Examples of acceptable tenant-provided documents include, but are not limited to pay stubs, payroll summary reports, employer notice or letters of hire and termination, SSA benefit verifications letters, bank statements, child support payments stubs, welfare benefit letter and/or printouts, and unemployment monetary benefit notices. Income tax returns with corresponding official tax forms and schedules attached and including third-party receipt of transmission for income tax return filed (i.e., tax preparer’s transmittal receipt, summary of transmittal form online source, etc.) are an acceptable form of written, third-party verification.
The PHA is required to obtain, at minimum, two current and consecutive pay stubs when calculating income using third-party verification from the source. For new income sources or when two pay stubs are not available, the PHA should determine income based on the information from a traditional written, third-party verification form or the best available information.
When the family disputes EIV-reported employment income, the PHA uses written third-party verification.
When verification of assets is required, PHAs are required to obtain a minimum of one statement that reflects the current balance of banking/financial accounts.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
In general, the PHA will use third-party verification from the source in the following circumstances:
At annual reexamination when EIV + self-certification is not used; For all new admissions; and
For all interim reexaminations
The PHA will not use this method if the PHA is able to use an income determination from a means-tested federal assistance program or if the PHA uses EIV + selfcertification as outline above.
In general, third-party documents provided by the family or the source must be dated within 120 days of the date received by the PHA. However, for fixed-income sources, a statement dated within the appropriate benefit year is acceptable documentation.
The PHA may reject documentation provided by the family if the document is not an original, if the document appears to be forged, or if the document is altered, mutilated, or illegible. If the PHA determines that third-party documents provided by the family are not acceptable, the PHA will explain the reason to the family and request additional documentation for the family or will use a lower form of verification such as a written third-party verification form.
When verification of assets held by a banking or financial institution is required, the PHA will obtain one statement that reflects the current balance of the account.
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When pay stubs are used, the PHA will require the family to provide the four most current, consecutive pay stubs. At the PHA’s discretion, if additional paystubs are needed due to the family’s circumstances (e.g., sporadic income, fluctuating schedule, etc.), the PHA may request additional paystubs or a payroll record. 7-I.G. LEVEL 3 VERIFICATION: WRITTEN, THIRD-PARTY FORM
[Notice PIH 2023-27]
This type of verification is a form developed by the PHA and used uniformly for all families when needed to collect information from a third-party source. This is known as “traditional thirdparty verification.” PHAs send a PHA-developed from directly to the third-party source by mail, fax, or email and the source completes the form by hand (in writing or typeset).
The PHA may use this method when higher forms are unavailable or are rejected by the PHA or when the family is unable to provide acceptable verification. The PHA may skip this level of verification and may instead substitute oral third-party verification before moving to selfcertification.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Typically, the PHA will attempt to send written third-party verification forms to the verification source whenever higher forms of verification are unavailable.
However, on a case-by-case basis, the PHA may choose to obtain oral third-party verification without first attempting, and in lieu of, a written-third party verification form.
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For third-party oral verification, PHAs contact sources, identified by UIV techniques or by the family, by telephone or in person.
Third-party oral verification may be used when requests for written third-party verification forms have not been returned within a reasonable time—e.g., 10 business days.
PHAs must document in the file the date and time of the telephone call or visit, the name of the person contacted, the telephone number, as well as the information confirmed.
The PHA may skip this level of verification if they attempted written third-party verification via a form and the source did not respond and move directly to self-certification.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
In general, the PHA will attempt to obtain written third-party verification via a form from the verification source. If written third-party verification forms are not returned within 10 business days, the PHA will accept self-certification from the family without attempting to obtain oral third-party verification.
However, if the PHA chooses to obtain oral third-party verification, the PHA will document in the file the date and time of the telephone call or visit, the name of the person contacted and the telephone number, as well as the information confirmed.
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When Third-Party Verification is Not Required [Notice PIH 2023-27 ] Third-party verification may not be available in all situations. HUD has acknowledged that it may not be cost-effective or reasonable to obtain third-party verification of income, assets, or expenses when these items would have a minimal impact on the family’s total tenant payment.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the family cannot provide original documents, the PHA will pay the service charge required to obtain third-party verification, unless it is not cost effective in which case a self-certification will be acceptable as the only means of verification. The cost of verification will not be passed on to the family.
The cost of postage and envelopes to obtain third-party verification of income, assets, and expenses is not an unreasonable cost [VG, p. 18].
Primary Documents
Third-party verification is not required when legal documents are the primary source, such as a birth certificate or other legal documentation of birth.
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7-I.I. LEVEL 1: NON-THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION TECHNIQUE: SELFCERTIFICATION [Notice PIH 2023-27] Non-third-party verification consists of a signed statement of reported income and/or expenses.
This verification method should be used as a last resort when the PHA has not been successful in obtaining information via all other required verification techniques.
Self-certification, however, is an acceptable form of verification when:
• A source of income is fully excluded
• Net family assets are less than or equal to the HUD-published threshold ($50,000 for 2024, and $51,600 for 2025) and the PHA has adopted a policy to accept self-certification • The family declares that they do not have any present ownership in any real property • A family reports zero income;
• A family states that they have non-recurring income that will not be repeated in the coming year; and/or
• The PHA has adopted a policy to implement streamlined verification for fixed sources of income (See Chapter 11)
When the PHA was required to obtain third-party verification but instead relies on selfcertification, the family’s file must be documented to explain why third-party verification was not available.
HUD does not require that a self-certification be notarized; however, HUD recommends including language on any self-certification to ensure the certifier understands the consequences of knowingly providing false information.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
When information cannot be verified by a third party or by review of documents, family members will be required to submit self-certifications attesting to the accuracy of the information they have provided to the PHA.
The PHA may require a family to certify that a family member does not receive a particular type of income or benefit.
The self-certification must be made in a format acceptable to the PHA and must be signed by the family member whose information or status is being verified.
All self-certifications will include the following language:
“I/We, the undersigned, certify under penalty of perjury that the information provided here is true and correct, to the best of my knowledge and recollection. WARNING:
Anyone who knowingly submits a false claim or knowingly makes a false statement is subject to criminal and/or civil penalties, including confinement for up to five years, fines, and civil and administrative penalties (18 U.S.C 287, 1001, 1010,1012; 31 U.S.C. 3279, 3802).”
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PART II: VERIFYING FAMILY INFORMATION
7-II.A. VERIFICATION OF LEGAL IDENTITY
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will require families to furnish verification of legal identity for each household member.
Verification of Legal Identity for Adults Verification of Legal Identity for Children
Certificate of birth, naturalization papers
Church issued baptismal certificate
Current, valid driver's license or
Department of Motor Vehicles
identification card
U.S. military discharge (DD 214)
Current U.S. passport
Current government employer
identification card with picture
Certificate of birth
Adoption papers
Custody agreement
Health and Human Services ID
Certified school records
If a document submitted by a family is illegible for any reason or otherwise questionable, more than one of these documents may be required.
If none of these documents can be provided and at the PHA’s discretion, a third party who knows the person may attest to the person’s identity. The certification must be provided in a format acceptable to the PHA and must be signed by the family member whose information or status is being verified.
Legal identity will be verified for all applicants at the time of eligibility determination and in cases where the PHA has reason to doubt the identity of a person representing him or herself to be a participant.
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7-II.B. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS [24 CFR 5.216, Notice PIH 2023-27] The family must provide documentation of a valid Social Security number (SSN) for each member of the household, with the exception of individuals who do not contend eligible immigration status. Exemptions also include, existing program participants who were at least 62 years of age as of January 31, 2010, and had not previously disclosed an SSN.
Note that an individual who previously declared to have eligible immigration status may not change their declaration for the purpose of avoiding compliance with the SSN disclosure and documentation requirements or penalties associated with noncompliance with these requirements. Nor may the head of household opt to remove a household member from the family composition for this purpose.
The PHA must accept the following documentation as acceptable evidence of the social security number:
• An original SSN card issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) • An original SSA-issued document, which contains the name and SSN of the individual • An original document issued by a federal, state, or local government agency, which contains the name and SSN of the individual
While PHAs must attempt to gather third-party verification of SSNs prior to admission as listed above, PHAs also have the option of accepting a self-certification and a third-party document (such as a bank statement, utility or cell phone bill, or benefit letter) with the applicant’s name printed on it to satisfy the SSN disclosure requirement if the PHA as exhausted all other attempts to obtain the required documentation. If verifying an individual’s SSN using this method, the PHA must document why the other SSN documentation was not available.
If the tenant’s SSN becomes verified in EIV, then no further verification is required. If the tenant’s SSN fails the SSA identity match, then the PHA must obtain a valid SSN card issued by the SSa or an original document issued by a federal or state government agency that contains the name of the individual and the SSN of the individual, along with other identifying information of the individual. The tenant’s assistance must be terminated if they fail to provide the required documentation.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will verify an individual’s SSN in the situations described above using the method described above as a last resort when no other forms of verification of the individual’s SSN are available.
The PHA may only reject documentation of an SSN provided by an applicant or participant if the document is not an original document or if the original document has been altered, mutilated, is illegible, or appears to be forged.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will explain to the applicant or participant the reasons the document is not acceptable and request that the individual obtain and submit acceptable documentation of the SSN to the PHA within 30 days.
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In the case of Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy (SRO) individuals, the required documentation must be provided within 90 calendar days from the date of admission into the program. The PHA must grant one additional 90-day extension if it determines that the applicant’s failure to comply was due to circumstances that were beyond the applicant’s control and could not have been reasonably foreseen.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will grant one additional 30-day extension if needed for reasons beyond the participant’s control such as delayed processing of the SSN application by the SSA, natural disaster, fire, death in the family, or other emergency. If the individual fails to comply with SSN disclosure and documentation requirements upon expiration of the provided time period, the PHA will terminate the individual’s assistance.
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If an applicant family includes a child under 6 years of age who joined the household within the 6 months prior to the date of voucher issuance, an otherwise eligible family may be admitted to the program and the family must provide documentation of the child’s SSN within 90 days of the effective date of the initial HAP contract. A 90-day extension will be granted if the PHA determines that the participant’s failure to comply was due to unforeseen circumstances and was outside of the participant’s control.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will grant one additional 30-day extension if needed for reasons beyond the applicant’s control, such as delayed processing of the SSN application by the SSA, natural disaster, fire, death in the family, or other emergency.
When a participant requests to add a new household member who is at least 6 years of age, or who is under the age of 6 and has an SSN, the participant must provide the complete and accurate SSN assigned to each new member at the time of reexamination or recertification, in addition to the documentation required to verify it. The PHA may not add the new household member until such documentation is provided.
When a participant requests to add a new household member who is under the age of 6 and has not been assigned an SSN, the participant must provide the SSN assigned to each new child and the required documentation within 90 calendar days of the child being added to the household. A 90-day extension will be granted if the PHA determines that the participant’s failure to comply was due to unforeseen circumstances and was outside of the participant’s control. During the period the PHA is awaiting documentation of the SSN, the child will be counted as part of the assisted household.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will grant one additional 30-day extension if needed for reasons beyond the participant’s control such as delayed processing of the SSN application by the SSA, natural disaster, fire, death in the family, or other emergency.
Social security numbers must be verified only once during continuously-assisted occupancy.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will verify each disclosed SSN by:
Obtaining documentation from applicants and participants that is acceptable as evidence of social security numbers
Making a copy of the original documentation submitted, returning it to the individual, and retaining a copy in the file folder
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Once the individual’s verification status is classified as “verified,” the PHA may, at its discretion, remove and destroy copies of documentation accepted as evidence of social security numbers. The retention of the EIV Summary Report or Income Report is adequate documentation of an individual’s SSN.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Once an individual’s status is classified as “verified” in HUD’s EIV system, the PHA will not remove and destroy copies of documentation accepted as evidence of social security numbers.
7-II.C. DOCUMENTATION OF AGE
A birth certificate or other official record of birth is the preferred form of age verification for all family members. For elderly family members an original document that provides evidence of the receipt of social security retirement benefits is acceptable.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If an official record of birth or evidence of social security retirement benefits cannot be provided, the PHA will require the family to submit other documents that support the reported age of the family member (e.g., school records, driver's license if birth year is recorded) and to provide a self-certification.
Age must be verified only once during continuously assisted occupancy. 7-II.D. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Applicants and program participants are required to identify the relationship of each household member to the head of household. Definitions of the primary household relationships are provided in the Eligibility chapter.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Family relationships are verified only to the extent necessary to determine a family’s eligibility and level of assistance. Certification by the head of household normally is sufficient verification of family relationships.
Marriage
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Certification by the head of household is normally sufficient verification. If the PHA has reasonable doubts about a marital relationship, the PHA will require the family to document the marriage.
A marriage certificate generally is required to verify that a couple is married.
In the case of a common law marriage, the couple must demonstrate that they hold themselves to be married (e.g., by telling the community they are married, calling each other husband and wife, using the same last name, filing joint income tax returns).
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Separation or Divorce
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Certification by the head of household is normally sufficient verification. If the PHA has reasonable doubts about a separation or divorce, the PHA will require the family to provide documentation of the divorce or separation.
A certified copy of a divorce decree, signed by a court officer, is required to document that a couple is divorced.
A copy of a court-ordered maintenance or other court record is required to document a separation.
If no court document is available, documentation from a community-based agency will be accepted.
Absence of Adult Member
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If an adult member who was formerly a member of the household is reported to be permanently absent, the family must provide evidence to support that the person is no longer a member of the family (e.g., documentation of another address at which the person resides such as a lease or utility bill), if the PHA so requests.
Foster Children and Foster Adults
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Third-party verification from the state or local government agency responsible for the placement of the individual with the family is required.
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7-II.E. VERIFICATION OF STUDENT STATUS
General Requirements
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA requires families to provide information about the student status of all students who are 18 years of age or older. This information will be verified only if:
The family reports full-time student status for an adult other than the head, spouse, or cohead.
The family reports child care expenses to enable a family member to further their education.
The family includes a student enrolled in an institution of higher education.
Restrictions on Assistance to Students Enrolled in Institutions of Higher Education This section applies only to students who are seeking assistance on their own, separately from their parents. It does not apply to students residing with parents who are seeking or receiving HCV assistance.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
In accordance with the verification hierarchy described in section 7-1.B, the PHA will determine whether the student is exempt from the restrictions in 24 CFR 5.612 by verifying any one of the following exemption criteria:
The student is enrolled at an educational institution that does not meet the definition of institution of higher education in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (see section Exhibit 3-2).
The student is at least 24 years old.
The student is a veteran, as defined in section 3-II.E.
The student is married.
The student has at least one dependent child, as defined in section 3-II.E.
The student is a person with disabilities, as defined in section 3-II.E, and was receiving assistance prior to November 30, 2005.
If the PHA cannot verify at least one of these exemption criteria, the PHA will conclude that the student is subject to the restrictions on assistance at 24 CFR 5.612. In addition to verifying the student’s income eligibility, the PHA will then proceed to verify either the student’s parents’ income eligibility (see section 7-III.M) or the student’s independence from their parents (see below).
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Independent Student
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will verify a student’s independence from their parents to determine that the student’s parents’ income is not relevant for determining the student’s eligibility by doing all of the following:
Either reviewing and verifying previous address information to determine whether the student has established a household separate from their parents for at least one year, or reviewing and verifying documentation relevant to determining whether the student meets the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of independent student (see section 3-II.E)
Reviewing the student’s prior year income tax returns to verify the student is independent or verifying the student meets the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of independent student (see section 3-II.E)
Requesting and obtaining written certification directly from the student’s parents identifying the amount of support they will be providing to the student, even if the amount of support is $0, except in cases in which the PHA determines that the student is a vulnerable youth (see section 3-II.E)
7-II.F. DOCUMENTATION OF DISABILITY
The PHA must verify the existence of a disability in order to allow certain income disallowances and deductions from income. The PHA is not permitted to inquire about the nature or extent of a person’s disability [24 CFR 100.202(c)]. 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 will not place this information in the tenant file. Under no circumstances will the PHA request a participant’s medical record(s). For more information on health care privacy laws, see the Department of Health and Human Services’ website at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/.
The above cited regulation does not prohibit the following inquiries, provided these inquiries are made of all applicants, whether or not they are persons with disabilities [VG, p. 24]:
• Inquiry into an applicant’s ability to meet the requirements of ownership or tenancy • Inquiry to determine whether an applicant is qualified for a dwelling available only to persons with disabilities or to persons with a particular type of disability • Inquiry to determine whether an applicant for a dwelling is qualified for a priority available to persons with disabilities or to persons with a particular type of disability • Inquiring whether an applicant for a dwelling is a current illegal abuser or addict of a controlled substance
• Inquiring whether an applicant has been convicted of the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance
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Family Members Receiving SSA Disability Benefits
Verification of the receipt of disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) is sufficient verification of disability for the purpose of qualifying for waiting list preferences (if applicable) or certain income disallowances and deductions [VG, p. 23].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
For family members claiming disability who receive disability benefits from the SSA, the PHA will attempt to obtain information about disability benefits through the HUD Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system. If documentation from HUD’s EIV System is not available, the PHA will request a current (dated within the appropriate benefit year) SSA benefit verification letter from each family member claiming disability status. If the family is unable to provide the document(s), the PHA will ask the family to request a benefit verification letter by either calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or by requesting it from www.ssa.gov. Once the applicant or participant receives the benefit verification letter they will be required to provide it to the PHA.
Family Members Not Receiving SSA Disability Benefits
Receipt of veteran’s disability benefits, worker’s compensation, or other non-SSA benefits based on the individual’s claimed disability are not sufficient verification that the individual meets HUD’s definition of disability in 24 CFR 5.403.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
For family members claiming disability who do not receive disability benefits from the SSA, a knowledgeable professional must provide third-party verification that the family member meets the HUD definition of disability. See the Eligibility chapter for the HUD definition of disability. The knowledgeable professional will verify whether the family member does or does not meet the HUD definition.
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7-II.G. CITIZENSHIP OR ELIGIBLE IMMIGRATION STATUS [24 CFR 5.508] Overview
Housing assistance is not available to persons who are not citizens, nationals, or eligible immigrants. Prorated assistance is provided for "mixed families" containing both eligible and ineligible persons. A detailed discussion of eligibility requirements is in the Eligibility chapter.
This verifications chapter discusses HUD and PHA verification requirements related to citizenship status.
The family must provide a certification that identifies each family member as a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, an eligible noncitizen or an ineligible noncitizen and submit the documents discussed below for each family member. Once eligibility to receive assistance has been verified for an individual it need not be collected or verified again during continuously-assisted occupancy. [24 CFR 5.508(g)(5)]
U.S. Citizens and Nationals
HUD requires a declaration for each family member who claims to be a U.S. citizen or national.
The declaration must be signed personally by any family member 18 or older and by a guardian for minors.
The PHA may request verification of the declaration by requiring presentation of a birth certificate, United States passport or other appropriate documentation.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Family members who claim U.S. citizenship or national status will be required to provide additional documentation to confirm citizenship. Eligible Immigrants Documents Required
All family members claiming eligible immigration status must declare their status in the same manner as U.S. citizens and nationals.
The documentation required for eligible noncitizens varies depending upon factors such as the date the person entered the U.S., the conditions under which eligible immigration status has been granted, age, and the date on which the family began receiving HUD-funded assistance. Exhibit 7-1 at the end of this chapter summarizes documents family members must provide.
PHA Verification [HCV GB, pp. 5-3 and 5-7]
For family members age 62 or older who claim to be eligible immigrants, proof of age is required in the manner described in 7-II.C. of this plan. No further verification of eligible immigration status is required.
For family members under the age of 62 who claim to be eligible immigrants, the PHA must verify immigration status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The PHA will follow all USCIS protocols for verification of eligible immigration status. 7-II.H. VERIFICATION OF PREFERENCE STATUS
The PHA must verify any preferences claimed by an applicant that determined placement on the waiting list.
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Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
1. Emergency Transfer Required from Port Hueneme Public Housing Unit – The Port Hueneme Housing Authority will verify need for emergency transfer by:
• Letter from law enforcement indicating that there is an imminent threat to health and safety (i.e. witness protection, police informant, etc.); or • Verification from a knowledgeable professional of the family’s need for a reasonable accommodation; or
• Emergency transfer request and VAWA certification; and • Approval from the Port Hueneme Executive Director
2. Residency Preference – The Port Hueneme Housing Authority will verify residency preference by reviewing:
• Driver’s license or state federal identification card with an address in Port Hueneme, CA
• Utility or other bills with address in Port Hueneme, CA • Letter from employer indicating employment or date hired to work in Port Hueneme, CA (no minimum timeframes will be required)
3. Working Preference - The Port Hueneme Housing Authority will verify working preference by reviewing:
• Three consecutive pay stubs showing that the head, co-head or spouse works 30 hours per week or more; or
• Letter from employer indicating that the head, co-head or spouse works 30 hours per week
• Verification that head, co-head or spouse is elderly and/or disabled.
4. Homeless individuals and families preference – The Port Hueneme Housing Authority will verify homeless preference by reviewing:
• A certification of homelessness completed by a homeless services provider and to be willing to work with the Port Hueneme Homeless Liaison Control Officer in Port Hueneme is required.
Homeless Definition: Individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning:
(i) Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation;
(ii) Is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangement (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state and local government programs); or
(iii) Is exiting an institution where (s)he has resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution.
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PART III: VERIFYING INCOME AND ASSETS
Chapter 6 of this plan describes in detail the types of income that are included and excluded and how assets and income from assets are handled. Any income reported by the family must be verified. This part provides PHA policies that supplement the general verification procedures specified in Part I of this chapter.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The following policies do not apply when the PHA uses a Safe Harbor income determination from a means-tested federal assistance program. 7-III.A. EARNED INCOME
Tips
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Unless tip income is included in a family member’s W-2 by the employer or in UIV verification sources, persons who work in industries where tips are standard will be required to sign a certified estimate of tips received for the prior year or tips anticipated to be received in the coming year.
Wages
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
When the PHA requires third-party verification or wages, for wages other than tips, the family must provide originals of the three most current, consecutive pay stubs. 7-III.B. BUSINESS AND SELF EMPLOYMENT INCOME
The PHA must obtain written, third-party verification when the income type is not available in EIV. This includes income from self-employment.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Business owners and self-employed persons will be required to provide:
Income tax returns with corresponding official tax forms and schedules attached and including third-party receipt of transmission for income tax return filed (i.e., tax preparer’s transmittal receipt, summary of transmittal from online sources, etc.).
If accelerated depreciation was used on the tax return or financial statement, an accountant's calculation of depreciation expense, computed using straight-line depreciation rules.
For self-employment individuals who claim they do not to file tax returns, the PHA will obtain a completed copy of IRS Form 4506-T to verify that no return has been filed.
For those employed in “gig employment” (i.e., those in formal agreements with ondemand companies such as Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash), the PHA will provide a format for the individual to declare their income and expenses. The PHA will also review the printed statement of monthly income from the applicable app for all hours worked and Agenda Item No. 06 Page 255 of 985 HA Agenda 05-05-2025 © Copyright 2023 Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. PHHA Admin Plan 7/1/2025 Unlimited copies may be made for internal use.
pay received as well as the Schedule C of the individual’s tax return and the corresponding IRS Form 1099 or 1099K.
The PHA will provide a format for any person who is unable to provide such a statement to record income and expenses for the coming year. The business owner/self-employed person will be required to submit the information requested and to certify to its accuracy at all future reexaminations.
At any reexamination the PHA may request documents that support submitted financial statements such as manifests, appointment books, cash books, or bank statements.
If a family member has been self-employed less than three (3) months, the PHA will accept the family member's certified estimate of income and schedule an interim reexamination in three (3) months. If the family member has been self-employed for three (3) to twelve (12) months the PHA will require the family to provide documentation of income and expenses for this period and use that information to project income.
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7-III.C. PERIODIC PAYMENTS AND PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF EARNINGS For policies governing streamlined income determinations for fixed sources of income, please see Chapter 11.
