correctly determines adjusted income for each assisted family, and where applicable, uses the appropriate utility allowances for the unit leased in determining the gross rent. • Points are based on the percent of files that are calculated and verified correctly, according to the PHA’s quality control sample.

Indicator 4: Utility allowance schedule
Maximum Score: 5
• This indicator shows whether the PHA maintains an up-to-date utility allowance schedule.
• Points are based on whether the PHA has reviewed the utility allowance schedule and adjusted it when required, according to the PHA’s certification.

Exhibit 2
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Indicator 5: HQS quality control inspections
Maximum Score: 5
• This indicator shows whether a PHA supervisor reinspects a sample of units under contract during the PHA fiscal year, which meets the minimum sample size requirements for quality control of HQS inspections.
• Points are based on whether the required quality control reinspections were completed, according to the PHA’s certification.

Indicator 6: HQS enforcement
Maximum Score: 10
• This indicator shows whether, following each inspection of a unit under contract where the unit fails to meet housing quality standards, any cited life-threatening deficiencies are corrected within 24 hours from the inspection and all other deficiencies are corrected within no more than 30 calendar days from the inspection or any PHA-approved extension.
• Points are based on whether the PHA corrects all deficiencies in accordance with required time frames, according to the PHA’s certification.

Indicator 7: Expanding housing opportunities
Maximum Points: 5
• Only applies to PHAs with jurisdiction in metropolitan FMR areas. • This indicator shows whether the PHA has adopted and implemented a written policy to encourage participation by owners of units located outside areas of poverty or minority concentration; informs voucher holders of the full range of areas where they may lease units both inside and outside the PHA’s jurisdiction; and supplies a list of landlords or other parties who are willing to lease units or help families find units, including units outside areas of poverty or minority concentration.
• Points are based on whether the PHA has adopted and implemented written policies in accordance with SEMAP requirements, according to the PHA’s certification.

Indicator 8: FMR limit and payment standards
Maximum Points: 5 points
• This indicator shows whether the PHA has adopted a payment standard schedule that establishes payment standard amounts by unit size for each FMR area in the PHA’s jurisdiction, that are within the basic range of 90 to 110 percent of the published FMR. • Points are based on whether the PHA has appropriately adopted a payment standard schedule(s), according to the PHA’s certification.

Indicator 9: Annual reexaminations
Maximum Points: 10
• This indicator shows whether the PHA completes a reexamination for each participating family at least every 12 months.
• Points are based on the percent of reexaminations that are less than two months overdue, according to data from PIC.

Exhibit 2
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Indicator 10: Correct tenant rent calculations
Maximum Points: 5
• This indicator shows whether the PHA correctly calculates the family’s share of the rent to owner.
• Points are based on the percent of correct calculations of family share of the rent, according to data from PIC.

Indicator 11: Pre-contract inspections
Maximum Points: 5
• This indicator shows whether newly leased units pass inspection on or before the effective date of the assisted lease and HAP contract.
• Points are based on the percent of newly leased units that passed inspection on or before the effective date of the lease and HAP contract, according to data from PIC.

Indicator 12: Annual inspections
Maximum Points: 10
• This indicator shows whether the PHA inspects each unit under contract at least annually.
• Points are based on the percent of annual inspections of units under contract that are more than 2 months overdue, according to data from PIC.

Indicator 13: Lease-up
Maximum Points: 20 points
• This indicator shows whether the PHA enters HAP contracts for at least 98 percent of the number of the PHA’s baseline voucher units in the ACC for the calendar year ending on or before the PHA’s fiscal year, or whether the PHA has expended at least 98 percent of its allocated budget authority for the same calendar year. The PHA can receive 15 points if 95 to 97 percent of vouchers are leased or budget authority is utilized. • Points are based on utilization of vouchers and HAP expenditures as reported in the voucher management system (VMS) for the most recently completed calendar year.

Indicator 14: Family self-sufficiency (FSS) enrollment and escrow account balances Maximum Points: 10
• Only applies to PHAs with mandatory FSS programs.
• This indicator shows whether the PHA has enrolled families in the FSS program as required and measures the percent of current FSS participants that have had increases in earned income which resulted in escrow account balances. • Points are based on the percent of mandatory FSS slots that are filled and the percent of families with escrow account balances, according to data from PIC.

Exhibit 2
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Success Rate of Voucher Holders
Maximum Points: 5
• Only applies to PHAs that have received approval to establish success rate payment standard amounts, and isn’t effective until the second full PHA fiscal year following the date of HUD approval of success rate payment standard amounts. • This indicator shows whether voucher holders were successful in leasing units with voucher assistance.
• Points are based on the percent of families that were issued vouchers, and that became participants in the voucher program.

Deconcentration Bonus Indicator
Maximum Points: 5
• Submission of data for this indicator is mandatory for a PHA using one or more payment standard amount(s) that exceed(s) 100 percent of the published FMR set at the 50 th percentile rent, starting with the second full PHA fiscal year following initial use of payment standard amounts based on the FMRs set at the 50th percentile. • Additional points are available to PHAs that have jurisdiction in metropolitan FMR areas and that choose to submit the required data.
• Points are based on whether the data that is submitted meets the requirements for bonus points.

Exhibit 2
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PART VI: RECORD KEEPING
16-VI.A. OVERVIEW
The PHA must maintain complete and accurate accounts and other records for the program in accordance with HUD requirements, in a manner that permits a speedy and effective audit. All such records must be made available to HUD or the Comptroller General of the United States upon request.

In addition, the PHA must ensure that all applicant and participant files are maintained in a way that protects an individual’s privacy rights.
16-VI.B. RECORD RETENTION [24 CFR 982.158; 24 CFR 908.101] During the term of each assisted lease, and for at least three years thereafter, the PHA must keep:
• A copy of the executed lease;
• The HAP contract; and
• The application from the family.

In addition, the PHA must keep the following records for at least three years:
• Records that provide income, racial, ethnic, gender, and disability status data on program applicants and participants;
• An application from each ineligible family and notice that the applicant is not eligible; • HUD-required reports;
• Unit inspection reports;
• Lead-based paint records as required by 24 CFR 35, Subpart B. • Accounts and other records supporting PHA budget and financial statements for the program; • Records to document the basis for PHA determination that rent to owner is a reasonable rent (initially and during the term of a HAP contract); and
• Other records specified by HUD.

The PHA must keep the last three years of the Form HUD-50058 and supporting documentation during the term of each assisted lease, and for a period of at least three years from the end of participation (EOP) date [24 CFR 908.101].

The PHA must maintain Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system Income Reports in the tenant file for the duration of the tenancy but for a period not to exceed three years from the EOP date [Notice PIH 2018-18].

Exhibit 2
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Notice PIH 2014-20 requires PHAs to keep records of all complaints, investigations, notices, and corrective actions related to violations of the Fair Housing Act or the equal access final rule.

GHA Policy
The PHA will keep for at least three years records of all complaints, investigations, notices, and corrective actions related to violations of the Fair Housing Act, the equal access final rule, or VAWA.

The PHA must keep confidential records of all emergency transfer requested by victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking under the PHA’s Emergency Transfer Plan, as well as the outcomes of such requests, and retain the records for a period of three years [see 24 CFR 5.2002(e)(12)].

If an informal hearing to establish a family’s citizenship status is held, longer retention requirements apply for some types of documents. For specific requirements, see Section 16- III.D., Retention of Documents.
16-VI.C. RECORDS MANAGEMENT
PHAs must maintain applicant and participant files and information in accordance with the regulatory requirements described below.

GHA Policy
All applicant and participant information will be kept in a secure location and access will be limited to authorized PHA staff.

PHA staff will not discuss personal family information unless there is a business reason to do so. Inappropriate discussion of family information or improper disclosure of family information by staff will result in disciplinary action.

Privacy Act Requirements [24 CFR 5.212 and Form-9886-A] The collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of social security numbers (SSN), employer identification numbers (EIN), any information derived from these numbers, and income information of applicants and participants must be conducted, to the extent applicable, in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, and all other provisions of Federal, State, and local law.

Applicants and participants, including all adults in the household, are required to sign a consent form, HUD-9886-A, Authorization for Release of Information. This form incorporates the Federal Privacy Act Statement and describes how the information collected using the form may be used, and under what conditions HUD or the PHA may release the information collected.

Exhibit 2
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Upfront Income Verification (UIV) Records
PHAs that access UIV data through HUD’s Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system are required to adopt and follow specific security procedures to ensure that all EIV data is protected in accordance with federal laws, regardless of the media on which the data is recorded (e.g. electronic, paper). These requirements are contained in the HUD-issued document, Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System, Security Procedures for Upfront Income Verification data.

GHA Policy
Prior to utilizing HUD’s EIV system, the PHA will adopt and implement EIV security procedures required by HUD.

The PHA will grant access to the EIV system to PHA management staff. The PHA will maintain a record of the names of staff having access to the EIV system; upon removal or dismissal of PHA staff, the PHA will revoke any access rights to the system. The PHA has on file signed Rules of Behavior and User Agreement forms for all staff that has been assigned a WASS user ID and are certified users in the EIV system.

The PHA will grant access to EIV reports to PHA management staff, PHA Investigator, and Housing Advisors. The PHA has on file signed Rules of Behavior and User Agreement forms for all staff that have access to EIV reports.

The PHA has on file modified Rules of Behavior Agreements for staff that must handle client files during their scope of work. These employees do not have rights to view EIV reports.

The PHA will provide a copy of current EIV Security Procedures for UIV Data published by HUD, and will obtain a signed acknowledgement from staff that they have received the manual and are responsible for implementing the correct procedures. These acknowledgements will be kept on file.

The PHA will provide the following safeguards to protect the family’s privacy:

The PHA office is located in a City of Glendale secured office.

Criminal Records
The PHA may only disclose the criminal conviction records which the PHA receives from a law enforcement agency to officers or employees of the PHA, or to authorized representatives of the PHA who have a job-related need to have access to the information [24 CFR 5.903(e)].

The PHA must establish and implement a system of records management that ensures that any criminal record received by the PHA from a law enforcement agency is maintained confidentially, not misused or improperly disseminated, and destroyed, once the purpose for which the record was requested has been accomplished, including expiration of the period for filing a challenge to the PHA action without institution of a challenge or final disposition of any such litigation [24 CFR 5.903(g)].

The PHA must establish and implement a system of records management that ensures that any sex offender registration information received by the PHA from a State or local agency is maintained confidentially, not misused or improperly disseminated, and destroyed, once the Exhibit 2
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purpose for which the record was requested has been accomplished, including expiration of the period for filing a challenge to the PHA action without institution of a challenge or final disposition of any such litigation. However, a record of the screening, including the type of screening and the date performed must be retained [Notice PIH 2012-28]. This requirement does not apply to information that is public information or is obtained by a PHA other than under 24 CFR 5.905.

GHA Policy
The PHA submits to the Glendale Police Department a form entitled “Request and Authorization for Criminal Records Check” (Form CD2570 in connection with its obligations to screen Prospective Applicants and Participants of federally assisted housing programs. The Glendale Police Department then advises the PHA whether there are possible relevant records. No police records or criminal history information is provided. The Glendale Police Department’s response is sent via interdepartmental mail to the SCDS in an envelope marked “Confidential”. Support staff which handles mail is instructed on the confidentiality of these records.

The PHA obtains reports from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on prospective Applicants and Participants. These reports are received by the SDCS. The SCDS must maintain the proper certification required by the DOJ and is bonded for obtaining criminal records. Criminal records from DOJ are only available to the SCDS via a secured internet website that requires a VIP Security Card. The VIP Security Card is maintained in a locked location at all times during non usenon-use. Criminal records are reviewed online. Records are not printed if the criminal history is acceptable. Criminal records are printed/produced if the criminal history is unacceptable and the PHA plans to take adverse action against an Applicant or Participant such as denial of admission or termination of assistance. Any disputes regarding the record itself are handled directly between the Applicant or Participant and the DOJ. Once the records are used for their intended purpose and the appeal process has been completed, the records are destroyed.

A record of all reports and their destruction date are maintained.

Medical/Disability Records
PHAs are not permitted to inquire about the nature or extent of a person’s disability. The PHA may not inquire about a person’s diagnosis or details of treatment for a disability or medical condition. If the PHA receives a verification document that provides such information, the PHA should not place this information in the tenant file. The PHA should destroy the document.

Documentation of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking
For requirements and PHA policies related to management of documentation obtained from victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking see section 16-IX.E.

Exhibit 2
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PART VII: REPORTING AND RECORD KEEPING FOR CHILDREN WITH

ELEVATED BLOOD LEAD LEVEL
16-VII.A. OVERVIEW
The PHA has certain responsibilities relative to children with elevated blood lead levels that are receiving HCV assistance. The notification, verification, and hazard reduction requirements are discussed in Chapter 8. This part deals with the reporting requirements, and data collection and record keeping responsibilities that the PHA is subject to. 16-VII.B. REPORTING REQUIREMENT [24 CFR 35.1225(e); Notice PIH 2017-13] The owner must report the name and address of a child identified as having an elevated blood lead level to the public health department within five business days of being so notified by any other medical health care professional. The owner must also notify the HUD field office and the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) of the child’s address within five business days. The PHA may collaborate with the owner on the notification process, such as by agreeing with the owner to provide the required notifications on the owner’s behalf.

GHA Policy
Upon notification by the owner, the PHA will provide the public health department written notice of the name and address of any child identified as having an elevated blood lead level within five business days.

Upon notification by the owner, the PHA will notify the HUD field office and the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) of the child’s address within five business days.
16-VII.C. DATA COLLECTION AND RECORD KEEPING [24 CFR 35.1225(f)] At least quarterly, the PHA must attempt to obtain from the public health department(s) with a similar area of jurisdiction, the names and/or addresses of children less than 6 years old with an elevated blood lead level.

If the PHA obtains names and addresses of elevated blood lead level children from the public health department(s), the PHA must match this information with the names and addresses of families receiving HCV assistance, unless the public health department performs such a procedure. If a match occurs, the PHA must carry out the notification, verification, and hazard reduction requirements discussed in Chapter 8, and the reporting requirement discussed above.

At least quarterly, the PHA must also report an updated list of the addresses of units receiving assistance under the HCV program to the same public health department(s), unless the public health department(s) states that it does not wish to receive such a report.

GHA Policy
The public health department(s) has stated they do not wish to receive a report of an updated list of the addresses of units receiving assistance under the HCV program, on a quarterly basis. Therefore, the PHA is not providing such a report.

Exhibit 2
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PART VIII: DETERMINATION OF INSUFFICIENT FUNDING
16-VIII.A. OVERVIEW
The HCV regulations allow PHAs to deny families permission to move and to terminate Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contracts if funding under the consolidated ACC is insufficient to support continued assistance [24 CFR 982.354(e)(1) and 982.454]. If a PHA denies a family a portability move based on insufficient funding, the PHA is required to notify the local HUD office within 10 business days [24 CFR 982.354]. Insufficient funding may also impact the PHA’s ability to issue vouchers to families on the waiting list. This part discusses the methodology the PHA will use to determine whether or not the PHA has sufficient funding to issue vouchers, approve moves, and to continue subsidizing all families currently under a HAP contract. The PHA must identify in the administrative plan, in the event of insufficient funding, considering any cost saving measures taken by the PHA, a description of the factors the PHA will consider when determining which HAP contracts to terminate first. See Chapter 12 for a description of these factors.

Exhibit 2
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16-VIII.B. METHODOLOGY
GHA Policy
The PHA will determine whether there is adequate funding to issue vouchers, approve moves to higher cost units and areas, and continue subsidizing all current participants by comparing the PHA’s annual budget authority to the annual total HAP needs on a monthly basis. The total HAP needs for the calendar year will be projected by establishing the actual HAP costs year to date. To that figure, the PHA will add anticipated HAP expenditures for the remainder of the calendar year. Projected HAP expenditures will be calculated by multiplying the projected number of units leased per remaining months by the most current month’s average HAP. The projected number of units leased per month will take into account the average monthly turnover of participant families. If the total annual HAP needs equal or exceed the annual budget authority and funding reserves, or if the PHA cannot support the cost of the proposed subsidy commitment (voucher issuance or move) based on the funding analysis, the PHA will be considered to have insufficient funding.

Exhibit 2
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PART IX: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA): NOTIFICATION,

DOCUMENTATION, CONFIDENTIALITY
16-IX.A. OVERVIEW
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides special protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking who are applying for or receiving assistance under the housing choice voucher (HCV) program. If your state or local laws provide greater protection for such victims, those laws apply in conjunction with VAWA. • Although the VAWA 2022 statute does not specifically include human trafficking in the list of victims protected under VAWA, in 2022 HUD began including human trafficking as part of the list of victims protected under VAWA (as seen in Notices PIH 2022-06, PIH 2022-22, and PIH 2022-24). In the absence of a final rule implementing VAWA 2022 and to mirror HUD’s recent usage, this policy includes human trafficking in addition to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking anywhere such a list appears.

In addition to definitions of key terms used in VAWA, this part contains general VAWA requirements and PHA policies in three areas: notification, documentation, and confidentiality.

Specific VAWA requirements and PHA policies are located primarily in the following sections:
3-I.C, “Family Breakup and Remaining Member of Tenant Family”; 3-III.H, “Prohibition against Denial of Assistance to Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Human Trafficking”; 10-I.A, “Allowable Moves”; 10-I.B, “Restrictions on Moves”; 12-II.E, “Terminations Related to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking”; and 12-II.F, “Termination Notice.”

Exhibit 2
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16-IX.B. DEFINITIONS [24 CFR 5.2003, 42 USC 13925]
As used in VAWA:
• The term affiliated individual means, with respect to a person:
- A spouse, parent, brother or sister, or child of that individual, or an individual to whom that individual stands in the position or place of a parent; or - Any other individual, tenant, or lawful occupant living in the household of the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. • The term bifurcate means, with respect to a public housing or Section 8 lease, to divide a lease as a matter of law such that certain tenants can be evicted or removed while the remaining family members’ lease and occupancy rights are allowed to remain intact. • The term dating violence means violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
- The length of the relationship
- The type of relationship
- The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship Exhibit 2
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• The term domestic violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim under the family or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant funding, and in the case of victim services, includes the user or attempted use of physical abuse or sexual abuse, or a pattern of any other coercive behavior committed, enabled, or solicited to gain or maintain power and control over a victim, including verbal, psychological, economic, or technological abuse that may or may not constitute criminal behavior, by a person who is:
- The current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, or person similarly situated to a spouse or intimate partner of the victim
- A person who is cohabitating or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner
- A person with whom the victim shares a child in common - A person who commits acts against an youth or adult victim who is protected from those acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction • The term economic abuse means behavior that is coercive, deceptive, or unreasonably controls or restrains a person’s ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they are entitled, including using coercion, fraud, and manipulation to:
- Restrict a person’s access to money, assets, credit, or financial information - Unfairly use a person’s personal economic resources, including money, assets, and credit, for one’s own advantage
- Exert undue influence over a person’s financial and economic behavior or decisions, including forcing default on joint or other financial obligations, exploiting powers of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship, or to whom one has a fiduciary duty • The term sexual assault means:
- Any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by federal, tribal, or state law, including when the victim lacks the capacity to consent
• The term stalking means:
- To engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress.

Exhibit 2
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• The term technological abuse means an act or pattern of behavior that occurs within domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and is intended to harm, threaten, intimidate, control, stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, extort, or monitor another person, except as otherwise permitted by law, that occurs using any form of technology, including but not limited to:
- Internet enabled devices
- Online spaces and platforms
- Computers
- Mobile devices
- Cameras and imaging programs
- Apps
- Location tracking devices
- Communication technologies
- Any other emergency technologies

16-IX.C. NOTIFICATION [24 CFR 5.2005(a)]
Notification to Public
The PHA adopts the following policy to help ensure that all actual and potential beneficiaries of its HCV program are aware of their rights under VAWA.

GHA Policy
The PHA will post the following information regarding VAWA in its offices and on its website. It will also make the information readily available to anyone who requests it.

A copy of the Form HUD-5380, Notice of Occupancy Rights under VAWA, to housing choice voucher program applicants and participants who are or have been victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (Exhibit 16-1)
A copy of Form HUD-5382, Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking and Alternate Documentation (Exhibit 16- 2)
A copy of the PHA’s emergency transfer plan (Exhibit 16-3) A copy of Form HUD-5383, HUD’s Emergency Transfer Request for Certain Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking (Exhibit 16-4)
The National Domestic Violence Hot Line: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) (included in Exhibits 16-1 and 16-2) Contact information for local victim advocacy groups or service providers Exhibit 2
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Notification to Program Applicants and Participants [24 CFR 5.2005(a)(1)] PHAs are required to inform program applicants and participants of their rights under VAWA, including their right to confidentiality and the limits thereof, when they are denied assistance, when they are admitted to the program, and when they are notified of an eviction or termination of housing benefits.

GHA Policy
The PHA will provide all applicants with information about VAWA at the time they request an application for housing assistance, as part of the written briefing packet, and at the time the family is admitted to the program. The PHA will also include information about VAWA in all notices of denial of assistance (see section 3-III.H).

The PHA will provide all participants with information about VAWA at the time of admission (see section 5-I.B) and at annual reexamination. The PHA will also include information about VAWA in notices of termination of assistance, as provided in section 12-II.F.

The VAWA information provided to applicants and participants will consist of the notices in Exhibits 16-1 and 16-2.

The PHA is not limited to providing VAWA information at the times specified in the above policy. If the PHA decides to provide VAWA information to a participant following an incident of domestic violence, Notice PIH 2017-08 cautions against sending the information by mail, since the abuser may be monitoring the mail. The notice recommends that in such cases the PHA make alternative delivery arrangements that will not put the victim at risk.

