Last updated on July 6th, 2023 at 03:55 am
Title 24—Housing and Urban Development–Volume 4
Subtitle B—Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development (Continued)
CHAPTER VII—OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING PROGRAMS)
PART 700—CONGREGATE HOUSING SERVICES PROGRAM
§ 700.100 Purpose.
The requirements of this part augment the requirements of section 802 of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (approved November 28, 1990, Public Law 101–625) (42 U.S.C. 8011), (hereinafter, section 802), as amended by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–550, approved October 28, 1992), which authorizes the Congregate Housing Services Program (hereinafter, CHSP or Program).
§ 700.105 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions in section 802(k), the following definitions apply to CHSP:
Activity of Daily Living (ADL) means an activity regularly necessary for personal care.
(1) The minimum requirements of ADLs include:
(i) Eating (may need assistance with cooking, preparing or serving food, but must be able to feed self);
(ii) Dressing (must be able to dress self, but may need occasional assistance);
(iii) Bathing (may need assistance in getting in and out of the shower or tub, but must be able to wash self);
(iv) Grooming (may need assistance in washing hair, but must be able to take care of personal appearance);
(v) Getting in and out of bed and chairs, walking, going outdoors, using the toilet; and
(vi) Household management activities (may need assistance in doing housework, grocery shopping or laundry, or getting to and from one location to another for activities such as going to the doctor and shopping, but must be mobile. The mobility requirement does not exclude persons in wheelchairs or those requiring mobility devices.)
(2) Each of the Activities of Daily Living noted in paragraph (1) of this definition includes a requirement that a person must be able to perform at a specified minimal level (e.g., to satisfy the eating ADL, the person must be able to feed himself or herself). The determination of whether a person meets this minimal level of performance must include consideration of those services that will be performed by a person’s spouse, relatives or other attendants to be provided by the individual. For example, if a person requires assistance with cooking, preparing or serving food plus assistance in feeding himself or herself, the individual would meet the minimal performance level and thus satisfy the eating ADL, if a spouse, relative or attendant provides assistance with feeding the person. Should such assistance become unavailable at any time, the owner is not obligated at any time to provide individualized services beyond those offered to the resident population in general. The Activities of Daily Living analysis is relevant only with regard to determination of a person’s eligibility to receive supportive services paid for by CHSP and is not a determination of eligibility for occupancy;
Adjusted income means adjusted income as defined in 24 CFR parts 813 or 913.
Applicant means a State, Indian tribe, unit of general local government, public housing authority (PHA), Indian housing authority (IHA) or local nonprofit housing sponsor. A State, Indian tribe, or unit of general local government may apply on behalf of a local nonprofit housing sponsor or a for-profit owner of eligible housing for the elderly.
Area agency on aging means the single agency designated by the State Agency on Aging to administer the program described in Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (45 CFR chapter 13).
Assistant Secretary means the HUD Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner or the HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
Case management means implementing the processes of: establishing linkages with appropriate agencies and service providers in the general community in order to tailor the needed services to the program participant; linking program participants to providers of services that the participant needs; making decisions about the way resources are allocated to an individual on the basis of needs; developing and monitoring of case plans in coordination with a formal assessment of services needed; and educating participants on issues, including, but not limited to, supportive service availability, application procedures and client rights.
Eligible housing for the elderly means any eligible project including any building within a mixed-use project that was designated for occupancy by elderly persons, or persons with disabilities at its inception or, although not so designated, for which the eligible owner or grantee gives preference in tenant selection (with HUD approval) for all units in the eligible project (or for a building within an eligible mixed-use project) to eligible elderly persons, persons with disabilities, or temporarily disabled individuals. For purposes of this part, this term does not include projects assisted under the Low-Rent Housing Homeownership Opportunity program (Turnkey III (24 CFR part 905, subpart G)).
Eligible owner means an owner of an eligible housing project.
Excess residual receipts mean residual receipts of more than $500 per unit in the project which are available and not committed to other uses at the time of application to HUD for CHSP. Such receipts may be used as matching funds and may be spent down to a minimum of $500/unit.
For-profit owner of eligible housing for the elderly means an owner of an eligible housing project in which some part of the project’s earnings lawfully inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
Grantee or Grant recipient means the recipient of funding under CHSP. Grantees under this Program may be states, units of general local government, Indian tribes, PHAs, IHAs, and local nonprofit housing sponsors.
Local nonprofit housing sponsor means an owner or borrower of eligible housing for the elderly; no part of the net earnings of the owning organization shall lawfully inure to the benefit of any shareholder or individual.
Nonprofit includes a public housing agency as that term is defined in section 3(b)(6) of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
Person with disabilities means a household composed of one or more persons, at least one of whom is an adult who has a disability.
(1) A person shall be considered to have a disability if such person is determined under regulations issued by the Secretary to have a physical, mental, or emotional impairment which:
(i) Is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration;
(ii) Substantially impedes his or her ability to live independently; and
(iii) Is of such a nature that the person’s ability could be improved by more suitable housing conditions.
(2) A person shall also be considered to have a disability if the person has a developmental disability as defined in section 102(5) of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6001–7). Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, the terms “person with disabilities” or “temporarily disabled” include two or more persons with disabilities living together, one or more such persons living with another person who is determined (under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of HUD) to be essential to their care or well-being, and the surviving member or members of any household where at least one or more persons was an adult with a disability who was living, in a unit assisted under this section, with the deceased member of the household at the time of his or her death.
Program participant (participant) means any project resident as defined in section 802(e)(1) who is formally accepted into CHSP, receives CHSP services, and resides in the eligible housing project served by CHSP grant.
Qualifying supportive services means those services described in section 802(k)(16). Under this Program, “health-related services” mean non-medical supervision, wellness programs, preventive health screening, monitoring of medication consistent with state law, and non-medical components of adult day care. The Secretary concerned may also approve other requested supportive services essential for achieving and maintaining independent living.
Rural Housing Service (RHS) means a credit agency for rural housing and rural development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Secretary concerned means (1) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, with respect to eligible federally assisted housing administered by HUD; and
(2) The Secretary of Agriculture with reference to programs administered by the Administrator of the Rural Housing Service.
Service coordinator means CHSP staff person responsible for coordinating Program services as described in section 700.130.
Service provider means a person or organization licensed or otherwise approved in writing by a State or local agency (e.g., Department of Health, Department of Human Services or Welfare) to provide supportive services.
State agency means the State or an agency or instrumentality of the State.
State agency on aging means the single agency designated by the Governor to administer the program described in Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (See 45 CFR part 13).
§ 700.110 Announcement of fund availability, application process and selection.
(a) Notice of funding availability. A Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) will be published periodically in the
(b) Selection criteria are set forth in section 802(h)(1) and shall include additional criteria specified by the Secretary concerned.
§ 700.115 Program costs.
(a) Allowable costs. (1) Allowable costs for direct provision of supportive services includes the provision of supportive services and others approved by the Secretary concerned for:
(i) Direct hiring of staff, including a service coordinator;
(ii) Supportive service contracts with third parties;
(iii) Equipment and supplies (including food) necessary to provide services;
(iv) Operational costs of a transportation service (e.g., mileage, insurance, gasoline and maintenance, driver wages, taxi or bus vouchers);
(v) Purchase or leasing of vehicles;
(vi) Direct and indirect administrative expenses for administrative costs such as annual fiscal review and audit, telephones, postage, travel, professional education, furniture and equipment, and costs associated with self evaluation or assessment (not to exceed one percent of the total budget for the activities approved); and
(vii) States, Indian tribes and units of general local government with more than one project included in the grant may receive up to 1% of the total cost of the grant for monitoring the projects.
(2) Allowable costs shall be reasonable, necessary and recognized as expenditures in compliance with 2 CFR part 200, subpart E .
(b) Nonallowable costs. (1) CHSP funds may not be used to cover expenses related to any grantee program, service, or activity existing at the time of application to CHSP.
(2) Examples of nonallowable costs under the program are:
(i) Capital funding (such as purchase of buildings, related facilities or land and certain major kitchen items such as stoves, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, trash compactors or sinks);
(ii) Administrative costs that represent a non-proportional share of costs charged to the Congregate Housing Services Program for rent or lease, utilities, staff time;
(iii) Cost of supportive services other than those approved by the Secretary concerned;
(iv) Modernization, renovation or new construction of a building or facility, including kitchens;
(v) Any costs related to the development of the application and plan of operations before the effective date of CHSP grant award;
(vi) Emergency medical services and ongoing and regular care from doctors and nurses, including but not limited to administering medication, purchase of medical supplies, equipment and medications, overnight nursing services, and other institutional forms of service, care or support;
(vii) Occupational therapy and vocational rehabilitation services; or
(viii) Other items defined as unallowable costs elsewhere in this part, in CHSP grant agreement, and 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.
(c) Administrative cost limitation. Grantees are subject to the limitation in section 802(j)(4).
§ 700.120 Eligible supportive services.
(a) Supportive services or funding for such services may be provided by state, local, public or private providers and CHSP funds. A CHSP under this section shall provide meal and other qualifying services for program participants (and other residents and nonresidents, as described in § 700.125(a)) that are coordinated on site.
(b) Qualifying supportive services are those listed in section 802(k)(16) and in section 700.105.
(c) Meal services shall meet the following guidelines:
(1) Type of service. At least one meal a day must be served in a group setting for some or all of the participants; if more than one meal a day is provided, a combination of a group setting and carry-out meals may be utilized.
(2) Hot meals. At least one meal a day must be hot. A hot meal for the purpose of this program is one in which the principal food item is hot at the time of serving.
(3) Special menus. Grantees shall provide special menus as necessary for meeting the dietary needs arising from the health requirements of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Grantees should attempt to meet the dietary needs of varying religious and ethnic backgrounds.
(4) Meal service standards. Grantees shall plan for and provide meals which are wholesome, nutritious, and each of which meets a minimum of one-third of the minimum daily dietary allowances as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council (or State or local standards, if these standards are higher). Grantees must have an annual certification, prepared and signed by a registered dietitian, which states that each meal provided under CHSP meets the minimum daily dietary allowances.