Social Security/SSI Benefits [Notice PIH 2023-27]
Verification requirements for Social Security (SS) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits differ for applicants and participants. For applicants, since EIV does not contain SS or SSI benefit information, the PHA must ask applicants to provide a copy of their current SS and/or SSI benefit letter (dated within the appropriate benefit year) for each family member that receives SS and/or SSI benefits. If the family is unable to provide the document or documents, the PHA should help the applicant request a benefit verification letter from SSA’s website at www.ssa.gov or ask the family to request one by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213. The PHA must obtain the original benefit letter form the applicant, make a photocopy of the document for the file, and return the original to the family.
For participants, the PHA must obtain information through the HUD EIV system and confirm with the participants that the current listed benefit amount is correct. • If the participant agrees with the amount reported in EIV, the PHA must use the EIVreported gross benefit amount to calculate annual income from Social Security. PHAs are required to use the EIV-reported SS and SSI benefit amounts when calculating income unless the tenant disputes the EIV-reported amount. For example, an SSA benefit letter may list the monthly benefit amount as $450.80 and EIV displays the amount as $450.00. The PHA must use the EIV-reported amount unless the participant disputes the amount. • If the participant disputes the EIV-reported benefit amount, or if benefit information is not available in EIV, the PHA must request a current SSA benefit verification letter (dated within the appropriate benefit year) from each family member that receives SS and/or SSI benefits.
If the family is unable to provide the document or documents, the PHA should help the participant request a benefit verification letter form SSA’s website at www.ssa.gov or ask the family to request one by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213. The PHA must obtain the original benefit letter from the participant, make a photocopy of the document for the file, and return the original to the family.
Photocopies of social security checks or bank statements are not acceptable forms of verification for SS/SSI benefits
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7-III.D. ALIMONY OR CHILD SUPPORT [Notice PIH 2023-27]
Annual income includes “all amounts received,” not the amount that a family may be legally entitled to receive but which they do not receive. For example, a family’s child support or alimony income must be based on payments received, not the amounts to which the family is entitled by court or agency orders. A copy of a court order or other written payment agreement alone may not be sufficient verification of amounts received by a family.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Verification will be obtained in the following order of priority:
Copies of the receipts and/or payment stubs for the 12 months prior to PHA request
Third-party verification form from the state or local child support enforcement agency
Third-party verification form from the person paying the support Family's self-certification of amount received
Note: Families are not required to undertake independent enforcement action.
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7-III.E. NONRECURRING INCOME [Notice PIH 2023-27]
Income that will not be repeated beyond the coming year (i.e., the 12 months following the effective date of the certification), based on information provided by the family, is considered nonrecurring income and is excluded from annual income. PHAs may accept a self-certification from the family stating that the income will not be repeated in the coming year.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will accept self-certification from the family stating that income will not be repeated in the coming year. However, the PHA may close, on a case-by-case basis, to require third-party verification that income sources will not be repeated in the coming year.
7-III. F. ASSETS AND INCOME FROM ASSETS
Net Family Assets [24 CFR 5.60]
At admission and reexam, for families with net assets totaling less than or equal to the HUDpublished threshold listed in HUD’s current year Inflation-Adjusted Values tables ($50,000 for 2024; $51,600 for 2025), the PHA may, but is not required to, accept the family’s selfcertification that the family’ assets do not exceed the HUD-published threshold without taking any additional steps to verify the accuracy of the declaration. The declaration must include the amount of income the family expect to receive from assets which must be included in the family’s income. This includes declaring income from checking and savings accounts which, although excluded from the calculation of net family assets (because the combined value of nonnecessary personal property does not exceed the HUD-published threshold), may generate asset income. PHAs must clarify during the self-certification process which assets are included/excluded from net family assets.
For PHAs that choose to accept self-certification, the PHA is required to obtain third-party verification of all assets, regardless of the amount, at least once every three years.
PHAs who choose not to accept self-certifications of assets must verify all families’ assets on an annual basis.
When net family assets have a total value over the HUD-published threshold, the PHA may not rely on the family’s self-certification. Third-party verification of assets is required when net family assets exceed the HUD-published threshold.
When verification of assets is required, PHAs are required to obtain a minimum of one statement that reflects the current balance of banking/financial accounts.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
For families with net assets less than or equal to the HUD-published threshold listed in the current year’s Inflation-Adjusted Values tables, the PHA will accept the family’sselfcertification of the value of family assets and anticipated asset income. The family’s declaration must show the total amount of income expected from all assets. All family members 18 years of age and older must sign the family’s declaration. The PHA reserves the right to require additional verification in situation where the accuracy of the declaration is in question. Any income the family expects to receive from assets will be included in the family’s annual income.
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The family will be required to provide third-party verification of net family assets every three years.
When verification is required, in determining the value of checking or savings accounts, the PHA will use the current balance.
In determining the anticipated income from an interest-bearing checking or savings account when verification is required and the rate of return is known, the PHA will multiply the current balance of the account by the current rate of interest paid on the account. If a checking account does not bear interest, the anticipated income from the account is zero.
Self-Certification of Real Property Ownership [24 CFR 5.618(b)(2); Notice PIH 2023-27] The PHA must determine whether a family has present ownership in real property that is suitable for occupancy for purposes of determining whether the family is complaint with the asset limitation described in Chapter 3The PHA may accept a self-certification from the family that the family does have any present ownership in any real property. If the family certifies that they do not have any present ownership interest in real property, the PHA may take that as sufficient to determine the family is not out of compliance with the real property restriction. If the family declares they have present ownership in real property, the PHA must obtain third-party verification of the family’s legal right to reside in the property, the effective legal authority to sell the property, and whether the property is suitable for occupancy by the family as a residence.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will accept self-certification from the family stating that the family does not have any present ownership in any real property. The certification must be signed by all family members 18 years of age and older. The PHA reserves the right to require additional verification in situations where the accuracy of the declaration is in question.
If the family declares they have a present ownership in real property, the PHA will obtain third-party verification of the following factor; whether the family has the legal right to reside in the property; whether the family has effective legal authority to sell the property; and whether the property is suitable for occupancy by the family as a residence.
However, in cases where a family member is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking, the PHA will comply with confidentiality requirements under 24 CFR 5.2007 and will accept a self-certification. 7-III.G. NET INCOME FROM RENTAL PROPERTY
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The family must provide:
A current executed lease for the property that shows the rental amount or certification from the current tenant
A self-certification from the family members engaged in the rental of property providing an estimate of expenses for the coming year and the most recent IRS Form 1040 with Schedule E (Rental Income).
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If schedule E was not prepared, the PHA will require the family members involved in the rental of property to provide a self-certification of income and expenses for the previous year and may request documentation to support the statement including: tax statements, insurance invoices, bills for reasonable maintenance and utilities, and bank statements or amortization schedules showing monthly interest expense.
7.III.H. FEDERAL TAX REFUNDS OR REFUNDABLE TAX CREDITS [Notice PIH 2023-27]
PHAs are not required to verify the amount of the family’s federal tax refund or refundable tax credit (s) if the family’s net assets are less than or equal to the HUD-published threshold listed in HUD’s current year Inflation-Adjusted Values tables ($50,000 for 2024, $51,600 for 2025), even in years when full verification of assets is required or if the PHA does not accept selfcertification of assets. PHAs must verify the amount of the family’s federal tax refund or refundable tax credits if the family’s net assets are greater than the HUD-published threshold.
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7-III.I. RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will accept an original document from the entity holding the account dated no earlier than 12 months before that reflects any distributions of the account balance, any lump sums taken, and any regular payments.
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7-III.J. INCOME FROM EXCLUDED SOURCES [Notice PIH 2023-27] A detailed discussion of excluded income is provided in Chapter 6, Part I.
HUD guidance on verification of excluded income draws a distinction between income which is fully excluded and income which is only partially excluded.
For fully excluded income, the PHA is not required to document why third-party verification is not available, or report the income on the 50058. Fully excluded income is defined as income where the entire amount qualifies to be excluded from the annual income determination in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609 (b) and any Federal Register notice on mandatory exclusions issued by HUD (for example, food stamps, earned income of minor, or foster care funds).
PHAs may accept a family’s signed application or reexamination form as self-certification of fully excluded income. They do not have to require additional documentation. However, if there is any doubt that a source of income qualifies for full exclusion, PHAs have the option of requiring additional verification.
For partially excluded income, the PHA is required to follow the verification hierarchy and all applicable regulations, and to report the income on the 50058. Partially excluded income is defined as income where only a certain portion of what is reported by the family qualifies to be excluded and the remainder is included in annual income (for example, the income of an adult full-time student).
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will accept the family’s self-certification as verification of fully excluded income. The PHA may request additional documentation if necessary to document the income source.
The PHA will verify the source and amount of partially excluded income as described in Part 1 of this chapter.
7-III.K. ZERO INCOME FAMILIES [Notice PIH 2023-27]
PHAs have discretion to establish reasonable procedures to manage the risk of unreported income, such as asking families to complete zero-income worksheet at admission or periodically after admission to determine if they have any sources of unreported income or searching any UIV sources of unreported income.
In calculating annual income, PHAs must no assign monetary value to nonmonetary in-kind donations from a food bank or similar organization received by the family [24 CFR § 5.609 (b)(24)(vi)].
PHAs may accept a self-certification of zero income from the family without takin any additional steps to verify zero reported income. HUD does not require such self-certifications be notarized.
PHAs that perform zero income reviews must update local discretionary policies, procedures, and forms. Families who begin receiving income which does not trigger an interim reexamination should no longer be considered zero income even though the family’s income is not reflected on the Form HUD-50058.
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Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will check UIV sources and/or request information from third-party sources to verify that certain forms of income such as unemployment benefits, TANF, SS, SSI, earned income, child support, etc., are not being received by families claiming to have zero annual income.
The PHA will also require that each family member who claims zero income status complete a zero-income form. If nay sources of income are identified on the form, the PHA will verify the income in accordance with the policies in this chapter prior to including the income in the family’s annual income.
The PHA will only conduct interims in accordance with PHA policy in Chapter 11.
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7-III.L. STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE [24 CFR 5.609(b)(9)] The regulations under HOTMA distinguishing between two categories of student financial assistance paid to both full-time and part-time students. Any other gran-in-aid, scholarship, or other assistance amounts an individual receives for the actual covered costs charged by the institute of higher education not otherwise excluded by the federally mandated income exclusions are included [24 CFR 5.609(b)(9)(ii)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will request written third-party verification of both the source and the amount of student financial assistance. Family-provided documents from the educational institution attended by the student will be requested, as well as documents generated by any other person or entity providing such assistance, as reported by the student.
In addition, unless the student’s only source of assistance is assistance under Title IV of the HEA, the PHA will request written verification of the cost of the student’s tuition, book, supplies, room and board, and other required fees and charges to the student from the educational institution.
If the PHA is unable to obtain third-party written verification of the requested information, the PHA will pursue other forms of verification following the verification hierarchy in section 7-I.B.
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7-III.M PARENTAL INCOME OF STUDENTS SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY
RESTRICTIONS
If a student enrolled at an institution of higher education is under the age of 24, is not a veteran, is not married, does not have a dependent child, and is not a person with disabilities receiving HCV assistance as of November 30, 2005, the income of the student’s parents must be considered when determining income eligibility, unless the student is determined independent from their parents or a vulnerable youth in accordance with Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy [24 CFR 5.612, FR Notice 4/10/06, p. 18146, and FR Notice 9/21/16].
This provision does not apply to students residing with parents who are seeking or receiving HCV assistance. It is limited to students who are seeking or receiving assistance on their own, separately from their parents.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the PHA is required to determine the income eligibility of a student’s parents, the PHA will request an income declaration and certification of income from the appropriate parent(s) (as determined in section 3-II.E). The PHA will send the request directly to the parents, who will be required to certify to their income under penalty of perjury. The parents will be required to submit the information directly to the PHA. The required information must be submitted (postmarked) within 10 business days of the date of the PHA’s request or within any extended timeframe approved by the PHA.
The PHA reserves the right to request and review supporting documentation at any time if it questions the declaration or certification. Supporting documentation may include, but is not limited to, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax returns, consecutive and original pay stubs, bank statements, pension benefit statements, benefit award letters, and other official and authentic documents from a federal, state, or local agency.
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PART IV: VERIFYING MANDATORY DEDUCTIONS
7-IV.A. DEPENDENT AND ELDERLY/DISABLED HOUSEHOLD DEDUCTIONS The dependent and elderly/disabled family deductions require only that the PHA verify that the family members identified as dependents or elderly/disabled persons meet the statutory definitions. No further verifications are required.
Dependent Deduction
See Chapter 6 for a full discussion of this deduction. The PHA must verify that:
• Any person under the age of 18 for whom the dependent deduction is claimed is not the head, spouse, or cohead of the family and is not a foster child • Any person age 18 or older for whom the dependent deduction is claimed is not a foster adult or live-in aide, and is a person with a disability or a full time student Elderly/Disabled Family Deduction
See Eligibility chapter for a definition of elderly and disabled families and Chapter 6 for a discussion of the deduction. The PHA must verify that the head, spouse, or cohead is 62 years of age or older or a person with disabilities.
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7-IV.B. HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE EXPENSE DEDUCTION
Policies related to medical expenses are found in Chapter 6. The amount of the deduction will be verified following the standard verification procedures described in Part I.
The PHA must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (Pub. L. 104-191, 110 Stat. 1936) and the Privacy Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-579, 88 Stat. 1896) when requesting documentation to determine unreimbursed health and medical care expenses.
The PHA may not request documentation beyond what is sufficient to determine anticipated health and medical care costs. Before placing bills and documentation in the tenant file, the PHA must redact all personally identifiable information [FR Notice 2/14/23].
Amount of Expense
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Medical expenses will be verified through:
Written third-party documents provided by the family, such as pharmacy printouts or receipts.
When income is projected at new admission or interim, the PHA will make a best effort to determine what expenses from the past are likely to continue to occur in the future. The PHA will also accept evidence of monthly payments or total payments that will be due for medical expenses during the upcoming 12 months.
Written third-party verification forms, if the family is unable to provide acceptable documentation.
When income is projected at new admission or interim, if third-party or document review is not possible, written family certification as to costs anticipated to be incurred during the upcoming 12 months.
Before placing bills and documentation in the tenant file, the PHA will redact all personally identifiable information.
If the PHA receives documentation from a verification source that contains the individual’s specific diagnosis, information regarding the individua’s treatment, and/or information regarding the nature or severity of the person’s disability, the PHA will immediately dispose of this confidential information; this information will never be maintained in the individual’s file that verification was received the date received, and the name and address of the person/organization that provided the verification. Under no circumstances will PHA include an applicant’s or resident’s medical records in the file [Notice PIH 2010-26].
In addition, the PHA must verify that:
• The household is eligible for the deduction.
• The costs to be deducted are qualified health and medical care expenses. • The expenses are not paid for or reimbursed by any other source. • Costs incurred in past years are counted only once.
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Eligible Household
The health and medical care expense deduction is permitted only for households in which the head, spouse, or cohead is at least 62, or a person with disabilities. The PHA must verify that the family meets the definition of an elderly or disabled family provided in the Eligibility chapter and as described in Chapter 7 (7-IV.A.) of this plan.
Qualified Expenses
To be eligible for the health and medical care expense deduction, the costs must qualify as medical expenses. See Chapter 6 for the PHA’s policy on what counts as a medical expense.
Unreimbursed Expenses
To be eligible for the health and medical care expenses deduction, the costs must not be reimbursed by another source.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The family will be required to certify that the medical expenses are not paid or reimbursed to the family from any source. If expenses are verified through a third party, the third party must certify that the expenses are not paid or reimbursed from any other source.
Expenses Incurred in Past Years
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
At new admission and interim reexam, when anticipated costs are related to on-going payment of medical bills incurred in past years, the PHA will verify:
The anticipated repayment schedule
The amounts paid in the past, and
Whether the amounts to be repaid have been deducted from the family’s annual income in past years
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7-IV.C. DISABILITY ASSISTANCE EXPENSES
Policies related to disability assistance expenses are found in 6-II.E. The amount of the deduction will be verified following the standard verification procedures described in Part I.
The PHA must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (Pub. L. 104-191, 110 Stat. 1936) and the Privacy Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-579, 88 Stat. 1896) when requesting documentation to determine unreimbursed auxiliary apparatus or attendance care costs. The PHA may not request documentation beyond what is sufficient to determine anticipated reasonable attendant care and auxiliary apparatus costs. Before placing bills and documentation in the tenant file, the PHA must redact all personality identifiable information [FR Notice 2/14/23].
Amount of Expense
Attendant Care
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Expenses for attendant care will be verified through:
Written third-party documents provided by the family, such as receipts or cancelled checks.
Third-party verification form signed by the provider, if family-provided documents are not available.
When income is projected at new admission or interim, if third-party verification is not possible, written family certification as to costs anticipated to be incurred for the upcoming 12 months.
Before placing bills and documentation in the tenant file, the PHA will redact all personally identifiable information.
If the PHA receives documentation from a verification source that contains the individual’s specific diagnosis, information regarding the individual’s treatment, and/or information regarding the nature or severity of the person’s disability, the PHA will immediately dispose of this confidential information; this information will never be maintained in the individual’s file that verification was received, the date received, and the name and address of the person/organization that provided the verification. Under no circumstances will PHA include an applicant’s or residents’ medical records in the file [Notice PIH 2010-26].
Auxiliary Apparatus
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Expenses for auxiliary apparatus will be verified through:
Written third-party documents provided by the family, such as billing statements for purchase of auxiliary apparatus, or other evidence of monthly payments or total payments that will be due for the apparatus during the upcoming 12 months.
Third-party verification form signed by the provider, if family-provided documents are not available.
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If third-party verification is not possible, written family certification of estimated apparatus costs for the upcoming 12 months.
In addition, the PHA must verify that:
• The family member for whom the expense is incurred is a person with disabilities (as described in 7-II.F above).
• The expense permits a family member, or members, to work (as described in Chapter 6.). • The expense is not reimbursed from another source (as described in Chapter 6.).
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Family Member is a Person with Disabilities
To be eligible for the disability assistance expense deduction, the costs must be incurred for attendant care or auxiliary apparatus expense associated with a person with disabilities. The PHA will verify that the expense is incurred for a person with disabilities (See 7-II.F.).
Family Member(s) Permitted to Work
The PHA must verify that the expenses claimed actually enable a family member, or members, (including the person with disabilities) to work.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will request third-party verification from a rehabilitation agency or knowledgeable medical professional indicating that the person with disabilities requires attendant care or an auxiliary apparatus to be employed, or that the attendant care or auxiliary apparatus enables another family member, or members, to work (See 6-II.E.).
This documentation may be provided by the family.
If third-party verification has been attempted and is either unavailable or proves unsuccessful, the family must certify that the disability assistance expense frees a family member, or members (possibly including the family member receiving the assistance), to work.
Unreimbursed Expenses
To be eligible for the disability expenses deduction, the costs must not be reimbursed by another source.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The family will be required to certify that attendant care or auxiliary apparatus expenses are not paid by or reimbursed to the family from any source.
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7-IV.D. CHILD CARE EXPENSES
Policies related to childcare expenses are found in Chapter 6. The amount of the deduction will be verified following the standard verification procedures described in Part I of this chapter. In addition, the PHA must verify that:
• The child is eligible for care (12 or younger).
• The costs claimed are not reimbursed.
• The costs enable a family member to work, actively seek work, or further their education. • The costs are for an allowable type of childcare.
• The costs are reasonable.
Eligible Child
To be eligible for the childcare deduction, the costs must be incurred for the care of a child under the age of 13. The PHA will verify that the child being cared for (including foster children) is under the age of 13 (See 7-II.C.).
Unreimbursed Expense
To be eligible for the childcare deduction, the costs must not be reimbursed by another source.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The family (and the care provider) will be required to certify that the childcare expenses are not paid or reimbursed to the family from any source.
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Pursuing an Eligible Activity
The PHA must verify that the family member(s) that the family has identified as being enabled to seek work, pursue education, or be gainfully employed, are actually pursuing those activities.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Information to be Gathered
The PHA will verify information about how the schedule for the claimed activity relates to the hours of care provided, the time required for transportation, the time required for study (for students), the relationship of the family member(s) to the child, and any special needs of the child that might help determine which family member is enabled to pursue an eligible activity.
Seeking Work
Whenever possible the PHA will use documentation from a state or local agency that monitors work-related requirements (e.g., welfare or unemployment). In such cases the PHA will request family-provided verification from the agency of the member’s job seeking efforts to date, and require the family to submit to the PHA any reports provided to the other agency.
In the event third-party verification is not available, the PHA will provide the family with a form on which the family member must record job search efforts. The PHA will review this information at each subsequent reexamination for which this deduction is claimed.
Furthering Education
The PHA will request third-party documentation to verify that the person permitted to further their education by the childcare is enrolled and provide information about the timing of classes for which the person is registered. The documentation may be provided by the family.
Gainful Employment
The PHA will seek third-party verification of the work schedule of the person who is permitted to work by the childcare. In cases in which two or more family members could be permitted to work, the work schedules for all relevant family members may be verified. The documentation may be provided by the family.
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Allowable Type of Child Care
The type of care to be provided is determined by the family, but must fall within certain guidelines, as discussed in Chapter 6.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will verify that the type of childcare selected by the family is allowable, as described in Chapter 6.
The PHA will verify that the fees paid to the childcare provider cover only childcare costs (e.g., no housekeeping services or personal services) and are paid only for the care of an eligible child (e.g., prorate costs if some of the care is provided for ineligible family members).
The PHA will verify that the childcare provider is not an assisted family member.
Verification will be made through the head of household’s declaration of family members who are expected to reside in the unit.
Reasonableness of Expenses
Only reasonable childcare costs can be deducted.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The actual costs the family incurs will be compared with the PHA’s established standards of reasonableness for the type of care in the locality to ensure that the costs are reasonable.
If the family presents a justification for costs that exceed typical costs in the area, the PHA will request additional documentation, as required, to support a determination that the higher cost is appropriate.
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EXHIBIT 7-1: SUMMARY OF DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR NONCITIZENS [HCV GB, pp. 5-9 and 5-10]
• All noncitizens claiming eligible status must sign a declaration of eligible immigrant status on a form acceptable to the PHA.
• Except for persons 62 or older, all noncitizens must sign a verification consent form • Additional documents are required based upon the person's status.
Elderly Noncitizens
• A person 62 years of age or older who claims eligible immigration status also must provide proof of age such as birth certificate, passport, or documents showing receipt of SS old-age benefits.
All other Noncitizens
• Noncitizens that claim eligible immigration status also must present the applicable USCIS document. Acceptable USCIS documents are listed below.
• Form I-551 Alien Registration Receipt
Card (for permanent resident aliens)
• Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record
annotated with one of the following:
• “Admitted as a Refugee Pursuant to
Section 207”
• “Section 208” or “Asylum”
• “Section 243(h)” or “Deportation
stayed by Attorney General”
• “Paroled Pursuant to Section 221
(d)(5) of the USCIS”
• Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record with
no annotation accompanied by:
• A final court decision granting asylum
(but only if no appeal is taken);
• A letter from a USCIS asylum officer
granting asylum (if application is filed
on or after 10/1/90) or from a USCIS
district director granting asylum
(application filed before 10/1/90);
• A court decision granting withholding
of deportation; or
• A letter from an asylum officer
granting withholding or deportation (if
application filed on or after 10/1/90).
• Form I-688 Temporary Resident Card
annotated “Section 245A” or Section
210”.
Form I-688B Employment Authorization
Card annotated “Provision of Law 274a.
12(11)” or “Provision of Law 274a.12”.
• A receipt issued by the USCIS indicating that an application for issuance of a replacement document in one of the above listed categories has been made and the applicant’s entitlement to the document has been verified; or
• Other acceptable evidence. If other documents are determined by the USCIS to constitute acceptable evidence of eligible immigration status, they will be announced by notice published in the Federal Register
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Chapter 8
NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF REAL ESTATE
AND RENT REASONABLENESS DETERMINATIONS
[24 CFR 5 Subpart G and Notice PIH 2023-28]
INTRODUCTION
HUD requires that all units occupied by families receiving Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project Based Voucher (PBV) assistance meet HUD's National Standards for the Physical Inspection for Real Estate (NSPIRE) regulations and standards no later than October 1, 2024.
The inspection performance standards and procedures for conducting NSPIRE inspections must be included in the administrative plan [Notice PIH 2023-28].