GHA Policy
Whenever the PHA has reason to suspect that providing information about VAWA to a participant might place a victim of domestic violence at risk, it will attempt to deliver the information by hand directly to the victim or by having the victim come to an office or other space that may be safer for the individual, making reasonable accommodations as necessary. For example, the PHA may decide not to send mail regarding VAWA protections to the victim’s unit if the PHA believes the perpetrator may have access to the victim’s mail, unless requested by the victim.

When discussing VAWA with the victim, the PHA will take reasonable precautions to ensure that no one can overhear the conversation, such as having conversations in a private room.

The victim may, but is not required to, designate an attorney, advocate, or other secure contact for communications regarding VAWA protections.

Exhibit 2
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Notification to Owners and Managers
While PHAs are no longer required by regulation to notify owners and managers participating in the HCV program of their rights and obligations under VAWA, the PHA may still choose to inform them.

GHA Policy
The PHA will provide owners and managers with information about their rights and obligations under VAWA when they begin their participation in the program and at least annually thereafter.

The VAWA information provided to owners will consist of the notice in Exhibit 16-5 and a copy of Form HUD-5382, Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking and Alternate Documentation.

Exhibit 2
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16-IX.D. DOCUMENTATION [24 CFR 5.2007]
A PHA presented with a claim for initial or continued assistance based on status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or criminal activity related to any of these forms of abuse may—but is not required to—request that the individual making the claim document the abuse. Any request for documentation must be in writing, and the individual must be allowed at least 14 business days after receipt of the request to submit the documentation. The PHA may extend this time period at its discretion. [24 CFR

5.2007(a)]
The individual may satisfy the PHA’s request by providing any one of the following three forms of documentation [24 CFR 5.2007(b)]:
(1) A completed and signed HUD-approved certification form (HUD-5382, Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), which must include the name of the perpetrator only if the name of the perpetrator is safe to provide and is known to the victim. The form may be filled out and submitted on behalf of the victim. (2) A federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local police report or court record, or an administrative record
(3) Documentation signed by a person who has assisted the victim in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or the effects of such abuse. This person may be an employee, agent, or volunteer of a victim service provider; an attorney; a mental health professional; or a medical professional. The person signing the documentation must attest under penalty of perjury to the person’s belief that the incidents in question are bona fide incidents of abuse. The victim must also sign the documentation.

The PHA may not require third-party documentation (forms 2 and 3) in addition to certification (form 1), except as specified below under “Conflicting Documentation,” nor may it require certification in addition to third-party documentation [FR Notice 11/16/16].

GHA Policy
Any request for documentation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking will be in writing, will specify a deadline of 14 business days following receipt of the request, will describe the three forms of acceptable documentation, will provide explicit instructions on where and to whom the documentation must be submitted, and will state the consequences for failure to submit the documentation or request an extension in writing by the deadline.

The PHA may, in its discretion, extend the deadline for 10 business days. In determining whether to extend the deadline, the PHA will consider factors that may contribute to the victim’s inability to provide documentation in a timely manner, including cognitive limitations, disabilities, limited English proficiency, absence from the unit, administrative delays, the danger of further violence, and the victim’s need to address health or safety issues. Any extension granted by the PHA will be in writing.

Once the victim provides documentation, the PHA will acknowledge receipt of the documentation within 10 business days.

Exhibit 2
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Conflicting Documentation [24 CFR 5.2007(e)]
In cases where the PHA receives conflicting certification documents from two or more members of a household, each claiming to be a victim and naming one or more of the other petitioning household members as the perpetrator, the PHA may determine which is the true victim by requiring each to provide acceptable third-party documentation, as described above (forms 2 and 3). The PHA may also request third-party documentation when submitted documentation contains information that conflicts with existing information already available to the PHA.

Individuals have 30 calendar days to return third-party verification to the PHA. If the PHA does not receive third-party documentation, and the PHA will deny or terminate assistance as a result, the PHA must hold separate hearings for the tenants [Notice PIH 2017-08].

The PHA must honor any court orders issued to protect the victim or to address the distribution of property.

GHA Policy
If presented with conflicting certification documents from members of the same household, the PHA will attempt to determine which is the true victim by requiring each of them to provide third-party documentation in accordance with 24 CFR 5.2007(e) and by following any HUD guidance on how such determinations should be made.

When requesting third-party documents, the PHA will provide contact information for local domestic violence and legal aid offices. In such cases, applicants or tenants will be given 30 calendar days from the date of the request to provide such documentation.

If the PHA does not receive third-party documentation within the required timeframe (and any extensions) the PHA will deny VAWA protections and will notify the applicant or tenant in writing of the denial. If, as a result, the applicant or tenant is denied or terminated from the program, the PHA will hold separate hearings for the applicants or tenants.

Discretion to Require No Formal Documentation [24 CFR 5.2007(d)] The PHA has the discretion to provide benefits to an individual based solely on the individual’s statement or other corroborating evidence—i.e., without requiring formal documentation of abuse in accordance with 24 CFR 5.2007(b). HUD recommends documentation in a confidential manner when a verbal statement or other evidence is accepted.

GHA Policy
If the PHA accepts an individual’s statement or other corroborating evidence (as determined by the victim) of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, the PHA will document acceptance of the statement or evidence in the individual’s file.

Exhibit 2
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Failure to Provide Documentation [24 CFR 5.2007(c)]
In order to deny relief for protection under VAWA, a PHA must provide the individual requesting relief with a written request for documentation of abuse. If the individual fails to provide the documentation within 14 business days from the date of receipt, or such longer time as the PHA may allow, the PHA may deny relief for protection under VAWA. 16-IX.E. CONFIDENTIALITY [24 CFR 5.2007(b)(4)]
All information provided to the PHA regarding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, including the fact that an individual is a victim, must be retained in confidence. This means that the PHA (1) may not enter the information into any shared database, (2) may not allow employees or others to access the information unless they are explicitly authorized to do so and have a need to know the information for purposes of their work, and (3) may not provide the information to any other entity or individual, except to the extent that the disclosure is (a) requested or consented to by the individual in writing, (b) required for use in an eviction proceeding, or (c) otherwise required by applicable law.

GHA Policy
If disclosure is required for use in an eviction proceeding or is otherwise required by applicable law, the PHA will inform the victim before disclosure occurs so that safety risks can be identified and addressed.

Exhibit 2
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EXHIBIT 16-1: SAMPLE NOTICE OF OCCUPANCY RIGHTS UNDER THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT, FORM HUD-5380
[Insert Name of Housing Provider]
Notice of Occupancy Rights under the Violence Against Women Act1 To all Tenants and Applicants
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. VAWA protections are not only available to women, but are available equally to all individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.2 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the federal agency that oversees that the housing choice voucher program is in compliance with VAWA.

This notice explains your rights under VAWA. A HUD-approved certification form is attached to this notice. You can fill out this form to show that you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and that you wish to use your rights under VAWA.”
Protections for Applicants
If you otherwise qualify for assistance under the housing choice voucher program, you cannot be denied admission or denied assistance because you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Protections for Tenants
If you are receiving assistance under the housing choice voucher program, you may not be denied assistance, terminated from participation, or be evicted from your rental housing because you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Also, if you or an affiliated individual of yours is or has been the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking by a member of your household or any guest, you may not be denied rental assistance or occupancy rights under the housing choice voucher program solely on the basis of criminal activity directly relating to that domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Affiliated individual means your spouse, parent, brother, sister, or child, or a person to whom you stand in the place of a parent or guardian (for example, the affiliated individual is in your care, custody, or control); or any individual, tenant, or lawful occupant living in your household.

1 Despite the name of this law, VAWA protection is available regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
2 Housing providers cannot discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or age. HUD-assisted and HUD-insured housing must be made available to all otherwise eligible individuals regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

Exhibit 2
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Removing the Abuser or Perpetrator from the Household
The PHA may divide (bifurcate) your lease in order to evict the individual or terminate the assistance of the individual who has engaged in criminal activity (the abuser or perpetrator) directly relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

If the PHA chooses to remove the abuser or perpetrator, the PHA may not take away the rights of eligible tenants to the unit or otherwise punish the remaining tenants. If the evicted abuser or perpetrator was the sole tenant to have established eligibility for assistance under the program, the PHA must allow the tenant who is or has been a victim and other household members to remain in the unit for a period of time, in order to establish eligibility under the program or under another HUD housing program covered by VAWA, or, find alternative housing.

In removing the abuser or perpetrator from the household, the PHA must follow federal, state, and local eviction procedures. In order to divide a lease, the PHA may, but is not required to, ask you for documentation or certification of the incidences of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Moving to Another Unit
Upon your request, the PHA may permit you to move to another unit, subject to the availability of other units, and still keep your assistance. In order to approve a request, the PHA may ask you to provide documentation that you are requesting to move because of an incidence of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. If the request is a request for emergency transfer, the housing provider may ask you to submit a written request or fill out a form where you certify that you meet the criteria for an emergency transfer under VAWA. The criteria are:

1. You are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

2. You expressly request the emergency transfer. Your housing provider may choose to require that you submit a form, or may accept another written or oral request.

3. You reasonably believe you are threatened with imminent harm from further violence if you remain in your current unit. This means you have a reason to fear that if you do not receive a transfer you would suffer violence in the very near future.

OR
You are a victim of sexual assault and the assault occurred on the premises during the 90-calendar-day period before you request a transfer. If you are a victim of sexual assault, then in addition to qualifying for an emergency transfer because you reasonably believe you are threatened with imminent harm from further violence if you remain in your unit, you may qualify for an emergency transfer if the sexual assault occurred on the premises of the property from which you are seeking your transfer, and that assault happened within the 90-calendar-day period before you expressly request the transfer.

Exhibit 2
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The PHA will keep confidential requests for emergency transfers by victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and the location of any move by such victims and their families.

The PHA’s emergency transfer plan provides further information on emergency transfers, and the PHA must make a copy of its emergency transfer plan available to you if you ask to see it.

Documenting You Are or Have Been a Victim of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault or Stalking
The PHA can, but is not required to, ask you to provide documentation to “certify” that you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Such request from the PHA must be in writing, and the PHA must give you at least 14 business days (Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays do not count) from the day you receive the request to provide the documentation. The PHA may, but does not have to, extend the deadline for the submission of documentation upon your request.

You can provide one of the following to the PHA as documentation. It is your choice which of the following to submit if the PHA asks you to provide documentation that you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. • A complete HUD-approved certification form given to you by the PHA with this notice, that documents an incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The form will ask for your name, the date, time, and location of the incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and a description of the incident. The certification form provides for including the name of the abuser or perpetrator if the name of the abuser or perpetrator is known and is safe to provide. • A record of a Federal, State, tribal, territorial, or local law enforcement agency, court, or administrative agency that documents the incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Examples of such records include police reports, protective orders, and restraining orders, among others.
• A statement, which you must sign, along with the signature of an employee, agent, or vounteer of a victim service provider, an attorney, a medical professional or a mental helth professional (collectively, “professional”) from whom you sought assistance in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or the effects of abuse, and with the professional selected by you attesting under penalty of perjury that they believe that the incident or incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking are grounds for protection.
• Any other statement or evidence that the PHA has agreed to accept.

If you fail or refuse to provide one of these documents within the 14 business days, the PHA does not have to provide you with the protections contained in this notice.

If the PHA receives conflicting evidence that an incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking has been committed (such as certification forms from two or more members of a household each claiming to be a victim and naming one or more of the other petitioning household members as the abuser or perpetrator), the PHA has the right to request that you provide third-party documentation within thirty 30 calendar days in order to resolve the conflict. If you fail or refuse to provide third-party documentation where there is conflicting evidence, the PHA does not have to provide you with the protections contained in this notice.

Exhibit 2
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Confidentiality
The PHA must keep confidential any information you provide related to the exercise of your rights under VAWA, including the fact that you are exercising your rights under VAWA.

The PHA must not allow any individual administering assistance or other services on behalf of the PHA (for example, employees and contractors) to have access to confidential information unless for reasons that specifically call for these individuals to have access to this information under applicable Federal, State, or local law.

The PHA must not enter your information into any shared database or disclose your information to any other entity or individual. The PHA, however, may disclose the information provided if:
• You give written permission to the PHA to release the information on a time limited basis.
• The PHA needs to use the information in an eviction or termination proceeding, such as to evict your abuser or perpetrator or terminate your abuser or perpetrator from assistance under this program.
• A law requires the PHA or your landlord to release the information.

VAWA does not limit the PHA’s duty to honor court orders about access to or control of the property. This includes orders issued to protect a victim and orders dividing property among household members in cases where a family breaks up.

Reasons a Tenant Eligible for Occupancy Rights under VAWA May Be Evicted or Assistance May Be Terminated
You can be evicted and your assistance can be terminated for serious or repeated lease violations that are not related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking committed against you. However, the PHA cannot hold tenants who have been victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to a more demanding set of rules than it applies to tenants who have not been victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

The protections described in this notice might not apply, and you could be evicted and your assistance terminated, if the PHA can demonstrate that not evicting you or terminating your assistance would present a real physical danger that:

1. Would occur within an immediate time frame, and

2. Could result in death or serious bodily harm to other tenants or those who work on the property.

If the PHA can demonstrate the above, the PHA should only terminate your assistance or evict you if there are no other actions that could be taken to reduce or eliminate the threat.

Other Laws
VAWA does not replace any federal, state, or local law that provides greater protection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. You may be entitled to additional housing protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking under other Federal laws, as well as under State and local laws.

Exhibit 2
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Non-Compliance with The Requirements of This Notice
You may report a covered housing provider’s violations of these rights and seek additional assistance, if needed, by contacting or filing a complaint with The HUD Los Angeles Field Office at 213-894-8000.

For Additional Information
You may view a copy of HUD’s final VAWA rule at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016- 11-16/pdf/2016-25888.pdf
Additionally, the PHA must make a copy of HUD’s VAWA regulations available to you if you ask to see them.

For questions regarding VAWA, please contact the Glendale Housing Authority at 818-548- 3936.

For help regarding an abusive relationship, you may call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or, for persons with hearing impairments, 800-787-3224 (TTY). You may also contact:
24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233

YWCA Glendale Domestic Violence Service Center
735 E Lexington Glendale, CA 91206
Phone 818-242-4155
Crisis Hotline: 1-888-999-7511
www.glendaleywca.org

Home Again Los Angeles
www.homeagainla.org/
PO Box 7151
Burbank, Ca 91510
818-396-5555
Email: [email protected]

Exhibit 2
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For tenants who are or have been victims of stalking seeking help may visit the National Center for Victims of Crime’s Stalking Resource Center at https://www.victimsofcrime.org/our- programs/stalking-resource-center.

For help regarding sexual assault, you may contact:

24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-SAFE (7233)
YWCA Glendale
Domestic Violence Service Center 735 E Lexington
Glendale, CA 91206
818-242-4155
www.glendaleywca.org

Home Again Los Angeles
PO Box 7151
Burbank, Ca 91510
https://www.homeagainla.org/
818-396-5555
[email protected]

Victims of stalking seeking help may contact the National Center for Victims of Crime:
https://victimsofcrime.org/stalking-resource-center.

Attachment: Certification form HUD-5382:

Exhibit 2
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EXHIBIT 16-2: CERTIFICATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE,

SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING AND ALTERNATE DOCUMENTATION, FORM HUD-5382
CERTIFICATION OF U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2577-0286 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, and Urban Development Exp. 06/30/2017

DATING VIOLENCE,

SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING,

AND ALTERNATE DOCUMENTATION
Purpose of Form: The Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”) protects applicants, tenants, and program participants in certain HUD programs from being evicted, denied housing assistance, or terminated from housing assistance based on acts of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking against them. Despite the name of this law, VAWA protection is available to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Use of This Optional Form: If you are seeking VAWA protections from your housing provider, your housing provider may give you a written request that asks you to submit documentation about the incident or incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

In response to this request, you or someone on your behalf may complete this optional form and submit it to your housing provider, or you may submit one of the following types of third-party documentation:
(1) A document signed by you and an employee, agent, or volunteer of a victim service provider, an attorney, or medical professional, or a mental health professional (collectively, “professional”) from whom you have sought assistance relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or the effects of abuse. The document must specify, under penalty of perjury, that the professional believes the incident or incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking occurred and meet the definition of “domestic violence,” “dating violence,” “sexual assault,” or “stalking” in HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR 5.2003.
(2) A record of a Federal, State, tribal, territorial or local law enforcement agency, court, or administrative agency; or
(3) At the discretion of the housing provider, a statement or other evidence provided by the applicant or tenant.

Submission of Documentation: The time period to submit documentation is 14 business days from the date that you receive a written request from your housing provider asking that you provide documentation of the occurrence of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Your housing provider may, but is not required to, extend the time period to submit the documentation, if you request an extension of the time period. If the requested information is not received within 14 business days of when you received the request for the documentation, or any extension of the date provided by your housing provider, your housing provider does not need to grant you any of the VAWA protections. Distribution or issuance of this form does not serve as a written request for certification.

Confidentiality: All information provided to your housing provider concerning the incident(s) of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking shall be kept confidential and such details shall not be entered into any shared database. Employees of your housing provider are not to have access to these details unless to grant or deny VAWA protections to you, and such employees may not disclose this information to any other entity or individual, except to the extent that disclosure is: (i) consented to by you in writing in a time-limited release; (ii) required for use in an eviction proceeding or hearing regarding termination of assistance; or (iii) otherwise required by applicable law.

Exhibit 2
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TO BE COMPLETED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,

DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING

1. Date the written request is received by victim: _________________________________________

2. Name of victim: ___________________________________________________________________

3. Your name (if different from victim’s):________________________________________________

4. Name(s) of other family member(s) listed on the lease:___________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

5. Residence of victim: ________________________________________________________________

6. Name of the accused perpetrator (if known and can be safely disclosed):____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

7. Relationship of the accused perpetrator to the victim:___________________________________

8. Date(s) and times(s) of incident(s) (if known):___________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

10. Location of incident(s):_____________________________________________________________

This is to certify that the information provided on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and recollection, and that the individual named above in Item 2 is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. I acknowledge that submission of false information could jeopardize program eligibility and could be the basis for denial of admission, termination of assistance, or eviction.

Signature __________________________________Signed on (Date) ___________________________ Public Reporting Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response. This includes the time for collecting, reviewing, and reporting the data. The information provided is to be used by the housing provider to request certification that the applicant or tenant is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The information is subject to the confidentiality requirements of VAWA. This agency may not collect this information, and you are not required to complete this form, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget control number.

In your own words, briefly describe the incident(s):
______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Exhibit 2
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EXHIBIT 16-3: EMERGENCY TRANSFER PLAN FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING
(HCV VERSION)
Attachment: Certification form HUD-5382
Glendale Housing Authority

Emergency Transfer Plan for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Emergency Transfers
The PHA is concerned about the safety of its tenants, and such concern extends to tenants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. In accordance with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA),3 the PHA allows tenants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to request an emergency transfer from the tenant’s current unit to another unit. The ability to request a transfer is available regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.4 The ability of the PHA to honor such request for tenants currently receiving assistance, however, may depend upon a preliminary determination that the tenant is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and on whether the PHA has another dwelling unit that is available and is safe to offer the tenant for temporary or more permanent occupancy.

This plan identifies tenants who are eligible for an emergency transfer, the documentation needed to request an emergency transfer, confidentiality protections, how an emergency transfer may occur, and guidance to tenants on safety and security. This plan is based on a model emergency transfer plan published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the federal agency that oversees that the public housing and housing choice voucher (HCV) programs are in compliance with VAWA.

Eligibility for Emergency Transfers
A tenant who is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, as provided in HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR part 5, subpart L, is eligible for an emergency transfer if the tenant reasonably believes that there is a threat of imminent harm from further violence if the tenant remains within the same unit. If the tenant is a victim of sexual assault, the tenant may also be eligible to transfer if the sexual assault occurred on the premises within the 90-calendar- day period preceding a request for an emergency transfer.

3Despite the name of this law, VAWA protection is available to all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. 4Housing providers cannot discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or age. HUD-assisted and HUD-insured housing must be made available to all otherwise eligible individuals regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

Exhibit 2
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A tenant requesting an emergency transfer must expressly request the transfer in accordance with the procedures described in this plan.

Tenants who are not in good standing may still request an emergency transfer if they meet the eligibility requirements in this section.

Emergency Transfer Request Documentation
To request an emergency transfer, the tenant shall notify the PHA’s management office and submit a written request for a transfer to any PHA office. The PHA will provide reasonable accommodations to this policy for individuals with disabilities. The tenant’s written request for an emergency transfer should include either:

1. A statement expressing that the tenant reasonably believes that there is a threat of imminent harm from further violence if the tenant were to remain in the same dwelling unit assisted under the PHA’s program; OR

2. A statement that the tenant was a sexual assault victim and that the sexual assault occurred on the premises during the 90-calendar-day period preceding the tenant’s request for an emergency transfer.

Confidentiality
The PHA will keep confidential any information that the tenant submits in requesting an emergency transfer, and information about the emergency transfer, unless the tenant gives the PHA written permission to release the information on a time-limited basis, or disclosure of the information is required by law or required for use in an eviction proceeding or hearing regarding termination of assistance from the covered program. This includes keeping confidential the new location of the dwelling unit of the tenant, if one is provided, from the person or persons that committed an act of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking against the tenant. See the Notice of Occupancy Rights under the Violence against Women Act for All Tenants for more information about the PHA’s responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of information related to incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Emergency Transfer Timing and Availability
The PHA cannot guarantee that a transfer request will be approved or how long it will take to process a transfer request. The PHA will, however, act as quickly as possible to move a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to another unit, subject to availability and safety of a unit. If a tenant reasonably believes a proposed transfer would not be safe, the tenant may request a transfer to a different unit. If a unit is available, the transferred tenant must agree to abide by the terms and conditions that govern occupancy in the unit to which the tenant has been transferred. The PHA may be unable to transfer a tenant to a particular unit if the tenant has not or cannot establish eligibility for that unit.