(5) Food stamps and agricultural commodities. In providing meal services grantees must apply for and use food stamps and agricultural commodities as set forth in section 802(d)(2)(A).
(6) Preference for nutrition providers: In contracting for or otherwise providing for meal services grantees must follow the requirements of section 802(d)(2)(B). These requirements do not preclude a grantee or owner from directly preparing and providing meals under its own auspices.
§ 700.125 Eligibility for services.
(a) Participants, other residents, and nonresidents. Such individuals are eligible either to participate in CHSP or to receive CHSP services, if they qualify under section 802(e)(1), (4) and (5). Under this paragraph, temporarily disabled persons are also eligible.
(b) Economic need. In providing services under CHSP, grantees shall give priority to very low income individuals, and shall consider their service needs in selecting program participants.
§ 700.130 Service coordinator.
(a) Each grantee must have at least one service coordinator who shall perform the responsibilities listed in section 802(d)(4).
(b) The service coordinator shall comply with the qualifications and standards required by the Secretary concerned. The service coordinator shall be trained in the subject areas set forth in section 802(d)(4), and in any other areas required by the Secretary concerned.
(c) The service coordinator may be employed directly by the grantee, or employed under a contract with a case management agency on a fee-for-service basis, and may serve less than full-time. The service coordinator or the case management agency providing service coordination shall not provide supportive services under a CHSP grant or have a financial interest in a service provider agency which intends to provide services to the grantee for CHSP.
(d) The service coordinator shall:
(1) Provide general case management and referral services to all potential participants in CHSP. This involves intake screening, upon referral from the grantee of potential program participants, and preliminary assessment of frailty or disability, using a commonly accepted assessment tool. The service coordinator then will refer to the professional assessment committee (PAC) those individuals who appear eligible for CHSP;
(2) Establish professional relationships with all agencies and service providers in the community, and develop a directory of providers for use by program staff and program participants;
(3) Refer proposed participants to service providers in the community, or those of the grantee;
(4) Serve as staff to the PAC;
(5) Complete, for the PAC, all paperwork necessary for the assessment, referral, case monitoring and reassessment processes;
(6) Implement any case plan developed by the PAC and agreed to by the program participant;
(7) Maintain necessary case files on each program participant, containing such information and kept in such form as HUD and RHS shall require;
(8) Provide the necessary case files to PAC members upon request, in connection with PAC duties;
(9) Monitor the ongoing provision of services from community agencies and keep the PAC and the agency providing the supportive service informed of the progress of the participant;
(10) Educate grant recipient’s program participants on such issues as benefits application procedures (e.g. SSI, food stamps, Medicaid), service availability, and program participant options and responsibilities;
(11) Establish volunteer support programs with service organizations in the community;
(12) Assist the grant recipient in building informal support networks with neighbors, friends and family; and
(13) Educate other project management staff on issues related to “aging-in-place” and services coordination, to help them to work with and assist other persons receiving housing assistance through the grantee.
(e) The service coordinator shall tailor each participant’s case plan to the individual’s particular needs. The service coordinator shall work with community agencies, the grantee and third party service providers to ensure that the services are provided on a regular, ongoing, and satisfactory basis, in accordance with the case plan approved by the PAC and the participant.
(f) Service coordinators shall not serve as members of the PAC.
§ 700.135 Professional assessment committee.
(a) General. (1) A professional assessment committee (PAC), as described in this section, shall recommend services appropriate to the functional abilities and needs of each eligible project resident. The PAC shall be either a voluntary committee appointed by the project management or an agency in the community which provides assessment services and conforms to section 802(e)(3)(A) and (B). PAC members are subject to the conflict of interest provisions in section 700.175(b).
(2) The PAC shall utilize procedures that ensure that the process of determining eligibility of individuals for congregate services affords individuals fair treatment, due process, and a right of appeal of the determination of eligibility, and shall ensure the confidentiality of personal and medical records.
(3) The dollar value of PAC members’ time spent on regular assessments after initial approval of program participants may be counted as match. If a community agency discharges the duties of the PAC, staff time is counted as its imputed value, and if the members are volunteers, their time is counted as volunteer time, according to sections 700.145(c)(2) (ii) and (iv).
(b) Duties of the PAC. The PAC is required to:
(1) Perform a formal assessment of each potential elderly program participant to determine if the individual is frail. To qualify as frail, the PAC must determine if the elderly person is deficient in at least three ADLs, as defined in section 700.105. This assessment shall be based upon the screening done by the service coordinator, and shall include a review of the adequacy of the informal support network (i.e., family and friends available to the potential participant to assist in meeting the ADL needs of that individual), and may include a more in-depth medical evaluation, if necessary;
(2) Determine if non-elderly disabled individuals qualify under the definition of person with disabilities under section 700.105. If they do qualify, this is the acceptance criterion for them for CHSP. Persons with disabilities do not require an assessment by the PAC;
(3) Perform a regular assessment and updating of the case plan of all participants;
(4) Obtain and retain information in participant files, containing such information and maintained in such form, as HUD or RHS shall require;
(5) Replace any members of the PAC within 30 days after a member resigns. A PAC shall not do formal assessments if its membership drops below three, or if the qualified medical professional leaves the PAC and has not been replaced.
(6) Notify the grantee or eligible owner and the program participants of any proposed modifications to PAC procedures, and provide these parties with a process and reasonable time period in which to review and comment, before adoption of a modification;
(7) Provide assurance of nondiscrimination in selection of CHSP participants, with respect to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, familial status or type of disability;
(8) Provide complete confidentiality of information related to any individual examined, in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974;
(9) Provide all formal information and reports in writing.
(c) Prohibitions relating to the PAC. (1) At least one PAC member shall not have any direct or indirect relationship to the grantee.
(2) No PAC member may be affiliated with organizations providing services under the grant.
(3) Individuals or staff of third party organizations that act as PAC members may not be paid with CHSP grant funds.
(d) Eligibility and admissions. (1) Before selecting potential program participants, each grantee (with PAC assistance) shall develop a CHSP application form. The information in the individual’s application is crucial to the PAC’s ability to determine the need for further physical or psychological evaluation.
(2) The PAC, upon completion of a potential program participant’s initial assessment, must make a recommendation to the service coordinator for that individual’s acceptance or denial into CHSP.
(3) Once a program participant is accepted into CHSP, the PAC must provide a supportive services case plan for each participant. In developing this plan, the PAC must take into consideration the participant’s needs and wants. The case plan must provide the minimum supportive services necessary to maintain independence.
(e) Transition-out procedures. The grantee or PAC must develop procedures for providing for an individual’s transition out of CHSP to another setting. Transition out is based upon the degree of supportive services needed by an individual to continue to live independently. If a program participant leaves the program, but wishes to retain supportive services, he or she may do so, as long as he or she continues to live in an eligible project, pays the full cost of services provided, and management agrees (section 802(e)(4) and (5)). A participant can be moved out of CHSP if he or she:
(1) Gains physical and mental health and is able to function without supportive services, even if only for a short time (in which case readmission, based upon reassessment to determine the degree of frailty or the disability, is acceptable);
(2) Requires a higher level of care than that which can be provided under CHSP; or
(3) Fails to pay services fees.
(f) Procedural rights of participants. (1) The PAC must provide an informal process that recognizes the right to due process of individuals receiving assistance. This process, at a minimum, must consist of:
(i) Serving the participant with a written notice containing a clear statement of the reasons for termination;
(ii) A review of the decision, in which the participant is given the opportunity to present written or oral objections before a person other than the person (or a subordinate of that person) who made or approved the termination decision; and
(iii) Prompt written notification of the final decision to the participant.
(2) Procedures must ensure that any potential or current program participant, at the time of initial or regular assessment, has the option of refusing offered services and requesting other supportive services as part of the case planning process.
(3) In situations where an individual requests additional services, not initially recommended by the PAC, the PAC must make a determination of whether the request is legitimately a needs-based service that can be covered under CHSP subsidy. Individuals can pay for services other than those recommended by the PAC as long as the additional services do not interfere with the efficient operation of the program.
§ 700.140 Participatory agreement.
(a) Before actual acceptance into CHSP, potential participants must work with the PAC and the service coordinator in developing supportive services case plans. A participant has the option of accepting any of the services under the case plan.
(b) Once the plan is approved by the PAC and the program participant, the participant must sign a participatory agreement governing the utilization of the plan’s supportive services and the payment of supportive services fees. The grantee annually must renegotiate the agreement with the participant.
§ 700.145 Cost distribution.
(a) General. (1) Grantees, the Secretary concerned, and participants shall all contribute to the cost of providing supportive services according to section 802(i)(A)(i). Grantees must contribute at least 50 percent of program cost, participants must contribute fees that in total are at least 10 percent of program cost, and the Secretary concerned will provide funds in an amount not to exceed 40 percent.
(2) Section 802(i)(1)(B)(ii) creates a cost-sharing provision between grantee and the Secretary concerned if total participant fees collected over a year are less than 10 percent of total program cost. This provision is subject to availability of appropriated grant funds. If funds are not available, the grantee must assume the funding shortfall.
(b) Prohibition on substitution of funds and maintenance of existing supportive services. Grantees shall maintain existing funding for and provision of supportive services prior to the application date, as set forth in section 802(i)(1)(D). The grantee shall ensure that the activities provided to the project under a CHSP grant will be in addition to, and not in substitution for, these previously existing services. The value of these services do not qualify as matching funds. Such services must be maintained either for the time the participant remains in CHSP, or for the duration of CHSP grant. The grantee shall certify compliance with this paragraph to the Secretary concerned.
(c) Eligible matching funds. (1) All sources of matching funds must be directly related to the types of supportive services prescribed by the PAC or used for administration of CHSP.