All units must pass an NSPIRE inspection prior to the approval of a lease (with some exceptions) and at least once every 24 months (or 36 months for small rural PHAS) during the term of the HAP, and at other times as needed, to determine that the unit meets NSPIRE standards. HUD also requires PHAs to determine that rents for units under the program are reasonable when compared to comparable unassisted units in the market area.
Provided they meet certain requirements, HUD permits PHAs to establish some additional local requirements in their administrative plans. The use of the term NSPIRE in this plan refers to the combination of both HUD and PHA-established requirements. However, state and local codes, compliance is not part of the determination of whether a unit passes the NSPIRE standards.
This chapter explains HUD and PHA requirements related to physical inspections and rent reasonableness as follows:
Part I. Physical Standards. This part discusses NSPIRE standards required of units occupied by HCV and PBV-assisted families. It also identifies affirmative habitability requirements for all units and life-threatening conditions that must be corrected in 24 hours..
Part II. The Inspection Process. This part describes the types of inspections the PHA will make and the steps that will be taken when units do not meet NSPIRE standards.
Part III. Rent Reasonableness Determinations. This part discusses the policies the PHA will use to make rent reasonableness determinations.
Special NSPIRE requirements for homeownership, manufactured homes, and other special housing types are discussed in Chapter 15 to the extent that they apply in this jurisdiction.
Special requirements for the PBV and RAD PBV programs (if applicable) are discussed in Chapters 17 and 18, respectively.
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PART I: NSPIRE STANDARDS
NSPIRE standards are published on HUD’s NSPIRE website as well as in the NSPIRE Final Rule [FR Notice 5/1/2023].
8-I.A. INSPECTABLE AREA [24 CFR 5.703(a)(1) and 24 CFR 5.705(a)(2)] NSPIRE defines the inspectable areas for inspection under the standards as inside, outside and unit. However, the inspection requirement for the HCV and PBV programs only applies to units occupied or to be occupied by HCV and PBV participants and common areas and exterior areas which either service or are associated with such units. 8-I.B. AFFIRMATIVE HABITABILITY REQUIREMENTS [24 CFR 5.703(b), (c), and (d)]
NSPIRE provides for minimum, or affirmative, habitability requirements for each area (unit, inside, outside). These areas must meet these requirements for habitability, which are listed in Exhibit 8-1.
The inside, outside and unit must be free of health and safety hazards that pose a danger to residents. Types of health and safety concerns include, but are not limited to carbon monoxide, electrical hazards, extreme temperature, flammable materials or other fire hazards, garbage and debris, handrail hazards, infestation, lead-based paint, mold, and structural soundness [24 CFR
5.703(e)]
The NSPIRE Smoke Alarm Standard does not require that smoke alarms have a sealed battery; however, upon the effective date of the Public and Federally Assisted Housing Fire Safety Act of 2022 on December 29, 2024, sealed batteries will be required.
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8-I.C. Modifications to Provide Accessibility [24 CFR 100.203; Notice 2003-31; and Notice PIH 2014-02]
Under the Fair Housing Act of 1988 an owner must make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services if necessary for a person with disabilities to use the housing and must not refuse the request of a family that contains a person with a disability to make necessary and reasonable modifications to the unit if such modification is necessary to afford the person with a disability full enjoyment of the premises. Such modifications are at the family's expense.
The owner may, where is reasonable to do so, require restoration of the unit to its original condition (reasonable war and tear excepted) if the modification would interfere with the owner or next occupant's full enjoyment of the premises. The owner may not increase a customarily required security deposit. However, the landlord may negotiate a restoration agreement that requires the family to restore the unit and, if necessary to ensure the likelihood of restoration, may require the tenant to pay a reasonable amount into an interest-bearing escrow account over a reasonable period of time. The interest in any such account accrues to the benefit of the tenant.
The owner may also require reasonable assurances that the quality of the work will be acceptable and that any required building permits will be obtained. [24 CFR 100.203; Notice 2003-31].
Modifications to units to provide access for a person with a disability must meet all applicable NSPIRE requirements and conform to the design, construction, or alteration of facilities contained in the UFAS and the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) [28 CFR 35.151(c) and Notice 2003-31] See Chapter 2 of this plan for additional information on reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Any owner that intends to negotiate a restoration agreement or require an escrow account must submit the agreement(s) to the PHA for review.
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8-I.D. ADDITIONAL LOCAL REQUIREMENTS [24 CFR 5.705(a)(3) and Notice PIH 2023-28]
The PHA may impose variations to the NSPIRE standards as long as the additional criteria are not likely to adversely affect the health or safety of participant families or severely restrict housing choices for families. HUD approval is required for variations to NSPIRE standards and approved variations must be added to the administrative plan. .
Thermal Environment [HCV GB p.10-7]
The PHA must define a “healthy living environment” for the local climate. This may be done by establishing a temperature that the heating system must be capable of maintaining, that is appropriate for the local climate.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The heating system must be capable of maintaining an interior temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit between October 1 and May 1.
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Clarifications of HUD Requirements
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
As permitted by HUD, the PHA has adopted the following specific requirements that elaborate on HUD standards.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
All single-family and multi-family homes must install carbon monoxide alarms if there is an attached garage or a fossil fuel source within the home. The carbon monoxide detector should be installed outside of each sleeping room.
Water Heaters
Seismic safety straps are required for most water heaters. The purpose of this requirement is to prevent fire, explosion or water damage if a water heater should topple during an earthquake. Water heaters shall be anchored or strapped to resist horizontal displacement due to earthquake motion.
Walls
In areas where plaster or drywall is sagging, severely cracked, or otherwise damaged, it must be repaired or replaced.
Windows
Window sashes must be in good condition, solid and intact, and properly fitted to the window frame. Damaged or deteriorated sashes must be replaced.
Windows must be weather-stripped as needed to ensure a weather-tight seal.
Window screens must be in good condition (applies only if screens are present).
Doors
All exterior doors must be weather-tight to avoid any air or water infiltration, be lockable, have no holes, have all trim intact, and have a threshold.
All interior doors must have no holes, have all trim intact, and be openable without the use of a key.
Floors
All wood floors must be sanded to a smooth surface and sealed. Any loose or warped boards must be resecured and made level. If they cannot be leveled, they must be replaced.
All floors must be in a finished state. Raw wood or unsealed concrete is not permitted.
All floors should have some type of base shoe, trim, or sealing for a "finished look." Vinyl base shoe is permitted.
Sinks
All sinks and commode water lines must have shut off valves, unless faucets are wall mounted.
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All sinks must have functioning stoppers.
Toilets
All worn or cracked toilet seats and tank lids must be replaced and toilet tank lid must fit properly.
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Security
If window security bars or security screens are present on emergency exit windows, they must be equipped with a quick release system. The owner is responsible for ensuring that the family is instructed on the use of the quick release system.
8-I.C. LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS [24 CFR 982.404(a); FR Notice 1/18/17] HUD requires the PHA to define life-threatening conditions and to notify the owner or the family (whichever is responsible) of the corrections required. The responsible party must correct lifethreatening conditions within 24 hours of PHA notification.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The following are considered life-threatening conditions:
Any condition that jeopardizes the security of the unit Major plumbing leaks or flooding, waterlogged ceiling or floor in imminent danger of falling
Natural or LP gas or fuel oil leaks
A fuel storage vessel, fluid line, valve, or connection that supplies fuel to a HVAC unit is leaking or a strong odor is detected with potential for explosion or fire or that results in a health risk if inhaled Any electrical problem or condition that could result in shock or fire A light fixture is readily accessible, is not securely mounted to the ceiling or wall, and electrical connections or wires are exposed A light fixture is hanging by its wires
A light fixture has a missing or broken bulb, and the open socket is readily accessible to the tenant during the day-to-day use of the unit A receptacle (outlet) or switch is missing or broken and electrical connections or wires are exposed
An open circuit breaker position is not appropriately blanked off in a panel board, main panel board, or other electrical box that contains circuit breakers or fuses
A cover is missing from any electrical device box, panel box, switch gear box, control panel, etc., and there are exposed electrical connections Any nicks, abrasions, or fraying of the insulation that exposes conducting wire
Exposed bare wires or electrical connections
Any condition that results in openings in electrical panels or electrical control device enclosures
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Water leaking or ponding near any electrical device
Any condition that poses a serious risk of electrocution or fire and poses an immediate life-threatening condition
Absence of a working heating system when outside temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Utilities not in service, including no running hot water Conditions that present the imminent possibility of injury Obstacles that prevent safe entrance or exit from the unit Any components that affect the function of the fire escape are missing or damaged
Stored items or other barriers restrict or prevent the use of the fire escape in the event of an emergency
The building’s emergency exit is blocked or impeded, thus limiting the ability of occupants to exit in a fire or other emergency Absence of a functioning toilet in the unit
Inoperable or missing smoke detectors
Missing or inoperable carbon monoxide detector
Missing, damaged, discharged, overcharged, or expired fire extinguisher (where required)
Gas/oil-fired water heater or heating, ventilation, or cooling system with missing, damaged, improper, or misaligned chimney venting
The chimney or venting system on a fuel-fired water heater is misaligned, negatively pitched, or damaged, which may cause improper or dangerous venting or gases
A gas dryer vent is missing, damaged, or is visually determined to be inoperable, or the dryer exhaust is not vented to the outside A fuel-fired space heater is not properly vented or lacks available combustion air
A non-vented space heater is present
Safety devices on a fuel-fired space heater are missing or damaged The chimney or venting system on a fuel-fired heating, ventilation, or cooling system is misaligned, negatively pitched, or damaged, which may cause improper or dangerous venting of gas
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Deteriorating paint as defined at 24 CFR 35.110 in a unit built before 1978 that is to be occupied by a family with a child under six years of age if it would prevent the family from moving into the unit
If an owner fails to correct life-threatening conditions as required by the PHA, the PHA will enforce the HQS in accordance with HUD requirements. See 8-II-G.
If a family fails to correct a family-caused life-threatening condition as required by the PHA, the PHA will enforce the family obligations. See 8-II.H.
The owner will be required to repair an inoperable smoke detector unless the PHA determines that the family has intentionally disconnected it (by removing batteries or other means). In this case, the family will be required to repair the smoke detector within 24 hours.
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8-I.D. OWNER AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES [24 CFR 982.404] Family Responsibilities
The family is responsible for correcting the following HQS deficiencies:
• Tenant-paid utilities not in service
• Failure to provide or maintain appliances owned by the family • Damage to the unit or premises caused by a household member or guest beyond normal wear and tear that results in a breach of the HQS. "Normal wear and tear" is defined as items which could not be charged against the tenant's security deposit under state law or court practice.
Owner Responsibilities
The owner is responsible for all HQS violations not listed as a family responsibility above, even if the violation is caused by the family's living habits (e.g., vermin infestation). However, if the family's actions constitute a serious or repeated lease violation the owner may take legal action to evict the family.
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8-I.E. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN WITH ELEVATED BLOOD LEAD LEVEL [24 CFR 35.1225; FR Notice 1/13/17; Notice PIH 2017-13] If a PHA is notified by a public health department or other medical health care provider, or verifies information from a source other than a public health department or medical health care provider, that a child of less than six years of age, living in an HCV-assisted unit has been identified as having an elevated blood lead level, the PHA must complete an environmental investigation of the dwelling unit within 15 calendar days after being notified by a public health department or other medical health care provider. The environmental investigation must be completed in accordance with program requirements, and the result of the environmental investigation must be immediately provided to the owner of the dwelling unit. In cases where the public health department has already completed an evaluation of the unit, this information must be provided to the owner.
Within 30 days after receiving the environmental investigation report from the PHA, or the evaluation from the public health department, the owner is required to complete the reduction of identified lead-based paint hazards in accordance with the lead-based paint regulations [24 CFR
35.1325 and 35.1330; 40 CFR 745.227]. If the owner does not complete the “hazard reduction” as required, the dwelling unit is in violation of HQS and the PHA will take action in accordance with Section 8-II.G.
PHA reporting requirements, and data collection and record keeping responsibilities related to children with an elevated blood lead level are discussed in Chapter 16. 8-I.F. VIOLATION OF HQS SPACE STANDARDS [24 CFR 982.401, 24 CFR 982.403] A dwelling unit must:
• Provide adequate space and security for the family
• Have at least one bedroom or living/sleeping room for each two persons A unit that does not meet these HQS space standards is defined as overcrowded.
A living room may be used as sleeping (bedroom) space, but no more than two persons may occupy the space [HCV GB p. 10-6]. A bedroom or living/sleeping room must have at least:
• One window
• Two electrical outlets in proper operating condition (permanent overhead or wall-mounted light fixtures may count as one of the required electrical outlets) If the PHA determines that a unit is overcrowded because of an increase in family size or a change in family composition, the PHA must issue the family a new voucher, and the family and PHA must try to find an acceptable unit as soon as possible. If an acceptable unit is available for rental by the family, the PHA must terminate the HAP contract in accordance with its terms.
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PART II: THE INSPECTION PROCESS
8-II.A. OVERVIEW [24 CFR 982.405]
Types of Inspections
The PHA conducts the following types of inspections as needed. Each type of inspection is discussed in the paragraphs that follow.
• Initial Inspections. The PHA conducts initial inspections in response to a request from the family to approve a unit for participation in the HCV program. • Annual/Biennial Inspections. HUD requires the PHA to inspect each unit under lease at least annually or biennially, depending on Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy, to confirm that the unit still meets HQS. The inspection may be conducted in conjunction with the family’s annual reexamination but also may be conducted separately. • Special Inspections. A special inspection may be requested by the owner, the family, or a third party as a result of problems identified with a unit between annual inspections. • Quality Control Inspections. HUD requires that a sample of units be inspected by a supervisor or other qualified individual to evaluate the work of the inspector(s) and to ensure that inspections are performed in compliance with the HQS.
Inspection of PHA-Owned Units [24 CFR 982.352(b)]
The PHA must obtain the services of an independent entity to perform all HQS inspections in cases where an HCV family is receiving assistance in a PHA-owned unit. A PHA-owned unit is defined as a unit that is owned by the PHA that administers the assistance under the consolidated ACC (including a unit owned by an entity substantially controlled by the PHA). The independent agency must communicate the results of each inspection to the family and the PHA. The independent agency must be approved by HUD, and may be the unit of general local government for the PHA jurisdiction (unless the PHA is itself the unit of general local government or an agency of such government).
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Inspection Costs [Notice PIH 2016-05]
The PHA may not charge the family for unit inspections or reinspections [24 CFR 982.405€]. In the case of inspections of PHA-owned units, the PHA may compensate the independent agency from ongoing administrative fee for inspections performed. The PHA and the independent agency may not charge the family any fee or charge for the inspection [24 CFR.982.352(b)].
The PHA may not charge the owner for the inspection of the unit prior to the initial term of the lease or for a first inspection during assisted occupancy of the unit. However, the PHA may charge a reasonable fee to owners for reinspections in two situations: when the owner notifies the PHA that a repair has been made but the deficiency has not been corrected, and when the time for repairs has elapsed and the deficiency has not been corrected. Fees may not be imposed for tenant-caused damages, for cases in which the inspector could not gain access to the unit, or for new deficiencies discovered during a reinspection.
The owner may not pass the cost of a reinspection fee to the family. Reinspection fees must be added to the PHA’s administrative fee reserves and may only be used for activities related to the provision of tenant-based assistance.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will not charge a fee for failed reinspections.
Remote Video Inspections (RVIs) [Notice PIH 2020-31]
As an alternative to some or all on-site inspections, the PHA may, but is not required to, perform HQS inspections from a remote location using video streaming technology and a proxy at the inspection site. Since there may be some circumstances in which the application of technology provides insufficient information or evidence to allow the PHA to make appropriate determinations about whether a condition violates HQS, Notice PIH 2020-31 requires that if a PHA chooses to implement RVIs, the PHA should have policies and procedures in place to address such limitations.
PHA Policy
The PHA will not conduct any HQS inspection using RVI.
Notice and Scheduling
The family must allow the PHA to inspect the unit at reasonable times with reasonable notice [24 CFR 982.551(d)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Both the family and the owner will be given reasonable notice of all inspections. Except in the case of a life-threatening emergency, reasonable notice is considered to be not less than 48 hours. Inspections may be scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Generally, inspections will be conducted on business days only. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, the PHA will give as much notice as possible, given the nature of the emergency.
Owner and Family Inspection Attendance
HUD permits the PHA to set policy regarding family and owner presence at the time of inspection [HCV GB p. 10-27].
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Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
When a family occupies the unit at the time of inspection an authorized adult member must be present for the inspection. The presence of the owner or the owner's representative is encouraged but is not required.
At initial inspection of a vacant unit, the PHA will inspect the unit in the presence of the owner or owner's representative. The presence of a family representative is permitted, but is not required.
8-II.B. INITIAL HQS INSPECTION [24 CFR 982.401(a)]
Initial Inspections [FR Notice 1/18/17]
The PHA may, but is not required to, approve assisted tenancy and start HAP if the unit fails HQS inspection, but only if the deficiencies identified are non-life-threatening. Further, the PHA may, but is not required to, authorize occupancy if a unit passed an alternative inspection in the last 24 months.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The unit must pass the HQS inspection on or before the effective date of the HAP contract.
The PHA will not rely on alternative inspections and will conduct an HQS inspection for each unit prior to executing a HAP contract with the owner.
Timing of Initial Inspections
HUD requires PHAs with fewer than 1,250 budgeted units to complete the initial inspection, determine whether the unit satisfies HQS, and notify the owner and the family of the determination within 15 days of submission of the Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA). For PHAs with 1,250 or more budgeted units, to the extent practicable such inspection and determination must be completed within 15 days. The 15-day period is suspended for any period during which the unit is not available for inspection [982.305(b)(2)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will complete the initial inspection in a timely manner.
Inspection Results and Reinspections
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If any HQS violations are identified, the owner will be notified of the deficiencies and be given a time frame to correct them. If requested by the owner, the time frame for correcting the deficiencies may be extended by the PHA for good cause. The PHA will reinspect the unit within five business days of the date the owner notifies the PHA that the required corrections have been made.
If the time period for correcting the deficiencies (or any PHA-approved extension) has elapsed, or the unit fails HQS at the time of the reinspection, the PHA will notify the owner and the family that the unit has been rejected and that the family must search for another unit. The PHA may agree to conduct a second reinspection, for good cause, at the request of the family and owner.
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Following a failed reinspection, the family may submit a new Request for Tenancy Approval after the owner has made repairs, if they are unable to locate another suitable unit.
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Utilities
Generally, at initial lease-up the owner is responsible for demonstrating that all utilities are in working order including those utilities that the family will be responsible for paying.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
All utilities must be operable at the time of inspection.
Appliances [Form HUD-52580]
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the family is responsible for supplying the stove and/or refrigerator, the PHA will allow the stove and refrigerator to be placed in the unit after the unit has met all other HQS requirements. The required appliances must be in place before the HAP contract is executed by the PHA. The PHA will execute the HAP contract based upon a certification from the family that the appliances have been installed and are working. The family will be allowed to submit a self-certification that the refrigerator has been provided. A confirmatory inspection be conducted at the next scheduled inspection.
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8-II.C. ANNUAL/BIENNIAL HQS INSPECTIONS [24 CFR 982.405 and 982.406; Notice PIH 2016-05]
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
During the first year of tenancy, the PHA will conduct an annual inspection. After the first year of tenancy, each unit under HAP contract must be inspected within 24 months of the last full HQS inspection.
The PHA will not rely on alternative inspection standards.
Scheduling the Inspection
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If an adult cannot be present on the scheduled date, the family should request that the PHA reschedule the inspection. The PHA and family will agree on a new inspection date that generally should take place within five business days of the originally-scheduled date. The PHA may schedule an inspection more than five business days after the original date for good cause.
If the family misses the first scheduled appointment without requesting a new inspection date, the PHA will automatically schedule a second inspection. If the family misses two scheduled inspections without PHA approval, the PHA will consider the family to have violated its obligation to make the unit available for inspection. This may result in termination of the family’s assistance in accordance with Chapter 12. 8-II.D. SPECIAL INSPECTIONS [24 CFR 982.405(g)]
If a participant or government official reports a life-threatening condition which the owner would be required to repair within 24 hours, the PHA must inspect the unit within 24 hours of notification. If the reported condition is not life-threatening, the PHA must inspect the unit within 15 days of notification.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
During a special inspection, the PHA generally will inspect only those deficiencies that were reported. However, the inspector will record any additional HQS deficiencies that are observed and will require the responsible party to make the necessary repairs.
If the annual/biennial inspection has been scheduled or is due within 90 days of the date the special inspection is scheduled the PHA may elect to conduct a full annual/biennial inspection.
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8-II.E. QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTIONS [24 CFR 982.405(b); 24 CFR 985.3(e); HCV GB, p. 10-32]
HUD requires a PHA supervisor or other qualified person to conduct quality control inspections of a sample of units to ensure that each inspector is conducting accurate and complete inspections and that there is consistency in the application of the HQS.
The unit sample must include only units that have been inspected within the preceding three months. The selected sample will include (1) each type of inspection (initial, annual, and special), (2) inspections completed by each inspector, and (3) units from a cross-section of neighborhoods.
8-II.F. INSPECTION RESULTS AND REINSPECTIONS FOR UNITS UNDER HAP
CONTRACT
Notification of Corrective Actions
The owner and the family will be notified in writing of the results of all inspections. When an inspection identifies HQS failures, the PHA will determine (1) whether or not the failure is a lifethreatening condition and (2) whether the family or owner is responsible.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
When life-threatening conditions are identified, the PHA will immediately notify both parties by telephone, facsimile, or email. The notice will specify who is responsible for correcting the violation. The corrective actions must be taken within 24 hours of the PHA’s notice.
When failures that are not life-threatening are identified, the PHA will send the owner and the family a written notification of the inspection results within five business days of the inspection. The written notice will specify who is responsible for correcting the violation, and the time frame within which the failure must be corrected. Generally not more than 30 days will be allowed for the correction.
The notice of inspection results will inform the owner that if life-threatening conditions are not corrected within 24 hours, and non-life threatening conditions are not corrected within the specified time frame (or any PHA-approved extension), the owner’s HAP will be abated in accordance with Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy (see 8-II.G.).
Likewise, in the case of family caused deficiencies, the notice will inform the family that if corrections are not made within the specified time frame (or any PHA-approved extension, if applicable) the family’s assistance will be terminated in accordance with Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy (see Chapter 12).
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Extensions
For conditions that are life-threatening, the PHA cannot grant an extension to the 24 hour corrective action period. For conditions that are not life-threatening, the PHA may grant an exception to the required time frames for correcting the violation, if the PHA determines that an extension is appropriate [24 CFR 982.404].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Extensions will be granted in cases where the PHA has determined that the owner has made a good faith effort to correct the deficiencies and is unable to for reasons beyond the owner’s control. Reasons may include, but are not limited to:
A repair cannot be completed because required parts or services are not available.
A repair cannot be completed because of weather conditions.
A reasonable accommodation is needed because the family includes a person with disabilities.
The length of the extension will be determined on a case by case basis, but will not exceed 60 days, except in the case of delays caused by weather conditions. In the case of weather conditions, extensions may be continued until the weather has improved sufficiently to make repairs possible. The necessary repairs must be made within 15 calendar days, once the weather conditions have subsided.
Reinspections
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will conduct a reinspection immediately following the end of the corrective period, or any PHA approved extension.
The family and owner will be given reasonable notice of the reinspection appointment. If the deficiencies have not been corrected by the time of the reinspection, the PHA will send a notice of abatement to the owner, or in the case of family caused violations, a notice of termination to the family, in accordance with PHA policies. If the PHA is unable to gain entry to the unit in order to conduct the scheduled reinspection, the PHA will consider the family to have violated its obligation to make the unit available for inspection. This may result in termination of the family’s assistance in accordance with Chapter 12.
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8-II.G. ENFORCING OWNER COMPLIANCE
If the owner fails to maintain the dwelling unit in accordance with HQS, the PHA must take prompt and vigorous action to enforce the owner obligations.
HAP Abatement
If an owner fails to correct HQS deficiencies by the time specified by the PHA, HUD requires the PHA to abate housing assistance payments no later than the first of the month following the specified correction period (including any approved extension) [24 CFR 985.3(f)]. No retroactive payments will be made to the owner for the period of time the rent was abated. Owner rents are not abated as a result of HQS failures that are the family's responsibility.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will make all HAP abatements effective the first of the month following the expiration of the PHA specified correction period (including any extension).