If the PHA has no safe and available units for which a tenant who needs an emergency transfer is eligible, the PHA will assist the tenant in identifying other housing providers who may have safe and available units to which the tenant could move. At the tenant’s request, the PHA will also assist tenants in contacting the local organizations offering assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking that are attached to this plan.

Exhibit 2
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Emergency Transfers: Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Tenant-based assistance: If you are a participant in the tenant-based HCV program and request an emergency transfer as described in this plan, the PHA will assist you to move to a safe unit quickly using your existing voucher assistance. The PHA will make exceptions to program regulations restricting moves as required.

At your request, the PHA will refer you to organizations that may be able to further assist you.

Project-based assistance: If you are assisted under the project-based voucher (PBV) program, you may request an emergency transfer under the following programs for which you are not required to apply:
• Tenant-based voucher, if available
• Project-based assistance in the same project (if a vacant unit is available and you determine that the vacant unit is safe)
• Project-based assistance in another development owned by the PHA Emergency transfers under VAWA will take priority over waiting list admissions for these types of assistance.

You may also request an emergency transfer under the following programs for which you are required to apply:
• Public housing program
• PBV assistance in another development not owned by the PHA Emergency transfers will not take priority over waiting list admissions for these programs. At your request, the PHA will refer you to organizations that may be able to further assist you.

Safety and Security of Tenants
Pending processing of the transfer and the actual transfer, if it is approved and occurs, the tenant is urged to take all reasonable precautions to be safe.

Tenants who are or have been victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or a local domestic violence shelter, for assistance in creating a safety plan. For persons with hearing impairments, that hotline can be accessed by calling 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

Tenants who have been victims of sexual assault may call the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE, or visit the online hotline at:
https://ohl.rainn.org/online/.

Tenants who are or have been victims of stalking seeking help may visit the National Center for Victims of Crime’s Stalking Resource Center at: https://www.victimsofcrime.org/our- programs/stalking-resource-center.

Exhibit 2
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Attachment: Local organizations offering assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline
888-999-7511

YWCA Glendale Domestic Violence Service Center
735 E Lexington
Glendale, CA 91206
818-242-4155
818-240-6036
www.glendaleywca.org

Home Again Los Angeles
PO Box 7151
Burbank, Ca 91510
https://www.homeagainla.org/
Glendale site Phone 818-396-5555
Email: [email protected]
Exhibit 2
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EXHIBIT 16-4: EMERGENCY TRANSFER REQUEST FOR CERTAIN VICTIMS OF

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING, FORM HUD-5383
EMERGENCY TRANSFER U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2577-0286 REQUEST FOR CERTAIN and Urban Development Exp. 06/30/2017

VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE,

SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING
Purpose of Form: If you are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and you are seeking an emergency transfer, you may use this form to request an emergency transfer and certify that you meet the requirements of eligibility for an emergency transfer under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Although the statutory name references women, VAWA rights and protections apply to all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking. Using this form does not necessarily mean that you will receive an emergency transfer. See your housing provider’s emergency transfer plan for more information about the availability of emergency transfers.

The requirements you must meet are:
(1) You are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

If your housing provider does not already have documentation that you are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, your housing provider may ask you for such documentation. In response, you may submit Form HUD -5382, or any one of the other types of documentation listed on that Form. (2) You expressly request the emergency transfer. Submission of this form confirms that you have expressly requested a transfer. Your housing provider may choose to require that you submit this form, or may accept another written or oral request. Please see your housing provider’s emergency transfer plan for more details. (3) You reasonably believe you are threatened with imminent harm from further violence if you remain in your current unit. This means you have a reason to fear that if you do not receive a transfer you would suffer violence in the very near future.

OR
You are a victim of sexual assault and the assault occurred on the premises during the 90-calendar-day period before you request a transfer. If you are a victim of sexual assault, then in addition to qualifying for an emergency transfer because you reasonably believe you are threatened with imminent harm from further violence if you remain in your unit, you may qualify for an emergency transfer if the sexual assault occurred on the premises of the property from which you are seeking your transfer, and that assault happened within the 90 -calendar-day period before you submit this form or otherwise expressly request the transfer.

Submission of Documentation: If you have third-party documentation that demonstrates why you are eligible for an emergency transfer, you should submit that documentation to your housing provider if it is safe for you to do so. Examples of third party documentation include, but are not limited to: a letter or other documentation from a victim service provider, social worker, legal assistance provider, pastoral counselor, mental health provider, or other professional from whom you have sought assistance; a current restraining order; a recent court order or other court records; a law enforcement report or records; communication records from the perpetrator of the violence or family members or friends of the perpetrator of the violence, including emails, voicemails, text messages, and social media posts.

Exhibit 2
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Confidentiality: All information provided to your housing provider concerning the incident(s) of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and concerning your request for an emergency transfer shall be kept confidential. Such details shall not be entered into any shared database.

Employees of your housing provider are not to have access to these details unless to grant or deny VAWA protections or an emergency transfer to you. Such employees may not disclose this information to any other entity or individual, except to the extent that disclosure is: (i) consented to by you in writing in a time-limited release; (ii) required for use in an eviction proceeding or hearing regarding termination of assistance; or (iii) otherwise required by applicable law.

TO BE COMPLETED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE PERSON REQUESTING A TRANSFER

1. Name of victim requesting an emergency transfer: ______________________________________

2. Your name (if different from victim’s)_________________________________________________

3. Name(s) of other family member(s) listed on the lease:____________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

4. Name(s) of other family member(s) who would transfer with the victim:____________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

5. Address of location from which the victim seeks to transfer: _______________________________________

6. Address or phone number for contacting the victim:____________________________________

7. Name of the accused perpetrator (if known and can be safely disclosed):___________________

8. Relationship of the accused perpetrator to the victim:___________________________________

9. Date(s), Time(s) and location(s) of incident(s):___________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

10. Is the person requesting the transfer a victim of a sexual assault that occurred in the past 90 days on the premises of the property from which the victim is seeking a transfer? If yes, skip question 11. If no, fill out question 11. ______________

11. Describe why the victim believes they are threatened with imminent harm from further violence if they remain in their current unit.
___________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

12. If voluntarily provided, list any third-party documentation you are providing along with this notice: ___________________________________________________________________ Exhibit 2
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This is to certify that the information provided on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that the individual named above in Item 1 meets the requirement laid out on this form for an emergency transfer. I acknowledge that submission of false information could jeopardize program eligibility and could be the basis for denial of admission, termination of assistance, or eviction.

Signature __________________________________Signed on (Date) ___________________________ Exhibit 2
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EXHIBIT 16-5: MODEL OWNER NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS [Insert Name of Housing Provider]

NOTIFICATION OF YOUR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

UNDER THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA)
VAWA provides protections for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and PBV applicants, tenants, and participants from being denied assistance on the basis or as a direct result of being a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.

Purpose
Many of VAWA’s protections to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault stalking, and human trafficking involve action by the public housing agency (PHA), but some situations involve action by owners of assisted housing. The purpose of this notice (herein called “Notice”) is to explain your rights and obligations under VAWA, as an owner of housing assisted through [insert name of housing provider] HCV program. Each component of this Notice also provides citations to HUD’s applicable regulations.

Denial of Tenancy
Protections for applicants: Owners cannot deny tenancy based on the applicant having been or currently being a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. However, the applicant must be otherwise eligible for tenancy. (See 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 982.452(b)(1).)
Eviction
Protections for HCV participants: Incidents or threats of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking will not be considered a serious or repeated lease violation by the victim, or good cause to terminate the tenancy of the victim (see 24 CFR 5.2005(c)). Protection also applies to criminal activity related directly to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, conducted by a member of a tenant’s household or any guest or other person under the tenant’s control, if the tenant or an affiliated individual of the tenant is the victim or threatened victim of such domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking (24 CFR 5.2005(b)(2)).

Limitations of VAWA protections:
a. Nothing in VAWA limits the authority of an owner, when notified of a court order, to comply with a court order with respect to (24 CFR 5.2005(d)(1)):
1) The rights of access or control of property, including civil protection orders issued to protect a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or 2) The distribution or possession of property among members of a household in a case. b. Nothing in VAWA limits an owner from evicting a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking for a lease violation that is not premised on an act of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, as long as the owner does not subject the victim to more demanding standards than other tenants when deciding whether to evict. (See 24 CFR 5.2005(d)(2).)
Exhibit 2
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c. Nothing in VAWA limits an owner from evicting a tenant (including the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking) if the owner can demonstrate an actual and imminent threat to other tenants or those employed at or providing services to the HCV property would be present if the tenant or lawful occupant is not evicted. (See 24 CFR 5.2005(d)(3).) i. In this context, words, gestures, actions, or other indicators will be considered an “actual and imminent threat” if they meet the following standards: An actual and imminent threat consists of a physical danger that is real, would occur within an immediate time frame, and could result in death or serious bodily harm. In determining whether an individual would pose an actual and imminent threat, the factors to be considered include: the duration of the risk, the nature and severity of the potential harm, the likelihood that the potential harm will occur, and the length of time before the potential harm would occur. (See 24 CFR 5.2003.)
ii. Any eviction due to “actual and imminent threat” should be utilized by an owner only when there are no other actions that could be taken to reduce or eliminate the threat, including, but not limited to, transferring the victim to a different unit, barring the perpetrator from the property, contacting law enforcement to increase police presence or develop other plans to keep the property safe, or seeking other legal remedies to prevent the perpetrator from acting on a threat. Restrictions predicated on public safety cannot be based on stereotypes, but must be tailored to particularized concerns about individual residents. (See 24 CFR 5.2005(d)(4).)
Documentation of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking
If an applicant or tenant requests VAWA protection based on status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, the owner has the option to request that the victim document or provide written evidence to demonstrate that the violence occurred.

However, nothing in HUD’s regulation requires a covered housing provider to request this documentation. (See 24 CFR 5.2007(b)(3).)
If the owner chooses to request this documentation, the owner must make such request in writing.

The individual may satisfy this request by providing any one document type listed under 24 CFR

5.2007(b)(1):
a. Form HUD-55383 (Self-Certification Form); or
b. A document: 1) Signed by an employee, agent, or volunteer of a victim service provider, an attorney, or medical professional or a mental health professional (collectively, “professional”) from whom the victim has sought assistance relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or the effects of abuse:
2) Signed by the applicant or tenant; and
3) That specifies, under penalty of perjury, that the professional believes in the occurrence of the incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking that is the ground for protection and remedies under 24 CFR part 5, subpart L, and that the incident meets the applicable definition of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking under 24 CFR 5.2003; or
c. A record of a Federal, State, tribal, territorial or local law enforcement agency, court, or administrative agency; or
d. At the discretion of a covered housing provider, a statement or other evidence provided by the applicant or tenant.

Exhibit 2
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The owner must accept any of the above items (a – c). The owner has discretion to accept a statement or other evidence (d).

The owner is prohibited from requiring third-party documentation of the domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, unless the submitted documentation contains conflicting information.

If the owner makes a written request for documentation, the owner may require submission of that documentation within 14 business days after the date that the individual received the written request for documentation. (24 CFR 5.2007(a)(2)). The owner may extend this time period at its discretion.

During the 14 business day period and any granted extensions of that time, no adverse actions, such as evictions or terminations, can be taken against the individual requesting VAWA protection.

Once a victim provides documentation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, the owner is encouraged to acknowledge receipt of the documentation in a timely manner.

If the applicant or tenant fails to provide documentation that meets the criteria in 24 CFR 5.2007 within 14 business days after receiving the written request for that documentation or within the designated extension period, nothing in VAWA may be construed to limit the authority of the covered housing provider to:
a. Deny admission by the applicant or tenant to the housing or program; b. Deny assistance under the covered housing program to the applicant or tenant; c. Terminate the participation of the tenant in the covered housing program; or d. Evict the tenant, or a lawful occupant that commits a violation of a lease.

An individual’s failure to timely provide documentation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking does not result in a waiver of the individual’s right to challenge the denial of assistance or termination, nor does it preclude the individual’s ability to raise an incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking at eviction or termination proceedings.

Owners may not coerce, intimidate, threaten, interfere with, or retaliate against any person who exercises or assists or encourages a person to exercise any rights or protections under VAWAs (See FR Notice 1/4/23.)
Moves
A victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking may move in violation of their lease if the move is required to protect their safety. If a move results in the termination of the Housing Assistance Payment Contract, the lease is automatically terminated.

Exhibit 2
782 of 1125

Page 16 ends

Lease Bifurcation
Owners may choose to bifurcate a lease, or remove a household member from a lease in order to evict, remove, terminate occupancy rights, or terminate assistance to such member who engages in criminal activity directly relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking against an affiliated individual or other individual. (See 24 CFR 5.2009(a).) If an owner chooses to bifurcate the lease, the owner must comply with the reasonable time to establish eligibility under the covered housing program or find alternative housing following lease bifurcation provision in 24 CFR 5.2009(b). VAWA protections, including bifurcation, do not apply to guests or unreported members of a household or anyone else residing in a household who is not a tenant.

Eviction, removal, termination of occupancy rights, or termination of assistance must be effected in accordance with the procedures prescribed by federal, state, or local law for termination of leases.

To avoid unnecessary delay in the bifurcation process, HUD recommends that owners seek court-ordered eviction of the perpetrator pursuant to applicable laws. This process results in the underlying lease becoming null and void once the owner regains possession of the unit.

The owner would then execute a new lease with the victim.

Evictions Due to “Actual and Imminent Threat” or Violations Not Premised on Abuse VAWA generally prohibits eviction on the basis or as a direct result of the fact that the applicant or tenant is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, if the applicant or tenant otherwise qualifies for assistance, participation or occupancy. (See 24 CFR 5.2005.) However, VAWA does not prohibit an owner from evicting a tenant for any violation not premised on an act of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking that is in question against the tenant or an affiliated individual of the tenant. Nor does VAWA prohibit an owner from evicting a tenant if the owner can demonstrate an actual and imminent threat to other tenants or those employed at or providing services to property of the owner would be present if that tenant or lawful occupant is not evicted or terminated from assistance. (See 5.2005(d)(2) and (3).)
In order to demonstrate an actual and imminent threat to other tenants or employees at the property, the covered housing provider must have objective evidence of words, gestures, actions, or other indicators that meet the standards in the following definition:

Actual and imminent threat refers to a physical danger that is real, would occur within an immediate time frame, and could result in death or serious bodily harm. In determining whether an individual would pose an actual and imminent threat, the factors to be considered include:
• The duration of the risk;
• The nature and severity of the potential harm;
• The likelihood that the potential harm will occur; and • The length of time before the potential harm would occur. (See 24 CFR 5.2003 and 5.2005(d)(2).)
Exhibit 2
783 of 1125

Page 16 ends

Confidentiality
Any information submitted to a covered housing provider under 24 CFR 5.2007, including the fact that an individual is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, must be maintained in strict confidence by the covered housing provider. (See 24 CFR 5.2007(c).)
Employees of the owner (or those within their employ, e.g., contractors) must not have access to the information unless explicitly authorized by the owner for reasons that specifically call for these individuals to have access to this information under applicable federal, state, or local law (e.g., the information is needed by an employee to provide the VAWA protections to the victim).

The owner must not enter this information into any shared database, or disclose this information to any other entity or individual, except to the extent that disclosure is:
a. Requested or consented to in writing by the individual (victim) in a time-limited release; b. Required for use in an eviction proceeding or hearing regarding termination of assistance from the covered program; or
c. Otherwise required by applicable law.

When communicating with the victim, owners must take precautions to ensure compliance with these confidentiality requirements.

Service Providers
The City of Glendale Housing Authority has extensive relationships with local service providers. The City of Glendale Housing Authority staff are available to provide referrals to shelters, counselors, and advocates. These resources are also provided in The City of Glendale Housing Authority Annual and 5-Year Plan, Administrative Plan, VAWA Notice of Occupancy Rights, and Emergency Transfer Plan. A list of local service providers is attached to this Notice.

Definitions
Actual and imminent threat refers to a physical danger that is real, would occur within an immediate time frame, and could result in death or serious bodily harm. In determining whether an individual would pose an actual and imminent threat, the factors to be considered include: the duration of the risk, the nature and severity of the potential harm, the likelihood that the potential harm will occur, and the length of time before the potential harm would occur.

Affiliated individual, with respect to an individual, means:
(1) A spouse, parent, brother, sister, or child of that individual, or a person to whom that individual stands in the place of a parent or guardian (for example, the affiliated individual is a person in the care, custody, or control of that individual); or
(2) Any individual, tenant, or lawful occupant living in the household of that individual.

Bifurcate means to divide a lease as a matter of law, subject to the permissibility of such process under the requirements of the applicable HUD-covered program and State or local law, such that certain tenants or lawful occupants can be evicted or removed and the remaining tenants or lawful occupants can continue to reside in the unit under the same lease requirements or as may be revised depending upon the eligibility for continued occupancy of the remaining tenants and lawful occupants.

Exhibit 2
784 of 1125

Page 16 ends

Dating violence means violence committed by a person:
(1) Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and (2) Where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
(i) The length of the relationship;
(ii) The type of relationship; and
(iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

Domestic violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim under the family or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant funding, and in the case of victim services, includes the user or attempted use of physical abuse or sexual abuse, or a pattern of any other coercive behavior committed, enabled, or solicited to gain or maintain power and control over a victim, including verbal, psychological, economic, or technological abuse that may or may not constitute criminal behavior, by a person who is:
• The current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, or person similarly situated to a spouse or intimate partner of the victim
• A person who is cohabitating or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner • A person with whom the victim shares a child in common • A person who commits acts against an youth or adult victim who is protected from those acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction Sexual assault means any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, tribal, or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent.

Stalking means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:
(1) Fear for the person’s individual safety or the safety of others; or (2) Suffer substantial emotional distress.

VAWA means the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, as amended (42 U.S.C. 13925 and 42 U.S.C. 14043e et seq.).

Attached:

Legal services and the domestic violence resources for the Metro area Form HUD-5382 Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking [insert name of housing provider] VAWA Notice of Occupancy Rights Exhibit 2
785 of 1125

Exhibit 2
786 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Chapter 17

SPECIAL PURPOSE VOUCHERS

INTRODUCTION
Special purpose vouchers are specifically funded by Congress in separate appropriations from regular HCV program funding in order to target specific populations. Special purpose vouchers include vouchers for the following programs:
• Family Unification Program (FUP)
• Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program
• Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
• Mainstream
• Non-Elderly Disabled (NED)
• Stability Voucher program
GHA Policy
The PHA will administer the following types of special purpose vouchers:

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
Mainstream
Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program
This chapter describes HUD regulations and PHA policies for administering special purpose vouchers. The policies outlined in this chapter are organized into five sections, as follows:

Part I: Family Unification Program (FUP)
Part II: Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program
Part III: Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
Part IV: Mainstream voucher program
Part V: Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) vouchers
Part VI: Stability Voucher program
Except as addressed by this chapter and as required under federal statute and HUD requirements, the general requirements of the HCV program apply to special purpose vouchers.

Exhibit 2
787 of 1125

Page 17 ends

PART I: FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM (FUP)
17I.A. PROGRAM OVERVIEW [Fact Sheet, Housing Choice Voucher Program Family Unification Program (FUP)]
Overview
The Family Unification Program (FUP) was authorized by Congress in 1990 to help preserve and reunify families. PHAs that administer the program provide vouchers to two different populations—FUP families and FUP youth.

Families eligible for FUP are families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in:
• The imminent placement of the family’s child or children in out-of-home care; or • The delay in the discharge of the child or children to the family from out-of-home care.

There is no time limitation on FUP family vouchers, and the family retains their voucher as long as they are HCV-eligible. There is no requirement for the provision of supportive services for FUP family vouchers.

Youth eligible for FUP are those who:
• Are at least 18 years old and not more than 24 years of age; • Have left foster care or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act at age 16 and older; and • Are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

FUP youth vouchers are limited by statute to a period between 36 and 60 months of housing assistance. Supportive services must also be provided to FUP-eligible youth by the Public Child Welfare Agency (PCWA) or by another agency or organization under contract with the PCWA for the period of time defined in the notice or Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity (NOFA/O) for which funding was made available.

PHAs that wish to administer FUP vouchers must apply to HUD by submitting an application under an active Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). While the FUP program is administered in accordance with HCV regulations, the FUP NOFOs issued by HUD provide specific program information and requirements.

In order to administer the program, the PHA must also form a partnership with a local PCWA who is responsible for determining the family or youth meets FUP eligibility requirements and referring them to the PHA. Once the referral is received, the PHA is responsible for placing the FUP family or youth on the PHA’s waiting list and determining whether they are eligible to receive assistance under the PHA’s HCV program.

Exhibit 2
788 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Assigning Vouchers [FUP FAQs]
The PHA may, but is not required to, assign a specific number or percentage of FUP vouchers for FUP youths and FUP families. Unless the PHA assigns a specific number or percentage of FUP vouchers to a designated FUP population, the PHA must serve any referrals (youths or families) that meet all program eligibility requirements up to the PHA’s designated FUP program size.
17-I.B. PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE AGENCY (PCWA)
Families and youth do not apply directly to the PHA for FUP vouchers. They are instead referred by a PCWA with whom the PHA has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The partnering PCWA initially determines whether the family or youth meets the FUP program eligibility requirements listed in 17-I.C. and 17-I.D. and then refers those families or youths to the PHA.