(2) Matching funds may include:
(i) Cash (which may include funds from Federal, State and local governments, third party contributions, available payments authorized under Medicaid for specific individuals in CHSP, Community Development Block Grants or Community Services Block Grants, Older American Act programs or excess residual funds with the approval of the Secretary concerned),
(ii) The imputed dollar value of other agency or third party-provided direct services or staff who will work with or provide services to program participants; these services must be justified in the application to assure that they are the new or expanded services of CHSP necessary to keep the program participants independent. If services are provided by the state, Indian tribe, unit of general local government, or local nonprofit housing sponsor, IHA, PHA, or for-profit or not-for-profit owner, any salary paid to staff from governmental sources to carry out the program of the grantee and any funds paid to residents employed by the Program (other than from amounts under a contract under section 700.155) is allowable match.
(iii) In-kind items (these are limited to 10 percent of the 50 percent matching amount), such as the current market value of donated common or office space, utility costs, furniture, material, supplies, equipment and food used in direct provision of services. The applicant must provide an explanation for the estimated donated value of any item listed.
(iv) The value of services performed by volunteers to CHSP, at the rate of $5.00 an hour.
(d) Limitation. (1) The following are not eligible for use as matching funds:
(i) PHA operating funds;
(ii) CHSP funds;
(iii) Section 8 funds other than excess residual receipts;
(iv) Funds under section 14 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, unless used for service coordination or case management; and
(v) Comprehensive grant funds unless used for service coordination or case management;
(2) Local government contributions are limited by section 802(i)(1)(E).
(e) Annual review of match. The Secretary concerned will review the infusion of matching funds annually, as part of the program or budget review. If there are insufficient matching funds available to meet program requirements at any point after grant start-up, or at any time during the term of the grant (i.e., if matching funds from sources other than program participant fees drop below 50 percent of total supportive services cost), the Secretary concerned may decrease the federal grant share of supportive services funds accordingly.
§ 700.150 Program participant fees.
(a) Eligible program participants. The grantee shall establish fees consistent with section 700.145(a). Each program participant shall pay CHSP fees as stated in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, up to a maximum of 20 percent of the program participant’s adjusted income. Consistent with section 802(d)(7)(A), the Secretary concerned shall provide for the waiver of fees for individuals who are without sufficient income to provide for any payment.
(b) Fees shall include: (1) Cash contributions of the program participant;
(2) Food Stamps; and
(3) Contributions or donations to other eligible programs acceptable as matching funds under section 700.145(c).
(c) Older Americans Act programs. No fee may be charged for any meals or supportive services under CHSP if that service is funded under an Older Americans Act Program.
(d) Meals fees: (1) For full meal services, the fees for residents receiving more than one meal per day, seven days per week, shall be reasonable and shall equal between 10 and 20 percent of the adjusted income of the project resident, or the cost of providing the services, whichever is less.
(2) The fees for residents receiving meal services less frequently than as described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall be in an amount equal to 10 percent of the adjusted income of the project resident, or the cost of providing the services, whichever is less.
(e) Other service fees. The grantee may also establish fees for other supportive services so that the total fees collected from all participants for meals and other services is at least 10 percent of the total cost of CHSP. However, no program participants may be required to pay more than 20 percent of their adjusted incomes for any combination of services.
(f) Other residents and nonresidents. Fees shall be established for residents of eligible housing projects (other than eligible project residents) and for nonresidents who receive meals and other services from CHSP under section 700.125(a). These fees shall be in an amount equal to the cost of providing the services.
§ 700.155 Grant agreement and administration.
(a) General. HUD will enter into grant agreements with grantees, to provide congregate services for program participants in eligible housing projects, in order to meet the purposes of CHSP.
(b) Term of grant agreement and reservation of amount. A grant will be for a term of five years and the Secretary concerned shall reserve a sum equal to the total approved grant amount for each grantee. Grants will be renewable at the expiration of a term, subject to the availability of funds and conformance with the regulations in this part, except as otherwise provided in section 700.160.
(c) Monitoring of project sites by governmental units. States, Indian tribes, and units of general local government with a grant covering multiple projects shall monitor, review, and evaluate Program performance at each project site for compliance with CHSP regulations and procedures, in such manner as prescribed by HUD or RHS.
(d) Reports. Each grantee shall submit program and fiscal reports and program budgets to the Secretary concerned in such form and at such times, as the Secretary concerned requires.
(e) Enforcement. The Secretary concerned will enforce the obligations of the grantee under the agreement through such action as may be necessary, including terminating grants, recapturing grant funds, and imposing sanctions.
(1) These actions may be taken for:
(i) A grantee’s non-compliance with the grant agreement or HUD or RHS regulations;
(ii) Failure of the grantee to provide supportive services within 12 months of execution of the grant agreement.
(2) Sanctions include but are not limited to the following:
(i) Temporary withholding of reimbursements or extensions or renewals under the grant agreement, pending correction of deficiencies by the grantee;
(ii) Setting conditions in the contract;
(iii) Termination of the grant;
(iv) Substitution of grantee; and
(v) Any other action deemed necessary by the Secretary concerned.
(f) Renewal of grants. Subject to the availability of funding, satisfactory performance, and compliance with the regulations in this part:
(1) Grantees funded initially under this part shall be eligible to receive continued, non-competitive renewals after the initial five-year term of the grant.
(2) Grantees will receive priority funding and grants will be renewed within time periods prescribed by the Secretary concerned.
(g) Use of Grant Funds. If during any year, grantees use less than the annual amount of CHSP funds provided to them for that year, the excess amount can be carried forward for use in later years.
§ 700.160 Eligibility and priority for 1978 Act recipients.
Grantees funded initially under 42 U.S.C. 8001 shall be eligible to receive continued, non-competitive funding subject to its availability. These grantees will be eligible to receive priority funding under this part if they comply with the regulations in this part and with the requirements of any NOFA issued in a particular fiscal year.
§ 700.165 Evaluation of Congregate Housing Services Programs.
(a) Grantees shall submit annually to the Secretary concerned, a report evaluating the impact and effectiveness of CHSPs at the grant sites, in such form as the Secretary concerned shall require.
(b) The Secretaries concerned shall further review and evaluate the performance of CHSPs at these sites and shall evaluate the Program as a whole.
(c) Each grantee shall submit a certification with its application, agreeing to cooperate with and to provide requested data to the entity responsible for the Program’s evaluation, if requested to do so by the Secretary concerned.
§ 700.170 Reserve for supplemental adjustment.
The Secretary concerned may reserve funds subject to section 802(o). Requests to utilize supplemental funds by the grantee shall be transmitted to the Secretary concerned in such form as may be required.
§ 700.175 Other Federal requirements.
In addition to the Federal Requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 5, the following requirements apply to grant recipient organizations in this program:
(a) Uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for Federal awards. The policies, guidelines, and requirements in 2 CFR part 200, including the audit requirements described in subpart F, apply to the acceptance and use of assistance under this program.
(b) Conflict of interest. In addition to the conflict of interest requirements in 2 CFR 200.112 (for all recipients and subrecipients); 200.317 (for recipients and subrecipients that are States); and 200.318(c) and 200.319(a)(5) (for recipients and subrecipients that are not States), no person who is an employee, agent, consultant, officer, or elected or appointed official of the applicant, and who exercises or has exercised any function or responsibilities with respect to activities assisted with CHSP grant funds, or who is in a position to participate in a decision-making process or gain inside information with regard to such activities, may obtain a personal or financial interest or benefit from the activity, or have an interest in any contract, subcontract, or agreement with respect thereto, or any proceeds thereunder, either for himself or herself or for those with whom he or she has family or business ties during his or her tenure, or for one year thereafter. CHSP employees may receive reasonable salary and benefits.
(c) Disclosures required by Reform Act. Section 102(c) of the HUD Reform Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 3545(c)) requires disclosure concerning other government assistance to be made available with respect to the Program and parties with a pecuniary interest in CHSP and submission of a report on expected sources and uses of funds to be made available for CHSP. Each applicant shall include information required by 24 CFR part 12 on form HUD–2880 “Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report,” as required by the
(d) Nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. (1) The fair housing poster regulations (24 CFR part 110) and advertising guidelines (24 CFR part 109);
(2) The Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Program requirements of 24 CFR part 200, subpart M, and the implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 108; and
(3) Racial and ethnic collection requirements—Recipients must maintain current data on the race, ethnicity and gender of program applicants and beneficiaries in accordance with section 562 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 and section 808(e)(6) of the Fair Housing Act.
(e) Environmental requirements. Support services, including the operating and administrative expenses described in section 700.115(a), are categorically excluded from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. These actions, however, are not excluded from individual compliance requirements of other environmental statutes, Executive Orders, and agency regulations where appropriate. When the responsible official determines that any action under this part may have an environmental effect because of extraordinary circumstances, the requirements of NEPA shall apply.
PARTS 701–760 [RESERVED]
PART 761—DRUG ELIMINATION PROGRAMS
Subpart A—General
§ 761.1 Purpose and scope.
This part 761 contains the regulatory requirements for the Assisted Housing Drug Elimination Program (AHDEP) and the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program (PHDEP). The purposes of these programs are to:
(a) Eliminate drug-related and violent crime and problems associated with it in and around the premises of Federally assisted low-income housing, and public and Indian housing developments;
(b) Encourage owners of Federally assisted low-income housing, public housing agencies and Indian housing authorities (collectively referred to as HAs), and resident management corporations to develop a plan that includes initiatives that can be sustained over a period of several years for addressing drug-related and violent crime and problems associated with it in and around the premises of housing proposed for funding under this part; and
(c) Make available Federal grants to help owners of Federally assisted low-income housing, HAs, and RMCs carry out their plans.
§ 761.5 Public housing; encouragement of resident participation.
For the purposes of the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program, the elimination of drug-related and violent crime within public housing developments requires the active involvement and commitment of public housing residents and their organizations. To enhance the ability of PHAs to combat drug-related and violent crime within their developments, Resident Councils (RCs), Resident Management Corporations (RMCs), and Resident Organizations (ROs) will be permitted to undertake management functions specified in this part, notwithstanding the otherwise applicable requirements of part 964 of this title.