The PHA will inspect abated units within five business days of the owner's notification that the work has been completed. Payment will resume effective on the day the unit passes inspection.
During any abatement period the family continues to be responsible for its share of the rent. The owner must not seek payment from the family for abated amounts and may not use the abatement as cause for eviction.
HAP Contract Termination
The PHA must decide how long any abatement period will continue before the HAP contract will be terminated. The PHA should not terminate the contract until the family finds another unit, provided the family does so in a reasonable time [HCV GB p. 10-29] and must give the owner reasonable notice of the termination. The PHA will issue a voucher to permit the family to move to another unit as described in Chapter 10.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The maximum length of time that HAP may be abated is 90 days. However, if the owner completes corrections and notifies the PHA before the termination date of the HAP contract, the PHA may rescind the termination notice if (1) the family still resides in the unit and wishes to remain in the unit and (2) the unit passes inspection.
Reasonable notice of HAP contract termination by the PHA is 30 days. 8-II.H. ENFORCING FAMILY COMPLIANCE WITH HQS [24 CFR 982.404(b)] Families are responsible for correcting any HQS violations listed in paragraph 8.I.D. If the family fails to correct a violation within the period allowed by the PHA (and any extensions), the PHA will terminate the family’s assistance, according to the policies described in Chapter 12.
If the owner carries out a repair for which the family is responsible under the lease, the owner may bill the family for the cost of the repair.
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PART III: RENT REASONABLENESS [24 CFR 982.507]
8-III.A. OVERVIEW
Except in the case of certain LIHTC- and HOME-assisted units, no HAP contract can be approved until the PHA has determined that the rent for the unit is reasonable. The purpose of the rent reasonableness test is to ensure that a fair rent is paid for each unit rented under the HCV program.
HUD regulations define a reasonable rent as one that does not exceed the rent charged for comparable, unassisted units in the same market area. HUD also requires that owners not charge more for assisted units than for comparable units on the premises. This part explains the method used to determine whether a unit’s rent is reasonable.
PHA-Owned Units [24 CFR 982.352(b)]
In cases where an HCV family is receiving assistance in a PHA-owned unit, the PHA must obtain the services of an independent entity to determine rent reasonableness in accordance with program requirements, and to assist the family in negotiating the contract rent when the family requests assistance. A PHA-owned unit is defined as a unit that is owned by the PHA that administers the assistance under the consolidated ACC (including a unit owned by an entity substantially controlled by the PHA). The independent agency must communicate the results of the rent reasonableness determination to the family and the PHA. The independent agency must be approved by HUD, and may be the unit of general local government for the PHA jurisdiction (unless the PHA is itself the unit of general local government or an agency of such government).
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8-III.B. WHEN RENT REASONABLENESS DETERMINATIONS ARE REQUIRED Owner-Initiated Rent Determinations
The PHA must make a rent reasonableness determination at initial occupancy and whenever the owner requests a rent adjustment.
The owner and family first negotiate the rent for a unit. The PHA (or independent agency in the case of PHA-owned units) will assist the family with the negotiations upon request. At initial occupancy the PHA must determine whether the proposed rent is reasonable before a HAP Contract is signed. The owner must not change the rent during the initial lease term. Subsequent requests for rent adjustments must be consistent with the lease between the owner and the family.
Rent increases will not be approved unless any failed items identified by the most recent HQS inspection have been corrected.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
After the initial occupancy period, the owner may request a rent adjustment in accordance with the owner’s lease. For rent increase requests after initial lease-up, the PHA may request owners to provide information about the rents charged for other units on the premises, if the premises include more than 4 units. In evaluating the proposed rents in comparison to other units on the premises the PHA will consider unit size and length of tenancy in the other units.
The PHA will determine whether the requested increase is reasonable within 10 business days of receiving the request from the owner. The owner will be notified of the determination in writing.
All rents adjustments will be effective the first of the month following 60 days after the PHA’s receipt of the owner’s request or on the date specified by the owner, whichever is later.
PHA- and HUD-Initiated Rent Reasonableness Determinations HUD requires the PHA to make a determination of rent reasonableness (even if the owner has not requested a change) if there is a 10 percent decrease in the fair market rent that goes into effect at least 60 days before the contract anniversary date. HUD also may direct the PHA to make a determination at any other time. The PHA may decide that a new determination of rent reasonableness is needed at any time.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
In addition to the instances described above, the PHA will make a determination of rent reasonableness at any time after the initial occupancy period if: (1) the PHA determines that the initial rent reasonableness determination was in error or (2) the PHA determines that the information provided by the owner about the unit or other units on the same premises was incorrect.
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LIHTC- and HOME-Assisted Units [24 CFR 982.507(c)]
For units receiving low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) or units assisted under HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, a rent comparison with unassisted units is not required if the voucher rent does not exceed the rent for other LIHTC- or HOME-assisted units in the project that are not occupied by families with tenant-based assistance.
For LIHTCs, if the rent requested by the owner does exceed the LIHTC rents for non-voucher families, the PHA must perform a rent comparability study in accordance with program regulations. In such cases, the rent shall not exceed the lesser of: (1) the reasonable rent as determined from the rent comparability study; or (2) the payment standard established by the PHA for the unit size involved.
8-III.C. HOW COMPARABILITY IS ESTABLISHED
Factors to Consider
HUD requires PHAs to take into consideration the factors listed below when determining rent comparability. The PHA may use these factors to make upward or downward adjustments to the rents of comparison units when the units are not identical to the HCV-assisted unit. • Location and age
• Unit size including the number of rooms and square footage of rooms • The type of unit including construction type (e.g., single family, duplex, garden, low-rise, high-rise)
• The quality of the units including the quality of the original construction, maintenance and improvements made
• Amenities, services, and utilities included in the rent Units that Must Not Be Used as Comparables
Comparable units must represent unrestricted market rents. Therefore, units that receive some form of federal, state, or local assistance that imposes rent restrictions cannot be considered comparable units. These include units assisted by HUD through any of the following programs:
Section 8 project-based assistance, Section 236 and Section 221(d)(3) Below Market Interest Rate (BMIR) projects, HOME or Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programassisted units in which the rents are subsidized; units subsidized through federal, state, or local tax credits; units subsidized by the Department of Agriculture rural housing programs, and units that are rent-controlled by local ordinance [Notice PIH 2002-22, Notice PIH 2005-20, and Notice PIH 2020-19].
Note: Notice PIH 2020-19, issued August 21, 2020, provides further guidance on the issue of what constitutes an assisted unit.
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Rents Charged for Other Units on the Premises
The Request for Tenancy Approval (HUD-52517) requires owners to provide information, on the form itself, about the rent charged for other unassisted comparable units on the premises if the premises include more than 4 units.
By accepting the PHA payment each month the owner certifies that the rent is not more than the rent charged for comparable unassisted units on the premises. If asked to do so, the owner must give the PHA information regarding rents charged for other units on the premises.
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8-III.D. PHA RENT REASONABLENESS METHODOLOGY
How Market Data Is Collected
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will collect and maintain data on market rents in the PHA's jurisdiction.
Information sources include newspapers, realtors, market surveys, inquiries of owners and other available sources. The data will be maintained by bedroom size and market areas. Market areas may be defined by zip codes, census tract, neighborhood, and identifiable natural or man-made boundaries. The data will be updated on an ongoing basis and rent information that is more than 12 months old will be eliminated from the database.
How Rents Are Determined
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
In making a rent reasonableness determination, the Housing Authority will compare the rent for the unit to the rent of comparable units in the same or comparable neighborhoods.
The Housing Authority will consider the location, quality, size, number of bedrooms, age, amenities, housing services, maintenance and utilities of the unit and the comparable units.
The Housing Authority will maintain current survey information on rental units in the jurisdiction. The Housing Authority will also obtain from landlord associations and management firms the value of the array of amenities.
The Housing Authority will establish minimum base rent amounts for each unit type and bedroom size. To the base the Housing Authority will be able to add or subtract the dollar value for each characteristic and amenity of a proposed unit.
Owners are invited to submit information to the survey at any time. Owners may review the determination made on their unit and may submit additional information or make improvements to the unit that will enable the Housing Authority to establish a higher value.
The owner must certify the rents charged for other units. By accepting the housing assistance payment each month the owner is certifying that the rent to owner is not more than the rent charged by the owner for comparable unassisted units in the premises.
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EXHIBIT 8-1: OVERVIEW OF HUD HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS
Note: This document provides an overview of HQS. For more detailed information see the following documents:
• 24 CFR 982.401, Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
• Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook, Chapter 10.
• HUD Housing Inspection Manual for Section 8 Housing
• HUD Inspection Form, form HUD-52580 (3/01) and Inspection Checklist, form HUD-52580-A (9/00)
Sanitary Facilities
The dwelling unit must include sanitary facilities within the unit. The sanitary facilities must be usable in privacy and must be in proper operating condition and adequate for personal cleanliness and disposal of human waste.
Food Preparation and Refuse Disposal
The dwelling unit must have space and equipment suitable for the family to store, prepare, and serve food in a sanitary manner.
Space and Security
The dwelling unit must provide adequate space and security for the family. This includes having at least one bedroom or living/sleeping room for each two persons.
Thermal Environment
The unit must have a safe system for heating the dwelling unit. Air conditioning is not required but if provided must be in proper operating condition. The dwelling unit must not contain unvented room heaters that burn gas, oil, or kerosene. Portable electric room heaters or kitchen stoves with built-in heating units are not acceptable as a primary source of heat for units located in climatic areas where permanent heat systems are required.
Illumination and Electricity
Each room must have adequate natural or artificial illumination to permit normal indoor activities and to support the health and safety of occupants. The dwelling unit must have sufficient electrical sources so occupants can use essential electrical appliances. Minimum standards are set for different types of rooms. Once the minimum standards are met, the number, type and location of electrical sources are a matter of tenant preference.
Structure and Materials
The dwelling unit must be structurally sound. Handrails are required when four or more steps (risers) are present, and protective railings are required when porches, balconies, and stoops are thirty inches or more off the ground. The elevator servicing the unit must be working [if there is one]. Manufactured homes must have proper tie-down devices capable of surviving wind loads common to the area.
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Interior Air Quality
The dwelling unit must be free of air pollutant levels that threaten the occupants’ health. There must be adequate air circulation in the dwelling unit. Bathroom areas must have one openable window or other adequate ventilation. Any sleeping room must have at least one window. If a window was designed to be opened, it must be in proper working order.
Water Supply
The dwelling unit must be served by an approved public or private water supply that is sanitary and free from contamination. Plumbing fixtures and pipes must be free of leaks and threats to health and safety.
Lead-Based Paint
Lead-based paint requirements apply to dwelling units built prior to 1978 that are occupied or can be occupied by families with children under six years of age, excluding zero bedroom dwellings. Owners must:
• Disclose known lead-based paint hazards to prospective tenants before the lease is signed, • provide all prospective families with "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home", • Stabilize deteriorated painted surfaces and conduct hazard reduction activities within 30 days when identified by the PHA
• Notify tenants each time such an activity is performed • Conduct all work in accordance with HUD safe practices • As part of ongoing maintenance ask each family to report deteriorated paint • Maintain covered housing without deteriorated paint if there is child under six in the family For units occupied by elevated blood lead level (lead poisoned) children under six years of age, an environmental investigation must be conducted (paid for by the PHA). If lead hazards are identified during the environmental investigation, the owner must complete hazard reduction activities within 30 days.
See HCV GB p. 10-15 for a detailed description of these requirements. For additional information on lead-based paint requirements see 24 CFR 35, Subparts A, B, M, and R.
Access
Use and maintenance of the unit must be possible without unauthorized use of other private properties. The building must provide an alternate means of exit in case of fire.
Site and Neighborhood
The site and neighborhood must be reasonably free from disturbing noises and reverberations, excessive trash or vermin, or other dangers to the health, safety, and general welfare of the occupants.
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Sanitary Condition
The dwelling unit and its equipment must be in sanitary condition and free of vermin and rodent infestation. The unit must have adequate barriers to prevent infestation.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors must be installed in accordance with and meet the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association Standard (NFPA) 74 (or its successor standards). If the dwelling unit is occupied by any person with a hearing impairment, smoke detectors must have an appropriate alarm system as specified in NFPA 74 (or successor standards).
Hazards and Heath/Safety
The unit, interior and exterior common areas accessible to the family, the site, and the surrounding neighborhood must be free of hazards to the family's health and safety.
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EXHIBIT 8-2: SUMMARY OF TENANT PREFERENCE AREAS
RELATED TO HOUSING QUALITY
Note: This document provides an overview of unit and site characteristics and conditions for which the family determines acceptability. For more detailed information see the following documents:
• Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook, Chapter 10.
• HUD Housing Inspection Manual for Section 8 Housing
• HUD Inspection Form, form HUD-52580 (3/01) and Inspection Checklist, form HUD-52580-A (9/00)
Provided the minimum housing quality standards have been met, HUD permits the family to determine whether the unit is acceptable with regard to the following characteristics. • Sanitary Facilities. The family may determine the adequacy of the cosmetic condition and quality of the sanitary facilities, including the size of the lavatory, tub, or shower; the location of the sanitary facilities within the unit; and the adequacy of the water heater. • Food Preparation and Refuse Disposal. The family selects size and type of equipment it finds acceptable. When the family is responsible for supplying cooking appliances, the family may choose to use a microwave oven in place of a conventional oven, stove, or range.
When the owner is responsible for providing cooking appliances, the owner may offer a microwave oven in place of an oven, stove, or range only if other subsidized and unsubsidized units on the premises are furnished with microwave ovens only. The adequacy of the amount and type of storage space, the cosmetic conditions of all equipment, and the size and location of the kitchen are all determined by the family. • Space and Security. The family may determine the adequacy of room sizes and room locations. The family is also responsible for deciding the acceptability of the type of door and window locks.
• Energy conservation items. The family may determine whether the amount of insulation, presence of absence of storm doors and windows and other energy conservation items are acceptable.
• Illumination and Electricity. The family may determine whether the location and the number of outlets and fixtures (over and above those required to meet HQS standards) are acceptable or if the amount of electrical service is adequate for the use of appliances, computers, or stereo equipment.
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• Structure and Materials. Families may determine whether minor defects, such as lack of paint, or worn flooring or carpeting will affect the livability of the unit. • Indoor Air. Families may determine whether window and door screens, filters, fans, or other devices for proper ventilation are adequate to meet the family’s needs. However, if screens are present they must be in good condition.
• Sanitary Conditions. The family determines whether the sanitary conditions in the unit, including minor infestations, are acceptable.
• Neighborhood conditions. Families may determine whether neighborhood conditions such as the presence of drug activity, commercial enterprises, and convenience to shopping will affect the livability of the unit.
Families have no discretion with respect to lead-based paint standards and smoke detectors.
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Chapter 9
GENERAL LEASING POLICIES
INTRODUCTION
Chapter 9 covers the lease-up process from the family's submission of a Request for Tenancy Approval to execution of the HAP contract.
In order for the PHA to assist a family in a particular dwelling unit, or execute a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract with the owner of a dwelling unit, the PHA must determine that all the following program requirements are met:
• The unit itself must qualify as an eligible unit [24 CFR 982.305(a)] • The unit must be inspected by the PHA and meet the Housing Quality Standards (HQSpass applicable housing quality standards) [24 CFR 982.305(a)] • The lease offered by the owner must be approvable and must include the required Tenancy Addendum [24 CFR 982.305(a)]
• The rent to be charged by the owner for the unit must be reasonable [24 CFR 982.305(a)] • The owner must be an eligible owner, approvable by the PHA, with no conflicts of interest [24 CFR 982.306]
• For families initially leasing a unit only: Where the gross rent of the unit exceeds the applicable payment standard for the family, the share of rent to be paid by the family cannot exceed 40 percent of the family’s monthly adjusted income [24 CFR 982.305(a)] Agenda Item No. 06 Page 307 of 985 HA Agenda 05-05-2025 © Copyright 202430 Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. PHHA Admin Plan 7/1/20243 Unlimited copies may be made for internal use.
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9-I.A. TENANT SCREENING
The PHA has no liability or responsibility to the owner or other persons for the family’s behavior or suitability for tenancy [24 CFR 982.307(a)(1)].
The PHA may elect to screen applicants for family behavior or suitability for tenancy. See Chapter 3 for a discussion of the PHA’s policies with regard to screening applicant families for program eligibility [24 CFR 982.307(a)(1)].
The owner is responsible for screening and selection of the family to occupy the owner’s unit. At or before PHA approval of the tenancy, the PHA must inform the owner that screening and selection for tenancy is the responsibility of the owner [24 CFR 982.307(a)(2)]. The PHA must also inform the owner or manager or their rights and obligations under the Violence against Women Act of 2013 (VAWA) [24 CFR 5.2005(a)(2)].
The PHA must provide the owner with the family’s current and prior address (as shown in the PHA records) and the name and address (if known to the PHA) of the landlord at the family’s current and prior address [24 CFR 982.307(b)(1)].
The PHA is permitted, but not required, to offer the owner other information in the PHA’s possession about the tenancy history or drug trafficking of family members [24 CFR 982.307(b)(2)].
The PHA’s policy on providing information to the owner must be included in the family’s briefing packet [24 CFR 982.307(b)(3)].
The PHA may not disclose to the owner any confidential information provided by the family in response to a PHA request for documentation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or human trafficking except at the written request or with the written consent of the individual providing the documentation [see 24 CFR 5.2007(b)(4)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will not screen applicants for family behavior or suitability for tenancy.
The PHA will not provide additional screening information to the owner.
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9-I.B. REQUESTING TENANCY APPROVAL [Form HUD-52517]
After the family is issued a voucher, the family must locate an eligible unit, with an owner or landlord willing to participate in the voucher program. Once a family finds a suitable unit and the owner is willing to lease the unit under the program, the owner and the family must request the PHA to approve the assisted tenancy in the selected unit.
The owner and the family must submit two documents to the PHA:
• Completed Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) – Form HUD-52517 • Copy of the proposed lease, including the HUD-prescribed Tenancy Addendum – Form HUD-52641-A
The RTA contains important information about the rental unit selected by the family, including the unit address, number of bedrooms, structure type, year constructed, utilities included in the rent, and the requested beginning date of the lease, necessary for the PHA to determine whether to approve the assisted tenancy in this unit.
Owners must certify to the most recent amount of rent charged for the unit and provide an explanation for any difference between the prior rent and the proposed rent.
Owners must certify that they are not the parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister or brother of any member of the family, unless the PHA has granted a request for reasonable accommodation for a person with disabilities who is a member of the tenant household.
For units constructed prior to 1978, owners must either 1) certify that the unit, common areas, and exterior have been found to be free of lead-based paint by a certified inspector; or 2) attach a lead-based paint disclosure statement.
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Both the RTA and the proposed lease must be submitted no later than the expiration date stated on the voucher. [HCV GB p.8-15].
The PHA must identify in the administrative plan whether the family will be permitted to submit more than one RTA at a time [24 CFR 982.54(d)(25)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The RTA must be signed by both the family and the owner.
The owner may submit the RTA on behalf of the family.
Completed RTA (including the proposed dwelling lease) must be submitted as hard copies, in-person, by email, oror mail, or by fax,.
The family may not submit, and the PHA will not process, more than one (1) RTA at a time.
When the family submits the RTA the PHA will review the RTA for completeness.
If the RTA is incomplete (including lack of signature by family, owner, or both), or if the dwelling lease is not submitted with the RTA, the PHA will notify the family and the owner of the deficiencies.
Missing information and/or missing documents will only be accepted as hard copies, in-person, or by mail, or by fax. The PHA will not accept missing information over the phone.
When the family submits the RTA and proposed lease, the PHA will also review the terms of the RTA for consistency with the terms of the proposed lease.
If the terms of the RTA are not consistent with the terms of the proposed lease, the PHA will notify the family and the owner of the discrepancies.
Corrections to the terms of the RTA and/or the proposed lease will only be accepted as hard copies, in-person, or by mail or by fax. The PHA will not accept corrections by phone.
Because of the time sensitive nature of the tenancy approval process, the PHA will attempt to communicate with the owner and family by phone, fax, or email. The PHA will use mail when the parties cannot be reached by phone, fax, or email. 9-I.C. OWNER PARTICIPATION
The PHA does not formally approve an owner to participate in the HCV program. However, there are a number of criteria where the PHA may deny approval of an assisted tenancy based on past owner behavior, conflict of interest, or other owner-related issues. There are also criteria for which the PHA must disapprove an owner. No owner has a right to participate in the HCV program [24 CFR 982.306(e)]
See Chapter 13 for a full discussion of owner qualification to participate in the HCV program.
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9-I.D. ELIGIBLE UNITS
There are a number of criteria that a dwelling unit must meet in order to be eligible for assistance under the voucher program. Generally, a voucher-holder family may choose any available rental dwelling unit on the market in the PHA’s jurisdiction. This includes the dwelling unit they are currently occupying.
Ineligible Units [24 CFR 982.352(a)]
The PHA may not assist a unit under the voucher program if the unit is a public housing or Indian housing unit; a unit receiving project-based assistance under section 8 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f); nursing homes, board and care homes, or facilities providing continual psychiatric, medical, or nursing services; college or other school dormitories; units on the grounds of penal, reformatory, medical, mental, and similar public or private institutions; a unit occupied by its owner or by a person with any interest in the unit.
PHA-Owned Units [24 CFR 982.352(b)]
Otherwise eligible units that are owned or substantially controlled by the PHA issuing the voucherPHA-owned units as defined in 24 CFR 982.4 may also be leased in the voucher program. In order for a PHA-owned unit to be leased under the voucher program, the unit must not be ineligible housing and the PHA must inform the family, both orally and in writing, that the family has the right to select any eligible unit available for lease and that the family is free to select a PHA-owned unit without any pressure or steering by the PHA. The PHA must obtain the services of an independent entity to perform certain functions as described in 24 CFR 982.352 (b)(v)(A).
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA does not have any eligible PHA-owned units available for leasing under the voucher program.
Special Housing Types [24 CFR 982 Subpart M]
HUD regulations permit, but do not generally require, the PHA to permit families to use voucher assistance in a number of special housing types in accordance with the specific requirements applicable to those programs. These special housing types include single room occupancy (SRO) housing, congregate housing, group home, shared housing, manufactured home space (where the family owns the manufactured home and leases only the space), cooperative housing and homeownership option. See Chapter 15 for specific information and policies on any of these housing types that the PHA has chosen to allow.
The regulations do require the PHA to permit use of any special housing type if needed as a reasonable accommodation so that the program is readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.
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Duplicative Assistance [24 CFR 982.352(c)]
A family may not receive the benefit of HCV tenant-based assistance while receiving the benefit of any of the following forms of other housing subsidy, for the same unit or for a different unit:
• Public or Indian housing assistance;
• Other Section 8 assistance (including other tenant-based assistance); • Assistance under former Section 23 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (before amendment by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974); • Section 101 rent supplements;
• Section 236 rental assistance payments;
• Tenant-based assistance under the HOME Program;
• Rental assistance payments under Section 521 of the Housing Act of 1949 (a program of the Rural Development Administration);
• Any local or State rent subsidy;
• Section 202 supportive housing for the elderly;
• Section 811 supportive housing for persons with disabilities; (11) Section 202 projects for non-elderly persons with disabilities (Section 162 assistance); or • Any other duplicative federal, State, or local housing subsidy, as determined by HUD. For this purpose, 'housing subsidy' does not include the housing component of a welfare payment, a social security payment received by the family, or a rent reduction because of a tax credit.
Housing Quality Standards (HQS) [24 CFR 982.305 and 24 CFR 982.401]Initial Inspection In order to be eligible, the dwelling unit must be in a decent, safe and habitablesanitary condition and pass applicable housing quality standards. This determination is made using HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and/or equivalent state or local standards approved by HUD. See Chapter 8 for a full discussion of inspectionthe HQS standards, as well as the process for HQS inspection at initial lease-up.