HUD strongly encourages PHAs and PCWAs to make decisions collaboratively on the administration of the program and to maintain open and continuous communication. The PCWA must have a system for identifying FUP-eligible youth within the agency’s caseload and for reviewing referrals from a Continuum of Care (COC) if applicable.

Exhibit 2
789 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Supportive Services
The PCWA must provide supportive services for the period of time defined in the notice or NOFA/O for which the funding was made available to all FUP-eligible youth regardless of their age. The MOU between the PHA and the PCWA should identify the period of time in which supportive services will be provided.

Supportive services may be provided to FUP-eligible youth by the PCWA or by another agency or organization under agreement or contract with the PCWA, including the PHA. The organization providing the services and resources must be identified in the MOU. The following services must be offered:
• Basic life skills information or counseling on money management, use of credit, housekeeping, proper nutrition or meal preparation, and access to health care (e.g., doctors, medication, and mental and behavioral health services); • Counseling on compliance with rental lease requirements and with HCV program participant requirements, including assistance or referrals for assistance on security deposits, utility hook-up fees, and utility deposits;
• Providing such assurances to owners of rental property as are reasonable and necessary to assist a FUP-eligible youth to rent a unit with a FUP voucher; • Job preparation and attainment counseling (where to look and how to apply, dress, grooming, relationships with supervisory personnel, etc.); and
• Educational and career advancement counseling regarding attainment of general equivalency diploma (GED), or attendance or financing of education at a technical school, trade school, or college, including successful work ethic and attitude models.

A FUP-eligible youth cannot be required to participate in these services as condition of receipt of the FUP voucher.

Exhibit 2
790 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-I.C. FUP FAMILY VOUCHER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
FUP family assistance is reserved for eligible families that the PCWA has certified are a family for whom a lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in:
• The imminent placement of the family’s child or children in out-of-home care, or • The delay in the discharge of the child or children to the family from out-of-home care.

Lack of adequate housing means the family meets any one of the following conditions:
• Living in substandard housing, which refers to a unit that meets any one of the following conditions:
- Does not have operable indoor plumbing
- Does not have a usable flush toilet inside the unit for the exclusive use of a family or youth
- Does not have a usable bathtub or shower inside the unit for the exclusive use of a family or youth
- Does not have electricity, or has inadequate or unsafe electrical service - Does not have a safe or adequate source of heat
- Should, but does not, have a kitchen
- Has been declared unfit for habitation by an agency or unit of government, or in its present condition otherwise endangers the health, safety, or well-being of the family or youth
- Has one or more critical defects, or a combination of intermediate defects in sufficient number or to the extent that it requires considerable repair or rebuilding. The defects may result from original construction, from continued neglect or lack of repair, or from serious damage to the structure
• Being homeless as defined in 24 CFR 578.3
• Living in a unit where the presence of a household member with certain characteristics (i.e., conviction for certain criminal activities) would result in the imminent placement of the family’s child or children in out-of-home care, or the delay in the discharge of the child or children to the family from out-of-home care
• Living in housing not accessible to the family’s disabled child or children due to the nature of the disability
Exhibit 2
791 of 1125

Page 17 ends

• Living in an overcrowded unit, which is defined as living in a unit where one of the following conditions has been met:
- The family is separated from its child or children and the parents are living in an otherwise standard housing unit, but, after the family is reunited, the parents’ housing unit would be overcrowded for the entire family and would be considered substandard; or - The family is living with its child or children in a unit that is overcrowded for the entire family and this overcrowded condition may result, in addition to other factors, in the imminent placement of its child or children in out-of-home care. - For purposes of this definition, the determination as to whether the unit is overcrowded is made in accordance with the PHA subsidy standards in Chapter 5, Part III of this policy.

Since HUD does not define imminent placement, the partnering PCWA may use its discretion to determine whether the potential out of home placement of the family’s child or children is imminent [FUP FAQs].

Exhibit 2
792 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-I.D. FUP YOUTH VOUCHER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
While FUP family vouchers operate as regular HCVs after the family is referred from the PCWA, there are several aspects of the FUP youth vouchers that make them distinct from the FUP family vouchers and from regular HCVs.

Eligibility Criteria
A FUP-eligible youth is a youth the PCWA has certified:
• Is at least 18 years old and not more than 24 years of age (has not yet reached their 25th birthday);
- The FUP youth must be no more than 24 years old at the time the PCWA certifies them as eligible and at the time of HAP contract execution.
• Has left foster care or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act; - Foster care placement can include, but is not limited to, placements in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, childcare institutions, and pre-adoptive homes in accordance with 24 CFR 5.576. • Is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older; - At risk of being homeless is fully defined at 24 CFR 576.2. o This includes a person that is exiting a publicly funded institution, or system of care (such as a healthcare facility, a mental health facility, foster care or other youth facility, or correction program or institution).
o Therefore, youth being discharged from an institution may be eligible for a FUP voucher [FUP FAQs].
• Has an annual income at or below 30 percent of area median income; and • Does not have sufficient resources or support networks (e.g., family, friends, faith-based or other social networks) immediately available to prevent them from moving to a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living arrangements.

Exhibit 2
793 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-I.E. ASSISTANCE PERIOD [FR Notice 1/24/22]
Maximum Assistance Period
Although there is no time limit on FUP family vouchers, FUP youth vouchers are limited by statute. Unless the FUP youth meets an exception outlined below, after 36 months of assistance, the FUP youth voucher must be terminated. However, any period of time for which no subsidy (HAP) is being paid on behalf of the youth does not count toward the 36-month limitation.

If the FUP youth does meet the requirements outlined below, the statutory limit on FUP assistance is a total of 60 months of FUP voucher assistance [FR Notice 1/24/22].

Extension of Assistance
FUP youth who first leased or lease a unit after December 27, 2020, may be eligible for an extension of assistance up to 24 months beyond the 36-month time limit (for a total of 60 months of assistance).

While FUP youth cannot be required to participate in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program as a condition of receipt of assistance, an eligible youth who participates in the FSS program and is in compliance with the applicable terms and conditions of the program is entitled to receive assistance for up to an additional 24 months. A FUP youth must accept an FSS slot if it is offered to them prior to the 36-month mark in order to receive an extension of assistance (unless the youth meets one of the statutory exceptions described below).

Statutory Exceptions
A FUP youth will be entitled to receive an extension of assistance for up to 24 months beyond the 36-month time limit without participating in the PHA’s FSS program if they certify that they meet one of the exceptions below:
• The FUP youth is a parent or other household member responsible for the care of a dependent child under the age of six or for the care of an incapacitated person.

Exhibit 2
794 of 1125

Page 17 ends

• The FUP youth is a person who is regularly and actively participating in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program.
• The FUP youth is a person who is incapable of complying with the requirement to participate in a FSS program as described above or engage in education, workforce development, or employment activities as described below, as applicable, due to a documented medical condition.

A FUP youth that meets one of the above exceptions must still be offered an opportunity to enroll in the PHA’s FSS program (if it is available to them) and receive any supportive services available to FUP youth. A FUP youth may choose to participate in an FSS program or engage in education, workforce development, or employment activities, even if they meet one of the above statutory exceptions.

Exhibit 2
795 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Education, Workforce Development, or Employment Activities If a PHA that carries out an FSS program is unable to offer a FUP youth an FSS slot during their first 36 months of receiving FUP youth assistance, the youth is considered to have been “unable to enroll” in the program and may have their voucher extended by meeting the education, workforce development, or employment criteria described below:
• The youth was engaged in obtaining a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.

• The youth was enrolled in an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) or an institution that meets the definition of a proprietary institution of higher education or a postsecondary vocational institution under sections 102(b)(1) and (c)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(b)(1) and (c)(1)), respectively.
• The youth was participating in a career pathway, as such term is defined in Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102). The term career pathway means a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that:
- Aligns with the skill needs of industries in the economy of the state or regional economy involved;
- Prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including apprenticeships registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (referred to individually in this Act as an apprenticeship, except in section 3226 of this title);
- Includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual’s education and career goals;
- Includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster;
- Organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable;
- Enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least one recognized postsecondary credential; and - Helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster. • The youth was employed.

Exhibit 2
796 of 1125

Page 17 ends

FSS Enrollment at 24 Months
If the FUP youth has not been provided an opportunity to enroll in the FSS program during the first 24 months of FUP assistance, HUD encourages the PHA to remind the youth at the 24- month reexamination of the education, workforce development, and employment requirements described above so that the youth has enough time to meet these requirements prior to the expiration of the 36-month time period for FUP assistance.

Exhibit 2
797 of 1125

Page 17 ends

FSS Enrollment Between 36 and 48 Months
If an FSS slot becomes available between the 36-month and 48-month mark:
• The PHA must offer the slot to a FUP youth who had their voucher extended based on meeting the education, workforce development, or employment requirement listed above, or one of the statutory exceptions listed above (even if the youth previously declined an FSS slot because they met one of the statutory exceptions). • The PHA must work with the youth to determine whether enrollment in FSS is feasible and in their best interest given any education, workforce development, or employment activities that the youth is engaged in and any statutory exceptions that apply to the youth, as well as the remaining time on their voucher.
• If the FUP youth accepts the FSS slot, the PHA must work with the youth to establish Contract of Participation goals and an Individual Training and Services Plan (ITSP) that can be accomplished within the time period left on the voucher.

If the FUP youth is offered an FSS slot prior to the 36-month mark, the youth:
• Will be required to enroll in the FSS program in order to receive an extension of assistance at the end of the 36-month time period (unless they meet one of the statutory exceptions described above).
• Will not be considered to have been “unable to enroll” in the FSS program as described above, and as a result, will not be eligible to receive an extension of assistance based on meeting the education, workforce development, or employment requirements described above.

FSS Enrollment After 48 Months
The PHA may, but is not required to, offer a FUP youth an FSS slot that becomes available between the 48-month mark and the 60-month mark, since the youth will have already received their second and final extension.

Extensions of Assistance
At the 36-month and 48-month reexamination, the PHA must extend FUP youth assistance if the youth is participating in and in compliance with the FSS program as long as the youth is still eligible for the HCV program.

In any case, the FUP youth cannot receive more than a total of 60 months of FUP youth voucher assistance, even if the FSS Contract of Participation time period extends beyond the voucher 60- month mark.

Exhibit 2
798 of 1125

Page 17 ends

No FSS Program or Unable to Enroll in FSS
If a PHA does not carry out an FSS program or the FUP youth has been unable to enroll in the program during the first 36 months of receiving FUP assistance, the FUP youth is entitled to receive an extension of assistance for up to two successive 12-month periods beyond the 36- month time limit provided that the youth engaged in at least one of the education, workforce development, or employment activities described above for not less than nine months of the 12- month period preceding each extension. In order to meet the nine months out of the preceding 12 months requirement, the youth may have engaged in one of the education, workforce development, or employment activities described above or a combination of these activities.

Verification Prior to Annual Reexam
In order to provide an extension of assistance, the PHA must verify compliance with the above requirements at the end of the 36-month time period and the 48-month time periods. The PHA does not need to verify compliance with these requirements at the end of the 60-month time period since the maximum length of assistance is 60 months.

To verify compliance with the education, workforce development, or employment requirement or one of the statutory exceptions, the PHA must provide the FUP youth written notification informing them that they may receive an extension of their FUP assistance and providing instructions on how the youth may demonstrate that they meet one of these conditions. This notification must be provided sufficiently in advance of the end of the 36-month or 48-month time periods, as applicable, to allow the FUP youth to demonstrate that they meet the education, workforce development, or employment requirement, or one of the statutory exceptions, and for the PHA to conduct an annual reexamination prior to the expiration of the FUP assistance.

Exhibit 2
799 of 1125

Page 17 ends

A FUP youth who received an extension of voucher assistance at the end of the 36-month time period based on meeting one of the conditions described in this chapter does not have to meet the same conditions when they reach the end of the 48-month time period. The FUP youth may demonstrate that they meet a different condition in order to receive an extension of their assistance.

If the PHA determines that the youth meets one of the statutory conditions, the PHA would then conduct an annual reexamination. If the annual reexamination determines that the youth is still eligible for the HCV program, the PHA must provide the FUP youth the extension of voucher assistance.

Exhibit 2
800 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Termination of Assistance for Failure to Meet Conditions Failure of the FUP youth to meet one of the above conditions will only impact their ability to receive subsequent extensions of assistance. It will not serve as a basis for terminating the FUP assistance prior to the annual reexam.

If the FUP youth does not meet any of the conditions described in in this chapter, the youth is subject to the statutory time limit of 36 months or the time limit of any extension that the youth has already received, and the FUP youth voucher must be terminated once the youth reaches this time limit. The calculation of the time limit begins from the date the first HAP contract is signed (for tenant-based vouchers) or from the date the youth entered into the initial lease agreement (for project-based vouchers). The number of months is calculated based on the number of months that HAP subsidy is being paid on behalf of the youth, not the number of months that the youth is in the FUP youth program. Prior to termination, the PHA must offer the FUP youth the opportunity to request an informal hearing, in accordance with Chapter 16.

Exhibit 2
801 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-I.F. REFERRALS AND WAITING LIST MANAGEMENT
Referrals
The PCWA must establish and implement a system to identify FUP-eligible families and youths within the agency’s caseload and make referrals to the PHA. The PCWA must certify that the FUP applicants they refer to the PHA meet FUP eligibility requirements. The PHA is not required to maintain full documentation that demonstrates the family’s or youth’s FUP eligibility as determined by the PCWA but should keep the referral or certification from the PCWA.

A PHA must serve any referrals (youths or families) that meet all program eligibility requirements. If a PHA determines that it has received a sufficient number of referrals from the PCWA so that the PHA will be able to lease all FUP vouchers awarded, the PHA may request that the PCWA suspend transmission of referrals. If the PHA determines that additional referrals will be needed after it has made such a request, the PHA may request that the PCWA resume transmission of referrals [Notice PIH 2011-52].

Exhibit 2
802 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Waiting List Placement
A family that is already participating in the regular HCV program cannot be transferred to a FUP voucher.

Once a referral is made, the PHA must compare the list of PCWA referrals to its HCV waiting list to determine if any applicants on the PCWA’s referral list are already on the PHA’s HCV waiting list. Applicants already on the PHA’s HCV waiting list retain the order of their position on the list. Applicants not already on the PHA’s HCV waiting list must be placed on the HCV waiting list.

If the PHA’s HCV waiting list is closed, the PHA must open its HCV waiting list in order to accept new FUP applicants. If necessary, the PHA may open its waiting list solely for FUP applicants, but this information must be included in the PHA’s notice of opening its waiting list (see section 4-II.C., Opening and Closing the Waiting List of this administrative plan).

Waiting List Selection
The PHA selects FUP-eligible families or youths based on the PHA’s regular HCV waiting list selection policies in Chapter 4, including any preferences that may apply.

Exhibit 2
803 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-I.G. PHA HCV ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION
Once a FUP-eligible family or youth is selected from the HCV waiting list, the PHA must determine whether the family or youth meets HCV program eligibility requirements. Applicants must be eligible under both FUP family or youth eligibility requirements, as applicable, and HCV eligibility requirements as outlined in Chapter 3 of this policy.

The PCWA may, but is not obligated to, provide information to the PHA on the family’s criminal history.

Additional FUP Eligibility Factors [FUP FAQs]
For FUP family vouchers, the family must remain FUP-eligible thorough lease-up. • If, after a family is referred by the PCWA but prior to issuing a family FUP voucher, the PHA discovers that the lack of adequate housing is no longer a primary factor for the family not reunifying, the FUP voucher may not be issued to the family. • Similarly, if the FUP voucher has already been issued before the PHA discovers that the reunification will not happen, but the family has not yet leased up under the voucher, the PHA must not execute the HAP contract, as the family is no longer FUP-eligible.

FUP-eligible youth must be no more than 24 years old both at the time of PCWA certification and at the time of the HAP execution. If a FUP youth is 24 at the time of PCWA certification but will turn 25 before the HAP contract is executed, the youth is no longer eligible for a FUP youth voucher.

Exhibit 2
804 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17.I.H. LEASE UP [FR Notice 1/24/22]
Once the PHA determines that the family or youth meets HCV eligibility requirements, the family or youth will be issued a FUP voucher in accordance with PHA policies.

During the family briefing, PHAs must inform the FUP youth of:
• The extension of assistance provisions and requirements; • The availability of the FSS program and offer them an FSS slot, if available, or offer to place them on the FSS waiting list (provided the PHA has an FSS program); and • Supportive services available to them, the existence of any other programs or services, and their eligibility for such programs and services. However, participation in supportive services cannot be required as a condition of receiving FUP youth assistance.

Once the family or youth locate a unit, the PHA conducts all other processes relating to voucher issuance and administration per HCV program regulations and the PHA’s policies (including, but not limited to: inspections, determination of rent reasonableness, etc.).

Exhibit 2
805 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-I.I. TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE
General Requirements
With the exception of terminations of assistance for FUP youth after the statutorily required time period, terminations of FUP assistance are handled in the same way as the regular HCV program.

Termination of a FUP voucher must be consistent with regulations for termination in 24 CFR Part 982, Subpart L and be in compliance with PHA policies (Chapter 12).

If the person who qualifies for the FUP voucher passes away, the family retains the FUP voucher. In the case of a FUP-youth voucher, assistance will terminate after the statutorily required time period, even if the FUP-eligible youth is no longer included in the household.

If the person who qualifies for the FUP voucher moves, the remaining family members may keep the FUP voucher based on PHA policy (see administrative plan, Section 3-I.C., Family Breakup and Remaining Member of Tenant Family).

FUP Family Vouchers
If parents lose their parental rights or are separated from their children after voucher lease-up (or their children reach adulthood), the family is still eligible to keep their FUP assistance, as the regulations do not permit HCV termination for a family losing parental rights or the children reaching adulthood. However, the PHA may transfer the assistance of a FUP family voucher holder to regular HCV assistance if there are no longer children in the household.

Exhibit 2
806 of 1125

Page 17 ends

FUP Youth Vouchers
A PHA cannot terminate a FUP youth’s assistance for noncompliance with PCWA case management, nor may the PHA terminate assistance for a FUP youth for not accepting services from the PCWA.

The PHA may not transfer the assistance of a FUP youth voucher holder to regular HCV assistance upon the expiration of the statutorily required time period. However, the PHA may issue a regular HCV to FUP youth if they were selected from the waiting list in accordance with PHA policies and may also adopt a preference for FUP youth voucher holders who are being terminated for this reason.

Upon the expiration of the statutorily required time period, a FUP youth voucher holder who has children and who lacks adequate housing may qualify for a FUP family voucher provided they are referred by the PCWA as an eligible family and meet the eligibility requirements for the PHA’s HCV program.

Exhibit 2
807 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-I.J. FUP PORTABILITY
Portability for a FUP family or youth is handled in the same way as for a regular HCV family. A PHA may not restrict or deny portability for a FUP family or youth for reasons other than those specified in the HCV program regulations, as reflected in Chapter 10 of the administrative plan.

A FUP family or youth does not have to port to a jurisdiction that administers FUP.

If the receiving PHA administers the FUP voucher on behalf of the initial PHA, the voucher is still considered a FUP voucher regardless of whether the receiving PHA has a FUP program.

If the receiving PHA absorbs the voucher, the receiving PHA may absorb the incoming port into its FUP program (if it has one) or into its regular HCV program (if the receiving PHA has vouchers available to do so) and the family or youth become regular HCV participants. In either case, when the receiving PHA absorbs the voucher, a FUP voucher becomes available to the initial PHA.

Considerations for FUP Youth Vouchers
If the voucher is a FUP youth voucher and remains such upon lease-up in the receiving PHA’s jurisdiction, termination of assistance must still take place once the youth has received assistance for the statutorily required time period. If the receiving PHA is administering the FUP youth voucher on behalf of the initial PHA, the two PHAs must work together to initiate termination upon expiration of the statutorily required time period. 17-I.K. PROJECT-BASING FUP VOUCHERS [Notice PIH 2017-21; FR Notice 5/7/24; 24 CFR 983.6(d)(2); 983.54(c); 983.262(c) and (e); and FR Notice 1/24/22] The PHA may project-base FUP vouchers without HUD approval in accordance with all statutory and regulatory requirements for the PBV program.

Exhibit 2
808 of 1125

Page 17 ends

PART II: FOSTER YOUTH TO INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE
17-II.A. PROGRAM OVERVIEW [Notice PIH 2020-28; Notice PIH 2023-04; FR Notice 1/24/22]
The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative was announced in 2019. The FYI initiative allows PHAs who partner with a Public Child Welfare Agency (PCWA) to request targeted HCVs to serve eligible youth with a history of child welfare involvement that are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Rental assistance and supportive services are provided to qualified youth for a period of between 36 and 60 months. The PHA must have an existing ACC with HUD for HCVs.

Funding is available either competitively though an FYI NOFA or noncompetitively on a rolling basis in accordance with the application requirements outlined in Notice PIH 2020-28, Notice PIH 2021-26, or Notice PIH 2023-04, as applicable. Under the noncompetitive process, PHAs are limited to 25 vouchers in a fiscal year with the ability to request additional vouchers. Where the PHA has a combined FYI and/or FUP size of no more than 10 vouchers, the PHA may request FYI vouchers with at least 50 percent utilization of its FUP and/or FYI vouchers. Where the PHA has a combined FYI and/or FUP size of 11 or more vouchers, the PHA may request FYI vouchers with 90 percent or greater utilization of its FUP and/or FYI vouchers. PHAs may be eligible for an exception to the utilization criteria with the submission to HUD of a narrative that explains why the PHA does not meet the utilization criteria and requires the award of FYI vouchers.