§ 761.10 Definitions.
The definitions Department, HUD, and Public Housing Agency (PHA) are defined in part 5 of this title.
Controlled substance shall have the meaning provided in section 102 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 802).
Drug intervention means a process to identify assisted housing or public housing resident drug users, to assist them in modifying their behavior, and/or to refer them to drug treatment to reduce or eliminate drug abuse.
Drug prevention means a process to provide goods and services designed to alter factors, including activities, environmental influences, risks, and expectations, that lead to drug abuse.
Drug-related and violent crime shall have the meaning provided in 42 U.S.C. 11905(2).
Drug treatment means a program for the residents of an applicant’s development that strives to end drug abuse and to eliminate its negative effects through rehabilitation and relapse prevention.
Federally assisted low-income housing, or assisted housing, shall have the meaning provided in 42 U.S.C. 11905(4). However, sections 221(d)(3) and 221(d)(4) market rate projects with tenant-based assistance contracts and section 8 projects with tenant-based assistance are not considered federally assisted low-income housing and are not eligible for funding under this part 761.
Governmental jurisdiction means the unit of general local government, State, or area of operation of an Indian tribe in which the housing development administered by the applicant is located.
In and around means within, or adjacent to, the physical boundaries of a housing development.
Indian tribe means any tribe, band, pueblo, group, community, or nation of Indians, or Alaska Natives.
Local law enforcement agency means a police department, sheriff’s office, or other entity of the governmental jurisdiction that has law enforcement responsibilities for the community at large, including the housing developments owned or administered by the applicant. In Indian jurisdictions, this includes tribal prosecutors that assume law enforcement functions analogous to a police department or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). More than one law enforcement agency may have these responsibilities for the jurisdiction that includes the applicant’s developments.
Problems associated with drug-related and violent crime means the negative physical, social, educational, and economic impact of drug-related and violent crime on assisted housing residents or public and Indian housing residents, and the deterioration of the assisted housing or public and Indian housing environment because of drug-related and violent crime.
Program income means gross income received by a grantee and directly generated from the use of program funds. When program income is generated by an activity only partially assisted with program funds, the income shall be prorated to reflect the percentage of program funds used.
Recipient of assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA recipient) shall have the same meaning as recipient provided in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.).
Resident council (RC), for purposes of the Public Housing Program, means an incorporated or unincorporated nonprofit organization or association that meets each of the following requirements:
(1) It must be representative of the residents it purports to represent;
(2) It may represent residents in more than one development or in all of the developments of a HA, but it must fairly represent residents from each development that it represents;
(3) It must adopt written procedures providing for the election of specific officers on a regular basis (but at least once every three years); and
(4) It must have a democratically elected governing board. The voting membership of the board must consist of residents of the development or developments that the resident organization or resident council represents.
Resident Management Corporation (RMC), for purposes of the Public Housing Program, means the entity that proposes to enter into, or that enters into, a management contract with a PHA under part 964 of this title in accordance with the requirements of that part.
State means any of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of a State exclusive of local governments. The term does not include any public or Indian housing agency under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 note).
Unit of general local government means any city, county, town, municipality, township, parish, village, local public authority (including any public or Indian housing agency under the United States Housing Act of 1937) or other general purpose political subdivision of a State.
Subpart B—Grant Funding
§ 761.13 Amount of funding.
(a) PHDEP formula funding—(1) Funding share formula—(i) Per unit amount. Subject to the availability of funding, the amount of funding made available each FFY to an applicant that qualifies for funding in accordance with § 761.15(a) is based upon the applicant’s share of the total number of units of all applicants that qualify for funding, with a maximum award of $35 million and a minimum award of $25,000, except that qualified applicants with less than 50 units will not receive more than $500 per unit.
(ii) Calculation of number of units. For purposes of determining the number of units counted for purposes of the PHDEP formula, HUD shall count as one unit each existing rental and Section 23 bond-financed unit under the ACC. Units that are added to a PHA’s inventory will be added to the overall unit count so long as the units are under ACC amendment and have reached DOFA by the date HUD establishes for the Federal Fiscal Year in which the PHDEP formula is being run (hereafter called the “reporting date”). Any such increase in units shall result in an adjustment upwards in the number of units under the PHDEP formula. New units reaching DOFA after this date will be counted for PHDEP formula purposes as of the following Federal Fiscal Year. Federalized units that are eligible for operating subsidy will be counted for PHDEP formula purposes based on the unit count reflected on the PHA’s most recently approved Operating Budget (Form HUD–52564) and/or subsidy calculation (Form HUD–52723), or successor form submitted for that program. Units approved for demolition/disposition continue to be counted for PHDEP formula funding purposes until actual demolition/disposition of the unit.
(2) Consortium funding. The amount of funding made available to a consortium will be the total of the amounts that each individual member would otherwise qualify to receive under the PHDEP funding formula in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(3) Adjustments to funding. The amount of funding made available each FFY to an applicant in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section may be adjusted as follows:
(i) An applicant must submit a PHDEP plan that meets the requirements of § 761.21, as required by § 761.15(a)(5), each FFY year to receive that FFY’s funding. An applicant that does not submit a PHDEP plan for a FFY as required will not receive that FFY’s funding.
(ii) Ineligible activities, described at § 761.17(b), are not eligible for funding. Activities proposed for funding in an applicant’s PHDEP plan that are determined to be ineligible will not be funded, and the applicant’s funding for that FFY may be reduced accordingly.
(iii) In accordance with § 761.15(a)(6), an applicant that does not meet the performance requirements of § 761.23 will be subject to the sanctions listed in § 761.30(f)(2).
(iv) Both the amount of and continuing eligibility for funding is subject to the sanctions in § 761.30(f).
(v) Any amounts that become available because of adjustments to an applicant’s funding will be distributed to every other applicant that qualifies for funding in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.
(b) AHDEP funding. Information concerning funding made available under AHDEP for a given FFY will be contained in Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) published in the
§ 761.15 Qualifying for funding.
(a) Qualifications for PHDEP funding—(1) Eligible applicants. The following are eligible applicants for PHDEP funding:
(i) A PHA;
(ii) An RMC; and
(iii) A consortium of PHAs.
(2) Preference PHAs. A PHA that successfully competed for PHDEP funding under at least one of the PHDEP NOFAs for FFY 1996, FFY 1997 or FFY 1998 qualifies to receive PHDEP funding.
(3) Needs qualification for funding. An eligible applicant that does not qualify to receive PHDEP funding under paragraph (a)(2) of this section must be in one of the following needs categories to qualify for funding:
(i) The eligible applicant must be in the top 50% of the unit-weighted distribution of an index of a rolling average rate of violent crimes of the community, as computed for each Federal Fiscal Year (FFY). The crime rate used in this needs determination formula is the rate, from the most recent years feasible, of FBI violent crimes per 10,000 residents of the community (or communities). If this information is not available for a particular applicant’s community, HUD will use the average of data from recipients of a comparable State and size category of PHA (less than 500 units, 500 to 1249 units, and more than 1250 units). If fewer than five PHAs have data for a given size category within a State, then the average of PHAs for a given size category within the census region will be used; or
(ii) The eligible applicant must have qualified for PHDEP funding, by receiving an application score of 70 or more points under any one of the PHDEP NOFAs for FFY 1996, FFY 1997 or FFY 1998, but not have received an award because of the unavailability of funds.
(4) Consortium of eligible applicants. Eligible applicants may join together and form a consortium to apply for funding, whether or not each member would individually qualify for PHDEP funding under paragraphs (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section. The act of two or more eligible applicants joining together to form a consortium, and identifying related crime problems and eligible activities to address those problems pursuant to a consortium PHDEP plan, qualifies the consortium for PHDEP funding of an amount as determined under § 761.13(a)(2).
(5) PHDEP plan requirement. (i) PHAs. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(5)(ii), below, of this section, to receive PHDEP funding, a PHA that qualifies to receive PHDEP funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2000 and beyond must include a PHDEP plan that meets the requirements of § 761.21 with its PHA Plan submitted pursuant to part 903 of this title for each Federal Fiscal Year for which it qualifies for funding.
(ii) To receive PHDEP funding, a PHA that qualifies to receive PHDEP funding and is operating under an executed Moving To Work (MTW) agreement with HUD must submit a PHDEP plan that meets the requirements of § 761.21 with its required MTW plan for each Federal Fiscal Year for which it qualifies for funding.
(iii) RMCs. To receive PHDEP funding, an RMC operating in an PHA that qualifies to receive PHDEP funding must submit a PHDEP plan for the units managed by the RMC that meets the requirements of § 761.21 to its PHA. Upon agreement between the RMC and PHA, the PHA must submit to HUD, with its PHA Plan submitted pursuant to part 903 of this title, the RMC’s PHDEP plan. The RMC will implement its plan as a subrecipient of the PHA.
(iv) Consortia. To receive PHDEP funding, the consortium members must prepare and submit a consortium PHDEP plan that meets the requirements of § 761.21, including the additional requirements that apply to consortia. Each member must submit the consortium plan with its PHA plan, submitted pursuant to part 903 of this title, or IHP, submitted pursuant to subpart C of part 1000 of this title, as appropriate.
(6) An otherwise qualified recipient PHA, RMC or consortium may not be funded if HUD determines, on a case-by-case basis, that it does not meet the performance requirements of § 761.23.
(b) Qualifications for AHDEP funding. Under AHDEP, eligible applicants are owners of federally assisted low-income housing, as the term Federally assisted low-income housing is defined in § 761.10. Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) published in the
§ 761.17 Eligible and ineligible activities for funding.
(a) Eligible activities. One or more of the eligible activities described in 42 U.S.C. 11903 and in this § 761.17(a) are eligible for funding under PHDEP or AHDEP, as further explained or limited in paragraph (b) of this section and, for AHDEP, in separate annual Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs). All personnel funded by these programs in accordance with an eligible activity must meet, and demonstrate compliance with, all relevant Federal, State, tribal, or local government insurance, licensing, certification, training, bonding, or other similar law enforcement requirements.