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Unit Size
In order to be eligible, the dwelling unit must be appropriate for the number of persons in the household. A family must be allowed to lease an otherwise acceptable dwelling unit with fewer bedrooms than the number of bedrooms stated on the voucher issued to the family, provided the unit meets the applicable HQS space requirements [24 CFR 982.402(d)]. The family must be allowed to lease an otherwise acceptable dwelling unit with more bedrooms than the number of bedrooms stated on the voucher issued to the family. See Chapter 5 for a full discussion of subsidy standards.
Rent Reasonableness [24 CFR 982.305 and 24 CFR 982.507] In order to be eligible, the dwelling unit must have a reasonable rent. The rent must be reasonable in relation to comparable unassisted units in the area and must not be in excess of rents charged by the owner for comparable, unassisted units on the premises. See Chapter 8 for a full discussion of rent reasonableness and the rent reasonableness determination process.
Rent Burden [24 CFR 982.508]
Where a family is initially leasing a unit and the gross rent of the unit exceeds the applicable payment standard for the family, the family share cannot exceed 40 percent of the family’s adjusted monthly income. The term “family share” refers to the amount the family pays toward rent and utilities. The gross rent for the unit minus the total housing assistance payment (HAP) for the unit equals the family share. See Chapter 6 for a discussion of calculation of gross rent, the use of payment standards, and calculation of family income, family share of rent and HAP.
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9-I.E. LEASE AND TENANCY ADDENDUM
The family and the owner must execute a written dwelling lease agreement for the assisted unit.
This written lease is a contract between the tenant family and the owner; the PHA is not a party to this contract.
The tenant must have legal capacity to enter a lease under State and local law. 'Legal capacity' means that the tenant is bound by the terms of the lease and may enforce the terms of the lease against the owner [24 CFR 982.308(a)]
Lease Form and Tenancy Addendum [24 CFR 982.308]
If the owner uses a standard lease form for rental to unassisted tenants in the locality or the premises, the lease must be in such standard form. If the owner does not use a standard lease form for rental to unassisted tenants, the owner may use another form of lease. The HAP contract prescribed by HUD contains the owner's certification that if the owner uses a standard lease form for rental to unassisted tenants, the lease for the assisted tenants is in such standard form.
All provisions in the HUD-required Tenancy Addendum must be added word-for-word to the owner's standard lease form. The Tenancy Addendum includes the HUD requirements for the tenancy. Because it is a part of the lease, the tenant shall have the right to enforce the Tenancy Addendum against the owner. If there is a conflict between the owner’s lease and the Tenancy Addendum, the terms of the Tenancy Addendum shall prevail over any other provisions of the lease.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA does not provide a model or standard dwelling lease for owners to use in the HCV program.
Lease Information [24 CFR 982.308(d)]
The assisted dwelling lease must contain all of the required information as listed below:
• The names of the owner and the tenant:
• The unit rented (address, apartment number, and any other information needed to identify the contract unit)
• The term of the lease (initial term and any provisions for renewal) • The amount of the monthly rent to owner
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Term of Assisted Tenancy
The initial term of the assisted dwelling lease must be for at least one year [24 CFR 982.309].
The initial lease term is also stated in the HAP contract.
The HUD program regulations permit the PHA to approve a shorter initial lease term if certain conditions are met.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will not approve an initial lease term of less than one (1) year.
During the initial term of the lease, the owner may not raise the rent to owner [24 CFR 982.309].
Any provisions for renewal of the dwelling lease will be stated in the dwelling lease [HCV Guidebook, pg. 8-22]. There are no HUD requirements regarding any renewal extension terms, except that they must be stated in the dwelling lease if they exist.
The PHA may execute the HAP contract even if there is less than one year remaining from the beginning of the initial lease term to the end of the last expiring funding increment under the consolidated ACC. [24 CFR 982.309(b)].
Security Deposit [24 CFR 982.313 (a) and (b)]
The owner may collect a security deposit from the tenant. The PHA may prohibit security deposits in excess of private market practice, or in excess of amounts charged by the owner to unassisted tenants. However, if the PHA chooses to do so, language to this effect must be added to Part A of the HAP contract [Form HUD-52641].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will allow the owner to collect any security deposit amount the owner determines is appropriate. Therefore, no modifications to the HAP contract will be necessary.
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Separate Non-Lease Agreements between Owner and Tenant
Owners may not demand or accept any rent payment from the family in excess of the rent to the owner as approved by the PHA minus the PHA’s housing assistance payments to the owner [24 CFR 982.451(b)(4)].
The owner may not charge the tenant extra amounts for items customarily included in rent in the locality, or provided at no additional cost to unsubsidized tenants in the premises [24 CFR 982.510(c)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA permits owners and families to execute separate, non-lease agreements for services, appliances (other than range and refrigerator) and other items that are not included in the lease.
Any items, appliances, or other services that are customarily provided to unassisted families as part of the dwelling lease with those families, or are permanently installed in the dwelling unit must be included in the dwelling lease for the assisted family. These items, appliances or services cannot be placed under a separate non-lease agreement between the owner and family. Side payments for additional rent, or for items, appliances or services customarily provided to unassisted families as part of the dwelling lease for those families, are prohibited.
Any items, appliances, or other services that are not customarily provided to unassisted families as part of the dwelling lease with those families, are not permanently installed in the dwelling unit and where the family has the sole option of not utilizing the item, appliance or service, may be included in a separate non-lease agreement between the owner and the family.
The family is not liable and cannot be held responsible under the terms of the assisted dwelling lease for any charges pursuant to a separate non-lease agreement between the owner and the family. Non-payment of any charges pursuant to a separate non-lease agreement between the owner and the family cannot be a cause for eviction or termination of tenancy under the terms of the assisted dwelling lease.
Separate non-lease agreements that involve additional items, appliances or other services may be considered amenities offered by the owner and may be taken into consideration when determining the reasonableness of the rent for the property.
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PHA Review of Lease
The PHA will review the dwelling lease for compliance with all applicable requirements.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the dwelling lease is incomplete or incorrect, the PHA will notify the family and the owner of the deficiencies. Missing and corrected lease information will only be accepted as hard copies, in-person, or by mail, or by fax. The PHA will not accept missing and corrected information over the phone
Because the initial leasing process is time-sensitive, the PHA will attempt to communicate with the owner and family by phone, fax, or email. The PHA will use mail when the parties can’t be reached by phone, fax, or email.
The PHA is permitted, but is not required, to review the lease to determine if the lease complies with State and local law and is permitted to decline to approve the tenancy if the PHA determines that the lease does not comply with State or local law [24 CFR 982.308(c)] Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will not review the owner’s lease for compliance with state/local law.
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9-I.F. TENANCY APPROVAL [24 CFR 982.305]
After receiving the family's Request for Tenancy Approval, with proposed dwelling lease, the PHA must promptly notify the family and owner whether the assisted tenancy is approved.
Prior to approving the assisted tenancy and execution of a HAP contract, the PHA must ensure that all required actions and determinations, discussed in Part I of this chapter have been completed.
These actions include ensuring that the unit is eligible; the unit has been inspected by the PHA and meets the hHousing Quality quality sStandards (HQS); the lease offered by the owner is approvable and includes the required Tenancy Addendum; the rent to be charged by the owner for the unit must is reasonable; where the family is initially leasing a unit and the gross rent of the unit exceeds the applicable payment standard for the family, the share of rent to be paid by the family does not exceed 40 percent of the family’s monthly adjusted income [24 CFR 982.305(a)]; the owner is an eligible owner, not disapproved by the PHA, with no conflicts of interest [24 CFR 982.306]; the family and the owner have executed the lease, including the Tenancy Addendum, and the lead-based paint disclosure information [24 CFR 982.305(b)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will complete its determination within 10 business days of receiving all required information.
If the terms of the RTA/proposed lease are changed for any reason, including but not limited to negotiation with the PHA, the PHA will obtain corrected copies of the RTA and proposed lease, signed by the family and the owner.
Corrections to the RTA/proposed lease will only be accepted as hard copies, inperson, or by mail, or by fax. The PHA will not accept corrections over the phone.
If the PHA determines that the tenancy cannot be approved for any reason, the owner and the family will be notified in writing and given the opportunity to address any reasons for disapproval. The PHA will instruct the owner and family of the steps that are necessary to obtain approval of the tenancy.
Where the tenancy is not approvable because the unit is not approvable, the family must continue to search for eligible housing within the timeframe of the issued voucher.
If the tenancy is not approvable due to rent affordability or rent reasonableness, the PHA will attempt to negotiate the rent with the owner. If a new, approvable rent is negotiated, the tenancy will be approved. If the owner is not willing to negotiate an approvable rent, the family must continue to search for eligible housing within the timeframe of the issued voucher.
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9-I.G. HAP CONTRACT EXECUTION [24 CFR 982.305]
The HAP contract is a written agreement between the PHA and the owner of the dwelling unit.
Under the HAP contract, the PHA agrees to make housing assistance payments to the owner on behalf of the family, and the owner agrees to comply with all program requirements as stated in the HAP contract.
The HAP contract form is prescribed by HUD.
If the PHA has given approval for the family of the assisted tenancy, the owner and the PHA must execute the HAP contract.
The term of the HAP contract must be the same as the term of the lease [24 CFR 982.451(a)(2)].
The PHA is permitted to execute a HAP contract even if the funding currently available does not extend for the full term of the HAP contract.
The PHA must make a best effort to ensure that the HAP contract is executed before the beginning of the lease term. Regardless, the HAP contract must be executed no later than 60 calendar days from the beginning of the lease term. Any HAP contract executed after the 60-day period is void, and the PHA may not pay any housing assistance payment to the owner, unless there are extenuating circumstances that prevent or prevented the PHA from meeting the 60-day deadline- then the PHA may submit to the HUD field office a request for an extension no later than two weeks after the 60-day deadline.
The PHA may not pay any housing assistance payment to the owner until the HAP contract has been executed. If the HAP contract is executed during the period of 60 calendar days from the beginning of the lease term, the PHA will pay housing assistance payments after execution of the HAP contract (in accordance with the terms of the HAP contract), to cover the portion of the lease term before execution of the HAP contract (a maximum of 60 days).
Any HAP contract executed after the 60-day period is void, and the PHA may not pay any housing assistance payment to the owner.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The owner and the assisted family will execute the dwelling lease and the owner must provide a copy to the PHA. The PHA will ensure that both the owner and the assisted family receive copies of the dwelling lease.
The owner and the PHA will execute the HAP contract. The PHA will not execute the HAP contract until the owner has submitted IRS form W-9. The PHA will ensure that the owner receives a copy of the executed HAP contract.
Families are notified of their rights under VAWA at the briefing by providing all families with a copy of the domestic violence certification form (HUD-5382) as well as the VAWA notice of occupancy rights (form HUD-5380)..
See Chapter 13 for a discussion of the HAP contract and contract provisions.
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9-I.H. CHANGES IN LEASE OR RENT [24 CFR 982.308]
If the tenant and the owner agree to any changes in the lease, such changes must be in writing, and the owner must immediately give the PHA a copy of such changes. The lease, including any changes, must remain in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
Generally, PHA approval of tenancy and execution of a new HAP contract are not required for changes in the lease. However, under certain circumstances, the execution of a new lease and HAP contract are required. These circumstances include:
• Changes in lease requirements governing tenant or owner responsibilities for utilities or appliances
• Changes in lease provisions governing the term of the lease • The family moves to a new unit, even if the unit is in the same building or complex In these cases, if the HCV assistance is to continue, the family must submit a new Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) along with a new dwelling lease containing the proposed changes. A new tenancy must then be approved in accordance with this chapter.
Where the owner is changing the amount of the rent to owner, the owner must notify the PHA at least 60 days before any such changes go into effect [24 CFR 982.308(g)(4)]. The PHA will agree to such an increase only if the amount of the rent to owner is considered reasonable according to the rent reasonableness standards discussed in Chapter 8. If the requested rent is not found to be reasonable, the owner must either reduce the requested rent increase, or terminate the tenancy in accordance with the terms of the lease.
No rent increase is permitted during the initial term of the lease [24 CFR 982.309(a)(3)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Where the owner is requesting a rent increase, the PHA will determine whether the requested increase is reasonable within 10 business days of receiving the request from the owner. The owner will be notified of the determination in writing.
Rent increases will go into effect on the first of the month following the 60-day period after the owner notifies the PHA of the rent change or on the date specified by the owner, whichever is later. The owner must allow for 10-day processing time of the PHA and 60-day notice to the family.
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Chapter 10
MOVING WITH CONTINUED ASSISTANCE AND PORTABILITY
INTRODUCTION
Freedom of housing choice is a hallmark of the housing choice voucher (HCV) program. In general, HUD regulations impose few restrictions on where families may live or move with HCV assistance. This chapter sets forth HUD regulations and PHA policies governing moves within or outside the PHA’s jurisdiction in two parts:
Part I: Moving with Continued Assistance. This part covers the general rules that apply to all moves by a family assisted under the PHA’s HCV program, whether the family moves to another unit within the PHA’s jurisdiction or to a unit outside the PHA’s jurisdiction under portability.
Part II: Portability. This part covers the special rules that apply to moves by a family under portability, whether the family moves out of or into the PHA’s jurisdiction. This part also covers the special responsibilities that the PHA has under portability regulations and procedures.
PART I: MOVING WITH CONTINUED ASSISTANCE
10-I.A. ALLOWABLE MOVES
HUD lists six regulatory conditions under which an assisted family is allowed to move to a new unit with continued assistance. Permission to move is subject to the restrictions set forth in section 10-I.B.
• The family has a right to terminate the lease on notice to the owner (for the owner’s breach or otherwise) and has given a notice of termination to the owner in accordance with the lease [24 CFR 982.354(b)(3)]. If the family terminates the lease on notice to the owner, the family must give the PHA a copy of the notice at the same time [24 CFR 982.354(d)(1)]. • The lease for the family’s unit has been terminated by mutual agreement of the owner and the family [24 CFR 982.354(b)(1)(ii)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the family and the owner mutually agree to terminate the lease for the family’s unit, the family must give the PHA a copy of the termination agreement.
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• The owner has given the family a notice to vacate, has commenced an action to evict the family, or has obtained a court judgment or other process allowing the owner to evict the family [24 CFR 982.354(b)(2)]. The family must give the PHA a copy of any owner eviction notice [24 CFR 982.551(g)].
• The family or a member of the family is or has been the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or human trafficking, and the move is needed to protect the health or safety of the family or family member [24 CFR 982.354(b)(4)]. This condition applies even when the family has moved out of its unit in violation of the lease, with or without prior notification to the PHA, if the family or family member who is the victim reasonably believed that they wereas imminently threatened by harm from further violence if he or she remained in the unit [24 CFR 982.354(b)(4), 24 CFR 982.353(b)]. The PHA must adopt an emergency transfer plan as required by regulations at 24 CFR 5.2007(e).
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If a family requests permission to move with continued assistance or for an external transfer to another covered housing program operated by the PHA based on a claim that the move is necessary to protect the health or safety of a family member who is or has been the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or human trafficking the PHA will request that the resident request the emergency transfer using form HUD-5383, and the PHA will request documentation in accordance with section 16-IX.D of this plan.
The PHA reserves the right to waive the documentation requirement if it determines that a statement or other corroborating evidence from the family or family member will suffice. In such cases the PHA will document the waiver in the family’s file.
The PHA may choose to provide a voucher to facilitate an emergency transfer of the victim without first terminating the assistance of the perpetrator.
Before granting an emergency transfer, the PHA will ensure the victim is eligible to receive continued assistance based on the citizenship or immigration status of the victim.
The PHA has adopted an emergency transfer plan, which is included as Exhibit 16-3 to this plan and discusses external transfers to other covered housing programs. • The PHA has terminated the HAP contract for the family’s unit for the owner’s breach [24 CFR 982.354(b)(1)(i)].
• The PHA determines that the family’s current unit does not meet the HQS space standards because of an increase in family size or a change in family composition. In such cases, the PHA must issue the family a new voucher, and the family and PHA must try to find an acceptable unit as soon as possible. If an acceptable unit is available for the family, the PHA must terminate the HAP contract for the family’s old unit in accordance with the HAP contract terms and must notify both the family and the owner of the termination. The HAP contract terminates at the end of the calendar month that follows the calendar month in which the PHA gives notice to the owner. [24 CFR 982.403(a) and (c)] Agenda Item No. 06 Page 322 of 985 HA Agenda 05-05-2025 © Copyright 20230 Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. PHHA Admin Plan 7/1/20243 Unlimited copies may be made for internal use.
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10-I.B. FAMILY MOVES DUE TO UNIT DEFICIENCIES
Units in Abatement [24 CFR 982.404(d)(3)]
An owner may not terminate the tenancy of a family due to the PHA withholding or abating HAP for housing quality standards deficiencies that are not repaired timely. During the period that assistance is abated, the family may terminate tenancy by notifying the owner and the PHA.
If the family chooses to terminate tenancy, the HAP contract will automatically terminate on the effective date of tenancy termination or the date the family vacates the unit, whichever is earlier.
The PHA must promptly issue the family its voucher to move.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Upon receipt of a family’s written notification that it wishes to move, the PHA will issue a voucher within 10 business days of the PHA’s written approval to move. No briefing is required for these families. The PHA will follow the policies set forth in Chapter 5 on voucher term, extension, and expiration.
Termination of HAP Contract and Family Moves [24 CFR 982.404(e)] For HAP contracts executed or renewed on or after June 6, 2024, if an owner fails to make required repairs within 60 days (or a reasonable longer period established by the PHA) of the notice of abatement, the PHA must terminate the HAP contract. In this case, the PHA must issue the family its voucher at least 30 days prior to the termination of the HAP contract. The family must be provided at least 90 days following the termination of the HAP contract to lease a new unit, although the PHA may provide a longer period as the PHA determines is reasonably necessary.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will issue a family whose HAP contract is being terminated due to an owner failing to make required repairs within the required time frame a voucher no later than 30 days prior to the termination of the HAP contract. The initial term of the voucher will be 120 calendar days. No briefing is required for these families.
To continue under the tenant-based HCV program, 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 will follow the policies set forth in Chapter 5 on voucher extension and expiration.
Offer the Public Housing [24 CFR 982.404(e)(2)]
If the family is unable to lease a new unit within the term of the voucher, and the PHA owns or operates public housing, the PHA must offer, and if accepted, provide the family a selection preference for an appropriate-sized public housing unit that first becomes available for occupancy after the time period expires.
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Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA does operate a public housing program and will provide a preference for HCV families whose HAP contract is being terminated due to an owner failing to make require repairs within the required time frame, and who were unable to lease a new unit within the term of the voucher.
Thirty days prior to the expiration date of the voucher, the PHA will provide written notice to the family stating that the PHA does not provide such a preference and providing an estimation of availability for the appropriate-sized public housing unit.
Relocation Assistance [24 CFR 982.404(e)(3)]
PHAs may assist families relocating due to the HAP contract being terminated as a result of the owner failing to make required repairs within the required time frame in finding a new unit, including using up to two months of the withheld and abated assistance payments for cost directly associated with relocating to a new unit, such as security deposits, temporary housing costs, or other reasonable moving costs as determined by the PHA based on their locality.
The PHA must assist families with disabilities with locating available accessible units in accordance with 24 CFR 8.28(a)(3).
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will assist families with disabilities with locating available accessible units in accordance with program requirements.
The PHA will use up to two months of withheld and abated payment to assist with any required security deposit at the new unit. Funds will not be used for any other relocation assistance.
If the family receives a refund of a security deposit for the new unit, the PHA will not require any amount to be remitted to the PHA.
10-I.C. RESTRICTIONS ON MOVES
A family’s right to move is generally contingent upon the family’s compliance with program requirements [24 CFR 982.1(b)(2)]. HUD specifies two conditions under which a PHA may deny a family permission to move and two ways in which a PHA may restrict moves by a family.
Denial of Moves
HUD regulations permit the PHA to deny a family permission to move under the following conditions:
Insufficient Funding
The PHA may deny a family permission to move either within or outside the PHA’s jurisdiction if the PHA does not have sufficient funding for continued assistance [24 CFR 982.354(e)(1)].
However, Notice PIH 2016-09 significantly restricts the ability of PHAs to deny permission to Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5"
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move due to insufficient funding and places further requirements on PHAs regarding moves denied due to lack of funding. The requirements found in this notice are mandatory.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will deny a family permission to move on grounds that the PHA does not have sufficient funding for continued assistance if (a) the move is initiated by the family, not the owner or the PHA; (b) the PHA can demonstrate that the move will, in fact, result in higher subsidy costs (c) the PHA can demonstrate, in accordance with the policies in Part VIII of Chapter 16, that it does not have sufficient funding in its annual budget to accommodate the higher subsidy costs; and (d) for portability moves, the receiving PHA is not absorbing the voucher.
If the PHA does not have sufficient funding for continued assistance, but the family must move from their unit (e.g., the unit failed HQS), the family may move to a higher cost unit if the move is within the PHA’s jurisdiction. The PHA, however, will not allow the family to move under portability in this situation if the family wishes to move to a higher cost area.
For both moves within the PHA’s jurisdiction and outside under portability, the PHA will not deny a move due to insufficient funding if the PHA previously approved the move and subsequently experienced a funding shortfall if the family cannot remain in their current unit. The PHA will rescind the voucher in this situation if the family will be allowed to remain in their current unit.
The PHA will create a list of families whose moves have been denied due to insufficient funding. The PHA will keep the family’s request open indefinitely, and when funds become available, the families on this list will take precedence over families on the waiting list. The PHA will use the same procedures for notifying families with open requests to move when funds become available as it uses for notifying families on the waiting list (see section 4-III.D).
The PHA will inform the family of its policy regarding moves denied due to insufficient funding in a letter to the family at the time the move is denied.
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Grounds for Denial or Termination of Assistance
The PHA may deny a family permission to move if it has grounds for denying or terminating the family’s assistance [24 CFR 982.354(e)(2)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the PHA has grounds for denying or terminating a family’s assistance, the PHA will act on those grounds in accordance with the regulations and policies set forth in Chapters 3 and 12, respectively. In general, it will not deny a family permission to move for this reason; however, it retains the discretion to do so under special circumstances.
Restrictions on Elective Moves [24 CFR 982.354(c)]
HUD regulations permit the PHA to prohibit any elective move by a participant family during the family’s initial lease term. They also permit the PHA to prohibit more than one elective move by a participant family during any 12-month period. However, such prohibitions, if adopted, do not apply when the family or a member of the family is or has been the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or human trafficking and the move is needed to protect the health or safety of the family or family member. (For the policy on documentation of abuse, see section 10-I.A.) In addition, the PHA may not establish a policy permitting moves only at reexamination [Notice PIH 2016-09].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will deny a family permission to make an elective move during the family’s initial lease term. This policy applies to moves within the PHA’s jurisdiction or outside it under portability.
The PHA will also deny a family permission to make more than one elective move during any 12-month period. This policy applies to all assisted families residing in the PHA’s jurisdiction.
The PHA will consider exceptions to these policies for the following reasons: to protect the health or safety of a family member (e.g., lead-based paint hazards, domestic violence, witness protection programs), to accommodate a change in family circumstances (e.g., new employment, school attendance in a distant area), or to address an emergency situation over which a family has no control.
In addition, the PHA will allow exceptions to these policies for purposes of reasonable accommodation of a family member who is a person with disabilities (see Chapter 2).
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10-I.DC. MOVING PROCESS
Notification
If a family wishes to move to a new unit, the family must notify the PHA and the owner before moving out of the old unit or terminating the lease on notice to the owner [24 CFR 982.354(d)(2)]. If the family wishes to move to a unit outside the PHA’s jurisdiction under portability, the notice to the PHA must specify the area where the family wishes to move [24 CFR 982.354(d)(2)]. The notices must be in writing [24 CFR 982.5].
Approval
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Upon receipt of a family’s notification that it wishes to move, the PHA will determine whether the move is approvable in accordance with the regulations and policies set forth in sections 10-I.A and 10-I.B. The PHA will notify the family in writing of its determination within 10 business days following receipt of the family’s notification.
Reexamination of Family Income and Composition
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
At the time of move, the PHA will conduct a full recertification. For families moving into or families approved to move out of the PHA’s jurisdiction under portability, the PHA will follow the policies set forth in Part II of this chapter.