Exhibit 2
809 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-II.B. PARTNERING AGENCIES [Notice PIH 2023-04; FYI Updates and Partnering Opportunities Webinar]
Public Child Welfare Agency (PCWA)
The PHA must enter into a partnership agreement with a PCWA in the PHA’s jurisdiction in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or letter of intent. The minimum contents of the partnership agreement are outlined in Notice PIH 2023-04. The PCWA is responsible for identifying and referring eligible youth to the PHA and providing or securing a commitment for the provision of supportive services once youth are admitted to the program.

GHA Policy
The PHA will implement a Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program in partnership with COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES.

The PCWA is responsible for:
• Identifying FYI-eligible youth;
• Developing a system of prioritization based on the level of need of the youth and the appropriateness of intervention;
• Providing a written certification to the PHA that the youth is eligible; and The PCWA must provide or secure a commitment for the provision of supportive services that are required to be offered.

Continuum of Care (CoC) and Other Partners
HUD strongly encourages PHAs to add other partners into the partnership agreement with the PCWA such as state, local, philanthropic, faith-based organizations, and the CoC, or a CoC recipient it designates. The CoC plays a role in identifying eligible youth in the community at risk of or experiencing homelessness that are no longer part of the child welfare system.

Through the CoC’s coordinated entry process, referrals of eligible youth to the PCWA are made based on prioritization of need and appropriateness of the intervention. Further, CoC recipients may provide supportive services using CoC program funds to youth who qualify for CoC program assistance. Youth who are part of the PCWA’s active caseload do not have to be added to the CoC’s coordinated entry process.

Exhibit 2
810 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-II.C. YOUTH ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA [Notice PIH 2023-04; FYI Q&As; FYI FAQs] The PCWA is responsible for certifying that the youth has prior qualifying foster care involvement. As determined by the PCWA, eligible youth:
• Are at least 18 years of age and not more than 24 years of age (have not yet reached their 25th birthday);
- Youth must be no more than 24 years of age at the time the PCWA certifies them as eligible and at the time of HAP contract execution.
• Have left foster care or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act; and - Placements can include, but are not limited to, placements in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, childcare institutions, and pre-adoptive homes in accordance with 24 CFR 5.576; • Are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 and older. - At risk of being homeless is fully defined at 24 CFR 576.2. o This includes a person that is exiting a publicly funded institution, or system of care (such as a healthcare facility, a mental health facility, foster care or other youth facility, or correction program or institution). Therefore, youth being discharged from an institution may be eligible for an FYI voucher [FYI FAQs].

Eligibility is not limited to single persons. For example, pregnant and/or parenting youth are eligible to receive assistance assuming they otherwise meet eligibility requirements. PHAs may not exclude pregnant or parenting youth from service.

Exhibit 2
811 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-II.D. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES [Notice PIH 2023-04; FYI Updates and Partnering Opportunities Webinar; FYI Q&As]
Supportive services may be provided by the PHA, PCWA, or a third party. The PCWA must provide or secure a commitment to provide supportive services for participating youth for the period of time defined in the NOFA/O for which the funding was made available. At a minimum, the following supportive services must be offered:
• Basic life skills information/counseling on money management, use of credit, housekeeping, proper nutrition/meal preparation, and access to health care (e.g., doctors, medication, and mental and behavioral health services);
• Counseling on compliance with rental lease requirements and with HCV program participant requirements, including assistance/referrals for assistance on security deposits, utility hook- up fees, and utility deposits;
• Providing such assurances to owners of rental property as are reasonable and necessary to assist eligible youth to rent a unit with a voucher;
• Job preparation and attainment counseling (where to look/how to apply, dress, grooming, relationships with supervisory personnel, etc.); and
• Educational and career advancement counseling regarding attainment of general equivalency diploma (GED) or attendance/financing of education at a technical school, trade school, or college, including successful work ethic and attitude models.

Since participation in supportive services is optional, but strongly encouraged, an FYI participant may decline supportive services.

Administrative fee reserves may be used to cover costs for the supportive services listed above with HUD approval in accordance with Notice PIH 2022-14 and Notice PIH 2022-18.

GHA Policy
Additional supportive services will not be offered by the PHA.

Exhibit 2
812 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-II.E. REFERRALS AND WAITING LIST MANAGEMENT [Notice PIH 2023-04; FYI Updates and Partnering Opportunities Webinar FYI FAQs] Referrals
The PCWA is responsible for certifying that the youth has prior qualifying foster care involvement. Once the PCWA sends the PHA the referral certifying the youth is program- eligible, the PHA determines HCV eligibility.

The PCWA must have a system for identifying eligible youth within the agency’s caseload and reviewing referrals from other partners, as applicable. The PCWA must also have a system for prioritization of referrals to ensure that youth are prioritized for an FYI voucher based upon their level of need and appropriateness of the intervention. For youth still involved in the child welfare system, the permanency goals of the young person should be taken into account. Prioritization must be designed in a way that is consistent with fair housing and civil rights requirements.

Referrals may come from other organizations in the community who work with the population, but the PCWA must certify that the youth meets eligibility requirements, unless the PCWA has vested another organization with this authority.

The PHA is not required to maintain full documentation that demonstrates the youth’s eligibility as determined by the PCWA but should keep the referral or certification from the PCWA. The PCWA is not required to provide the PHA with HCV eligibility documents.

GHA Policy
The PHA and PCWA have identified staff positions to serve as lead FYI liaisons. These positions will be responsible for transmission and acceptance of referrals. The PCWA must commit sufficient staff and resources to ensure eligible youths are identified, prioritized, and determined eligible in a timely manner.

When vouchers are available, the PHA liaison responsible for acceptance of referrals will contact the PCWA liaison via email indicating the number of vouchers available and requesting an appropriate number of referrals. No more than 10 business days from the date the PCWA receives this notification, the PCWA liaison must provide the PHA with a list of eligible referrals, a completed release form, and a written certification for each referral indicating the referral is eligible. The list will include the name, address, and contact phone number for each adult individual who is being referred.

The PHA will maintain a copy of each certification from the PCWA in the participant’s file along with other eligibility paperwork.

Exhibit 2
813 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Waiting List Placement [Notice PIH 2023-04 and FYI FAQs] The PHA must use the HCV waiting list for the FYI program. Youth already on the HCV program may not be transferred to an FYI voucher since they are not homeless or at-risk of homelessness.

If the PHA’s HCV waiting list is closed, the PHA must open its HCV waiting list in order to accept new referrals. The PHA may reopen the waiting list to accept an FYI eligible youth without opening the waiting list for other applicants; however, the requirements at 24 CFR 982.206 for giving public notice when opening and closing the waiting list apply (see section 4- II.C., Opening and Closing the Waiting List of this administrative plan).

GHA Policy
Within 10 business days of receiving the referral from the PCWA, the PHA will review the HCV waiting list and will send the PCWA a list confirming whether referrals are on the waiting list.

Referrals who are already on the list will retain their position and the list will be notated to indicate the applicant is FYI-eligible.

For those referrals not already on the waiting list, the PHA will work with the PCWA to ensure they receive and successfully complete a pre-application or application, as applicable. Once the pre-application or application has been completed, the PHA will place the referral on the HCV waiting list with the date and time of the original referral and an indication that the referral is FYI-eligible.

Waiting List Selection
The PHA selects eligible youths based on the PHA’s regular HCV waiting list selection policies in Chapter 4, including any preferences that may apply.

Exhibit 2
814 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-II.F. PHA HCV ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION [FYI FAQs]
Once an eligible youth is selected from the HCV waiting list, the PHA must determine whether the youth meet HCV program eligibility requirements. Applicants must be eligible under both FYI eligibility requirements and HCV eligibility requirements as outlined in Chapter 3 of this policy.

The PCWA may, but is not obligated to, provide information to the PHA on the youth’s criminal history.

GHA Policy
Subject to privacy laws, the PCWA will provide any available information regarding the applicant’s criminal history to the PHA.

The PHA will consider the information in making its eligibility determination in accordance with the PHA’s policies in Chapter 3, Part III.

Additional Eligibility Factors
Youth must be no more than 24 years old both at the time of PCWA certification and at the time of the HAP execution. If a youth is 24 at the time of PCWA certification but will turn 25 before the HAP contract is executed, the youth is no longer eligible for a FYI voucher.

GHA Policy
Any applicant that does not meet the eligibility criteria for the HCV program listed in Chapter 3 or any eligibility criteria listed in this section will be notified by the PHA in writing following policies in Section 3-III.F, including stating the reasons the applicant was found ineligible and providing an opportunity for an informal review.

Exhibit 2
815 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-II.G. LEASE UP [FR Notice 1/24/22]
Once the PHA determines that the family or youth meets HCV eligibility requirements, the youth will be issued an FYI voucher in accordance with PHA policies.

During the family briefing, PHAs must inform the FYI voucher holder of:
• The extension of assistance provisions and requirements; • The availability of the FSS program and offer them an FSS slot, if available, or offer to place them on the FSS waiting list (provided the PHA has an FSS program); and • The supportive services available to them, the existence of any other programs or services, and their eligibility for such programs and services. However, participation in supportive services cannot be required as a condition of receiving FYI assistance.

GHA Policy
Eligible applicants will be notified by the PHA in writing following policies in Section 3- III.F. of this policy. The PHA will provide all aspects of the written and oral briefing as outlined in Part I of Chapter 5.

Vouchers will be issued in accordance with PHA policies in Chapter 5, Part II, except that the PHA will consider one additional 30-day extension beyond the first automatic extension for any reason, not just those listed in the policy in Section 5-II.E.

Once the youth locates a unit, the PHA conducts all other processes relating to voucher issuance and administration per HCV program regulations and the PHA policy in Chapter 9.

Should a youth fail to use the voucher, the PHA may issue the voucher to another eligible youth if one has been identified [Notice PIH 2023-04].

When providing education or counseling on renting housing that may include pre-1978 housing, the PHA must inform participating youth of their rights under the Lead Disclosure Rule (24 CFR part 35, subpart A) and the Lead Safe Housing Rule (subparts B, R, and, as applicable, F-M).

Turnover
Awards of FYI Tenant Protection Vouchers (TPVs) continue to be administered under the requirements of Notice PIH 2019-20. This includes turnover requirements and the requirement to inform HUD should a youth not use a voucher or leave the program. For example, FYI TPVs awarded under Notice PIH 2019-20 “sunset” when a youth leaves the program. This means that the PHA cannot reissue FYI TPV assistance issued under that notice to another youth when an initial youth exits the HCV program. HUD does not have the authority to allow the voucher to be used for a youth other than the one identified in the request.

For awards under Notice PIH 2023-04, if another eligible youth is not available, the PHA must notify HUD before the end of the calendar year, and HUD will reduce the PHA’s HCV assistance to account for the removal of the FYI assistance from the PHA’s HCV baseline.

Exhibit 2
816 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-II.H. MAXIMUM ASSISTANCE PERIOD [Notice PIH 2023-04 and FYI FAQs; FR Notice 1/24/22]
Vouchers are limited by statute to a total of between 36 months and 60 months of housing assistance. At the end of the statutory time period, assistance must be terminated. However, any period of time for which no subsidy (HAP) is being paid on behalf of the youth does not count toward the limitation. It is not permissible to reissue another FYI TPV to the same youth upon expiration of their FYI assistance.

Participants do not “age out” of the program. A participant may continue with the program until they have received the period of assistance for which they are eligible. Age limits are only applied for entry into the program.

Extension of Assistance
FYI voucher holders who first leased or lease a unit after December 27, 2020, may be eligible for an extension of assistance up to 24 months beyond the 36-month time limit (for a total of 60 months of assistance).

While FYI voucher holders cannot be required to participate in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program as a condition of receipt of assistance, an eligible youth who participates in the FSS program and is in compliance with the applicable terms and conditions of the program is entitled to receive assistance for up to an additional 24 months. A FYI voucher holders must accept an FSS slot if it is offered to them prior to the 36-month mark in order to receive an extension of assistance (unless the youth meet one of the statutory exceptions described below).

Statutory Exceptions
FYI voucher holders will be entitled to receive an extension of assistance for up to 24 months beyond the 36-month time limit without participating in the PHA’s FSS program if they certify that they meet one of the exceptions below:
• The FYI voucher holder is a parent or other household member responsible for the care of a dependent child under the age of six or for the care of an incapacitated person.

GHA Policy
The PHA defines incapacitated person as the inability to handle affairs due to a mental disability or medical condition, as determined by a physician or court. The PHA will apply this exception in a manner that provides extensions of FYI assistance to the broadest population possible consistent with the statutory requirements.

The FYI voucher holder will be required to self-certify that they meet this exception on a PHA-provided form.

The child or incapacitated person is not required to reside in the household in order for the FYI voucher holder to certify they meet this exception. For example, a child in a joint custody arrangement under the age of six who resides in the household only part time may qualify the FYI voucher holder for this exception.

Exhibit 2
817 of 1125

Page 17 ends

The FYI voucher holder is a person who is regularly and actively participating in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program.

GHA Policy
The PHA will define regular and active participation in a manner that provides extensions of FYI voucher holder assistance to the broadest population possible consistent with the statutory requirements.

The FYI voucher holder will be required to self-certify that they meet this exception on a PHA-provided form. This certification is the only documentation that the FYI voucher holder must submit.
• The FYI voucher holder is a person who is incapable of complying with the requirement to participate in a FSS program as described above or engage in education, workforce development, or employment activities as described below, as applicable, due to a documented medical condition.

GHA Policy
The PHA will apply this requirement in a manner that provides extensions of FYI voucher holder assistance to the broadest population possible consistent with statutory requirements.

The FYI voucher holder will be required to self-certify that they meet this exception on a PHA-provided form.

An FYI voucher holder that meets one of the above exceptions must still be offered an opportunity to enroll in the PHA’s FSS program (if it is available to them) and receive any supportive services available to FYI voucher holders. An FYI voucher holder may choose to participate in an FSS program or engage in education, workforce development, or employment activities, even if they meet one of the above statutory exceptions.

Exhibit 2
818 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Education, Workforce Development, or Employment Activities If a PHA that carries out an FSS program is unable to offer a FYI voucher holder an FSS slot during their first 36 months of receiving FYI assistance, the FYI voucher holder is considered to have been “unable to enroll” in the program and may have their assistance extended by meeting the education, workforce development, or employment criteria described below:
• The FYI voucher holder was engaged in obtaining a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.

GHA Policy
The PHA will use the definitions of recognized postsecondary credential and secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA defines a recognized postsecondary credential as a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate or certification, a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship, a license recognized by the state involved or federal government, or an associate or baccalaureate degree (29 U.S.C. 3102). Examples of a recognized postsecondary credential include, but are not limited to, an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, occupational licensure, or occupational certification (see U.S.

Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 10–16, Change 1).

For the purpose of WIOA, the U.S. Department of Labor defines a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent as a secondary school diploma (or alternate diploma) that is recognized by a state and that is included for accountability purposes under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). A secondary school equivalency certification signifies that a student has completed the requirement for a high school education.

Examples of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent include, but are not limited to, obtaining certification of attaining passing scores on a state-recognized high school equivalency test, earning a secondary school diploma or state-recognized equivalent, or obtaining certification of passing a state-recognized competency-based assessment.

• The FYI voucher holder was enrolled in an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) or an institution that meets the definition of a proprietary institution of higher education or a postsecondary vocational institution under sections 102(b)(1) and (c)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(b)(1) and (c)(1)), respectively.

GHA Policy
The FYI voucher holder must be enrolled in education activities on at least a half-time basis, as defined by the institution which they attend. However, the PHA may make exceptions to this requirement if the FYI voucher holder is unable to enroll in a sufficient number of classes due to a lack of course offerings by the educational institution where they are enrolled.

Exhibit 2
819 of 1125

Page 17 ends

• The FYI voucher holder was participating in a career pathway, as such term is defined in Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102). • The FYI voucher holder was employed.

GHA Policy
The PHA will consider the FYI voucher holder to be employed if they work a minimum of 20 hours per week. The PHA may make exceptions to this requirement if the FYI voucher holder’s hours are reduced due to circumstances beyond their control or the FYI voucher holder must temporarily reduce their work hours due to a verified family emergency.

FSS Enrollment at 24 Months
If the FYI voucher holder has not been provided an opportunity to enroll in the FSS program during the first 24 months of FYI assistance, HUD encourages the PHA to remind the FYI voucher holder at the 24-month reexamination of the education, workforce development, and employment requirements described above so that they have enough time to meet these requirements prior to the expiration of the 36-month time period for FYI assistance.

FSS Enrollment Between 36 and 48 Months
If an FSS slot becomes available between the 36-month and 48-month mark:
• The PHA must offer the slot to an FYI voucher holder who had their voucher extended based on meeting the education, workforce development, or employment requirement listed above, or one of the statutory exceptions listed above (even if the FYI voucher holder previously declined an FSS slot because they met one of the statutory exceptions). • The PHA must work with the FYI voucher holder to determine whether enrollment in FSS is feasible and in their best interest given any education, workforce development, or employment activities that the FYI voucher holder is engaged in and any statutory exceptions that apply to the FYI voucher holder, as well as the remaining time on their voucher. • If the FYI voucher holder accepts the FSS slot, the PHA must work with them to establish Contract of Participation goals and an Individual Training and Services Plan (ITSP) that can be accomplished within the time period left on the voucher.

If the FYI voucher holder is offered an FSS slot prior to the 36-month mark, the FYI voucher holder:
• Will be required to enroll in the FSS program in order to receive an extension of assistance at the end of the 36-month time period (unless they meet one of the statutory exceptions described above).

Exhibit 2
820 of 1125

Page 17 ends

• Will not be considered to have been “unable to enroll” in the FSS program, and as a result, will not be eligible to receive an extension of assistance based on meeting the education, workforce development, or employment requirements described above.

FSS Enrollment After 48 Months
The PHA may, but is not required, to offer an FYI voucher holder an FSS slot that becomes available between the 48-month mark and the 60-month mark, since the FYI voucher holder will have already received their second and final extension.

Extensions of Assistance
At the 36-month and 48-month reexamination, the PHA must extend FYI assistance if the FYI voucher holder is participating in and in compliance with the FSS program as long as the FYI voucher holder is still eligible for the HCV program.

In any case, the FYI voucher holder cannot receive more than a total of 60 months of FYI assistance even if the FSS Contract of Participation time period extends beyond the voucher 60- month mark.

No FSS Program or Unable to Enroll in FSS
If a PHA does not carry out an FSS program or the FYI voucher holder has been unable to enroll in the program during the first 36 months of receiving FYI assistance, the FYI voucher holder is entitled to receive an extension of assistance for up to two successive 12-month periods beyond the 36-month time limit provided that the FYI voucher holder engaged in at least one of the education, workforce development, or employment activities described above for not less than nine months of the 12-month period preceding each extension. In order to meet the nine months out of the preceding 12 months requirement, the FYI voucher holder may have engaged in one of the education, workforce development, or employment activities described above or a combination of these activities.

To verify compliance with the education, workforce development, or employment requirement or one of the statutory exceptions, the PHA must provide the FYI voucher holder written notification informing them that they may receive an extension of their FYI assistance and providing instructions on how the FYI voucher holder may demonstrate that they meet one of these conditions. This notification must be provided sufficiently in advance of the end of the 36- month or 48-month time periods, as applicable, to allow the FYI voucher holder to demonstrate that they meet the education, workforce development, or employment requirement, or one of the statutory exceptions, and for the PHA to conduct an annual reexamination prior to the expiration of the FYI assistance.

GHA Policy
The PHA will verify compliance with the education, workforce development, or employment requirement, or one of the statutory exceptions, at the end of the 36-month Exhibit 2
821 of 1125

Page 17 ends

and 48-month time periods prior to the FYI voucher holder’s scheduled annual reexamination. The PHA will not verify compliance at the end of the 60-month time period.

The PHA will provide each FYI voucher holder on the PHA’s program with a written notification informing them that they may receive an extension of their FYI assistance if they meet conditions outlined in this chapter and providing them with instructions on how they may demonstrate compliance at least 60 days prior to their scheduled annual reexamination date. When necessary, the PHA will provide this notification in a format accessible to FYI voucher holders with disabilities and in a translated format for FYI voucher holders with limited English proficiency in accordance with Chapter 2.

The PHA will use the following verification methods to verify an FYI voucher holder’s eligibility for voucher extensions:

To meet the education, workforce development, or employment requirement, the PHA will verify that the FYI voucher holder was engaged in at least one education, workforce development, or employment activity for at least nine months of the 12-month period immediately preceding the end of the 36-month or 48-month time period, as applicable.

Due to the timing of when the PHA verifies compliance and conducts the annual reexamination, the FYI voucher holder may have not yet met the nine-month requirement but may be able to demonstrate that they will meet the nine-month requirement as of the end of the 36-month or 48- month time period. In such cases, the FYI voucher holder will still be considered to have met the requirements.

In order for the FYI voucher holder to meet one of the statutory exceptions described above, the FYI voucher holder must submit a certification to the PHA that they meet one of these exceptions.

Exhibit 2
822 of 1125

Page 17 ends

An FYI voucher holder who received an extension of voucher assistance at the end of the 36- month time period based on meeting one of the conditions described in this chapter does not have to meet the same conditions when they reach the end of the 48-month time period. The FYI voucher holder may demonstrate that they meet a different condition in order to receive an extension of their assistance.