(1) Employment of security personnel, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 11903(a)(1), with the following additional requirements:
(i) Security guard personnel. (A) Contract security personnel funded by this program must perform services not usually performed by local law enforcement agencies on a routine basis. The applicant must identify the baseline services provided by the local law enforcement agency.
(B) The applicant, the provider (contractor) of the security personnel and, only if the local law enforcement agency is receiving any PHDEP funds from the applicant, the local law enforcement agency, are required, as a part of the security personnel contract, to enter into and execute a written agreement that describes the following:
(1) The activities to be performed by the security personnel, their scope of authority, and how they will coordinate their activities with the local law enforcement agency;
(2) The types of activities that the security personnel are expressly prohibited from undertaking.
(ii) Employment of HA police. (A) If additional HA police are to be employed for a service that is also provided by a local law enforcement agency, the applicant must undertake and retain a cost analysis that demonstrates the employment of HA police is more cost efficient than obtaining the service from the local law enforcement agency.
(B) Additional HA police services to be funded under this program must be over and above those that the existing HA police, if any, provides, and the tribal, State or local government is contractually obligated to provide under its Cooperation Agreement with the applying HA (as required by the HA’s Annual Contributions Contract). An applicant seeking funding for this activity must first establish a baseline by describing the current level of services provided by both the local law enforcement agency and the HA police, if any (in terms of the kinds of services provided, the number of officers and equipment and the actual percent of their time assigned to the developments proposed for funding), and then demonstrate that the funded activity will represent an increase over this baseline.
(C) If the local law enforcement agency is receiving any PHDEP funds from the applicant, the applicant and the local law enforcement agency are required to enter into and execute a written agreement that describes the following:
(1) The activities to be performed by the HA police, their scope of authority, and how they will coordinate their activities with the local law enforcement agency;
(2) The types of activities that the HA police are expressly prohibited from undertaking.
(2) Reimbursement of local law enforcement agencies for additional security and protective services, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 11903(a)(2), with the following additional requirements:
(i) Additional security and protective services to be funded must be over and above those that the tribal, State, or local government is contractually obligated to provide under its Cooperation Agreement with the applying HA (as required by the HA’s Annual Contributions Contract). An application seeking funding for this activity must first establish a baseline by describing the current level of services (in terms of the kinds of services provided, the number of officers and equipment, and the actual percent of their time assigned to the developments proposed for funding) and then demonstrate that the funded activity will represent an increase over this baseline.
(ii) Communications and security equipment to improve the collection, analysis, and use of information about drug-related or violent criminal activities in a public housing community may be eligible items if used exclusively in connection with the establishment of a law enforcement substation on the funded premises or scattered site developments of the applicant. Funds for activities under this section may not be drawn until the grantee has executed a contract for the additional law enforcement services.
(3) Physical improvements to enhance security, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 11903(a)(3). For purposes of PHDEP, the following provisions in paragraphs (a)(3)(i) through (a)(3)(iv) of this section apply:
(i) An activity that is funded under any other HUD program shall not also be funded by this program.
(ii) Funding is not permitted for physical improvements that involve the demolition of any units in a development.
(iii) Funding is not permitted for any physical improvements that would result in the displacement of persons.
(iv) Funding is not permitted for the acquisition of real property.
(4) Employment of investigating individuals, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 11903(a)(4). For purposes of PHDEP, the following provisions in paragraphs (a)(4)(i) and (a)(4)(ii) of this section apply:
(i) If one or more investigators are to be employed for a service that is also provided by a local law enforcement agency, the applicant must undertake and retain a cost analysis that demonstrates the employment of investigators is more cost efficient than obtaining the service from the local law enforcement agency.
(ii) The applicant, the investigator(s) and, only if the local law enforcement agency is receiving any PHDEP funds from the applicant, the local law enforcement agency, are required, before any investigators are employed, to enter into and execute a written agreement that describes the following:
(A) The nature of the activities to be performed by the investigators, their scope of authority, and how they will coordinate their activities with the local law enforcement agency;
(B) The types of activities that the investigators are expressly prohibited from undertaking.
(5) Voluntary tenant patrols, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 11903(a)(5). For purposes of PHDEP, the following provisions in paragraphs (a)(5)(i) through (a)(5)(iv) of this section apply:
(i) The provision of training, communications equipment, and other related equipment (including uniforms), for use by voluntary tenant patrols acting in cooperation with officials of local law enforcement agencies is permitted. Grantees are required to obtain liability insurance to protect themselves and the members of the voluntary tenant patrol against potential liability for the activities of the patrol. The cost of this insurance will be considered an eligible program expense.
(ii) The applicant, the members of the tenant patrol and, only if the local law enforcement agency is receiving any PHDEP funds from the applicant, the local law enforcement agency, are required, before putting the tenant patrol into effect, to enter into and execute a written agreement that describes the following:
(A) The nature of the activities to be performed by the tenant patrol, the patrol’s scope of authority, and how the patrol will coordinate its activities with the local law enforcement agency;
(B) The types of activities that a tenant patrol is expressly prohibited from undertaking, to include but not limited to, the carrying or use of firearms or other weapons, nightsticks, clubs, handcuffs, or mace in the course of their duties under this program;
(C) The type of initial tenant patrol training and continuing training the members receive from the local law enforcement agency (training by the local law enforcement agency is required before putting the tenant patrol into effect).
(iii) Tenant patrol members must be advised that they may be subject to individual or collective liability for any actions undertaken outside the scope of their authority and that such acts are not covered under a HA’s or RMC’s liability insurance.
(iv) Grant funds may not be used for any type of financial compensation for voluntary tenant patrol participants. However, the use of program funds for a grant coordinator for volunteer tenant foot patrols is permitted.
(6) Drug prevention, intervention, and treatment programs, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 11903(a)(6).
(7) Funding resident management corporations (RMCs), resident councils (RCs), and resident organizations (ROs). For purposes of the Public Housing Program, funding may be provided for PHAs that receive grants to contract with RMCs and incorporated RCs and ROs to develop security and drug abuse prevention programs involving site residents, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 11903(a)(7).
(8) Youth sports. Sports programs and sports activities that serve primarily youths from public or other federally assisted low-income housing projects and are operated in conjunction with, or in furtherance of, an organized program or plan designed to reduce or eliminate drugs and drug-related problems in and around such projects, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 11903(a)(8).
(9) Eliminating drug-related and violent crime in PHA-owned housing, under the Public Housing Program, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 11903(b).
(b) Ineligible activities. For purposes of PHDEP, funding is not permitted:
(1) For activities not included under paragraph (a) of this section;
(2) For costs incurred before the effective date of the grant agreement;
(3) For the costs related to screening or evicting residents for drug-related crime. However, investigators funded under this program may participate in judicial and administrative proceedings;
(4) For previously funded activities determined by HUD on a case-by-case basis to be unworthy of continuation.
Subpart C—Application and Selection
§ 761.20 Selection requirements.
(a) PHDEP selection. Every PHA, RMC and consortium that meets the requirements of § 761.15 in a FFY will be selected for funding in that FFY and, subject to meeting the performance requirements of § 761.23, for four additional FFYs.
(b) AHDEP selection. HUD will publish specific Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) in the
§ 761.21 Plan requirement.
(a) General requirement. To receive funding under this part, each PHDEP qualified recipient or AHDEP applicant must submit to HUD, for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2000 and each following FFY, a plan for addressing the problem of drug-related and violent crime in and around the housing covered by the plan. If the plan covers more than one development, it does not have to address each development separately if the same activities will apply to each development. The plan must address each development separately only where program activities will differ from one development to another. The plan must include a description of the planned activity or activities, a description of the role of plan partners and their contributions to carrying out the plan, a budget and timetable for implementation of the activities, and the funding source for each activity, identifying in particular all activities to be funded under this part. In addition, the plan must set measurable performance goals and interim milestones for the PHDEP-supported activities and describe the system for monitoring and evaluating these activities. Measurable goals must be established for each category of funded activities, including drug prevention, drug intervention, drug treatment, tenant patrols, and physical improvements. The plan under this section serves as the application for PHDEP funding, and an otherwise qualified recipient that does not submit a PHDEP plan as required will not be funded. For AHDEP funding, NOFAs published in the
(b) Additional requirements for consortia. In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, to receive funding under this part, a consortium’s plan must include a copy of the consortium agreement between the PHAs which are participating in the consortium, and a copy of the payment agreement between the consortium and HUD.
§ 761.23 Grantee performance requirements.
(a) Basic grantee requirements—(1) Compliance with civil rights requirements. Grantees must be in compliance with all fair housing and civil rights laws, statutes, regulations, and executive orders as enumerated in 24 CFR 5.105(a). Federally recognized Indian tribes must comply with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Indian Civil Rights Act.
(2) Adherence to the grant agreement. The grant agreement between HUD and the grantee incorporates the grantee’s application and plan for the implementation of grant-funded activities.
(3) Compliance with “baseline” funding requirement. Grantees may not use grant funds to reimburse law enforcement agencies for “baseline” community safety services. Grantees must adhere to § 761.17(a)(2)(i), reimbursement of local law enforcement agencies for additional security and protective services. In addition, grantees must provide to HUD a description of the baseline of services for the unit of general local government in which the jurisdiction of the agency is located.
(4) Partnerships. Grantees must provide HUD with evidence of partnerships—in particular, firm commitments by organizations providing funding, services, or other in-kind resources for PHDEP-funded activities (e.g., memorandum of agreement, letter of firm commitment). The partnership agreement must cover the applicable funding period.
(5) MTCS reporting. Grantees must maintain a level of compliance with MTCS reporting requirements that is satisfactory to HUD.
(b) Planning and reporting requirements—(1) Planning consistency. PHDEP funded activities must be consistent with the most recent HUD-approved PHA Plan or Indian Housing Plan, as appropriate. AHDEP funded activities must be consistent with the most recent Consolidated Plan under part 91 of this title for the community.