Voucher Issuance and Briefing
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
For families approved to move to a new unit within the PHA’s jurisdiction, the PHA will issue a new voucher within 10 business days of the PHA’s written approval to move. No briefing is required for these families. The PHA will follow the policies set forth in Chapter 5 on voucher term, extension, and expiration. If a family does not locate a new unit within the term of the voucher and any extensions, the family may remain in its current unit with continued voucher assistance if the owner agrees and the PHA approves.
Otherwise, the family will lose its assistance.
For families moving into or families approved to move out of the PHA’s jurisdiction under portability, the PHA will follow the policies set forth in Part II of this chapter.
For families moving due an owner failing to make required repairs timely, resulting in the PHA terminating the HAP contract, the PHA will follow the policies set forth earlier in this section and in Chapter 8, Part II.
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Housing Assistance Payments [24 CFR 982.311(d)]
When a family moves out of an assisted unit, the PHA may not make any housing assistance payment to the owner for any month after the month the family moves out. The owner may keep the housing assistance payment for the month when the family moves out of the unit.
If a participant family moves from an assisted unit with continued tenant-based assistance, the term of the assisted lease for the new assisted unit may begin during the month the family moves out of the first assisted unit. Overlap of the last housing assistance payment (for the month when the family moves out of the old unit) and the first assistance payment for the new unit, is not considered to constitute a duplicative housing subsidy.
Zero HAP Families Who Wish to Move [24 CFR 982.455]
A participant who is not receiving any subsidy, but whose HAP contract is still in force, may request a voucher to move to a different unit. The PHA must issue a voucher to move unless it has grounds to deny assistance under the program regulations. However, if the PHA determines no subsidy would be paid at the new unit, the PHA may refuse to enter into a HAP contract on behalf of the family.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If a zero HAP family requests to move to a new unit, the family may request a voucher to move. However, if no subsidy will be paid at the unit to which the family requests to move, the PHA will not enter into a HAP contract on behalf of the family for the new unit.
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5"
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PART II: PORTABILITY
10-II.A. OVERVIEW
Within the limitations of the regulations and this plan, a participant family or an applicant family that has been issued a voucher has the right to use tenant-based voucher assistance to lease a unit anywhere in the United States providing that the unit is located within the jurisdiction of a PHA administering a tenant-based voucher program [24 CFR 982.353(b)]. The process by which a family obtains a voucher from one PHA and uses it to lease a unit in the jurisdiction of another PHA is known as portability. The PHA that issues the voucher is called the initial PHA. The PHA that has jurisdiction in the area to which the family wants to move is called the receiving PHA.
The receiving PHA has the option of administering the family’s voucher for the initial PHA or absorbing the family into its own program. Under the first option, the receiving PHA provides all housing services for the family and bills the initial PHA for the family’s housing assistance payments and the fees for administering the family’s voucher. Under the second option, the receiving PHA pays for the family’s assistance with its own program funds, and the initial PHA has no further relationship with the family. The initial PHA must contact the receiving PHA via email or other confirmed delivery method to determine whether the receiving PHA will administer or absorb the initial PHA’s voucher. Based on the receiving PHA’s response, the initial PHA must determine whether they will approve or deny the portability request [Notice PIH 2016-09].
PHAs commonly act as both the initial and receiving PHA because families may move into or out of their jurisdiction under portability. Each role involves different responsibilities. The PHA will follow the rules and policies in section 10-II.B when it is acting as the initial PHA for a family. It will follow the rules and policies in section 10-II.C when it is acting as the receiving PHA for a family.
In administering portability, the initial PHA and the receiving PHA must comply with financial procedures required by HUD, including the use of HUD-required forms [24 CFR 982.355(e)(5)].
PHAs must also comply with billing and payment deadlines. HUD may reduce an administrative fee to an initial or receiving PHA if the PHA does not comply with HUD portability requirements [24 CFR 982.355(e)(7)].
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10-II.B. INITIAL PHA ROLE
Allowable Moves under Portability
A family may move with voucher assistance only to an area where there is at least one PHA administering a voucher program [24 CFR 982.353(b)]. If there is more than one PHA in the area, the initial PHA provides the family with the contact information for the receiving PHAs that serve the area, and the family selects the receiving PHA. The family must inform the initial PHA which receiving PHA it has selected. If the family prefers not to select the receiving PHA, the initial PHA will select the receiving PHA on behalf of the family [24 CFR 982.255(b)].
Applicant families that have been issued vouchers as well as participant families may qualify to lease a unit outside the PHA’s jurisdiction under portability. HUD regulations and Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy determine whether a family qualifies.
Applicant Families
Under HUD regulations, most applicant families qualify to lease a unit outside the PHA’s jurisdiction under portability. However, HUD gives the PHA discretion to deny a portability move by an applicant family for the same two reasons that it may deny any move by a participant family: insufficient funding and grounds for denial or termination of assistance. If a PHA intends to deny a family permission to move under portability due to insufficient funding, the PHA must notify HUD within 10 business days of the determination to deny the move [24 CFR 982.355(e)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
In determining whether or not to deny an applicant family permission to move under portability because the PHA lacks sufficient funding or has grounds for denying assistance to the family, the initial PHA will follow the policies established in section 10-I.B of this chapter. If the PHA does deny the move due to insufficient funding, the PHA will notify HUD in writing within 10 business days of the PHA’s determination to deny the move.
In addition, the PHA may establish a policy denying the right to portability to nonresident applicants during the first 12 months after they are admitted to the program [24 CFR 982.353(c)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If neither the head of household nor the spouse/cohead of an applicant family had a domicile (legal residence) in the PHA’s jurisdiction at the time that the family’s initial application for assistance was submitted, the family must lease a unit within the initial PHA’s jurisdiction for at least 12 months before requesting portability.
The PHA will consider exceptions to this policy for purposes of reasonable accommodation (see Chapter 2) or reasons related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or human trafficking.
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Participant Families
The initial PHA must not provide portable assistance for a participant if a family has moved out of its assisted unit in violation of the lease [24 CFR 982.353(b)]. The Violence against Women Act of 2013 (VAWA) creates an exception to this prohibition for families who are otherwise in compliance with program obligations but have moved to protect the health or safety of a family member who is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or human trafficking and who reasonably believed they were imminently threatened by harm from further violence if he or she remained in the unit [see 24 CFR 982.353(b)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will not allow a family to port out to another jurisdiction if they have an active repayment agreement with the Port Hueneme Housing Authority. Any amounts owed to the PHA must be paid in full prior to porting to another jurisdiction.
Determining Income Eligibility
Applicant Families
An applicant family may lease a unit in a particular area under portability only if the family is income eligible for admission to the voucher program in that area [24 CFR 982.353(d)(1)]. The family must specify the area to which the family wishes to move [24 CFR 982.355(c)(1)].
The initial PHA is responsible for determining whether the family is income eligible in the area to which the family wishes to move [24 CFR 982.353(d)(1), 24 CFR 982.355(9)]. If the applicant family is not income eligible in that area, the PHA must inform the family that it may not move there and receive voucher assistance [Notice PIH 2016-09].
Participant Families
The income eligibility of a participant family is not redetermined if the family moves to a new jurisdiction under portability [24 CFR 982.353(d)(2)].
Reexamination of Family Income and Composition
No new reexamination of family income and composition is required for an applicant family.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
For a participant family approved to move out of its jurisdiction under portability, the PHA not conduct a recertification unless their next recertification is not within the next 30 days.generally will conduct a reexamination of family income and composition only if the family’s annual reexamination must be completed on or before the initial billing deadline specified on form HUD-52665, Family Portability Information.
The PHA will make any exceptions to this policy necessary to remain in compliance with HUD regulations.
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Briefing
The regulations and policies on briefings set forth in Chapter 5 of this plan require the PHA to provide information on portability to all applicant families that qualify to lease a unit outside the PHA’s jurisdiction under the portability procedures. Therefore, no special briefing is required for these families.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
No formal briefing will be required for a participant family wishing to move outside the PHA’s jurisdiction under portability.
The PHA will provide the name, address, and phone of the contact for the PHAs in the jurisdiction to which they wish to move. If there is more than one PHA with jurisdiction over the area to which the family wishes to move, the PHA will advise the family that the family selects the receiving PHA and notify the initial PHA of which receiving PHA was selected. The PHA will provide the family with contact information for all of the receiving PHAs that serve the area. The PHA will not provide any additional information about receiving PHAs in the area. The PHA will further inform the family that if the family prefers not to select the receiving PHA, the initial PHA will select the receiving PHA on behalf of the family. In this case, the PHA will not provide the family with information for all receiving PHAs in the area.
The PHA will advise the family that they will be under the PHA’s policies and procedures, including screening, subsidy standards, voucher extension policies, and payment standards.
Voucher Issuance and Term
An applicant family has no right to portability until after the family has been issued a voucher [24 CFR 982.353(b)]. In issuing vouchers to applicant families, the PHA will follow the regulations and procedures set forth in Chapter 5.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
For participating families approved to move under portability, the PHA will issue a new voucher within 10 business days of the PHA’s written approval to move.
The initial term of the voucher will be 60 days.
However, if the move is due to the HAP contract being terminated due to an owner failing to make required repairs within the required time frame, the PHA will issue the family a voucher no later than 30 days prior to the termination of the HAP contract. The initial term of the voucher will be 120 calendar days.
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Voucher Extensions and Expiration
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The initial PHA will approve no extensions to a voucher issued to an applicant or participant family porting out of the PHA’s jurisdiction except under the following circumstances: (a) the initial term of the voucher will expire before the portable family will be issued a voucher by the receiving PHA, (b) the family decides to return to the initial PHA’s jurisdiction and search for a unit there, or (c) the family decides to search for a unit in a third PHA’s jurisdiction. In such cases, the policies on voucher extensions set forth in Chapter 5, section 5-II.E, of this plan will apply, including the requirement that the family apply for an extension in writing prior to the expiration of the initial voucher term.
To receive or continue receiving assistance under the initial PHA’s voucher program, a family that moves to another PHA’s jurisdiction under portability must be under HAP contract in the receiving PHA’s jurisdiction within 90 days following the expiration date of the initial PHA’s voucher term (including any extensions). (See below under “Initial Billing Deadline” for one exception to this policy.)
Preapproval Contact with the Receiving PHA
Prior to approving a family’s request to move under portability, the initial PHA must contact the receiving PHA via e-mail or other confirmed delivery method to determine whether the receiving PHA will administer or absorb the family’s voucher. Based on the receiving PHA’s response, the initial PHA must determine whether it will approve or deny the move [24 CFR 982.355(c)(3)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will use e-mail, when possible, to contact the receiving PHA regarding whether the receiving PHA will administer or absorb the family’s voucher.
Initial Notification to the Receiving PHA
After approving a family’s request to move under portability, the initial PHA must promptly notify the receiving PHA via email or other confirmed delivery method to expect the family [24 CFR 982.355(c)(3); 24 CFR 982.355(c)(7)]. The initial PHA must also advise the family how to contact and request assistance from the receiving PHA [24 CFR 982.355(c)(6)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Because the portability process is time-sensitive, the PHA will notify the receiving PHA by phone, fax, or e-mail to expect the family. The initial PHA will also ask the receiving PHA to provide any information the family may need upon arrival, including the name, fax, e-mail address, and telephone number of the staff person responsible for business with incoming portable families and procedures related to appointments for voucher issuance. The PHA will pass this information along to the family. The PHA will also ask for the name, address, telephone number, fax and e-mail of the person responsible for processing the billing information.
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Sending Documentation to the Receiving PHA
The initial PHA is required to send the receiving PHA the following documents:
• Form HUD-52665, Family Portability Information, with Part I filled out [Notice PIH 2016-09]
• A copy of the family’s voucher [Notice PIH 2016-09]
• A copy of the family’s most recent form HUD-50058, Family Report, or, if necessary, in the case of an applicant family, family and income information in a format similar to that of form HUD-50058 [24 CFR 982.355(c)(7), Notice PIH 2016-09]
• Copies of the income verifications backing up the form HUD-50058, including a copy of the family’s current EIV data [24 CFR 982.355(c)(7), Notice PIH 2016-09] Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
In addition to these documents, the PHA will provide the following information, if available, to the receiving PHA:
Social security numbers (SSNs)
Documentation of SSNs for all nonexempt household members whose SSNs have not been verified through the EIV system
Documentation of legal identity
Documentation of citizenship or eligible immigration status Copies of birth certificates
If applicable, information related to the family’s health and medical care and disability assistance expense phase-in hardship exemption, including what stage the family is in and how many months remain in that phase-in stage.
The PHA will notify the family in writing regarding any information provided to the receiving PHA [HCV GB, p. 13-3].
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Initial Billing Deadline [Notice PIH 2016-09]
The deadline for submission of initial billing is 90 days following the expiration date of the voucher issued to the family by the initial PHA. In cases where suspension of the voucher delays the initial billing submission, the receiving PHA must notify the initial PHA of delayed billing before the billing deadline and document the delay is due to the suspension. In this case, the initial PHA must extend the billing deadline by 30 days.
If the initial PHA does not receive a billing notice by the deadline and does not intend to honor a late billing submission, it must notify the receiving PHA in writing. The initial PHA may report to HUD the receiving PHA’s failure to comply with the deadline.
If the initial PHA will honor the late billing, no action is required.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The initial PHA’s decision as to whether to accept late billing will be based on internal PHA factors, including the initial PHA’s leasing or funding status. If the PHA has not received an initial billing notice from the receiving PHA within the billing deadline and does not intend to honor the late billing, it will contact the receiving PHA to inform them that it will not honor a late billing submission and will return any subsequent billings that it receives on behalf of the family. In this case, the PHA will send the receiving PHA a written confirmation of its decision by mail.
Among other considerations as to whether to accept late billing will be if the family includes a person with disabilities and the late billings is a result of a reasonable accommodation granted to the family by the receiving PHA.
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Monthly Billing Payments [24 CFR 982.355(e), Notice PIH 2016-09] If the receiving PHA is administering the family’s voucher, the receiving PHA bills the initial PHA for housing assistance payments and administrative fees. When reimbursing for administrative fees, the initial PHA must promptly reimburse the receiving PHA for the lesser of 80 percent of the initial PHA ongoing administrative fee or 100 percent of the receiving PHA’s ongoing administrative fee for each program unit under contract on the first day of the month for which the receiving PHA is billing the initial PHA under portability. If the administrative fees are prorated for the HCV program, the proration will apply to the amount of the administrative fee for which the receiving PHA may bill [24 CFR 982.355(e)(2)].
The initial PHA is responsible for making billing payments in a timely manner. The first billing amount is due within 30 calendar days after the initial PHA receives Part II of form HUD-52665 from the receiving PHA. Subsequent payments must be received by the receiving PHA no later than the fifth business day of each month. The payments must be provided in a form and manner that the receiving PHA is able and willing to accept.
The initial PHA may not terminate or delay making payments under existing portability billing arrangements as a result of overleasing or funding shortfalls. The PHA must manage its tenantbased program in a manner that ensures that it has the financial ability to provide assistance for families that move out of its jurisdiction under portability and are not absorbed by receiving PHAs as well as for families that remain within its jurisdiction.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The initial PHA will utilize direct deposit to ensure that the payment is received by the deadline unless the receiving PHA notifies the initial PHA that direct deposit is not acceptable to them. If the initial PHA extends the term of the voucher, the receiving PHA’s voucher will expire 30 calendar days from the new expiration date of the initial PHA’s voucher.
Annual Updates of Form HUD-50058
If the initial PHA is being billed on behalf of a portable family, it should receive an updated form HUD-50058 each year from the receiving PHA. If the initial PHA fails to receive an updated 50058 by the family’s annual reexamination date, the initial PHA should contact the receiving PHA to verify the status of the family. The initial PHA must continue paying the receiving PHA based on the last form HUD-50058 received, unless instructed otherwise by HUD. The initial PHA may seek absorption of the vouchers by following steps outlined in Notice PIH 2016-09.
Denial or Termination of Assistance [24 CFR 982.355(c)(17)] At any time, either the initial PHA or the receiving PHA may make a determination to deny or terminate assistance with the family in accordance with 24 CFR 982.552 and 24 CFR 982.553. (For PHA policies on denial and termination, see Chapters 3 and 12, respectively.) Agenda Item No. 06 Page 336 of 985 HA Agenda 05-05-2025 © Copyright 20230 Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. PHHA Admin Plan 7/1/20243 Unlimited copies may be made for internal use.
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10-II.C. RECEIVING PHA ROLE
If a family has a right to lease a unit in the receiving PHA’s jurisdiction under portability, the receiving PHA must provide assistance for the family [24 CFR 982.355(10)]. HUD may determine in certain instances that a PHA is not required to accept incoming portable families, such as a PHA in a declared disaster area. However, the PHA must have approval in writing from HUD before refusing any incoming portable families [24 CFR 982.355(b)].
Administration of the voucher must be in accordance with the receiving PHA’s policies. This requirement also applies to policies of Moving to Work agencies. The receiving PHA procedures and preferences for selection among eligible applicants do not apply to the family, and the receiving PHA waiting list is not used [24 CFR 982.355(c)(10)]. The family’s unit, or voucher, size is determined in accordance with the subsidy standards of the receiving PHA [24 CFR 982.355(c)(12)], and the receiving PHA’s policies on extensions of the voucher term apply [24 CFR 982.355(c)(14)].
Responding to Initial PHA’s Request [24 CFR 982.355(c)] The receiving PHA must respond via e-mail or other confirmed delivery method to the initial PHA’s inquiry to determine whether the family’s voucher will be billed or absorbed [24 CFR 982.355(c)(3)]. If the receiving PHA informs the initial PHA that it will be absorbing the voucher, the receiving PHA cannot reverse its decision at a later date without consent of the initial PHA (24 CFR 982.355(c)(4).
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will use e-mail, when possible, to notify the initial PHA whether it will administer or absorb the family’s voucher.
Initial Contact with Family
When a family moves into the PHA’s jurisdiction under portability, the family is responsible for promptly contacting the PHA and complying with the PHA’s procedures for incoming portable families. The family’s failure to comply may result in denial or termination of the receiving PHA’s voucher [24 CFR 982.355(c)(8)].
If the voucher issued to the family by the initial PHA has expired, the receiving PHA must contact the initial PHA to determine if it will extend the voucher [24 CFR 982.355(c)(13)]. An informal hearing is not required when a voucher has expired without the family leasing a unit.
If for any reason the receiving PHA refuses to process or provide assistance to a family under the portability procedures, the family must be given the opportunity for an informal review or hearing [Notice PIH 2016-09]. (For more on this topic, see later under “Denial or Termination of Assistance.”)
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Briefing
HUD allows the receiving PHA to require a briefing for an incoming portable family as long as the requirement does not unduly delay the family’s search [Notice PIH 2016-09].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will have a meeting with the family. The PHA will provide the family with information required to complete a recertification.
Income Eligibility and Reexamination
The receiving PHA does not redetermine eligibility for a portable family that was already receiving assistance in the initial PHA’s voucher program [24 CFR 982.355(c)(9)]. If the receiving PHA opts to conduct a new reexamination for a current participant family, the receiving PHA may not delay issuing the family a voucher or otherwise delay approval of a unit [24 CFR 982.355(c)(11)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
For any family moving into its jurisdiction under portability, the PHA will conduct a new reexamination of family income and composition. The Port Hueneme Housing Authority will conduct criminal background checks on families porting into the PHA jurisdiction. However, the PHA will not delay issuing the family a voucher for this reason. Nor will the PHA delay approving a unit for the family until the reexamination process is complete unless the family is an applicant and the PHA cannot otherwise confirm that the family is income eligible for admission to the program in the area where the unit is located.
In conducting its own reexamination, the PHA will rely upon any verifications provided by the initial PHA to the extent that they (a) accurately reflect the family’s current circumstances and (b) were obtained within the last 120 days. Any new information may be verified by documents provided by the family and adjusted, if necessary, when third party verification is received.
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Voucher Issuance
When a family moves into its jurisdiction under portability, the receiving PHA is required to issue the family a voucher [24 CFR 982.355(c)(13)]. The family must submit a request for tenancy approval to the receiving PHA during the term of the receiving PHA’s voucher [24 CFR 982.355(c)(15)].
Timing of Voucher Issuance
HUD expects the receiving PHA to issue the voucher within two weeks after receiving the family’s paperwork from the initial PHA if the information is in order, the family has contacted the receiving PHA, and the family complies with the receiving PHA’s procedures [Notice PIH 2016-09].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
When a family ports into its jurisdiction, the PHA will issue the family a voucher within two weeks, based on the paperwork provided by the initial PHA unless the family’s paperwork from the initial PHA is incomplete, the family’s voucher from the initial PHA has expired or the family does not comply with the PHA’s procedures. The PHA will update the family’s information when verification has been completed.
Voucher Term
The term of the receiving PHA’s voucher may not expire before 30 calendar days from the expiration of the initial PHA’s voucher [24 CFR 982.355(c)(13)]. If the initial PHA extends the term of the voucher, the receiving PHA’s voucher may not expire before 30 days from the new expiration date of the initial PHA’s voucher [Notice PIH 2016-09].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The receiving PHA’s voucher will expire 30 calendars days from the expiration date of the initial PHA’s voucher. If the initial PHA extends the term of the voucher, the receiving PHA’s voucher will expire 30 calendar days from the new expiration date of the initial PHA’s voucher.
Voucher Extensions [24 CFR 982.355(c)(14), Notice 2016-09] Once the receiving PHA issues the portable family a voucher, the receiving PHA’s policies on extensions of the voucher term apply. The receiving PHA must inform the initial PHA of any extension granted to the term of the voucher. It must also bear in mind the billing deadline provided by the initial PHA. Unless willing and able to absorb the family, the receiving PHA should ensure that any voucher expiration date would leave sufficient time to process a request for tenancy approval, execute a HAP contract, and deliver the initial billing to the initial PHA.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA generally will not extend the term of the voucher that it issues to an incoming portable family unless the PHA plans to absorb the family into its own program, in which case it will follow the policies on voucher extension set forth in section 5-II.E.
The PHA will consider an exception to this policy as a reasonable accommodation to a person with disabilities (see Chapter 2).
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Voucher Suspensions [24 CFR 982.303, 24 CFR 982.355(c)(15)] If the family submits a request for tenancy approval during the term of the receiving PHA’s voucher, the PHA must suspend the term of that voucher. The term of the voucher stops from the date that the family submits a request for PHA approval of the tenancy until the date the PHA notifies the family in writing whether the request has been approved or denied [24 CFR 982.4(b)] (see Section 5-II.E).
Notifying the Initial PHA
The receiving PHA must promptly notify the initial PHA if the family has leased an eligible unit under the program or if the family fails to submit a request for tenancy approval for an eligible unit within the term of the receiving PHA’s voucher [24 CFR 982.355(c)(16)]. The receiving PHA is required to use Part II of form HUD-52665, Family Portability Information, for this purpose [Notice PIH 2016-09]. (For more on this topic and the deadline for notification, see below under “Administering a Portable Family’s Voucher.”) If an incoming portable family ultimately decides not to lease in the jurisdiction of the receiving PHA but instead wishes to return to the initial PHA’s jurisdiction or to search in another jurisdiction, the receiving PHA must refer the family back to the initial PHA. In such a case the voucher of record for the family is once again the voucher originally issued by the initial PHA.
Any extension of search time provided by the receiving PHA’s voucher is only valid for the family’s search in the receiving PHA’s jurisdiction [Notice PIH 2016-09].
Administering a Portable Family’s Voucher
Portability Billing [24 CFR 982.355(e)]
To cover assistance for a portable family that was not absorbed, the receiving PHA bills the initial PHA for housing assistance payments and administrative fees. The amount of the housing assistance payment for a portable family in the receiving PHA’s program is determined in the same manner as for other families in the receiving PHA’s program.
The receiving PHA may bill the initial PHA for the lesser of 80 percent of the initial PHA’s ongoing administrative fee or 100 percent of the receiving PHA’s ongoing administrative fee for each program unit under contract on the first day of the month for which the receiving PHA is billing the initial PHA under portability. If the administrative fees are prorated for the HCV program, the proration will apply to the amount of the administrative fee for which the receiving PHA may bill (i.e., the receiving PHA may bill for the lesser of 80 percent of the initial PHA’s prorated ongoing administrative fee or 100 percent of the receiving PHA’s ongoing administrative fee).