If the PHA determines that the FYI voucher holder meets one of the statutory conditions, the PHA would then conduct an annual reexamination. If the annual reexamination determines that the FYI voucher holder is still eligible for the HCV program, the PHA must provide the FYI voucher holder the extension of voucher assistance.

Termination of Assistance for Failure to Meet Conditions Failure of the FYI voucher holder to meet one of the above conditions will only impact their ability to receive subsequent extensions of assistance. It will not serve as a basis for terminating the FYI assistance prior to the annual reexam.

If the FYI voucher holder does not meet any of the statutory conditions described in in this chapter, the youth is subject to the statutory time limit of 36 months or the time limit of any extension that the youth has already received, and the FYI voucher must be terminated once they reach this time limit. The calculation of the time limit begins from the date the first HAP contract is signed (for tenant-based vouchers) or from the date the FYI voucher holder entered into the initial lease agreement (for project-based vouchers). The number of months is calculated based on the number of months that HAP subsidy is being paid on behalf of the FYI voucher holder, not the number of months that they are in the FYI program. Prior to termination, the PHA must offer the FYI voucher holder the opportunity to request an informal hearing, in accordance with Chapter 16.
17-II.I. TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE [FYI FAQs]
Termination of a FYI voucher is handled in the same way as with any HCV; therefore, termination of a FYI voucher must be consistent with HCV regulations at 24 CFR Part 982, Subpart L and PHA policies in Chapter 12. Given the statutory time limit that requires FYI vouchers to sunset, a PHA must terminate the youth’s assistance once the limit on assistance has expired.

A PHA cannot terminate a FYI youth’s assistance for noncompliance with PCWA case management, nor may the PHA terminate assistance for a FYI youth for not accepting services from the PCWA.

The PHA may not transfer the assistance of FYI voucher holders to regular HCV assistance upon the expiration of the limit on assistance. However, the PHA may issue a regular HCV to FYI voucher holders if they were selected from the waiting list in accordance with PHA policies. The PHA may also adopt a waiting list preference for FYI voucher holders who are being terminated for this reason.

GHA Policy
The PHA will not provide a selection preference on the PHA’s HCV waiting list for FYI voucher holders who are terminated due to the time limit on assistance.

Exhibit 2
823 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-II.J. PORTABILITY [FYI FAQs]
Portability for an FYI youth is handled in the same way as for a regular HCV family. A PHA may not restrict or deny portability for an FYI youth for reasons other than those specified in the HCV program regulations, as reflected in Chapter 10 of the administrative plan.

An FYI youth does not have to port to a jurisdiction that administers FYI vouchers.

If the receiving PHA absorbs the voucher, the PHA may absorb the youth into its regular HCV program if it has vouchers available to do so. If the receiving PHA absorbs the youth into its regular HCV program, that youth becomes a regular HCV participant with none of the limitations of an FYI voucher.

The initial and receiving PHA must work together to initiate termination of assistance upon expiration of the time limit on assistance.
17-II.K. PROJECT-BASING FYI VOUCHERS [FYI FAQs; FR Notice 1/24/22; Notice PIH 2024-03]
PHAs that have initiated the selection process to project-base FYI and/or FUP vouchers may be eligible to project-base FYI and FUP units formally identified for project basing in accordance with all applicable PBV regulations and PHA policies in Chapter 17. This includes FYI vouchers awarded under Notices PIH 2020-28, PIH 2021-26, and PIH 2023-04. Assistance awarded under Notice PIH 2019-20 is prohibited from being project-based.

GHA Policy
The PHA will not project-base FYI vouchers. All FYI vouchers will be used to provide tenant-based assistance.

Exhibit 2
824 of 1125

Page 17 ends

PART III: VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (VASH) PROGRAM 17-III.A. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Since 2008, HCV program funding has provided rental assistance under a supportive housing program for homeless veterans. The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program combines HCV rental assistance with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), or through a designated service provider (DSP) as approved by the VA Secretary. Eligible families are homeless veterans and their families that agree to participate in VA case management and are referred to the VAMC’s partner PHA for HCV assistance. The VAMC or DSP’s responsibilities include:
• Screening homeless veterans to determine whether they meet VASH program participation criteria;
• Referring homeless veterans to the PHA;
- The term homeless veteran means a veteran who is homeless (as that term is defined in subsection (a) or (b) of Section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)). See 38 U.S.C. 2002.
• Providing appropriate treatment and supportive services to potential VASH participants, if needed, prior to PHA issuance of a voucher;
• Providing housing search assistance to VASH participants; • Identifying the social service and medical needs of VASH participants, and providing or ensuring the provision of regular ongoing case management, outpatient health services, hospitalization, and other supportive services as needed throughout the veterans’ participation period; and
• Maintaining records and providing information for evaluation purposes, as required by HUD and the VA.

VASH vouchers are awarded noncompetitively based on geographic need and PHA administrative performance. Eligible PHAs must be located within the jurisdiction of a VAMC and in an area of high need based on data compiled by HUD and the VA. When Congress funds a new allocation of VASH vouchers, HUD invites eligible PHAs to apply for a specified number of vouchers.

Generally, the HUD-VASH program is administered in accordance with regular HCV program requirements. However, HUD is authorized to waive or specify alternative requirements to allow PHAs to effectively deliver and administer VASH assistance. Alternative requirements are established in the HUD-VASH Operating Requirements, which were originally published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2008, and updated September 27, 2021, and then again in 2024.

Unless expressly waived by HUD, all regulatory requirements and HUD directives regarding the HCV program requirements are applicable to VASH vouchers, including the use of all HUD- required contracts and other forms, and all civil rights and fair housing requirements. In addition, the PHA may request additional statutory or regulatory waivers that it determines are necessary for the effective delivery and administration of the program.

Exhibit 2
825 of 1125

Page 17 ends

The VASH program is administered in accordance with applicable Fair Housing requirements since civil rights requirements cannot be waived under the program. These include applicable authorities under 24 CFR 5.105(a) and 24 CFR 982.53 including, but not limited to, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination Act and all PHA policies as outlined in Chapter 2 of this document.

When HUD-VASH recipients include veterans with disabilities or family members with disabilities, reasonable accommodation requirements in Part II of Chapter 2 of this policy apply. 17-III.B. REFERRALS [FR Notice 8/13/24 and HUD-VASH Qs and As] VAMC case managers will screen all families in accordance with VA screening criteria and refer eligible families to the PHA for determination of program eligibility and voucher issuance. The PHA has no role in determining or verifying the veteran’s eligibility under VA screening criteria, including determining the veteran’s homelessness status. The PHA must accept referrals from the partnering VAMC and must maintain written documentation of referrals in VASH tenant files. Upon turnover, VASH vouchers must be issued to eligible veteran families as identified by the VAMC.

GHA Policy
In order to expedite the screening process, the PHA will provide all forms and a list of documents required for the VASH application to the VAMC. Case managers will work with veterans to fill out the forms and compile all documents prior to meeting with the PHA and submitting an application. When feasible, the VAMC case manager should email copies of all documents to the PHA prior to the meeting in order to allow the PHA time to review them and start a file for the veteran.

After the VAMC has given the PHA a complete referral, the PHA will perform an eligibility screening of the VAMC referral.

Exhibit 2
826 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-III.C. HCV PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY [FR Notice 8/13/24]
Eligible participants are homeless veterans and their families who agree to participate in case management from the VAMC.
• A VASH Veteran or veteran family refers to either a single veteran or a veteran with a household composed of two or more related persons. It also includes one or more eligible persons living with the veteran who are determined to be important to the veteran’s care or well-being.
• A veteran for the purpose of VASH is a person whose length of service meets statutory requirements, and who served in the active military, naval, or air service, was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, and is eligible for VA health care.

Under VASH, PHAs do not have authority to determine family eligibility in accordance with HCV program rules and PHA policies. The only reasons for denial of assistance by the PHA are failure to meet the income eligibility requirements and/or that a family member is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program. Under portability, the receiving PHA must also comply with these VASH screening requirements.

Social Security Numbers
When verifying Social Security numbers (SSNs) for homeless veterans and their family members, PHAs must use available flexibilities in accordance with 24 CFR 5.216(g)(1)(iii) to accept self-certification of SSNs and at least one third-party document, such as a bank statement, utility or cell phone bill, or benefit letter that contains the name of the individual in the absence of other documentation.

In the case of the homeless veteran, the PHA must accept the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) or the VA-verified Application for Health Benefits (10-10EZ) as verification of SSN if these forms are available and cannot require the veteran to provide a Social Security card. A VA-issued identification card may also be used to verify the SSN of a homeless veteran.

Proof of Age
The DD-214 or 10-10EZ must be accepted as proof of age in lieu of birth certificates or other PHA-required documentation as outlined in Section 7-II.C. of this policy. A VA-issued identification card may also be used to verify the age of a homeless veteran.

Photo Identification
A VA-issued identification card must be accepted in lieu of another type of government-issued photo identification. These cards also serve as verification of SSNs and date of birth.

Exhibit 2
827 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Income Eligibility [FR Notice 8/13/24]
With some exceptions, the PHA must determine income eligibility for VASH families in accordance with 24 CFR 982.201 and policies in Section 3-II.A. Low-income families (80 percent of AMI) are eligible for assistance under VASH, and PHAs may not condition eligibility based on additional eligibility criteria specified in its administrative plan. If the family is over- income based on the most recently published income limits for the family size, the family will be ineligible for assistance.

The following alternative requirements related to income apply to VASH families:
• The PHA must determine the applicant’s annual income for purposes of income eligibility by excluding all VA service-connected benefits received by the applicant. This special income exclusion only applies to the definition of annual income for purposes of determining income eligibility. If the HUD-VASH applicant qualifies as a low-income family under the alternative requirement, the VA service-connected benefits (with the exception of the normally excluded deferred VA disability payments under 24 CFR 5.609(b)(16) and the payments related to aid and attendance under 24 CFR 5.609(b)(17)) must still be included as annual income when calculating the family’s adjusted income. In other words, the VA service-connected disability benefits are excluded for purposes of determining income eligibility but included for purposes of calculating the family’s total tenant payment (TTP), housing assistance payment (HAP), and family share.
• When a veteran family reports that they have zero income, the PHA must accept a self- certification of zero income from the family at admission and at reexamination without taking any additional steps to verify the family is indeed zero income. The self-certification does not need to be notarized. The PHA must verify families’ income in the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system within 120 days after admission. The PHA may not deny zero income families.
• Regardless of PHA policy, in determining compliance with the asset limitation at admission, for the VASH program, the PHA must accept a self-certification by the family that the family’s total assets are equal to or less than the HUD-published asset limitation amount (adjusted annually) and that the family does not have any present ownership interest in real property, without taking additional steps to verify the accuracy of the declaration. • The PHA must not enforce the asset limitation for VASH families at reexamination. • In addition, because there needs to be a monthly housing assistance payment (HAP) in order to enter into a HAP contract on behalf of a tenant-based voucher family, the utilization of tenant-based VASH assistance by families determined income-eligible is limited to those areas where the family’s (TTP) is less than the applicable payment standard or exception payment standard (including any VASH-specific exception payment standard established by the PHA). The family must select a unit with a gross rent that is above the family’s TTP in order to lease a unit with the tenant-based VASH voucher.

While income-targeting does not apply to VASH vouchers, the PHA may include the admission of extremely low-income VASH families in its income targeting numbers for the fiscal year in which these families are admitted.

GHA Policy
Exhibit 2
828 of 1125

Page 17 ends

While income-targeting requirements will not be considered by the PHA when families are referred by the partnering VAMC, the PHA will include any extremely low-income VASH families that are admitted in its income targeting numbers for the fiscal year in which these families are admitted.

Minimum Rent [FR Notice 8/13/24]
PHAs must consider hardship circumstances before charging a minimum rent in accordance with 24 CFR 5.630(b). The PHA may choose to charge a lower minimum rent (including a minimum rent of $0) specifically for their VASH program regardless of the minimum rent policies established in their administrative plan for other HCV families.

Screening [FR Notice 8/13/24]
The PHA may not screen any potentially eligible family members or deny assistance for any grounds permitted under 24 CFR 982.552 and 982.553 with one exception: the PHAs is still required to prohibit admission if any member of the household is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program. Accordingly, with the exception of denial for registration as a lifetime sex offender under state law and PHA policies on how sex offender screenings will be conducted, PHA policy in Sections 3-III.B. through 3-III.E. do not apply to VASH. The prohibition against screening families for anything other than lifetime sex offender status applies to all family members, not just the veteran.

If a family member is subject to lifetime registration under a state sex offender registration program, the remaining family members may be served if the family agrees to remove the sex offender from its family composition. This is true unless the family member subject to lifetime registration under a state sex offender registration program is the homeless veteran, in which case the family would be denied admission to the program [New HCV GB, HUD-VASH, p. 6].

Denial of Assistance [Notice PIH 2008-37]
Once a veteran is referred by the VAMC, the PHA must either issue a voucher or deny assistance. If the PHA denies assistance, it must provide the family with prompt notice of the decision and a brief statement of the reason for denial in accordance with Section 3-III.F. Like in the standard HCV program, the family must be provided with the opportunity for an informal review in accordance with policies in Section 3-III.F. In addition, a copy of the denial notice must be sent to the VAMC case manager.

Exhibit 2
829 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-III.D. CHANGES IN FAMILY COMPOSITION
Adding Family Members [FR Notice 8/13/24]]
When adding a family member after the family has been admitted to the program, PHA policies in Section 3-II.B. apply. Other than the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child, the PHA must approve additional family members and will apply its regular screening criteria in doing so.

Remaining Family Members [HUD-VASH Qs and As]
If the homeless veteran dies while the family is being assisted, the voucher would remain with the remaining members of the tenant family. The PHA may use one of its own regular vouchers, if available, to continue assisting this family and free up a VASH voucher for another VASH- eligible family. If a regular voucher is not available, the family would continue utilizing the VASH voucher. Once the VASH voucher turns over, however, it must go to a homeless veteran family.

Family Break Up [HUD-VASH Qs and As]
In the case of divorce or separation, since the set-aside of VASH vouchers is for veterans, the voucher must remain with the veteran. This overrides the PHA’s policies in Section 3-I.C. on how to determine who remains in the program if a family breaks up.

Exhibit 2
830 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-III.E. LEASING [FR Notice 8/13/24]
Waiting List
The PHA does not have the authority to maintain a waiting list or apply local preferences for HUD–VASH vouchers. Policies in Chapter 4 relating to applicant selection from the waiting list, local preferences, special admissions, cross-listing, and opening and closing the waiting list do not apply to VASH vouchers.

Exception Payment Standards [FR Notice 8/13/24]
To assist VASH participants in finding affordable housing, especially in competitive markets, HUD allows PHAs to establish a HUD-VASH exception payment standard. PHAs may go up to but no higher than 120 percent of the published metropolitan area-wide fair market rent (FMR) or small area fair market rent (SAFMR) specifically for VASH families. PHAs who want to establish a VASH exception payment standard over 120 percent are allowed but must still request a waiver from HUD through the regular waiver process outlined in Notice PIH 2018-16, or any successor notices.

Exception payment standards implemented by the PHA under this section also apply in determining rents under 24 CFR 983.301(b) for PBV projects only when the project is comprised solely of units exclusively made available to VASH families.

The PHA may also establish an exception payment standard up to 140 percent of the published FMR or SAFMR only to be applied if required as a reasonable accommodation for a family that includes a person with a disability. Any unit approved under an exception payment standard must still meet reasonable rent requirements. The PHA may use a payment standard that is greater than 140 percent of FMR as a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability, but only with HUD approval.

Voucher Issuance [FR Notice 8/13/24]
Unlike the standard HCV program which requires an initial voucher term of at least 60 days, VASH vouchers must have search term of at least 120 days. This applies both to the initial search term and moves. PHA policies on extensions as outlined in Section 5-II.E. will apply.

GHA Policy
All VASH vouchers will have an initial term of 120 calendar days.

The family must submit a Request for Tenancy Approval and proposed lease within the 120-day period unless the PHA grants an extension.

The PHA must track issuance of HCVs for families referred by the VAMC or DSP in HUD systems as required in FR Notice 8/13/24.

Exhibit 2
831 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Special Housing Types [FR Notice 8/13/24]
The PHA must permit VASH clients to use the following special housing types for tenant-based VASH assistance, regardless of whether these types are permitted in their administrative plan for other families:
• Single room occupancy (SRO);
• Congregate housing;
• Group home;
• Shared housing; and
• Cooperative housing.

Initial Lease Term [FR Notice 8/13/24]
Unlike in the standard the HCV program, VASH voucher holders may enter into an initial lease that is for less than 12 months. Accordingly, PHA policy in Section 9-I.E., Term of Assisted Tenancy, does not apply.

Ineligible Housing [FR Notice 8/13/24]
Unlike in the standard HCV program, VASH families are permitted to live on the grounds of a VA facility in units developed to house homeless veterans. This applies to both tenant-based assistance and PBV. Therefore, 24 CFR 982.352(a)(5) and 983.53(a)(2), which prohibit units on the physical grounds of a medical, mental, or similar public or private institution, do not apply to VASH for this purpose only. Accordingly, PHA policy in 9-I.D., Ineligible Units, does not apply for this purpose only.

Pre-Inspections [FR Notice 8/13/24]
To expedite the leasing process, PHAs may pre-inspect available units that veterans may be interested in leasing in order to maintain a pool of eligible units. If a VASH family selects a unit that passed inspection (without intervening occupancy) within 90 days of the date of the Request for Tenancy Approval (Form HUD-52517), the unit may be approved if it meets all other conditions under 24 CFR 982.305. However, the veteran must be free to select their unit and cannot be steered to these units. All regulatory requirements pertaining to housing quality standards found at 24 CFR 5.703 apply to HUD-VASH.

GHA Policy
The PHA will not pre-inspect available units.

Exhibit 2
832 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-III.F. PORTABILITY [Notice PIH 2011-53] and FR Notice 8/13/24] General Requirements
Portability policies under VASH depend on whether the family wants to move within or outside of the initial VA facility’s catchment area (the area in which the VAMC or DSP operates). In all cases, the initial VA facility must be consulted prior to the move and provide written confirmation that case management will continue to be provided in the family’s new location.

VASH participant families may only reside in jurisdictions that are accessible to case management services, as determined by case managers at the partnering VAMC or DSP.

Under VASH, applicant families may move under portability even if the family did not have legal residency in the jurisdiction of the initial PHA when they applied. As a result, PHA policies in Section 10-II.B. about nonresident applicants do not apply. A family that moves under the portability procedures must not be subject to rescreening by the receiving PHA.

If the family no longer requires case management, there are no portability restrictions. Normal portability rules apply.

Portability within the Initial VAMC or DSP’s Catchment Area A VASH family can move within the VAMC’s catchment area as long as case management can still be provided, as determined by the VA. If the initial PHA’s partnering VAMC will still provide the case management services, the receiving PHA must process the move in accordance with portability procedures:
• If the receiving PHA has been awarded VASH vouchers, it can choose to either bill the initial PHA or absorb the family if it has a VASH voucher available to do so. - If the PHA absorbs the family, the VAMC or DSP providing the initial case management must agree to the absorption and the transfer of case management. • If the receiving PHA does not administer a VASH program, it must always bill the initial PHA.

Portability Outside of the Initial VAMC or DSP’s Catchment Area If a family wants to move to another jurisdiction where it will not be possible for the initial PHA’s partnering VAMC or DSP to provide case management services, the initial VAMC or DSP must first determine that the VASH family could be served by another VAMC or DSP that is participating in the VASH program, and the receiving PHA has an available VASH voucher.

In these cases, the family must be absorbed by the receiving PHA either as a new admission or as a portability move-in, as applicable. Upon absorption, the initial PHA’s VASH voucher will be available to lease to a new VASH-eligible family, and the absorbed family will count toward the number of VASH slots awarded to the receiving PHA.

Exhibit 2
833 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Portability Outside of the Initial VAMC or DSP’s Catchment Area under VAWA Veterans who request to port beyond the catchment area of the VAMC or DSP where they are receiving case management to protect the health or safety of a person who is or has been the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, and who reasonably believes they are threatened with imminent harm from further violence by remaining in the unit may port prior to receiving approval from the receiving VAMC or DSP.

The initial PHA must follow its emergency transfer plan (see Exhibit 16-3). PHAs may require verbal self-certification or a written request from a participant seeking a move beyond the catchment area of the VAMC or DSP.

The verbal self-certification or written request must include either a statement expressing why the participant reasonably believes that there is a threat of imminent harm from further violence if they were to remain in the same unit or a statement that the tenant was a sexual assault victim and that the sexual assault occurred on the premises during the 90-day period preceding the participants request for the move.

The participant must still port to a PHA that has a VASH program. If the receiving PHA does not have a VASH voucher available to lease, they may bill the initial PHA until a VASH voucher is available, at which point the porting veteran must be absorbed into the receiving PHA’s program.

Exhibit 2
834 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-III.G. TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE [FR Notice 8/13/24] Prior to terminating VASH participants, HUD strongly encourages PHAs to exercise their discretion under 24 CFR 982.552(c)(2) as outlined in Section 12-II.D. of this policy and consider all relevant circumstances of the specific case. This includes granting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, as well as considering the role of the case manager and the impact that ongoing case management services can have on mitigating the conditions that led to the potential termination.

VASH participant families may not be terminated after admission for a circumstance or activities that occurred prior to admission and were known to the PHA but could not be considered at the time of admission due to VASH program requirements. The PHA may terminate the family’s assistance only for program violations that occur after the family’s admission to the program.

There are two alternative requirements for termination of assistance for VASH participants.