(2) Demonstration of coordination with other law enforcement efforts. Each grantee must consult with local law enforcement authorities and other local entities in the preparation of its plan for addressing the problem of drug-related and violent crime under § 761.21 and must maintain documentation of such consultation. Furthermore, a grantee must coordinate its grant-funded activities with other anti-crime and anti-drug programs, such as Operation Safe Home, Operation Weed and Seed, and the Safe Neighborhoods Action Program operating in the community, if applicable and maintain documentation of such coordination.
(3) Compliance with reporting requirements. Grantees must provide periodic reports consistent with this part at such times and in such form as is required by HUD.
(4) Reporting on drug-related and violent crime. Grantees must report any change or lack of change in crime statistics—especially drug-related crime and violent crime—or other relevant indicators drawn from the applicant’s or grantee’s evaluation and monitoring plan, IHP or PHA Plan. The grantee must also indicate, if applicable, how it is adequately addressing any recommendations emanating from other anti-crime and anti-drug programs, such as Operation Safe Home, Operation Weed and Seed, and the Safe Neighborhoods Action Program, operating in the community and is taking appropriate actions, in view of available resources, such as post-enforcement measures, to take full advantage of these programs.
(c) Funding and evaluation requirements—(1) Timely obligation and expenditure of grant funds. The HA must obligate and expend funds in compliance with all funding notifications, regulations, notices, and grant agreements. In addition, the HA must obligate at least 50 percent of funds under a particular grant within 12 months of the execution of the grant agreement, and must expend at least 25 percent of funds under a particular grant within 12 months of the execution of the grant agreement.
(2) Operational monitoring and evaluation system. The grantee must demonstrate that it has a fully operational system for monitoring and evaluating its grant-funded activities. A monitoring and evaluation system must collect quantitative evidence of the number of persons and units served, including youth served as a separate category, types of services provided, and the impact of such services on the persons served. Also, the monitoring and evaluation system must collect quantitative and qualitative evidence of the impact of grant-funded activities on the public housing or other housing, the community and the surrounding neighborhood.
(3) Reduction of violent crime and drug use. The grantee must demonstrate that it has established, and is attaining, measurable goals including the overall reduction of violent crime and drug use.
(d) Other requirements. HUD reserves the right to add additional performance factors consistent with this rule and other related statutes and regulations on a case-by-case basis.
(e) Sanctions. A grantee that fails to satisfy the performance requirements of this section will be subject to the sanctions listed in § 761.30(f)(2).
§ 761.25 Resident comments on grant application.
The applicant must provide the residents of developments proposed for funding under this part 761, as well as any RMCs, RCs, or ROs that represent those residents (including any HA-wide RMC, RC, or RO), if applicable, with a reasonable opportunity to comment on its application for funding under these programs. The applicant must give these comments careful consideration in developing its plan and application, as well as in the implementation of funded programs. Grantees must maintain copies of all written comments submitted for three years.
Subpart D—Grant Administration
§ 761.30 Grant administration.
(a) General. Each grantee is responsible for ensuring that grant funds are administered in accordance with the requirements of this part 761, any specific Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) issued for these programs, 2 CFR part 200, applicable laws and regulations, applicable OMB circulars, HUD fiscal and audit controls, grant agreements, grant special conditions, the grantee’s approved budget (SF–424A), budget narrative, plan, and activity timetable.
(b) Grant term extensions—(1) Grant term. Terms of the grant agreement may not exceed 12 months for the Assisted Housing Program, and 24 months for the Public Housing Program, unless an extension is approved by the local HUD Office or local HUD Office of Native American Programs. Any funds not expended at the end of the grant term shall be remitted to HUD.
(2) Extension. HUD may grant an extension of the grant term in response to a written request for an extension stating the need for the extension and indicating the additional time required. HUD will not consider requests for retroactive extension of program periods. HUD will permit only one extension. HUD will only consider extensions if the grantee meets the extension criteria of paragraph (b)(5) of this section at the time the grantee submits for approval the request for the extension.
(3) Receipt. The request must be received by the local HUD Office or local HUD Office of Native American Programs prior to the termination of the grant, and requires approval by the local HUD Office or local HUD Office of Native American Programs with jurisdiction over the grantee.
(4) Term. The maximum extension allowable for any program period is 6 months.
(5) Extension criteria. The following criteria must be met by the grantee when submitting a request to extend the expenditure deadline for a program or set of programs.
(i) Financial status reports. There must be on file with the local HUD Office or local HUD Office of Native American Programs current and acceptable Financial Status Reports, SF–269As.
(ii) Grant agreement special conditions. The grantee must have satisfied all grant agreement special conditions except those conditions that the grantee must fulfill in the remaining period of the grant. This also includes the performance and resolution of audit findings in a timely manner.
(iii) Justification. The grantee must submit a narrative justification with the program extension request. The justification must provide complete details, including the circumstances that require the proposed extension, and an explanation of the impact of denying the request.
(6) HUD action. The local HUD Office or local HUD Office of Native American Programs will attempt to take action on any proposed extension request within 15 days after receipt of the request.
(c) Duplication of funds. To prevent duplicate funding of any activity, the grantee must establish controls to assure that an activity or program that is funded by other HUD programs, or programs of other Federal agencies, shall not also be funded by the Drug Elimination Program. The grantee must establish an auditable system to provide adequate accountability for funds that it has been awarded. The grantee is responsible for ensuring that there is no duplication of funds.
(d) Insurance. Each grantee shall obtain adequate insurance coverage to protect itself against any potential liability arising out of the eligible activities under this part. In particular, applicants shall assess their potential liability arising out of the employment or contracting of security personnel, law enforcement personnel, investigators, and drug treatment providers, and the establishment of voluntary tenant patrols; evaluate the qualifications and training of the individuals or firms undertaking these functions; and consider any limitations on liability under tribal, State, or local law. Grantees shall obtain liability insurance to protect the members of the voluntary tenant patrol against potential liability as a result of the patrol’s activities under § 761.15(b)(5). Voluntary tenant patrol liability insurance costs are eligible program expenses. Subgrantees shall obtain their own liability insurance.
(e) Failure to implement program. If the grant plan, approved budget, and timetable, as described in the approved application, are not operational within 60 days of the grant agreement date, the grantee must report by letter to the local HUD Office or the local HUD Office of Native American Programs the steps being taken to initiate the plan and timetable, the reason for the delay, and the expected starting date. Any timetable revisions that resulted from the delay must be included. The local HUD Office or local HUD Office of Native American Programs will determine if the delay is acceptable, approve/disapprove the revised plan and timetable, and take any additional appropriate action.
(f) Sanctions. (1) HUD may impose sanctions if the grantee:
(i) Is not complying with the requirements of this part 761, or of other applicable Federal law;
(ii) Fails to make satisfactory progress toward its drug elimination goals, as specified in its plan and as reflected in its performance and financial status reports;
(iii) Does not establish procedures that will minimize the time elapsing between drawdowns and disbursements;
(iv) Does not adhere to grant agreement requirements or special conditions;
(v) Proposes substantial plan changes to the extent that, if originally submitted, the applications would not have been selected for funding;
(vi) Engages in the improper award or administration of grant subcontracts;
(vii) Does not submit reports; or
(viii) Files a false certification.
(2) HUD may impose the following sanctions:
(i) Temporarily withhold cash payments pending correction of the deficiency by the grantee or subgrantee;
(ii) Disallow all or part of the cost of the activity or action not in compliance;
(iii) Wholly or partly suspend or terminate the current award for the grantee’s or subgrantee’s program;
(iv) Require that some or all of the grant amounts be remitted to HUD;
(v) Condition a future grant and elect not to provide future grant funds to the grantee until appropriate actions are taken to ensure compliance;
(vi) Withhold further awards for the program; or
(vii) Take other remedies that may be legally available.
§ 761.35 Periodic grantee reports.
Grantees are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of grant and subgrant supported activities. Grantees must monitor grant and subgrant supported activities to assure compliance with applicable Federal requirements and that performance goals are being achieved. Grantee monitoring must cover each program, function or activity of the grant.
(a) Semi-annual (nonconstruction) performance reports. For purposes of the Public Housing Program only, the following provisions in paragraph (a) of this section apply:
(1) In accordance with 2 CFR 200.328, grantees are required to provide the local HUD Office or the local HUD Office of Native American Programs with a semi-annual performance report that evaluates the grantee’s performance against its plan. These reports shall include (but are not limited to) the following in summary form:
(i) Any change or lack of change in crime statistics or other indicators drawn from the applicant’s plan assessment and an explanation of any difference;
(ii) Successful completion of any of the strategy components identified in the applicant’s plan;
(iii) A discussion of any problems encountered in implementing the plan and how they were addressed;
(iv) An evaluation of whether the rate of progress meets expectations;
(v) A discussion of the grantee’s efforts in encouraging resident participation; and
(vi) A description of any other programs that may have been initiated, expanded, or deleted as a result of the plan, with an identification of the resources and the number of people involved in the programs and their relation to the plan.
(2) Reporting period. Semi-annual performance reports (for periods ending June 30 and December 31) are due to the local HUD Office or the local HUD Office of Native American Programs on July 30 and January 31 of each year. If the reports are not received by the local HUD Office or the local HUD Office of Native American Programs on or before the due date, grant funds will not be advanced until the reports are received.
(b) Final performance report. For purposes of both the Assisted Housing Program and the Public Housing Program, the following provisions in paragraph (b) of this section apply:
(1) Evaluation. Grantees are required to provide the local HUD Office or the local HUD Office of Native American Programs, as applicable, with a final cumulative performance report that evaluates the grantee’s overall performance against its plan. This report shall include (but is not limited to) the information listed in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(vi) of this section, in summary form.
(2) Reporting period. The final performance report shall cover the period from the date of the grant agreement to the termination date of the grant agreement. The report is due to the local HUD Office or the local HUD Office of Native American Programs, as applicable, within 90 days after termination of the grant agreement.