If both PHAs agree, the PHAs may negotiate a different amount of reimbursement.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Unless the PHA negotiates a different amount of reimbursement with the initial PHA, the PHA will bill the initial PHA the maximum amount of administrative fees allowed, ensuring any administrative fee proration has been properly applied.
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Initial Billing Deadline
If a portable family’s search for a unit is successful and the receiving PHA intends to administer the family’s voucher, the receiving PHA must submit its initial billing notice (Part II of form HUD-52665) in time that the notice will be received no later than 90 days following the expiration date of the family’s voucher issued by the initial PHA [Notice PIH 2016-09]. This deadline may be extended for 30 additional days if the delay is due to suspension of the voucher’s term (see Initial Billing Section). A copy of the family’s form HUD-50058, Family Report, completed by the receiving PHA must be attached to the initial billing notice. The receiving PHA may send these documents by mail, fax, or e-mail.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will send its initial billing notice by faxby or e-mail, if necessary, to meet the billing deadline but will also send the notice by regular mail.
If the receiving PHA fails to send the initial billing by the deadline, it is required to absorb the family into its own program unless (a) the initial PHA is willing to accept the late submission or (b) HUD requires the initial PHA to honor the late submission (e.g., because the receiving PHA is over leased) [Notice PIH 2016-09].
Ongoing Notification Responsibilities [Notice PIH 2016-09, HUD-52665] Annual Reexamination. The receiving PHA must send the initial PHA a copy of a portable family’s updated form HUD-50058 after each annual reexamination for the duration of time the receiving PHA is billing the initial PHA on behalf of the family, regardless of whether there is a change in the billing amount.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will send a copy of the updated HUD-50058 by regular mail no later than 10 business days after the effective date of the reexamination.
Change in Billing Amount. The receiving PHA is required to notify the initial PHA, using form HUD-52665, of any change in the billing amount for the family as a result of:
• A change in the HAP amount (because of a reexamination, a change in the applicable payment standard, a move to another unit, etc.)
• An abatement or subsequent resumption of the HAP payments • Termination of the HAP contract
• Payment of a damage/vacancy loss claim for the family • Termination of the family from the program
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The timing of the notice of the change in the billing amount should correspond with the notification to the owner and the family in order to provide the initial PHA with advance notice of the change. Under no circumstances should the notification be later than 10 business days following the effective date of the change in the billing amount. If the receiving PHA fails to send Form HUD-52665 within 10 days of effective date of billing changes, the initial PHA is not responsible for any increase prior to notification. If the change resulted in a decrease in the monthly billing amount, the initial PHA will offset future monthly payments until the difference is reconciled.
Late Payments [Notice PIH 2016-09]
If the initial PHA fails to make a monthly payment for a portable family by the fifth business day of the month, the receiving PHA must promptly notify the initial PHA in writing of the deficiency. The notice must identify the family, the amount of the billing payment, the date the billing payment was due, and the date the billing payment was received (if it arrived late). The receiving PHA must send a copy of the notification to the Office of Public Housing (OPH) in the HUD area office with jurisdiction over the receiving PHA. If the initial PHA fails to correct the problem by the second month following the notification, the receiving PHA may request by memorandum to the director of the OPH with jurisdiction over the receiving PHA that HUD transfer the unit in question. A copy of the initial notification and any subsequent correspondence between the PHAs on the matter must be attached. The receiving PHA must send a copy of the memorandum to the initial PHA. If the OPH decides to grant the transfer, the billing arrangement on behalf of the family ceases with the transfer, but the initial PHA is still responsible for any outstanding payments due to the receiving PHA.
Overpayments [Notice PIH 2016-09]
In all cases where the receiving PHA has received billing payments for billing arrangements no longer in effect, the receiving PHA is responsible for returning the full amount of the overpayment (including the portion provided for administrative fees) to the initial PHA.
In the event that HUD determines billing payments have continued for at least three months because the receiving PHA failed to notify the initial PHA that the billing arrangement was terminated, the receiving PHA must take the following steps:
• Return the full amount of the overpayment, including the portion provided for administrative fees, to the initial PHA.
• Once full payment has been returned, notify the Office of Public Housing in the HUD area office with jurisdiction over the receiving PHA of the date and the amount of reimbursement to the initial PHA.
At HUD’s discretion, the receiving PHA will be subject to the sanctions spelled out in Notice PIH 2016-09.
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Denial or Termination of Assistance
At any time, the receiving PHA may make a determination to deny or terminate assistance to a portable family for family action or inaction [24 CFR 982.355(c)(17)].
In the case of a termination, the PHA should provide adequate notice of the effective date to the initial PHA to avoid having to return a payment. In no event should the receiving PHA fail to notify the initial PHA later than 10 business days following the effective date of the termination of the billing arrangement [HUD-52665; Notice PIH 2016-09].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the PHA elects to deny or terminate assistance for a portable family, the PHA will notify the initial PHA within 10 business days after the informal review or hearing if the denial or termination is upheld. The PHA will base its denial or termination decision on the policies set forth in Chapter 3 or Chapter 12, respectively. The informal review or hearing will be held in accordance with the policies in Chapter 16. The receiving PHA will furnish the initial PHA with a copy of the review or hearing decision.
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Absorbing a Portable Family
The receiving PHA may absorb an incoming portable family into its own program when the PHA executes a HAP contract on behalf of the family or at any time thereafter providing that the PHA has funding available under its annual contributions contract (ACC) [24 CFR 982.355(d)(1), Notice PIH 2016-09].
If the receiving PHA absorbs a family from the point of admission, the admission will be counted against the income targeting obligation of the receiving PHA [24 CFR 982.201(b)(2)(vii)].
If the receiving PHA absorbs a family after providing assistance for the family under a billing arrangement with the initial PHA, the receiving PHA must send an updated form HUD-52665 to the initial PHA no later than 10 business days following the effective date of the termination of the billing arrangement [Notice PIH 2016-09].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the PHA decides to absorb a portable family upon the execution of a HAP contract on behalf of the family, the PHA will notify the initial PHA by the initial billing deadline specified on form HUD-52665. The effective date of the HAP contract will be the effective date of the absorption.
If the PHA decides to absorb a family after that, it will provide the initial PHA with 30 days’ advance notice, but no later than 10 business days following the effective date of the termination of the billing arrangement.
Following the absorption of an incoming portable family, the family is assisted with funds available under the consolidated ACC for the receiving PHA’s voucher program [24 CFR 982.355(d)], and the receiving PHA becomes the initial PHA in any subsequent moves by the family under portability [24 CFR 982.355(e)(4)].
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Chapter 11.B.
REEXAMINATIONS UNDER HOTMA 102/104
INTRODUCTION
This chapter is applicable upon the PHA’s HOTMA 102/104 compliance date. Prior to this date the PHA will follow policies as outlined in Chapter 11.A of the model policy.
The PHA is required to reexamine each family’s income and composition at least annually, and to adjust the family’s level of assistance accordingly. Interim reexaminations are also needed in certain situations. This chapter discusses both annual and interim reexaminations, and the recalculation of family share and subsidy that occurs as a result. HUD regulations and PHA policies concerning reexaminations are presented in three parts:
Part I: Annual Reexaminations. This part discusses the process for conducting annual reexaminations.
Part II: Interim Reexaminations. This part details the requirements for families to report changes in family income and composition between annual reexaminations.
Part III: Recalculating Family Share and Subsidy Amount. This part discusses the recalculation of family share and subsidy amounts based on the results of annual and interim reexaminations.
Part IV: Non-Interim Reexamination Transaction. This part describes transactions that do not entail changes to the family’s adjusted income.
Policies governing reasonable accommodation, family privacy, required family cooperation, and program abuse, as described elsewhere in this plan, apply to both annual and interim reexaminations.
PART I: ANNUAL REEXAMINATIONS [24 CFR 982.516]
11-I.A. OVERVIEW
The PHA must conduct a reexamination of family income and composition at least annually.
This includes gathering and verifying current information about family composition, income, and expenses. Based on this updated information, the family’s income and rent must be recalculated.
This part discusses the schedule for annual reexaminations, the information to be collected and verified, and annual reexamination effective dates.
Unlike when performing an interim reexamination or at intake, at annual reexamination, the PHA must determine the income of the family for the previous 12-month period, except where the PHA uses a streamlined income determination. Income from assets, however, is always anticipated, irrespective of the income examination type [Notice PIH 2023-27]. PHAs also have the option of using “Ssafe Hharbor” income verification from another federal means-tested program to verify gross annual income. Chapter 7 contains the PHA’s policies related to streamlined income determination and the use of Ssafe Hharbor income verifications.
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11-I.B. STREAMLINED ANNUAL REEXAMINATIONS [24 CFR 982.516(b); New HCV GB Reexaminations]
HUD permits PHAs to streamline the income determination process for family members with fixed sources of income. While third-party verification of all income sources must be obtained during the intake process and every three years thereafter, in the intervening years the PHA may determine income from fixed sources by applying a verified cost of living adjustment (COLA) or rate of interest. The PHA may, however, obtain third-party verification of all income, regardless of the source. Further, upon request of the family, the PHA must perform third-party verification of all income sources.
Fixed sources of income include Social Security and SSI benefits, pensions, annuities, disability or death benefits, and other sources of income subject to a COLA or rate of interest. The determination of fixed income may be streamlined even if the family also receives income from other non-fixed sources.
Two streamlining options are available, depending upon the percentage of the family’s income that is received from fixed sources. If at least 90 percent of the family’s income is from fixed sources, the PHA may streamline the verification of fixed income but is not required verify nonfixed income amounts. If the family receives less than 90 percent of its income from fixed sources, the PHA may streamline the verification of fixed income and must verify non-fixed income annually.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will perform annual recertifications of all families.
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11-I.BC. SCHEDULING ANNUAL REEXAMINATIONS
The PHA must establish a policy to ensure that the annual reexamination for each family is completed within a 12-month period and may require reexaminations more frequently [HCV GB p. 12-1].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will begin the annual reexamination process 120 days in advance of its scheduled effective date. Generally, the PHA will schedule annual reexamination effective dates to coincide with the family’s anniversary date.
Anniversary date is defined as 12 months from the effective date of the family’s last annual reexamination or, during a family’s first year in the program, from the effective date of the family’s initial examination (admission).
If the family moves to a new unit, the PHA will perform a new annual reexamination.
The PHA also may schedule an annual reexamination for completion prior to the anniversary date for administrative purposes.
Notification of and Participation in the Annual Reexamination Process The PHA is required to obtain the information needed to conduct annual reexaminations. How that information will be collected is left to the discretion of the PHA. However, PHAs should give tenants who were not provided the opportunity the option to complete Form HUD-92006 at this time [Notice PIH 2009-36].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Families generally are required to participate in an annual reexamination interview, which must be attended by the head of household, spouse, or cohead. If participation in an in-person interview poses a hardship because of a family member’s disability, the family should contact the PHA to request a reasonable accommodation (see Chapter 2).
Notification of annual reexamination interviews will be sent by first-class mail and will contain the date, time, and location of the interview. In addition, it will inform the family of the information and documentation that must be brought to the interview.
If the family is unable to attend a scheduled interview, the family should contact the PHA in advance of the interview to schedule a new appointment. If a family does not attend the scheduled interview, the PHA will send a second notification with a new interview date and appointment time.
If a family fails to attend two scheduled interviews without PHA approval, or if the notice is returned by the post office with no forwarding address, a notice of termination (see Chapter 12) will be sent to the family’s address of record, and to any alternate address provided in the family’s file.
An advocate, interpreter, or other assistant may assist the family in the interview process.
The family and the PHA must execute a certification attesting to the role and the assistance provided by any such third party.
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11-I.CD. CONDUCTING ANNUAL REEXAMINATIONS
As part of the annual reexamination process, families are required to provide updated information to the PHA regarding the family’s income, expenses, and composition [24 CFR 982.551(b)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Families will be asked to bring all required information (as described in the reexamination notice) to the reexamination appointment. The required information will include a PHA-designated reexamination form, an Authorization for the Release of Information/Privacy Act Notice, as well as supporting documents or forms related to the family’s income, expenses, and family composition.
Any required documents or information that the family is unable to provide at the time of the interview must be provided within 10 business days of the interview. If the family is unable to obtain the information or materials within the required time frame, the family may request an extension.
If the family does not provide the required documents or information within the required time period (plus any extensions), the family will be sent a notice of termination (See Chapter 12).
Additionally, HUD recommends that at annual reexaminations PHAs ask whether the tenant, or any member of the tenant’s household, is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement in any state [Notice PIH 2012-28].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
At the annual reexamination, the PHA will ask whether the tenant, or any member of the tenant’s household, is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement in any state. The PHA will use the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender database to verify the information provided by the tenant. The PHA does not perform annual criminal background checks.
If the PHA proposes to terminate assistance based on lifetime sex offender registration information, the PHA must notify the household of the proposed action and must provide the subject of the record and the tenant a copy of the record and an opportunity to dispute the accuracy and relevance of the information prior to termination. [24 CFR 5.903(f) and 5.905(d)]. (See Chapter 12.)
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The information provided by the family generally must be verified in accordance with the policies in Chapter 7. Unless the family reports a change, or the PHA has reason to believe a change has occurred in information previously reported by the family, certain types of information that are verified at admission typically do not need to be re-verified on an annual basis. These include:
• Legal identity
• Age
• Social security numbers
• A person’s disability status
• Citizenship or immigration status
If adding a new family member to the unit causes overcrowding according to the housing quality standards (HQS) (see Chapter 8), the PHA must issue the family a new voucher, and the family and PHA must try to find an acceptable unit as soon as possible. If an acceptable unit is available for rental by the family, the PHA must terminate the HAP contract in accordance with its terms [24 CFR 982.403].
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11-I.DE. DETERMINING ONGOING ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN STUDENTS [24 CFR 982.552(b)(5)]
Section 327 of Public Law 109-115 established new restrictions on the ongoing eligibility of certain students (both part- and full-time) who are enrolled in institutions of higher education.
If a student enrolled in an institution of higher education is under the age of 24, is not a veteran, is not married, does not have a dependent child, and is not a person with disabilities receiving HCV assistance as of November 30, 2005, the student’s eligibility must be reexamined along with the income eligibility of the student’s parents on an annual basis. In these cases, both the student and the student’s parents must be income eligible for the student to continue to receive HCV assistance. If, however, a student in these circumstances is determined independent from his or her parents or is considered a vulnerable youth in accordance with Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy, the income of the student’s parents will not be considered in determining the student’s ongoing eligibility.
Students who reside with parents in an HCV assisted unit are not subject to this provision. It is limited to students who are receiving assistance on their own, separately from their parents.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
During the annual reexamination process, the PHA will determine the ongoing eligibility of each student who is subject to the eligibility restrictions in 24 CFR 5.612 by reviewing the student’s individual income as well as the income of the student’s parents. If the student has been determined “independent” from their parents or is considered a vulnerable youth based on the policies in Sections 3-II.E and 7-II.E, the parents’ income will not be reviewed.
If the student is no longer income eligible based on his/her own income or the income of their parents, the student’s assistance will be terminated in accordance with the policies in Section 12-I.D.
If the student continues to be income eligible based on his/her own income and the income of their parents (if applicable), the PHA will process a reexamination in accordance with the policies in this chapter.
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11 -I. E. CALCULATING ANNUAL INCOME AT ANNUAL REEXAMINATION [24 CFR 5.609(c)(2) and Notice PIH 2023-27]
The PHA must determine the income of the family for the previous 12-month period and use this amount as the family income for annual reexaminations, except where the PHA uses a streamlined income determination as indicated in Chapter 7 of this policy. The PHA may also use Safe harbor income determinations dated within the last 12 months from a means-tested federal public assistance program at annual reexamination as outlined in Chapter 7 of this policy.
Except when using streamlined or Safe Harbor income determinations, in determining the income of the family for the previous 12-month period, any change of income since the family’s last annual reexamination, including those that did not meet the threshold to process an interim reexamination in accordance with PHA policies and 24 CFR 5.657 (c) or 960.257 (b) must be considered.
Income from assets is always anticipated, irrespective of the income examination type.
A change in income may be a loss of income or the addition of a new source of income.
Changing to a different employer in the prior year does not necessarily constitute a change if the income earned from either employer is substantially the same. The PHA should look at the entirety of the family’s unearned income and earned income from the prior year in which earned income may have been one constant job or many different jobs that start and stop.
Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) to Social Security income and Social Security disability income are always considered changes to income because the COLA is an adjustment that automatically occurs annually by law. See Chapter 6 for PHA policies on when the COLA is applied and Chapter 7 on streamlined determination of income for inflationary adjustments.
Notice PIH 2023-27 list the following steps to calculate both earned and unearned income at annual reexamination.
Step 1: The PHA determines annual income for the previous 12-month period by reviewing the following information:
• The EIV Income Report pulled withing 120 days of the effective date of the annual reexaminations;
• The income reported on the most recent HUD-50058; and • The amount of prior-year income reported by the family on the PHA’s annual reexamination paperwork.
Step 2: The PHA takes into consideration any interim reexamination of family income completed since the last annual reexamination.
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determine the family’s total annual income. The PHA may use verification obtained from the interim for this step.
• If the PHA did not perform an interim or there have been changes since the last reexamination, the PHA moves to Step 3.
Step 3: If there were changes in annual income not processed by the PHA since the last reexamination, the PHA must use current income. The family will be required to report their income for the prior year and whether there have been permanent changes.
If there are not reported changes to an income source, the PHA may use documentation of prioryear income to calculate the annual income. For example, the PHA may use the following documentation:
• EIV + self-certification (wages, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, and unemployment)
• Current written third-party verification from the source verifying prior-year income that is dated within 120 days of receipt by the PHA, for example:
- Year-end statements
- Paystub with year-to-date amounts
- Tax forms (Form 1040, W2, 1099, etc.)
If there are reported changes by the family or the PHA notes discrepancies between EIV and what the family reports, the PHA must follow the verification hierarchy (described in Chapter 7) to document and verify income. Exhibit 11-1 provides detailed examples of how the PHA calculates income from different sources at annual reexamination using the above method.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
When income is calculated using a streamlined income determination or Safe Harbor determination from a means-tested public assistance program with accordance with PHA policies in Chapter 7, the above is not applicable. However, where the family disagrees with the PHA or other agency’s determination of income or the PHA has other reason to use third-party verification in theses circumstance, then the above will apply. 11-I.F. EFFECTIVE DATES
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The PHA must establish policies concerning the effective date of changes that result from an annual reexamination [24 CFR 982.516].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
In general, an increase in the family share of the rent that results from an annual reexamination will take effect on the family’s anniversary date, and the family will be notified at least 30 days in advance.
If less than 30 days remain before the scheduled effective date, the increase will take effect on the first of the month following the end of the 30-day notice period.
If a family moves to a new unit, the increase will take effect on the effective date of the new lease and HAP contract, and no 30-day notice is required.
If the PHA chooses to schedule an annual reexamination for completion prior to the family’s anniversary date for administrative purposes, the effective date will be determined by the PHA, but will always allow for the 30-day notice period.
If the family causes a delay in processing the annual reexamination, increases in the family share of the rent will be applied retroactively, to the scheduled effective date of the annual reexamination. The family will be responsible for any overpaid subsidy and may be offered a repayment agreement in accordance with the policies in Chapter 16.
In general, a decrease in the family share of the rent that results from an annual reexamination will take effect on the family’s anniversary date.
If a family moves to a new unit, the decrease will take effect on the effective date of the new lease and HAP contract.
If the PHA chooses to schedule an annual reexamination for completion prior to the family’s anniversary date for administrative purposes, the effective date will be determined by the PHA.
If the family causes a delay in processing the annual reexamination, decreases in the family share of the rent will be applied prospectively, from the first day of the month following completion of the reexamination processing.
Delays in reexamination processing are considered to be caused by the family if the family fails to provide information requested by the PHA by the date specified, and this delay prevents the PHA from completing the reexamination as scheduled.
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Agenda Item No. 06 Page 354 of 985 HA Agenda 05-05-2025 © Copyright 20220 Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. PHHA Admin Plan 7/1/20233 Unlimited copies may be made for internal use.
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PART II: INTERIM REEXAMINATIONS [24 CFR 982.516; Notice PIH 2023-27] 11-II.A. OVERVIEW
Family circumstances may change between annual reexaminations. HUD and PHA policies dictate what kinds of information about changes in family circumstances must be reported, and under what circumstances the PHA must process interim reexaminations to reflect those changes.
HUD regulations also permit the PHA to conduct interim reexaminations of income or family composition at any time. When an interim reexamination is conducted, only those factors that have changed are verified and adjusted [HCV GB, p. 12-10].
A family may request an interim determination of a family income or composition because of any changes since the last determination. The PHA must conduct any interim reexamination within a reasonable period of time after the family request or when the PHA becomes aware of a change in the family’s adjusted income that must be processed in accordance with HUD regulations. What qualifies as a “reasonable time” may vary based on the amount of time it takes to verify information, but the PHA generally should conduct the interim reexamination not longer than 30 days after the PHA becomes aware of changes in income.
Notice PIH 2023-27 changes the conditions under which interim reexaminations must be conducted, codifies when interim reexaminations should be processed and made effective, and requires related changes for annual reexaminations and streamlined income determinations.
When the PHA determines that an interim reexamination of income is necessary, they must ask the family to report changes in all aspects of adjusted income.
In addition to specifying what information the family must report, HUD regulations permit the family to request an interim determination if other aspects of the family’s income or composition changes. The PHA must complete the interim reexamination within a reasonable time after the family’s request.
This part includes HUD and PHA policies describing what changes families are required to report, what changes families may choose to report, and how the PHA will process both PHAand family-initiated interim reexaminations. 11-II.B. CHANGES IN FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION
Reporting
PHAs must require families to report household composition changes; however, PHAs determine the timeframe in which reporting happens [Notice PIH 2023-27]. The family is required to report all changes in family composition. The PHA must adopt policies prescribing when and under what conditions the family must report changes in income and family composition [24 CFR 960.257(b)(5)]. However, due to family obligations under the program, the PHA has limited discretion in this area.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
All families must report all changes in family and household composition that occur between annual reexaminations withing 10 business days of the change.
The PHA will conduct interim reexaminations to account for any changes in household composition that occur between annual reexaminations every year.
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New Family Members Not Requiring PHA Approval
The addition of a family member as a result of birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody does not require PHA approval. However, the family is required to promptly notify the PHA of the addition [24 CFR 982.551(h)(2)].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The family must inform the PHA of the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child within 10 business days.
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New Family and Household Members Requiring Approval
With the exception of children who join the family as a result of birth, adoption, or courtawarded custody, a family must request PHA approval to add a new family member [24 CFR 982.551(h)(2)] or other household member (live-in aide or foster child) [24 CFR 982.551(h)(4)].
Although the PHA must verify aspects of program eligibility when any new family member is added, the Streamlining Final Rule removed the requirement that PHAs conduct a reexamination of income whenever a new family member is added. The PHA mays state in policy that an income reexamination will be conducted.
If a change in family size causes a violation of Housing Quality Standards (HQS) space standards (see Chapter 8), the PHA must issue the family a new voucher, and the family and PHA must try to find an acceptable unit as soon as possible. If an acceptable unit is available for rental by the family, the PHA must terminate the family’s HAP contract in accordance with its terms [24 CFR 982.403].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Families must request PHA approval to add a new family member (other than due to birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody), live-in aide, foster child, or foster adult. This includes any person not on the lease who is expected to stay in the unit for more than 14 consecutive days or 30 cumulative days within a 12-month period and therefore no longer qualifies as a “guest.” Requests must be made in writing and approved by the PHA prior to the individual moving into the unit.
The PHA will not approve the addition of a new family or household member unless the individual meets the PHA’s eligibility criteria (see Chapter 3) and documentation requirements (see Chapter 7, Part II).
The PHA will not approve the addition of a foster child or foster adult if it will cause a violation of HQS space standards.
If the PHA determines an individual meets the PHA’s eligibility criteria and documentation requirements, the PHA will provide written approval to the family. If the approval of a new family member or live-in aide will cause overcrowding according to HQS standards, the approval letter will explain that the family will be issued a voucher and will be required to move.