Cessation of Case Management
As a condition of receiving HCV rental assistance, a HUD-VASH-eligible family must receive case management services from the VAMC or DSP. A VASH participant family’s assistance must be terminated for failure to participate, without good cause, in case management as verified by the VAMC or DSP. However, the PHA may offer the family continued assistance through one of its regular vouchers or a PBV unit not exclusively made available for HUD-VASH.

However, a VAMC or DSP determination that the participant family no longer requires case management is not grounds for termination of voucher or PBV assistance. In such a case, at its option, the PHA may offer the family continued assistance through one of its regular vouchers.

The decision to transfer assistance to a regular voucher must consider veteran preference and must be communicated to the VA prior to occurring. If the PHA has no voucher to offer, the family will retain its VASH voucher, or PBV unit, until such time as the PHA has an available voucher (or PBV unit not exclusively made available for VASH) for the family. If the PHA has no voucher to offer, the family will retain its VASH voucher or PBV unit until such time as the PHA has an available voucher for the family.

Serious Violation of the Lease
The regulation at 24 CFR 982.552(b)(2) states that the PHA must terminate program assistance for a family evicted from housing assisted under the program for serious violation of the lease.

HUD waived this provision, and establishing the alternative requirement that the PHA may terminate program assistance in this case. Prior to terminating VASH participants for this reason, HUD strongly encourages PHAs to exercise their discretion under 24 CFR 982.552(c)(2) and consider all relevant circumstances of the specific case, as well as including the role of the case manager and the impact that ongoing case management services can have on mitigating the conditions that led to the potential termination, prior to determining whether to terminate assistance.

Exhibit 2
835 of 1125

Page 17 ends

VAWA [FR Notice 8/13/24]
When a veteran’s family member is receiving protection under VAWA because the veteran is the perpetrator of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, the victim must continue to be assisted. Upon termination of the perpetrator’s VASH assistance, the victim must be given a regular HCV if one is available, and the perpetrator’s VASH voucher must be used to serve another eligible veteran family. If a regular HCV is not available, the perpetrator must be terminated from assistance and the victim will continue to use the VASH voucher.

Exhibit 2
836 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-III.H. PROJECT-BASING VASH VOUCHERS
General Requirements [Notice PIH 2017-21 and FR Notice 8/13/24] PHAs are authorized to project-base their tenant-based VASH vouchers without additional HUD review or approval in accordance with Notice PIH 2017-21 and all PBV program requirements provided that the VAMC will continue to make supportive services available. In addition, since 2010, HUD has awarded VASH vouchers specifically for project-based assistance in the form of PBV HUD-VASH set-aside vouchers. While these vouchers are excluded from the PBV program cap as long as they remain under PBV HAP contract at the designated project, all other VASH vouchers are subject to the PBV program percentage limitation discussed in Section 17-I.A. Note that VASH supportive services only need to be provided to VASH families receiving PBV assistance in the project, not all families receiving PBV assistance in the project. If a VASH family does not require or no longer requires case management, the unit continues to count as an excepted PBV unit as long as the family resides in the unit. In the description of units in Exhibit A of the HAP contract, PHAs must indicate the number of units that will be exclusively made available to VASH families. The PHA must refer only VASH families to PBV units exclusively made available to VASH families and to PBV units funded through a VASH PBV set-aside award.

If the PHA project-bases VASH vouchers, the PHA must consult with the partnering VAMC or DSP to ensure approval of the project or projects. PHAs may project-base VASH vouchers in projects alongside other PBV units and may execute a single HAP contract covering both the VASH PBVs and the other PBVs. The PHA must refer only VASH families to PBV units exclusively made available to VASH families and to PBV units funded through a HUD set-aside award.

If a VASH family is referred to the PHA and there is an available PBV unit that is not exclusively made available to VASH families, the PHA may offer to refer the family to the owner if allowable under the selection policy for that project, and the owner and PHA may amend the HAP contract to designate the PBV unit as a VASH PBV unit.

The PHA and owner may agree to amend a PBV HAP contract to redesignate a regular PBV unit as a unit specifically designated for VASH families so long as the PHA first consults with the VAMC or DSP. Additionally, the PHA and owner may agree to amend a PBV HAP contract to redesignate a unit specifically designated for VASH families as a regular PBV unit, so long as the unit is not funded through a VASH PBV set-aside award and is eligible for regular PBV (i.e., the unit is not on the grounds of a medical facility and the unit is eligible under the PHA’s program and project caps).

Policies for VASH PBV units will generally follow PHA policies for the standard PBV program as listed in Chapter 17, with the exception of the policies listed below.

Ineligible Units
Unlike in the regular PBV program, the PHA may opt to select an occupied unit or admit a family to a unit if such unit is made exclusively available to VASH families if the PBV project is either on the grounds of a VA facility or there are VASH supportive services provided on-site at the project.

Exhibit 2
837 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Termination of Assistance
A VASH family’s PBV assistance must be terminated for failure to participate in case management when required by the VA. However, the PHA may allow the veteran family to receive a regular (non-VASH) tenant-based voucher or PBV unit instead of the family’s assistance being terminated. In this case, the PHA may:
• Substitute the family’s unit on the PBV HAP contract for another unit (the PHA may, in conjunction with such substitution, add the original unit to the PBV HAP contract with a non-VASH voucher if it is possible to do so;
• Remove the unit from the PBV HAP contract so the family may remain with tenant-based assistance, if the family and the owner agree to use the tenant-based voucher in the unit; or • Change the unit’s status in the PBV HAP contract from a unit exclusively made available for VASH to a regular PBV unit, if doing so is allowable under program rules.

If the PHA will not allow the veteran to receive a regular (non-VASH) tenant-based voucher or PBV unit instead of the family’s assistance being terminated, then upon notification by the VA of the family’s failure to participate in VA-required case management, the PHA must provide the family a reasonable period of time (as established by the PHA) to vacate the unit.

GHA Policy
If the family fails to participate in case management when required by the VA, the PHA will terminate the family’s assistance. The family will have 120 days to vacate the unit.

The PHA will terminate assistance to the family at the earlier of (1) the time the family vacates or (2) the expiration of the 120-day period. If the family fails to vacate the unit within the established time, the owner may evict the family.

If a VASH family is eligible to move from its PBV unit after a year of PBV assistance, the PHA will generally follow policies in Chapter 17. However, if there is no VASH tenant-based voucher available at the time the family requests to move, the PHA’s actions depend on whether the family still requires case management.
• The PHA may require a family that still requires case management to wait for a VASH tenant-based voucher for a period not to exceed 180 days. If a HUD-VASH tenant-based voucher is still not available after 180 days, the family must be allowed to move using its VASH voucher as tenant-based assistance. Alternatively, the PHA may allow the family to move using its VASH voucher as tenant-based assistance without having to meet this 180- day waiting period. In either case, the PHA may either amend the PBV HAP contract to replace the assistance in the PBV unit with one of its regular vouchers if the unit is eligible for a regular PBV or the PHA and owner may agree to temporarily remove the unit from the HAP contract.
• If a VASH veteran has been determined to no longer require case management, the PHA must allow the family to move with the first available tenant-based voucher. If no VASH voucher is immediately available, the PHA may not require the family to wait for a VASH voucher to become available.

Exhibit 2
838 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Wrong-Sized or Accessible Units
If the PHA determines that a VASH family is occupying a wrong-size PBV unit or a PBV unit with accessibility features that the family does not require and the PBV unit is needed by a family that requires the accessibility features, the PHA must notify the family and the owner within 30 days of the PHA’s determination. The PHA’s offer of continued housing assistance (that must be made within 60 days of the PHA’s determination) must be in the form of either a VASH tenant-based voucher or another VASH PBV unit. If no VASH assistance is available for the PHA to offer within 60 days of the PHA’s determination, the PHA must remove the wrong- sized or accessible unit from the HAP contract to make VASH voucher assistance available to the family.

Contract Terminations
The regulation at 24 CFR 983.206(b), which covers the required provision of tenant-based assistance and requires that the family may elect to use its tenant-based assistance to remain in the same project when a PBV HAP contract terminates or expires, does not apply to families issued a HUD-VASH tenant-based voucher under this circumstance. The PHA may use another voucher to add the unit removed under this alternative requirement to the HAP contract after the family vacates the property, in accordance with 24 CFR 983.207(b).

Rents
Contract rents may not be different based on whether the unit is a VASH PBV unit or a non- VASH PBV unit. In determining the rent to owner for the PBV project, if the cap on the amount of rent to owner under 24 CFR 983.301(b)(1) is lower for non-HUD-VASH units than it is for the HUD-VASH units (e.g., the PHA has established a HUD-VASH exception payment standard and there is either no exception payment standard or a lower exception payment standard for the regular HCV program for the area in question), that lower cap is applicable when setting the rent to owner for the PBV units in the project, including the HUD-VASH units.

Removing Units from the HAP Contract for Ineligible Families The PHA and owner may also agree to temporarily remove a unit from the HAP contract in cases where a HUD VASH eligible veteran has been identified by the VA as appropriate for a VASH PBV unit, but the veteran is not income eligible to receive voucher assistance or may not be selected for the PBV unit because the family’s TTP exceeds the gross rent of the unit. Although the family would not be a program participant in the housing portion of the VASH program in such a case, the family would still benefit from the project’s location on the grounds of a VA facility or from the VASH supportive services on-site at the project, while the VASH voucher would be available to assist another VASH family. The PHA and owner may agree to add a VASH voucher back onto the PBV HAP contract if the family’s income subsequently decreased to the point that there would be a HAP or when the family vacates the unit.

Exhibit 2
839 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Zero HAP Families
Under normal PBV requirements, the PHA may select an occupied unit to be included under a PBV HAP contract only if the unit’s occupants are eligible for assistance under 24 CFR 982.201, and the TTP for the family is less than the gross rent for the unit. Furthermore, in selecting a family for an available PBV unit, typically the PHA must determine the TTP for the family is less than the gross rent, meaning that the unit will be eligible for a monthly HAP. However, if the PBV project is either on the grounds of a VA facility or there are HUD-VASH supportive services provided onsite at the project, the PHA may opt to select a unit occupied by a zero HAP VASH eligible family or admit a zero HAP VASH family to a unit if such unit is made exclusively available to VASH families. Until such time that the VASH family’s TTP falls below the gross rent, the family is responsible for paying the entire rent to owner in addition to being responsible for paying all tenant-supplied utilities. During any period that the family’s TTP falls below the gross rent, normal PBV requirements apply.

Further, under normally applicable rules, units occupied by families whose incomes have increased during their tenancy resulting in their TTP equaling the gross rent (zero HAP) must be removed from the HAP contract 180 days following the last housing assistance payment to the owner on the family’s behalf. These regulations do not apply to zero HAP families admitted to the PBV project under this waiver and alternative requirement because there is no last housing assistance payment that would trigger the unit removal date of 180 days. As an alternative requirement, PHAs have the option of removing the unit in which the zero HAP family resides from the HAP contract, but no earlier than 180 days from the start of the family PBV tenancy. If the PHA exercises this option, the family may not be required to move from the unit as a consequence and continues to receive the VASH supportive services. If the project is fully assisted, the PHA may reinstate the unit removed to the HAP contract after the family either vacates the unit or their income decreases to the point that there would be a HAP. If the project is partially assisted, the PHA may substitute a different unit for the unit removed from the HAP contact when the first eligible substitute unit becomes available. Alternatively, the PHA may choose to simply leave the unit on the HAP contract while the zero HAP family continues to reside there.

Proposal/Project Selection
PBV proposal and/or project selection for VASH must follow all regular proposal and/or project selection regulations, with one exception. HUD permits noncompetitive selection of one or more PBV projects with units made exclusively available to VASH families on the site of a VA facility. Note that the method of project selection must comply with all other requirements under 24 CFR 983.51, including that the PHA must notify the public of its intent to noncompetitively select one or more projects for PBV assistance through its 5-Year Plan and to ensure any project selection is consistent with the PHA administrative plan.

Exhibit 2
840 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Failure to Participate in Case Management [FR Notice 8/13/24] Upon notification by the VAMC or DSP of the family’s failure to participate, without good cause, in case management, the PHA must provide the family a reasonable time period to vacate the unit. The PHA must terminate assistance to the family at the earlier of either the time the family vacates or the expiration of the reasonable time period given to vacate.

If the family fails to vacate the unit within the established time, the owner may evict the family.

If the owner does not evict the family, the PHA must remove the unit from the HAP contract or amend the HAP contract to substitute a different unit in the project if the project is partially assisted. The PHA may add the removed unit to the HAP contract after the ineligible family vacates the property.

Moves [HUD-VASH Qs and As, FR Notice 8/13/24]
When a VASH PBV family is eligible to move from its PBV unit in accordance with Section 17- VIII.C. of this policy, but there is no other comparable tenant-based rental assistance, the following procedures must be implemented:
• If a VASH tenant-based voucher is not available at the time the family wants (and is eligible) to move, the PHA may require a family who still requires case management to wait for a VASH tenant-based voucher for a period not to exceed 180 days; • If a VASH tenant-based voucher is still not available after that period, the family must be allowed to move with its VASH voucher. Alternatively, the PHA may allow the family to move with its VASH voucher without having to meet this 180-day period. In either case, the PHA is required to replace the assistance in the PBV unit with one of its regular vouchers, unless the PHA and owner agree to temporarily remove the unit from the HAP contract; and • If a VASH veteran is determined to no longer require case management, the PHA must allow the family to move with the first available tenant-based voucher if no VASH voucher is immediately available and cannot require the family to wait for a VASH voucher to become available.

Exhibit 2
841 of 1125

Page 17 ends

PART IV: MAINSTREAM VOUCHER PROGRAM
17-IV.A. PROGRAM OVERVIEW [Notice PIH 2020-01 and Notice PIH 2024-30]] Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities and their families (particularly those transitioning out of institutions or at serious risk of institutionalization) in the form of either project-based or tenant-based voucher assistance.

The Mainstream voucher program, (previously referred to as the Mainstream 5-Year program or the Section 811 voucher program) was originally authorized under the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. Mainstream vouchers operated separately from the regular HCV program until the passage of the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010. Funding for Mainstream voucher renewals and administrative fees was first made available in 2012. In 2017 and 2019, incremental vouchers were made available for the first time since the Melville Act (in addition to renewals and administrative fees), and PHAs were invited to apply for a competitive award of Mainstream vouchers under the FY17 and FY19 NOFAs. In 2020, Notice PIH 2020-22 provided an opportunity for any PHA administering an HCV program to apply for Mainstream vouchers noncompetitively, while Notice PIH 2020-09 authorized an increase in Mainstream voucher units and budget authority for those PHAs already awarded Mainstream vouchers under the FY17 and FY19 NOFAs.

Funding and reporting for Mainstream vouchers is separate from the HCV program. Funds for Mainstream vouchers may be recaptured and reallocated if the PHA does not comply with all program requirements or fails to maintain a utilization rate of 80 percent for the PHA’s Mainstream vouchers.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42) authorized HUD to establish waivers and alternative requirements for Mainstream Vouchers related to the administration of waiting lists, local preferences, and the initial term and extensions of tenant-based vouchers.

HUD is not permitted to waive requirements related to tenant rights and protections, rent setting, fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment. Prior to this, Mainstream vouchers follow the same program requirements as standard vouchers.

Exhibit 2
842 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-IV.B. ELIGIBLE POPULATION [Notice PIH 2020-01 and Notice PIH 2020-22] All Mainstream vouchers must be used to serve non-elderly persons with disabilities and their families, defined as any family that includes a person with disabilities who is at least 18 years old and not yet 62 years old as of the effective date of the initial HAP contract. The eligible disabled household member does not need to be the head of household.

The definition of person with disabilities for purposes of Mainstream vouchers is the statutory definition under section 3(b)(3)(E) of the 1937 Act, which is the same as is used for allowances and deductions in the HCV program and is provided in Exhibit 3-1 of this policy.

Existing families receiving Mainstream vouchers, where the eligible family member is now age 62 or older, will not “age out” of the program as long as the family was eligible on the day it was first assisted under a HAP contract.

The PHA may not implement eligibility screening criteria for Mainstream vouchers that is different from that of the regular HCV program.

Exhibit 2
843 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-IV.C. PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES [Notice PIH 2020-01] PHAs are encouraged but not required to establish formal and informal partnerships with a variety of organizations that assist persons with disabilities to help ensure eligible participants find and maintain stable housing.

GHA Policy
The GHA will implement a Mainstream program, in partnership with Modern Support Services and Frank D. Lanterman. The role of these agencies will be to verify applicants' developmental disabilities to determine their eligibility for the Mainstream program.

Exhibit 2
844 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-IV.D. WAITING LIST ADMINISTRATION [Notice PIH 2024-30] For Mainstream vouchers, HUD has waived 24 CFR 982.204(f), which requires one waiting list for the HCV program and allows PHA the discretion to operate a Mainstream voucher waiting list that is separate from the general HCV waiting list. This is optional.

If the PHA chooses to create a separate Mainstream waiting list, the PHA must notify families on the HCV waiting list of the separate Mainstream waiting list and provide an opportunity for families on the HCV list to be placed on the Mainstream list.

If the PHA does not pursue the optional waiver to maintain a separate Mainstream waiting list, the PHA must still ensure program access for individuals with disabilities.

Upon turnover, vouchers must be provided to Mainstream-eligible families.

PHA Policy
The PHA will not establish a separate waiting list for the Mainstream program.

Exhibit 2
845 of 1125

Page 17 ends

19-IV.E. PREFERENCES [Notice PIH 2024-30]
While PHAs may establish local preferences based on local housing needs and priorities in accordance with 24 CFR 982.207(a), HCV regulations do not permit PHAs to establish separate preferences for Mainstream voucher applicants. HUD waived 24 CFR 982.207(a)(1) and allows PHAs to establish separate preferences for Mainstream voucher applicants. However, PHAs may not apply a residency preference to Mainstream voucher applicants.

PHAs with outstanding Olmstead-related litigation or enforcement activities, as well as those undertaking affirmative Olmstead planning and implementation efforts, who wish to establish preferences that target individuals with specific disabilities must request HUD approval. The process for requesting approval for a remedial preference targeting individuals with specific disabilities is outlined in Notice PIH 2012-31.

Regardless of whether a PHA chooses to adopt separate Mainstream voucher preferences, if the PHA claimed points for a preference in a NOFA application for Mainstream vouchers, the PHA must adopt a preference for at least one of the targeted groups identified in the NOFO.

PHAs may choose to apply NOFO preferences to the entire HCV waiting list or only to Mainstream voucher applicants as a separate Mainstream voucher preference.

PHAs may use either date and time of application or a drawing or other random choice technique in selecting families from the Mainstream waiting list among applicants with the same preference status in accordance with the PHA’s administrative plan.

GHA Policy
The GHA did not claim a preference for a targeted group as part of an application for Mainstream vouchers under a NOFO.

Exhibit 2
846 of 1125

Page 17 ends

19-IV.F. VOUCHER ISSUANCE
Initial Search Term [Notice PIH 2024-30]
For Mainstream vouchers, HUD waived 24 CFR 982.303(a), which requires an initial search term of at least 60 days, and established an alternative requirement that the initial search term for a Mainstream voucher be at least 120 days. The initial 120-day term also applies when a family chooses to move to a new unit with continued assistance inside or outside the PHA’s jurisdiction.

When issuing a Mainstream voucher, the PHA also must provide a current listing of available accessible units known to the PHA and, if necessary, otherwise assist the family in identifying an accessible unit.

GHA Policy
The initial voucher term for all Mainstream vouchers, including those issued when a family wishes to exercise portability, will be 120 days.

Voucher Extension [Notice PIH 2024-30]
The PHA’s administrative plan must describe the PHA’s policies for granting extensions to the initial 120-day voucher term and provide clear instructions to families on the procedures for requesting an extension. If a family requires additional time, the PHA is required to provide an extension as a reasonable accommodation.

PHAs must adopt an extension policy for Mainstream vouchers that includes the following:
• Each extension must be for a minimum of 90 days;
• The PHA must approve the first extension request, regardless of how the request is made (written or verbal) or when it is made, as long as the request is made on or before the expiration date of the voucher and is consistent with applicable requirements (subsequent requests should be processed in accordance with the PHA’s administrative plan); and
• The PHA must, on at least one occasion after voucher issuance, notify the family prior to the expiration of the initial term to remind them of the expiration date, the process for requesting an extension, and to inquire if the family is in need of assistance with their housing search.

As part of its search extension policy, the PHA may not restrict a first extension approval to certain circumstances or require documentation from applicants. For all extension requests, a written or verbal request is sufficient. In providing notice to families of the expiration date and extension request process, PHAs must ensure effective communication with persons with disabilities, including those with vision, hearing, speech, intellectual or other developmental disabilities, or any other communication-related disabilities. PHAs must approve all extensions made as a reasonable accommodation, and PHAs must provide this information during the family briefing.

GHA Policy
At least 30 days prior to the expiration of the initial term of the voucher, the PHA will contact the family to remind them of the expiration date of their voucher, the process for requesting an extension, and to inquire if the family needs assistance with their housing search. Depending on the family’s preferred method of communication, the PHA may Exhibit 2
847 of 1125

Page 17 ends

contact the family via telephone, text message, email, or other accessible communication method. The PHA will ensure effective communication with persons with disabilities, including those with vision, hearing, speech, intellectual or other developmental disabilities, or any other communication-related disabilities.