(c) Semi-annual financial status reporting requirements. For purposes of both the Assisted Housing Program and the Public Housing Program, the following provisions in paragraph (c) of this section apply, as specified below:
(1) Forms. The grantee shall provide a semi-annual financial status report. For purposes of the Public Housing Program, this report shall be in accordance with 2 CFR 200.327. For both the Assisted Housing and Public Housing Programs, the grantee shall use the form SF–269A, Financial Status Report-Long Form, to report the status of funds for nonconstruction programs. The grantee shall use SF–269A, block 12, “Remarks,” to report on the status of programs, functions, or activities within the program.
(2) Reporting period. Semi-annual financial status reports (SF–269A) must be submitted as follows:
(i) For purposes of the Assisted Housing Program, semi-annual financial status reports covering the first 180 days of funded activities must be submitted to the local HUD Office between 190 and 210 days after the date of the grant agreement. If the SF–269A is not received on or before the due date (210 days after the date of the grant agreement) by the local HUD Office, grant funds will not be advanced until the reports are received.
(ii) For purposes of the Public Housing Program, semi-annual financial status reports (for periods ending June 30 and December 31) must be submitted to the local HUD Office or the local Office of Indian Programs, as applicable, by July 30 and January 31 of each year. If the local HUD Office or the local HUD Office of Native American Programs, as applicable, does not receive the SF–269A on or before the due date, the grant funds will not be advanced until the reports are received.
(d) Final financial status report (SF–269A). For purposes of both the Assisted Housing Program and the Public Housing Program, the following provisions in paragraph (d) of this section apply:
(1) Cumulative summary. The final report will be a cumulative summary of expenditures to date and must indicate the exact balance of unexpended funds. The grantee shall remit all Drug Elimination Program funds owed to HUD, including any unexpended funds, as follows:
(i) For purposes of the Assisted Housing Program, the grantee must remit such funds to HUD within 90 days after the termination of the grant agreement.
(ii) For purposes of the Public Housing Program, the local HUD Office or the local HUD Office of Native American Programs shall notify the grantee, in writing, of the requirement to remit such funds to HUD. The grantee shall remit such funds prior to or upon receipt of the notice.
(2) Reporting period. The final financial status report shall cover the period from the date of the grant agreement to the termination date of the grant agreement. The report is due to the local HUD Office or the local HUD Office of Native American Programs, as applicable, within 90 days after the termination of the grant agreement.
§ 761.40 Other Federal requirements.
In addition to the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 5, subpart A, use of grant funds requires compliance with the following Federal requirements:
(a) Labor standards. (1) When grant funds are used to undertake physical improvements to increase security under § 761.15(b)(3), the following labor standards apply:
(i) The grantee and its contractors and subcontractors must pay the following prevailing wage rates, and must comply with all related rules, regulations and requirements:
(A) For laborers and mechanics employed in the program, the wage rate determined by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 276a et seq.) to be prevailing in the locality with respect to such trades;
(B) For laborers and mechanics employed in carrying out nonroutine maintenance in the program, the HUD-determined prevailing wage rate. As used in paragraph (a) of this section, nonroutine maintenance means work items that ordinarily would be performed on a regular basis in the course of upkeep of a property, but have become substantial in scope because they have been put off, and that involve expenditures that would otherwise materially distort the level trend of maintenance expenses. Nonroutine maintenance may include replacement of equipment and materials rendered unsatisfactory because of normal wear and tear by items of substantially the same kind. Work that constitutes reconstruction, a substantial improvement in the quality or kind of original equipment and materials, or remodeling that alters the nature or type of housing units is not nonroutine maintenance.
(ii) The employment of laborers and mechanics is subject to the provisions of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327–333).
(2) The provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall not apply to labor contributed under the following circumstances:
(i) Upon the request of any resident management corporation, HUD may, subject to applicable collective bargaining agreements, permit residents (for purposes of the Public Housing Program, residents of a program managed by the resident management corporation) to volunteer a portion of their labor.
(ii) An individual may volunteer to perform services if:
(A) The individual does not receive compensation for the voluntary services, or is paid expenses, reasonable benefits, or a nominal fee for voluntary services; and
(B) Is not otherwise employed at any time in the work subject to paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) or (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section.
(b) Flood insurance. Grants will not be awarded for proposed activities that involve acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair or improvement of a building or mobile home located in an area that has been identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as having special flood hazards unless:
(1) The community in which the area is situated is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program in accordance with 44 CFR parts 59 through 79; or
(2) Less than a year has passed since FEMA notification to the community regarding such hazards; and
(3) Flood insurance on the structure is obtained in accordance with section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4001).
(c) Lead-based paint. The Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 4821–4846), the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4851–4856), and implementing regulations at part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R of this title.
(d) Conflicts of interest. In addition to the conflict of interest requirements in 2 CFR 200.112 (for all recipients and subrecipients), 200.317 (for recipients and subrecipients that are States), and 200.318(c) and 200.319(a)(5) (for recipients and subrecipients that are not States) for the Public Housing Program, no person, as described in paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section, may obtain a personal or financial interest or benefit from an activity funded under these drug elimination programs, or have an interest in any contract, subcontract, or agreement with respect thereto, or the proceeds thereunder, either for him or herself or for those with whom he or she has family or business ties, during his or her tenure, or for one year thereafter:
(1) Who is an employee, agent, consultant, officer, or elected or appointed official of the grantee, that receives assistance under the program and who exercises or has exercised any functions or responsibilities with respect to assisted activities; or
(2) Who is in a position to participate in a decisionmaking process or gain inside information with regard to such activities.
(e) For IHAs, § 950.115 of this title, “Applicability of civil rights requirements,” and § 950.120 of this title, “Compliance with other Federal requirements,” apply and control to the extent they may differ from other requirements of this section;
(f) Intergovernmental Review. The requirements of Executive Order 12372 (3 CFR, 1982 Comp., p. 197) and the regulations issued under the Order in part 52 of this title, to the extent provided by
(g) Environmental review. Certain eligible activities under this part 761 are categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321) and are not subject to review under related laws, in accordance with 24 CFR 50.19(b)(4), (b)(12), or (b)(13). If the PHDEP plan proposes the use of grant funds to assist any non-exempt activities, HUD will perform an environmental review to the extent required by 24 CFR part 50, prior to grant award.
PARTS 762–790 [RESERVED]
PART 791—ALLOCATIONS OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE FUNDS
Subpart A—General Provisions
§ 791.101 Applicability and scope.
This part describes the role and responsibility of HUD in allocation of budget authority (pursuant to section 213 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1439)) for housing assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (Section 8 and public housing) and under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (12 U.S.C. 1701s), and of budget authority for housing assistance under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1710q). This part does not apply to budget authority for the public housing operating fund or capital fund.
§ 791.102 Definitions.
Act. The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.D. 1437), as amended.
Allocation area. A municipality, county, or group of municipalities or counties identified by the HUD field office for the purpose of allocating housing assistance.
Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary for Housing or the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, as appropriate to the housing assistance under consideration.
Budget authority. The maximum amount authorized by the Congress for payments over the term of assistance contracts.
Fiscal year. The official operating period of the Federal government, beginning on October 1 and ending on September 30.
Metropolitan area. See MSA.
MSA. A metropolitan statistical area established by the Office of Management and Budget. The term also includes primary metropolitan statistical areas (PMSAs), which are the component parts of larger urbanized areas designated as consolidated metropolitan statistical areas (CMSAs). Where an MSA is divided among two or more field offices, references to an MSA mean the portion of the MSA within the State/Area Office jurisdiction.
Public housing agency (PHA). (1) Any State, county, municipality, or other governmental entity or public body which is authorized to administer a program under the 1937 Act (or an agency or instrumentality of such an entity).
(2) In addition, for purposes of the program of Section 8 tenant-based assistance under part 982 of this title, the term PHA also includes any of the following:
(i) A consortia of housing agencies, each of which meets the qualifications in paragraph (1) of this definition, that HUD determines has the capacity and capability to efficiently administer the program (in which case, HUD may enter into a consolidated ACC with any legal entity authorized to act as the legal representative of the consortia members);
(ii) Any other public or private non-profit entity that was administering a Section 8 tenant-based assistance program pursuant to a contract with the contract administrator of such program (HUD or a PHA) in effect on October 21, 1998; or
(iii) For any area outside the jurisdiction of a PHA that is administering a tenant-based program, or where HUD determines that such PHA is not administering the program effectively, a private non-profit entity or a governmental entity or public body that would otherwise lack jurisdiction to administer the program in such area.
Subparts B–C [Reserved]
Subpart D—Allocation of Budget Authority for Housing Assistance
§ 791.401 General.
This subpart D establishes the procedures for allocating budget authority under section 213(d) of the Act for the programs identified in § 791.101. It describes the allocation of budget authority by the appropriate Assistant Secretary to the applicable Program Office Director in the HUD field office, and by the Program Office Director to allocation areas within their jurisdiction.
§ 791.402 Determination of low-income housing needs.
(a) Before budget authority is allocated, the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research shall determine the relative need for low-income housing assistance in each HUD field office jurisdiction. This determination shall be based upon data from the most recent, available decennial census and, where appropriate, upon more recent data from the Bureau of the Census or other Federal agencies, or from the American Housing Survey.
(b) Except for paragraph (c) of this section, the factors used to determine the relative need for assistance shall be based upon the following criteria:
(1) Population. The renter population;
(2) Poverty. The number of renter households with annual incomes at or below the poverty level, as defined by the Bureau of the Census;
(3) Housing overcrowding. The number of renter-occupied housing units with an occupancy ratio of 1.01 or more persons per room;
(4) Housing vacancies. The number of renter housing units that would be required to maintain vacancies at levels typical of balanced market conditions;
(5) Substandard housing. The number of housing units built before 1940 and occupied by renter households with annual incomes at or below the poverty level, as defined by the Bureau of the Census; and
(6) Other objectively measurable conditions. Data indicating potential need for rental housing assistance, such as the number of renter households with incomes below specified levels and paying a gross rent of more than 30 percent of household income.