If the PHA determines that an individual does not meet the PHA’s eligibility criteria or documentation requirements, the PHA will notify the family in writing of its decision to deny approval of the new family or household member and the reasons for the denial.
The PHA will make its determination within 10 business days of receiving all information required to verify the individual’s eligibility.
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Departure of a Family or Household Member
Families must promptly notify the PHA if any familyhousehold member no longer lives in the unit [24 CFR 982.551(h)(3)]. Because household members are considered when determining the family unit (voucher) size [24 CFR 982.402], the PHA also needs to know when any live-in aide, foster child, or foster adult ceases to reside in the unit. The PHA must process an interim for all decreases in adjusted income when a family member permanently moves out of the unit.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If a household member ceases to reside in the unit, the family must inform the PHA within 10 business days. This requirement also applies to a family member who has been considered temporarily absent at the point that the family concludes the individual is permanently absent.
If a live-in aide, foster child, or foster adult ceases to reside in the unit, the family must inform the PHA within 10 business days.
Changes in Family Unit Size (Voucher Size) [24 CFR 982.505(c)(6)] Changes effective 12/2/24 and earlier: irrespective of any increase or decrease in the payent standard, if the family unit size increases or decreases during the HAP contract term, the new family unit size must be used to determine the payment standard for the family beginning at the family’s first regular reexamination following the change in family unit size.
Changes effective 12/3/24 and later: Irrespective of any increase or decrease in the payment standard, if the family unit size increases or decreases during the HAP contract term, the new family unit size may be used to determine the payment standard immediately or at the family’s first regular reexamination following the change in family unit size.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the family unit size (voucher size) changes during the term of a HAP contract, the new family unit size will be used to determine the payment standard at the family’s first regular reexamination following the change in family unit size.
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11-II.C. CHANGES AFFECTING INCOME OR EXPENSES
Overview
Interim reexaminations for changes in income or expenses may be scheduled either because the PHA has reason to believe that changes in income or expenses may have occurred, or because a family reports a change.
The PHA must estimate the income of the family for the upcoming 12-month period to determine family income for an interim reexamination [24 CFR 5.609(c)(1)]. Policies for projecting income are found in Chapter 6.
Interim Decreases [24 CFR 982.516(c)(2) and Notice PIH 2023-27] A family may request an interim determination of family income for any change since the last determination. However, the PHA may decline to conduct an interim reexamination if the PHA estimates the family’s adjusted income will decrease by an amount that is less than 10 perent of the family’s adjusted income. The PHA may set a lower threshold in PHA policy such as performing an interim for any decrease in adjusted income, although HUD prohibits the PHA from setting a dollar-figure threshold.
However, while the PHA has some discretion, HUD requires that the PHA perform an interim reexamination for a decrease in adjusted income of any amount in tow circumstances:
• When there is a decrease in family size attributed to the death of a family member; or • When a family member permanently moves out of the assisted unit during the period since the family’s last reexamination.
In the above circumstances, the PHA must perform an interim reexamination for any decrease in adjusted income.
If the net effect of the changes in adjusted income due to a decrease in a family size results in no change or an increase in annual adjusted income, then PHA must process the removal of the household member(s) as a non-interim reexamination transaction without making changes to the family’s annual adjusted income.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will conduct an interim reexamination any time the family’s adjusted income has decreased by any amount.
Interim Increases [24 CFR 982.516(c)(3) and Notice PIH 2023-27] Increases Less than 10 Percent
PHAs must not process interim reexaminations for income increases that result in less than 10 percent increase in annual adjusted income.
Increases 10 Percent or Greater
PHAs must conduct an interim reexamination of family income when the PHA becomes aware that the family’s adjusted income has changed by an amount that the PHA estimates will result in an increase of 10 percent or more in adjusted income, with the following exceptions:
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• PHAs may not consider any increases in earned income when estimating or calculating whether the family’s adjusted income has increased, unless the family has previously received an interim reduction during the same reexamination cycle; and • PHAs may choose not to conduct an interim reexamination during the last three months of a certification period if a family reports an increase in income within three months of the next annual reexamination effective date.
When the family previously received an interim reexamination for a decrease to adjusted income during the same annual reexamination cycle, a PHA has the discretion whether to consider a subsequent increase in earned income.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
When a family reports an increase in their earned income between annual reexaminations, the PHA will not conduct an interim reexamination, regardless of the amount of the increase, and regardless of whether there was a previous decrease since the family’s last annual reexamination.
The PHA will process an interim reexamination for any increases in unearned income of 10 percent or more in adjusted income.
The PHA will not perform an interim reexamination when a family report an increase in income (whether earned or unearned income) within three months of their annual reexamination effective date. However, families who delay reporting income increases until the last three months of their certification period may be subject to retroactive rent increases in accordance with the PHA policies in Chapter 14.
Concurrent Increases in Earned and Unearned Income [Notice PIH 2023-27] When the family reports an increase in both earned and unearned income at the same time, the PHA must look at the earned and unearned income changes independently of each other to determine if an interim reexamination is performed. The PHA will only conduct an interim reexamination when the increase independently meets the 10 percent threshold and all other requirements for performing interim reexaminations. For example, if a family reported increases in both earned and unearned income that overall resulted in a 12 percent increase in their adjusted income, but the change unearned income represented a 7 percent increase and the change in unearned income represented a 5 percent increase, the PHA may not perform an interim for either change since neither change meets the 10 percent threshold amount independently. If the change in unearned income met the 10 percent threshold in this case, the PHA would be required to perform an interim. If the change in earned income met the 10 percent threshold in this case, the PHA would refer to PHA policy to determined whether an interim was required.
Cumulative Increases [Notice PIH 2023-27]
A series of smaller reported increases in adjusted income may cumulatively meet or exceed the 10-percent increase threshold, at which point the PHA must conduct an interim reexamination in accordance with PHA policy.
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Family Reporting
The PHA must adopt policies consistent with HUD regulations prescribing when an under what conditions the family must report a change in family income or composition [24 CFR 982.516(d)].
PHA policy may require families to report only changes that the family estimates meet the threshold for an interim reexamination or the PHA may establish policies requiring that families report all changes in income and household composition, and the PHA will subsequently determine if the change requires an interim reexamination [Notice PIH 2023-27].
When the PHA determines that an interim reexamination of income is necessary, they must ask the family to report changes in all aspects of adjusted income. For example, if the family is reporting a decrease in adjusted income that is more than 10 percent, but the family also had a change in assets that would result in a change in income, the change in assets must also be reviewed [Notice PIH 2023-27]
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The family will be required to report all changes in income regardless of the amount of change, whether the change is to earned or unearned income, or if the change occurred during the last three months of the certification period. Families must report changes in income within 10 business days of the date the change takes effect. The family may notify the PHA of changes in writing.
Within 10 business days of the family reporting the change, the PHA will determine whether the change will require an interim reexamination.
If the change will not result in an interim reexamination, the PHA will note the information in the tenant file but will not conduct an interim reexamination. The PHA will send the family written notification withing 10 business days of making this determination informing the family that the PHA will not conduct an interim reexamination.
If the change will result in an interim reexamination, the PHA will determine the documentation the family will required to submit based on the type of change reported and PHA policies in Chapter 7. The PHA will ask the family to report changes in all aspects of adjusted income at this time. The family must submit any required information or documents within 10 business days of receiving a request from the PHA. This time frame may be extended for good cause with PHA approval. The PHA will accept required documentation by mail, email, or in person. The PHA will conduct the interim within a reasonable time period based on the amount of time it takes to verify the information.
Generally, the family will not be required to attend an interview for an interim reexamination. However, if the PHA determines that an interview is warranted, the family may be required to attend.
Interim reexaminations can be scheduled either because the PHA has reason to believe that changes in income or expenses may have occurred, or because the family reports a change.
When a family reports a change, the PHA may take different actions depending on whether the family reported the change voluntarily, or because it was required to do so.
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PHA-Initiated Interim Reexaminations
PHA-initiated interim reexaminations are those that are scheduled based on circumstances or criteria defined by the PHA. They are not scheduled because of changes reported by the family.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The PHA will conduct interim reexaminations in each of the following instances:
If the family has reported income less than $500 per month (including zero income), the PHA will conduct an interim reexamination every sixty (60) days as long as the family continues to report that they have no income.
The PHA will conduct an interim if the tenant fails to report increases of income within 10 business days.
The PHA may conduct an interim reexamination at any time in order to correct an error in a previous reexamination, or to investigate a tenant fraud complaint.
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Family-Initiated Interim Reexaminations
The PHA must adopt policies prescribing when and under what conditions the family must report changes in family income or expenses [24 CFR 982.516(c)]. In addition, HUD regulations require that the family be permitted to obtain an interim reexamination any time the family has experienced a change in circumstances since the last determination [24 CFR 982.516(b)(2)].
Required Reporting
HUD regulations give the PHA the freedom to determine the circumstances under which families will be required to report changes affecting income.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Families are required to report all increases in income, including any new employment, within 10 business days of the date the change takes effect. If the family fails to report the change within 10 business days, any amount of increase will be included and processed retroactively to the 1st of the month following the date of the family started receiving the increased income. If the family is eligible for EID, the EID will be made retroactive to the date the family started receiving the income.
Optional Reporting
The family may request an interim reexamination any time the family has experienced a change in circumstances since the last determination [24 CFR 982.516(b)(2)]. The PHA must process the request if the family reports a change that will result in a reduced family income [HCV GB, p. 12-9].
If a family reports a decrease in income from the loss of welfare benefits due to fraud or noncompliance with a welfare agency requirement to participate in an economic self-sufficiency program, the family’s share of the rent will not be reduced [24 CFR 5.615]. For more information regarding the requirement to impute welfare income see Chapter 6.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If a family reports a change within the required timeframe and their income is not increasing more than $100 per month/1,200 per year, the PHA will not process an interim adjustment but will note the file. If the family fails to report the change within 10 business days, any amount of increase will be included and processed retroactively to the 1st of the month following the date of the family started receiving the increased income.
If a family reports a change that it was not required to report and that would result in a decrease in the family share of rent, the PHA will conduct an interim reexamination. See Section 11-II.D. for effective dates.
Families may report changes in income or expenses at any time.
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11-II.D. PROCESSING THE INTERIM REEXAMINATION
Method of Reporting
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The family may notify the PHA of changes either in writing.
Generally, the family will not be required to attend an interview for an interim reexamination.
However, if the PHA determines that an interview is warranted, the family may be required to attend.
Based on the type of change reported, the PHA will determine the documentation the family will be required to submit. The family must submit any required information or documents within 10 business days of receiving a request from the PHA. This time frame may be extended for good cause with PHA approval. The PHA will accept required documentation by mail, by fax, or in person.
Effective Dates
The PHA must establish the time frames in which any changes that result from an interim reexamination will take effect [24 CFR 982.516(d)]. The changes may be applied either retroactively or prospectively, depending on whether there is to be an increase or a decrease in the family share of the rent, and whether the family reported any required information within the required time frames [HCV GB, p. 12-10].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
If the family share of the rent is to increase:
The increase generally will be effective on the first of the month following 30 days’ notice to the family.
If a family fails to report a change within the required time frames, or fails to provide all required information within the required time frames, the increase will be applied retroactively, to the date it would have been effective had the information been provided on a timely basis. The family will be responsible for any overpaid subsidy and may be offered a repayment agreement in accordance with the policies in Chapter 16.
If the family share of the rent is to decrease:
The decrease will be effective on the first day of the month following the month in which the change was reported and all required documentation was submitted. In cases where the change cannot be verified until after the date the change would have become effective, the change will be made retroactively.
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11- II.D. EFFECTIVE DATES [24 CFR 982.516(e) and Notice 2023-27] Chanes Reported Timely [Notice PIH 2023-27]
If the family reports a change in family income or composition timely in accordance with PHA policies:
• For rent increases, the PHA must provide the family with 30 days advance written notice.
The rent increase is effective the first of the month after the end of the 30-day notice period. • Rent decreases are effective on the first of the month after the date of the actual change leading to the interim reexamination of family income. This means the decrease will be applied retroactively.
Changes Not Reported Timely [Notice PIH 2023-27]
If the family failed to report a change in family income or composition timely in accordance with PHA policies:
• For rent increases, the PHA must implement any resulting rent increases retroactively to the first of the month following the date of the change leading to the interim reexamination of family income.
• For rent decreases, the PHA must implement the change no later than the first rent period following completion of the interim reexamination.
However, the PHA may choose to adopt a policy that would take the effective date of the rent decrease retroactive to the first of the month following completion of the reexamination. PHAs may choose to establish conditions or requirements for when such a retroactive application would apply. PHAs that choose to adopt such policies must ensure the earliest date that the retroactive decrease is applied is the later of:
• The first of the month following the date of the change that led to the interim reexamination; or
• The first of the month following the most recent previous income examination.
In applying retroactive change in rent as the result of an interim reexamination, the PHA must clearly communicate the effect of the retroactive adjustment to the family so that there is no confusion over the amount of the rent that is the family’s responsibility.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
In general, when the family fails to report a change in income or family composition timely, and the change would lead to a rent decrease, the PHA will apply the decreases the first of the month following completion of the interim reexamination.
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However, the PHA will apply the results of the interim reexamination retroactively where a family’s ability to report a change in income promptly may have been hampered due to extenuating circumstances such as natural disaster or disruptions to PHA management operations. The PHA will decide to apply decreases retroactively on a case-by-case basis.
When the PHA applies the results of interim decreases retroactively, the PHA will clearly communicate the effect of the retroactive adjustment to the family and may enter into a repayment agreement in accordance with PHA policies.
The PHA will also clearly communicate the effect of the retroactive adjustment to the owner.
PART III: RECALCULATING FAMILY SHARE AND SUBSIDY AMOUNT 11-III.A. OVERVIEW
After gathering and verifying required information for an annual or interim reexamination, the PHA must recalculate the family share of the rent and the subsidy amount, and notify the family and owner of the changes [24 CFR 982.516(d)(2), HCV 12-6 and 12-10]. While the basic policies that govern these calculations are provided in Chapter 6, this part lays out policies that affect these calculations during a reexamination.
11-III.B. CHANGES IN PAYMENT STANDARDS AND UTILITY ALLOWANCES In order to calculate the family share of the rent and HAP amount correctly, changes in payment standards, subsidy standards, or utility allowances may need to be updated and included in the PHA’s calculations.
Specific policies governing how subsidy standards, payment standards, and utility allowances are applied are discussed below.
Payment Standards [24 CFR 982.505 and FR Notice 5/7/24] The family share of the rent and HAP calculations must use the correct payment standard for the family, taking into consideration the family unit size, the size of unit, and the area in which the unit is located [HCV GB, p. 12-5]. See Chapter 6 for information on how to select the appropriate payment standard when the PHA changes its payment standard or when there is a change in family composition.
When the PHA changes its payment standards or the family’s situation changes, new payment standards are applied at the following times:
• If the PHA’s payment standard amount changes during the term of the HAP contract, the date on which the new standard is applied depends on whether the standard has increased or decreased:
- If the payment standard amount has increased, the increased payment standard will be applied at the first annual reexamination following the effective date of the increase in the payment standard.
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effect. At the family’s second annual reexamination, the PHA may, but is not required to, apply the decreased payment standard or may gradually implement the reduced payment standard (See Chapter 6 for the PHA’s policy on decreases in the payment standard). • If the family moves to a new unit, or a new HAP contract is executed due to changes in the lease (even if the family remains in place) the current payment standard applicable to the family will be used when the new HAP contract is processed.
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Subsidy Standards [24 CFR 982.505(c)(4)]
If there is a change in the family unit size that would apply to a family during the HAP contract term, either due to a change in family composition, or a change in the PHA’s subsidy standards (see Chapter 5), the new family unit size must be used to determine the payment standard amount for the family immediately or at the family’s first annual reexamination following the change in family unit size.
Utility Allowances [24 CFR 982.517(d)]
The family share of the rent and HAP calculations must reflect any changes in the family’s utility arrangement with the owner, or in the PHA’s utility allowance schedule [HCV GB, p. 12-5].
Chapter 16 discusses how utility allowance schedules are established.
When there are changes in the utility arrangement with the owner, the PHA must use the utility allowances in effect at the time the new lease and HAP contract are executed.
At reexamination, the PHA must use the PHA current utility allowance schedule [HCV GB, p. 18-8].
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
Revised utility allowances will be applied to a family’s rent and subsidy calculations at the first annual reexamination after the allowance is adopted. 11-III.C. NOTIFICATION OF NEW FAMILY SHARE AND HAP AMOUNT The PHA must notify the owner and family of any changes in the amount of the HAP payment [HUD-52641, HAP Contract]. The notice must include the following information [HCV GB, p. 12-6]:
• The amount and effective date of the new HAP payment
• The amount and effective date of the new family share of the rent • The amount and effective date of the new tenant rent to owner • The family must be given an opportunity for an informal hearing regarding the PHA’s determination of their annual or adjusted income, and the use of such income to compute the housing assistance payment [24 CFR 982.555(a)(1)(i)] (see Chapter 16).
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Policy
The notice to the family will include the annual and adjusted income amounts that were used to calculate the family share of the rent and the housing assistance payment.
The notice wills state the family has the right to request an explanation of how the assistance was calculated and if the family disagrees, they have the right to informal hearing. The notice will include the procedures for requesting an informal hearing. 11-III.D. DISCREPANCIES
During an annual or interim reexamination, the PHA may discover that information previously reported by the family was in error, or that the family intentionally misrepresented information.
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overpayment or underpayment of subsidy are discovered, corrections will be made in accordance with the policies in Chapter 13.
PART IV: NON-INTERIM REEXAMINATIONS TRANSACTIONS [Notice PIH 2023-27] Families may experience changes within the household that do not trigger an interim reexamination under PHA policy and HUD regulations but which HUD still requires the PHA to report to HUD via Form HUD-50058. These are known as non-interim reexamination transactions. In these cases, PHAs will submit a separate, new action code on Form HUD-50058.
The following is a list of non-interim reexamination transactions:
• Adding or removing a hardship exemption for the child care expense deduction; • Updating or removing the phased-in hardship relief for the health and medical care expense deduction and/or reasonable attendant care and auxiliary apparatus expense deduction (the phased-in relief will begin at an eligible family’s first annual or interim reexamination, whichever is sooner, after January 1, 2024);
• Adding or removing general hardship relief for the health and medical care expense deduction and/or reasonable attendant care and auxiliary apparatus expense deduction; • Adding or removing a minimum rent hardship;
• Adding or removing a non-family member (i.e., live-in aide, foster child, foster adult); • Ending a family’s EID or excluding 50 percent (decrease from 100 percent) of a family member’s increase in employment income at the start of the second 12-month EID period. • Adding a family member and the increase in adjusted income does not trigger an interim reexamination under the final rule;
• Removing a family member and the increase in adjusted income does not trigger an interim reexamination under the final rule;
• Adding/updating a family or household member’s Social Security number; and • Updating a family member’s citizenship status from eligible to ineligible or vice versa, resulting in a change to the family’s rent and/or utility reimbursement, if applicable (i.e., family begins receiving prorated assistance or previously prorated assistance becomes full assistance), or updating the prorated rent calculation due to the addition or removal of family members in household with an ineligible noncitizen(s); and • Rent increases.
PHAs must make all other changes to assets, income, and deductions at the next annual or interim reexamination of income, whichever is sooner.
EXHIBIT 11-1: CALCULATING Income AT ANNUAL REEXAMINATION Formatted: Centered
Formatted: Font: Bold
Agenda Item No. 06 Page 369 of 985 HA Agenda 05-05-2025 © Copyright 20220 Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. PHHA Admin Plan 7/1/20233 Unlimited copies may be made for internal use.
Formatted: English (United States)
Example 1: Calculating Annual Income at Annual Reexamination Using EIV The EIV report pulled on 12/15/2023
Ruby: Georgia:
Wages total: $33,651 SSI: $10,980
Quarter 3 of 2023: $8,8859 (City Public School) 2023 benefit $915 monthly Quarter 2 of 2023: $8,616 (City Public School)
Quarter 1 of 2023: $8,823 (City Public School)
Quarter 4 of 2023: $7,353 (City Public School)
Staff are processing the 3/1/2024 annual reexamination for Ruby Myers and her minor daughter, Georgia. No interim reexaminations have been processed, and Ruby has not reported any changes to annual income to the PHA since the 3/1/2023 annual reexamination. The SSA published 2024 COLA is 7 percent.
Last reexamination – 03/01/2023 Annual Reexamination
Ruby: Georgia:
Wages: $30,000 SSI: $10,980 ($915 monthly)s Formatted: Justified Agenda Item No. 06 Page 370 of 985 HA Agenda 05-05-2025 © Copyright 20220 Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. PHHA Admin Plan 7/1/20233 Unlimited copies may be made for internal use.
Formatted: English (United States)
Income Reported on Reexamination Application
Ruby: Georgia:
Wages at City Public School: $32,000 SSI benefits: $10,980 (no changes) (switched jobs but no permanent change to
amount)
Calculating Ruby’s wages Calculating Georgia’s SSI benefit:
Step 1: Determine prior annual income from Step 1: Determine the prior annual income EIV (i.e., Q4 2022 through Q3 of 2023: from EIV (ie., $915 x 12 months: $10,980). $33,651).
Step 2: Take into consideration any interim Step 2: Take into consideration any interim reexamination of family income completed reexamination of family income completed since the last annual reexamination (in this since the last annual reexamination (in this case, there have been no interim case, there have been no interim reexaminations processed since the last annual reexaminations processed since the last annual reexamination). reexamination).
Step 3: Ruby certifies that the $33, 651 of Step 3: Ruby certifies the SSI income in EIV is wages in EIV is accurate and reflects her accurate and reflects Georgia’s current annual current annual income, so the PHA will use income. The PHA must adjust the prior-year $33,651 for annual wages for the 3/1/2024 income (2023 SSI benefit) by the 7-percent annual reexamination given there have been no COLA and will use this amount to calculate additional changes to annual income annual SSI income for the 3/1/2024 annual reexamination:
COLA: $64.05 ($915 x 0.07)
New gross SSI benefits: $11,748.60 ($979.05 x
12 months)
If Ruby did not agree with the annual wages reported in EIV, the PHA/MFH Owner would be required to verify her current income in accordance with HUD’s verification hierarchy.
Summary of Annual Income (as reported on the HUD-50058
Ruby (Head of Household): Georgia (Other Youth under 18):
Other Wage: $33,651 SSI: $11,748
Myers Family Total Annual Income: $45,399
Agenda Item No. 06 Page 371 of 985 HA Agenda 05-05-2025 © Copyright 20220 Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. PHHA Admin Plan 7/1/20233 Unlimited copies may be made for internal use.
Formatted: English (United States)
Example 2: Calculating Annual Income at Annual Reexamination Using EIV:
Family Disagrees with EIV
The EIV report pulled on 1/15/2024
Wages Total: $18,721
Quarter 3 of 2023: $2,500 (Viking Bakery)
Quarter 3 of 2023: $796 (Sweet Tooth Candy Bar)
Quarter 2 of 2023: $1,300 (Sasha’s Sweets)
Quarter 2 of 2023: $584 (Larry’s Concessions)
Quarter 2 of 2023: $2,401 (Viking Bakery)
Quarter 1 of 2023: $6,500 (Sasha’s Sweets)
Quarter 4 of 2022: $600 (Sasha’s Sweets)
SS/SSI: No history of benefits
Staff are processing Paul Hewson’s 5/1/2024 annual reexamination. Since the last annual reexamination, Paul reported a decrease in annual income that exceed 10 percent. Last year, Paul reported a decrease in earned income because he transferred from a full-time job at Sasha’s Sweets to a part-time job at Viking Bakery. Following HUD’s EIV verification hierarchy, staff confirmed Paul was no longer employed at Sasha’s Sweets and decreased his anticipated annual income from $28,000 to $7,500 resulting from his new part-time employment at Viking Bakery; an interim reexamination was processed effective 7/1/2023. After the 7/1/2023 interim, Paul worked briefly at two different jobs, but he says he is no longer working and is not planning to work.
5/1/2023 Annual reexamination
Wages: $28,000
Agenda Item No. 06 Page 372 of 985 HA Agenda 05-05-2025 © Copyright 20220 Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. PHHA Admin Plan 7/1/20233 Unlimited copies may be made for internal use.