Families may request an extension, either orally or in writing, at any time prior to the expiration of the family’s voucher. All requests for extensions will automatically be granted without the requirement for the family to provide documentation. The initial extension period will be for 90 days. If the family requires additional extensions beyond 90 days, the family may request additional extensions, either orally or in writing, at any time prior to the expiration of the extended voucher term. All subsequent extensions will also be for a period of 90 days and will not require the family to meet certain circumstances or provide documentation. Each time the family requests an extension, the PHA will inquire if the family needs assistance with their housing search and will provide a current listing of available accessible units known to the PHA.

Exhibit 2
848 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-IV.G. PORTABILITY [Notice PIH 2020-01 and Mainstream Voucher Basics Webinar, 10/15/20]
Mainstream voucher participants are eligible for portability under standard portability rules and all PHA policies regarding portability in Chapter 10, Part II apply to Mainstream families.

The following special considerations for Mainstream vouchers apply under portability:
• If the receiving PHA has a Mainstream voucher available, the participant may remain a Mainstream participant.
- If the receiving PHA chooses to bill the initial PHA, then the voucher will remain a Mainstream voucher.
- If the receiving PHA chooses to absorb the voucher, the voucher will be considered a regular voucher, or a Mainstream voucher if the receiving PHA has a Mainstream voucher available, and the Mainstream voucher at the initial PHA will be freed up to lease to another Mainstream-eligible family.
• If the receiving PHA does not have a Mainstream voucher available, the participant may receive a regular voucher.
17-IV.H. PROJECT-BASING MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS [FY19 Mainstream Voucher NOFA Q&A]
The PHA may project-base Mainstream vouchers in accordance with all applicable PBV regulations and PHA policies in Chapter 17. PHAs are responsible for ensuring that, in addition to complying with project-based voucher program requirements, the project complies with all applicable federal nondiscrimination and civil rights statutes and requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), Titles II or III of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA), and the Fair Housing Act and their implementing regulations at 24 CFR Part 8; 28 CFR Parts 35 and 36; and 24 CFR Part 100. Mainstream vouchers are subject to the PBV program percentage limitation discussed in Section 17-I.A.

Exhibit 2
849 of 1125

Page 17 ends

PART IV: NON-ELDERLY DISABLED (NED) VOUCHERS
17-V.A. PROGRAM OVERVIEW [Notice PIH 2013-19]
NED vouchers help non-elderly disabled families lease suitable, accessible, and affordable housing in the private market. Aside from separate funding appropriations and serving a specific population, NED vouchers follow the same program requirements as standard vouchers. The PHA does not have special authority to treat families that receive a NED voucher differently from other applicants and participants.

Some NED vouchers are awarded to PHAs through competitive NOFAs. The NOFA for FY2009 Rental Assistance for NED made incremental funding available for two categories of NED families:
• Category 1 vouchers enable non-elderly persons or families with disabilities to access affordable housing on the private market.
• Category 2 vouchers enable non-elderly persons with disabilities currently residing in nursing homes or other healthcare institutions to transition into the community. PHAs with NED Category 2 vouchers were required to partner with a state Medicaid or health agency or the state Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration agency.

Since 1997, HCVs for NED families have been also awarded under various special purpose HCV programs: Rental Assistance for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities in Support of Designated Housing Plans (Designated Housing), Rental Assistance for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities Related to Certain Types of Section 8 Project-Based Developments (Certain Developments), One-Year Mainstream Housing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, and the Project Access Pilot Program (formerly Access Housing 2000). • Designated Housing vouchers enable non-elderly disabled families, who would have been eligible for a public housing unit if occupancy of the unit or entire project had not been restricted to elderly families only through an approved Designated Housing Plan, to receive rental assistance. These vouchers may also assist non-elderly disabled families living in a designated unit/project/building to move from that project if they so choose. The family does not have to be listed on the PHA’s voucher waiting list. Instead, they may be admitted to the program as a special admission. Once the impacted families have been served, the PHA may begin issuing these vouchers to non-elderly disabled families from their HCV waiting list.

Upon turnover, these vouchers must be issued to non-elderly disabled families from the PHA’s HCV waiting list.

Exhibit 2
850 of 1125

Page 17 ends

• Certain Developments vouchers enable non-elderly families having a person with disabilities, who do not currently receive housing assistance in certain developments where owners establish preferences for, or restrict occupancy to, elderly families, to obtain affordable housing. These non-elderly families with a disabled person do not need to be listed on the PHA’s HCV waiting list in order to be offered and receive housing choice voucher rental assistance. It is sufficient that these families' names are on the waiting list for a covered development at the time their names are provided to the PHA by the owner. Once the impacted families have been served, the PHA may begin issuing these vouchers to non- elderly disabled families from their HCV waiting list. Upon turnover, these vouchers must be issued to non-elderly disabled families from the PHA’s HCV waiting list. • One-Year Mainstream Housing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (One-Year Mainstream) vouchers enable non-elderly disabled families on the PHA’s waiting list to receive a voucher. After initial leasing, turnover vouchers must be issued to non-elderly disabled families from the PHA’s voucher waiting list.

Exhibit 2
851 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-V.B. ELIGIBLE POPULATION
General Requirements [Notice PIH 2013-19]
Only eligible families whose head of household, spouse, or cohead is non-elderly (under age 62) and disabled may receive a NED voucher. Families with only a minor child with a disability are not eligible.

In cases where the qualifying household member now qualifies as elderly due to the passage of time since the family received the NED voucher, existing NED participant families do not “age out,” as the family was eligible on the day it was first assisted under a housing assistance payments (HAP) contract.

The definition of person with disabilities for purposes of NED vouchers is the statutory definition under Section 3(b)(3)(E) of the 1937 Act, which is the same as is used for allowances and deductions in the HCV program and is provided in Exhibit 3-1 of this policy.

The PHA may not implement eligibility screening criteria for NED vouchers that is different from that of the regular HCV program.

NED Category 2 [Notice PIH 2013-19 and NED Category 2 FAQs] In addition to being eligible for the PHA’s regular HCV program and a non-elderly person with a disability, in order to receive a Category 2 voucher, the family’s head, spouse, cohead, or sole member must be transitioning from a nursing home or other healthcare institution and provided services needed to live independently in the community.

Nursing homes or other healthcare institutions may include intermediate care facilities and specialized institutions that care for those with intellectual disabilities, developmentally disabled, or mentally ill, but do not include board and care facilities (e.g., adult homes, adult day care, adult congregate living).

Exhibit 2
852 of 1125

Page 17 ends

The PHA cannot limit who can apply to just those persons referred or approved by a Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration agency or state health agency. Other individuals could be placed on the waiting list if they can show, with confirmation by an independent agency or organization that routinely provides such services (this can be the MFP or partnering agency, but need not be), that the transitioning individual will be provided with all necessary services, including care or case management.

For each Category 2 family, there must be documentation (e.g., a copy of a referral letter from the partnering or referring agency) in the tenant file identifying the institution where the family lived at the time of voucher issuance.
17-V.C. WAITING LIST
General Requirements [Notice PIH 2013-19]
Families must be selected for NED vouchers from the PHA’s waiting list in accordance with all applicable regulations and PHA policies in Chapter 4.

Regardless of the number of NED families the PHA is required to serve, the next family on the waiting list must be served. Further, the PHA may not skip over NED-eligible families on the waiting list because the PHA is serving the required number of NED families.

NED Category 2 Referrals [NED Category 2 FAQs]
For NED Category 2 families, the partnering agency may make referrals of eligible families to the PHA for placement on the waiting list. The PHA will then select these families from the waiting list for voucher issuance. Because language in the NOFA established that vouchers awarded under the NOFA must only serve non-elderly disabled families transitioning from institutions, the PHA does not need to establish a preference in order to serve these families ahead of other families on the PHA’s waiting list.

PHAs must accept applications from people living outside their jurisdictions or from people being referred from other Medicaid or MFP service agencies in their state.

If the PHA’s waiting list is closed, the PHA must reopen its waiting list to accept referrals from its partnering agency. When opening the waiting list, PHAs must advertise in accordance with 24 CFR 982.206 and PHA policies in Section 4-II.C. In addition, the PHA must ensure that individuals living in eligible institutions are aware when the PHA opens its waiting list by reaching out to social service agencies, nursing homes, intermediate care facilities and specialized institutions in the local service area.

Exhibit 2
853 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Reissuance of Turnover Vouchers [Notice PIH 2013-19]
All NED turnover vouchers must be reissued to the next NED family on the PHA’s waiting list with the following exception: A Category 2 voucher must be issued to another Category 2 family upon turnover if a Category 2 family is on the PHA’s waiting list. If there are no Category 2 families on the PHA’s waiting list, the PHA must contact its partnering agency as well as conduct outreach through appropriate social service agencies and qualifying institutions to identify potentially eligible individuals. Only after all means of outreach have been taken to reach Category 2 families can the PHA reissue the voucher to another Category 2 NED family on the PHA’s waiting list. Any subsequent turnover of that voucher must again be used for a Category 2 family on the PHA’s waiting list, and the PHA is under the same obligation to conduct outreach to Category 2 families if no such families are on the PHA’s waiting list.

For PHAs that received both Category 1 and Category 2 vouchers, if at any time the PHA is serving fewer Category 2 families than the number of Category 2 HCVs awarded under the NOFA, when a Category 2 family applies to the waiting list and is found eligible, the PHA must issue the next NED voucher to that family. HUD monitors the initial leasing and reissuance of Category 2 HCVs. These vouchers may be recaptured and reassigned if not leased properly and in a timely manner.

All NED vouchers should be affirmatively marketed to a diverse population of NED-eligible families to attract protected classes least likely to apply. If at any time following the turnover of a NED HCV a PHA believes it is not practicable to assist NED families, the PHA must contact HUD.

Exhibit 2
854 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-V.D. LEASE UP [Notice PIH 2013-19]
Briefings
In addition to providing families with a disabled person a list of accessible units known to the PHA, HUD encourages, but does not require, PHAs to provide additional resources to NED families as part of the briefing.

Voucher Term
While the PHA is not required to establish different policies for the initial term of the voucher for NED vouchers, HUD has encouraged PHAs with NED vouchers to be generous in establishing reasonable initial search terms and subsequent extensions for families with a disabled person.

Exhibit 2
855 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Special Housing Types [Notice PIH 2013-19 and NED Category 2 FAQs] In general, a PHA is not required to permit families to use any of the special housing types and may limit the number of families using such housing. However, the PHA must permit the use of a special housing type if doing so provides a reasonable accommodation so that the program is readily accessible to and usable by a person with disabilities.

Such special housing types include single room occupancy housing, congregate housing, group homes, shared housing, cooperative housing, and manufactured homes when the family owns the home and leases the manufactured home space.

Persons with disabilities transitioning out of institutional settings may choose housing in the community that is in a group or shared environment or where some additional assistance for daily living is provided for them on site. Under HUD regulations, group homes and shared housing are considered special housing types and are not excluded as an eligible housing type in the HCV program. Assisted living facilities are also considered eligible housing under the normal HCV program rules, as long as the costs for meals and other supportive services are not included in the housing assistance payments (HAP) made by the PHA to the owner, and as long as the person does not need continual medical or nursing care. 17-V.E. PORTABILITY [NED Category 2 FAQs]
NED voucher participants are eligible for portability under standard portability rules and all PHA policies regarding portability in Chapter 10, Part II apply to NED families. However, the PHA may, but is not required to, allow applicant NED families to move under portability, even if the family did not have legal residency in the initial PHA’s jurisdiction when they applied.

Exhibit 2
856 of 1125

Page 17 ends

PART VI: STABILITY VOUCHER PROGRAM
17-VI.A. PROGRAM OVERVIEW [Notice PIH 2022-24]
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) (2021 Act) provided new incremental funding for voucher assistance through Stability Vouchers (SVs) for households who are:
• Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a));
• At-risk of homelessness;
• Those fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; and
• Veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet one of the above criteria.

HUD may waive certain statutory and regulatory provisions to administer the SVs (except for requirements related to tenant rights and protections, rent setting, fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards and the environment) upon a finding that any such waivers or alternative requirements are necessary to facilitate the use of funds made available for SVs.

Unless expressly waived below, all statutory and regulatory requirements and HUD directives regarding the HCV program are applicable to SVs, including the use of all HUD required contracts and other forms. A PHA may request additional good cause regulatory waivers as established in Notice PIH 2018-16 in connection with the use of the SVs, which HUD will consider and assess upon the request of the PHA.
17-VI.B. PARTNERING ORGANIZATION [Notice PIH 2022-24]
SV funding is only awarded to PHAs that partner with eligible Continuums of Care (CoCs) or other entities that serve the targeted population, such as Victim Service Providers (VSPs) and Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) serving the targeted population in the PHA’s jurisdiction to implement coordinated approaches to reduce the prevalence of homelessness, improve service engagement, and promote housing stability while ensuring geographical need of assistance.

The PHA must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CoC to establish a partnership with the CoC to pair SVs with CoC-funded supportive services, and to collaborate with the CoC and other stakeholders to develop a prioritization plan for these vouchers.

Exhibit 2
857 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-VI.C. REFERRALS [Notice PIH 2022-24]
In general, families are issued SVs as the result of either:
• The direct referral process from the CoC or other partnering organizations; or • A situation where the PHA makes an SV available in order to facilitate an emergency transfer for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

CoC Referrals
The primary responsibility of the CoC under the MOU is to make direct referrals of qualifying individuals and families to the PHA and to identify any CoC-funded available supportive services that may be paired with SVs.

The CoC or other partnering agency must certify that the SV applicants they refer to the PHA meet the definition of a qualifying individual or family for SV assistance.

The referring agency must provide documentation to the PHA of the referring agency’s verification that the family meets one of the four eligible categories for SV assistance. The PHA must retain this documentation as part of the family’s file.

Referrals from Outside the CoC
The PHA must also take direct referrals from outside the CoC process if:
• The CoC does not have a sufficient number of eligible families to refer to the PHA; or • The CoC does not identify families that may be eligible for SV assistance because they are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.

If a direct referral is taken from outside of the CoC, the PHA must enter into a partnership to receive direct referrals from another entity, assuming there are such additional organizations that can certify that an individual or family is eligible for an SV.

The PHA must enter into an MOU with a partnering referral agency or may add the partnering referral agency to the MOU between the PHA and CoC.

Exhibit 2
858 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-VI.D. WAITING LIST [Notice PIH 2022-24]
HCV Waiting List
The regulation that requires the PHA to admit applicants as waiting list admissions or special admissions in accordance with admission policies in Chapter 4 does not apply to PHAs operating the SV program. Direct referrals are not added to the PHA’s HCV waiting list.

The PHA must inform families on the HCV waiting list of the availability of SVs by, at a minimum, either by posting the information to their website or providing public notice in their respective communities in accordance with the requirements listed in Notice PIH 2022-24.

Exhibit 2
859 of 1125

Page 17 ends

SV Waiting List
The HCV regulations requiring the PHA to operate a single waiting list for admission to the HCV program do not apply to PHAs operating the SV program. Instead, when the number of applicants referred by the CoC or partnering agency exceeds the SVs available, the PHA must maintain a separate waiting list for SV referrals. Upon turnover, SV vouchers must continue to remain available for eligible families.

Further, the SV waiting list is not subject to PHA policies in Chapter 4 regarding opening and closing the HCV waiting list. The PHA will work directly with its CoC and other referral agency partners to manage the number of referrals and the size of the SV waiting list.

HCV Waiting List Preferences
If local preferences are established by the PHA for HCV in Chapter 4, they do not apply to SVs.

However, if the PHA has a homelessness preference or a preference for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking for the regular HCV program, the PHA must refer any applicant on the waiting list that indicated they qualified for this preference to the CoC, or the applicable partnering referral agency.

SV Waiting List Preferences
With the exception of a residency preference, which may not be applied to the PHA’s SV waiting list, the PHA may choose, in coordination with the CoC and other referral partners, to establish separate local preferences for SVs, or may simply choose to not establish any local preferences for the SV waiting list. The preference system may not prohibit SV admissions from any of the four qualifying categories of eligibility.

Exhibit 2
860 of 1125

Page 17 ends

17-VI.E. FAMILY ELIGIBILITY [Notice PIH 2022-24]
Referring Agency Determination of Eligibility
The CoC or referring agency determines whether the individual or family meets any one of the eligibility criteria described in Notice PIH 2022-24 and then refers the family to the PHA. The PHA determines that the family meets other eligibility criteria for the HCV program, as modified for the SV program and outlined below.

In order to be eligible for an SV, a household must meet one of four eligibility criteria:
• Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a)) and 24 CFR 578.3;
• At-risk of homelessness as defined in 24 CFR 5.78.3;
• Those fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; and
• Veterans [as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2); 38 CFR 3.1(d)] and families that include a veteran family member that meet one of the above criteria.

Mandatory Denials
HUD waived 24 CFR 982.552 and 982.553 in part for the SV applicants and established alternative requirements for mandatory and permissive prohibitions of admissions. Except where applicable, PHA policies regarding denials in Chapter 3 of this policy do not apply to screening individuals and families for eligibility for an SV. Instead, the SV alternative requirement listed in this section will apply to all SV applicants.

The mandatory and permissive prohibitions listed in Notice PIH 2022-24 and in this chapter, however, apply only when screening the individual or family for eligibility for an SV. When adding a family member after the family has been placed under a HAP contract with SV assistance, the regulations at 24 CFR 982.551(h)(2) apply. Other than the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child, the PHA must approve additional family members and may apply its regular HCV screening criteria in Chapter 3 in doing so.

Under alternative requirements for the SV program, mandatory denials for SV applicants include:
• 24 CFR 982.553(a)(1)(ii)(C), which prohibits admission if any household member has ever been convicted of drug-related criminal activity for manufacture or production of methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing. • 24 CFR 982.553(a)(2)(i), which prohibits admission to the program if any member of the household is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program.

The PHA will also deny assistance to household members already receiving assistance from another program.

Exhibit 2
861 of 1125

Page 17 ends

The PHA must deny admission to the program if any member of the family fails to sign and submit consent forms for obtaining information as required by 24 CFR 982.552(b)(3) but should notify the family of the limited SV grounds for denial of admission first.

Permissive Denial
Notice PIH 2022-24 lists permissive prohibitions for which the PHA may, but is not required to, deny admission to SV families. The notice also lists prohibitions that, while allowable under the HCV program, may not be used to deny assistance for SV families.

If the PHA intends to establish permissive prohibition policies for SV applicants, the PHA must first consult with its CoC partner to understand the impact that the proposed prohibitions may have on referrals and must take the CoC’s recommendations into consideration.

Exhibit 2
862 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Self-Certification of Income at Admission
The requirement to obtain third-party verification of income in accordance with Notice PIH 2018-18 does not apply to the SV program applicants at admission, and alternatively, PHAs may consider self-certification the highest form of income verification at admission. As such, PHA policies related to the verification of income in Section 7-I.B. do not apply to SV families at admission. Instead, applicants must submit an affidavit attesting to their reported income, assets, expenses, and other factors that would affect an income eligibility determination.

Additionally, applicants may provide third-party documentation that represents the applicant’s income within the 60-day period prior to admission or voucher issuance but is not dated within 60 days of the PHA’s request.

Exhibit 2
863 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Recently Conducted Income Determinations
PHAs may accept income calculations and verifications from third-party providers or from an examination that the PHA conducted on behalf of the family for another subsidized housing program in lieu of conducting an initial examination of income as long as:
• The income was calculated in accordance with rules outlined at 24 CFR Part 5 and within the last six months; and
• The family certifies there has been no change in income or family composition in the interim.

At the time of the family’s annual reexamination, the PHA must conduct the annual reexamination of income as outlined at 24 CFR 982.516 and the PHA policies in Chapter 11.

Exhibit 2
864 of 1125

Page 17 ends

EIV Income Validation
Once HUD makes the EIV data available to PHAs under this waiver and alternative requirement, the PHA must:
• Review the EIV Income reports to confirm and validate family-reported income within 90 days of the PIC submission date;
• Print and maintain copies of the EIV Income Reports in the tenant file; and • Resolve any income discrepancy with the family within 60 days of the EIV Income Report dates.

Prior to admission, PHAs must continue to use HUD’s EIV system to search for all household members using the Existing Tenant Search in accordance with PHA policies in Chapter 3.

If a PHA later determines that an ineligible family received assistance, the PHA must take steps to terminate that family from the program in accordance with Chapter 12.

Social Security Number and Citizenship Status Verification For the SV program, the PHA is not required to obtain and verify SSN documentation and documentation evidencing eligible noncitizen status before admitting the family to the SV program. Instead, PHAs may adopt policies to admit SV applicants who are unable to provide the required SSN or citizenship documentation during the initial eligibility determination. As an alternative requirement, such individuals must provide the required documentation within 180 days of admission to be eligible for continued assistance, pending verification, unless the PHA provides an extension based on evidence from the family or confirmation from the CoC or other partnering agency that the family has made a good-faith effort to obtain the documentation.

If a PHA determines that an ineligible family received assistance, the PHA must take steps to terminate that family from the program.

Exhibit 2
865 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Age and Disability Verifications
PHAs may accept self-certification of date of birth and disability status if a higher level of verification is not immediately available. If self-certification is used, the PHA must obtain a higher level of verification within 90 days of admission or verify the information in EIV.

If a PHA determines that an ineligible family received assistance, the PHA must take steps to terminate that family from the program.

Income Targeting
The PHA must determine income eligibility for SV families in accordance with 24 CFR 982.201 and PHA policy in Chapter 3; however, income targeting requirements do not apply for SV families. The PHA may still choose to include the admission of extremely low-income SV families in its income targeting numbers for the fiscal year in which these families are admitted.

Exhibit 2
866 of 1125

Page 17 ends

Glendale City CouncilMay 5, 2026

Glendale City Council
May 5, 2026