(c) For the section 202 elderly program, the data used shall reflect relevant characteristics of the elderly population. The data shall use the criteria specified in paragraph (b)(1) and (6) of this section, as modified to apply specifically to the needs of the elderly population.
(d) Based on the criteria in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research shall establish housing needs factors for each county and independent city in the field office jurisdiction, and shall aggregate the factors for such jurisdiction. The field office total for each factor is then divided by the respective national total for that factor. The resulting housing needs ratios under paragraph (b) of this section are then weighted to provide housing needs percentages for each field office, using the following weights: population—20 percent; poverty—20 percent; housing overcrowding—10 percent; housing vacancies—10 percent; substandard housing—20 percent; other objectively measurable conditions—20 percent. For the section 202 elderly program, the two criteria described in paragraph (c) of this section are weighted equally.
(e) The Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research shall adjust the housing needs percentages derived in paragraph (d) of this section to reflect the relative cost of providing housing among the field office jurisdictions.
§ 791.403 Allocation of housing assistance.
(a) The total budget authority available for any fiscal year shall be determined by adding any available unreserved budget authority from prior fiscal years to any newly appropriated budget authority for each housing program.
(b) Budget authority available for the fiscal year, except for that retained pursuant to § 791.407, shall be allocated to the field offices as follows:
(1) Budget authority shall be allocated as needed for uses that the Secretary determines are incapable of geographic allocation by formula, including—
(i) Amendments of existing contracts, renewal of assistance contracts, assistance to families that would otherwise lose assistance due to the decision of the project owner to prepay the project mortgage or not to renew the assistance contract, assistance to prevent displacement or to provide replacement housing in connection with the demolition or disposition of public housing, assistance in support of the property disposition and loan management functions of the Secretary;
(ii) Assistance which is—
(A) The subject of a line item identification in the HUD appropriations law, or in the table customarily included in the Conference Report on the appropriation for the Fiscal Year in which the funds are to be allocated;
(B) Reported in the Operating Plan submitted by HUD to the Committees on Appropriations; or
(C) Included in an authorization statute where the nature of the assistance, such as a prescribed set-aside, is, in the determination of the Secretary, incapable of geographic allocation by formula,
(iii) Assistance determined by the Secretary to be necessary in carrying out the following programs authorized by the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act: the Homeownership and Opportunity Through HOPE Act under title IV and HOPE for Elderly Independence under section 803.
(2) Budget authority remaining after carrying out allocation steps outlined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall be allocated in accordance with the housing needs percentages calculated under paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of § 791.402. HUD may allocate assistance under this paragraph in such a manner that each State shall receive not less than one-half of one percent of the amount of funds available for each program referred to in § 791.101(a) in each fiscal year. If the budget authority for a particular program is insufficient to fund feasible projects, or to promote meaningful competition, at the field office level, budget authority may be allocated among the ten geographic areas of the country. The funds so allocated will be assigned by Headquarters to the field office(s) with the highest ranked applications within the ten geographic areas.
(c) At least annually HUD will publish a notice in the
§ 791.404 Field Office allocation planning.
(a) General objective. The allocation planning process should provide for the equitable distribution of available budget authority, consistent with the relative housing needs of each allocation area within the field office jurisdiction.
(b) Establishing allocation areas. Allocation areas, consisting of one or more counties or independent cities, shall be established by the field office in accordance with the following criteria:
(1) Each allocation shall be to the smallest practicable area, but of sufficient size so that at least three eligible entities are viable competitors for funds in the allocation area, and so that all applicable statutory requirements can be met. (It is expected that in many instances individual MSAs will be established as metropolitan allocation areas.) For the section 202 program for the elderly, the allocation area must include sufficient units to promote a meaningful competition among disparate types of providers of such housing (e.g., local as well as national sponsors, minority as well as non-minority sponsors). The preceding sentence shall not apply to projects acquired from the Resolution Trust Corporation under section 21A(c) of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act.
(2) Each allocation area shall also be of sufficient size, in terms of population and housing need, that the amount of budget authority being allocated to the area will support at least one feasible program or project.
(3) In establishing allocation areas, counties and independent cities within MSAs should not be combined with counties that are not in MSAs.
(c) Determining the amount of budget authority. Where the field office establishes more than one allocation area, it shall determine the amount of budget authority to be allocated to each allocation area, based upon a housing needs percentage which represents the needs of that area relative to the field office jurisdiction. For each program, a composite housing needs percentage developed under § 791.402 for those counties and independent cities comprising the allocation area shall be aggregated into allocation area totals.
(d) Planning for the allocation. The field office should develop an allocation plan which reflects the amount of budget authority determined for each allocation area in paragraph (c). The plan should include a map or maps clearly showing the allocation areas within the field office jurisdiction. The relative share of budget authority by individual program type need not be the same for each allocation area, so long as the total amount of budget authority made available to the allocation area is not significantly reduced.
(a) The field office shall make every reasonable effort to use the budget authority made available for each allocation area within such area. If the Program Office Director determines that not all of the budget authority allocated for a particular allocation area is likely to be used during the fiscal year, the remaining authority may be allocated to other allocation areas where it is likely to be used during that fiscal year.
(b) If the Assistant Secretary determines that not all of the budget authority allocated to a field office is likely to be used during the fiscal year, the remaining authority may be reallocated to another field office where it is likely to be used during that fiscal year.
(c) Any reallocations of budget authority among allocation areas or field offices shall be consistent with the assignment of budget authority for the specific program type and established set-asides.
(d) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section, budget authority shall not be reallocated for use in another State unless the Program Office Director or the Assistant Secretary has determined that other allocation areas within the same State cannot use the available authority during the fiscal year.
§ 791.406 Competition.
(a) All budget authority allocated pursuant to § 791.403(b)(2) shall be reserved and obligated pursuant to a competition. Any such competition shall be conducted pursuant to specific criteria for the selection of recipients of assistance. These criteria shall be contained in a regulation promulgated after notice and public comment or, to the extent authorized by law, a notice published in the
(b) This section shall not apply to assistance referred to in §§ 791.403(b)(1) and 791.407.
§ 791.407 Headquarters Reserve.
(a) A portion of the budget authority available for the housing programs listed in § 791.101(a), not to exceed an amount equal to five percent of the total amount of budget authority available for the fiscal year for programs under the United States Housing Act of 1937 listed in § 791.101(a), may be retained by the Assistant Secretary for subsequent allocation to specific areas and communities, and may only be used for:
(1) Unforeseen housing needs resulting from natural and other disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, high water, wind driven water, tidal waves, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, mudslides, snowstorms, drought, fires, floods, or explosions, which in the determination of the Secretary cause damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant Federal housing assistance;
(2) Housing needs resulting from emergencies, as certified by the Secretary, other than disasters described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Emergency housing needs that can be certified are only those that result from unpredictable and sudden circumstances causing housing deprivation (such as physical displacement, loss of Federal rental assistance, or substandard housing conditions) or causing an unforeseen and significant increase in low-income housing demand in a housing market (such as influx of refugees or plant closings);
(3) Housing needs resulting from the settlement of litigation; and
(4) Housing in support of desegregation efforts.
(b) Applications for funds retained under paragraph (a) of this section shall be made to the field office, which will make recommendations to Headquarters for approval or rejection of the application. Applications generally will be considered for funding on a first-come, first-served basis. Specific instructions governing access to the Headquarters Reserve shall be published by notice in the
(c) Any amounts retained in any fiscal year under paragraph (a) of this section that are not reserved by the end of such fiscal year shall remain available for the following fiscal year in the program under § 791.101(a) from which the amount was retained. Such amounts shall be allocated pursuant to § 791.403(b)(2).
PART 792—PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY SECTION 8 FRAUD RECOVERIES
Subpart A—General Provisions
§ 792.101 Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to encourage public housing agencies (PHAs) to investigate and pursue instances of tenant and owner fraud and abuse in the operation of the Section 8 housing assistance payments programs.
§ 792.102 Applicability.
(a) This part applies to a PHA acting as a contract administrator under an annual contributions contract with HUD in any section 8 housing assistance payments program. To be eligible to retain section 8 tenant or owner fraud recoveries, the PHA must be the principal party initiating or sustaining an action to recover amounts from families.
(b) This part applies only to those instances when a tenant or owner committed fraud, and the fraud recoveries are obtained through litigation brought by the PHA (including settlement of the lawsuit), a court-ordered restitution pursuant to a criminal proceeding, or an administrative repayment agreement with the family or owner as a result of a PHA administrative grievance procedure pursuant to, or incorporating the requirements of, § 982.555 of this title. This part does not apply to cases of owner fraud in PHA-owned or controlled units, or where incorrect payments were made or benefits received because of calculation errors instead of willful fraudulent activities.
(c) This part applies to all tenant and owner fraud recoveries resulting from litigation brought by the PHA (including settlement of the lawsuit), or a court-ordered restitution pursuant to a criminal proceeding obtained on or after October 8, 1986, and to all tenant and owner fraud recoveries obtained through administrative repayment agreements signed on or after October 28, 1992.
§ 792.103 Definitions.
Fraud and abuse. Fraud and abuse means a single act or pattern of actions:
(1) That constitutes false statement, omission, or concealment of a substantive fact, made with intent to deceive or mislead; and
(2) That results in payment of section 8 program funds in violation of section 8 program requirements.
The terms Public Housing Agency (PHA) and Indian Housing Authority (IHA) are defined in 24 CFR part 5.
Judgment. Judgment means a provision for recovery of section 8 program funds obtained through fraud and abuse, by order of a court in litigation or by a settlement of a claim in litigation, whether or not stated in a court order.
Litigation. A lawsuit brought by a PHA to recover section 8 program funds obtained as a result of fraud and abuse.
Principal party in initiating or sustaining an action to recover. Principal party in initiating or sustaining an action to recover means the party that incurs more than half the costs incurred in:
(1) Recertifying tenants who fraudulently obtained section 8 rental assistance;
(2) Recomputing the correct amounts owed by tenants; and
(3) Taking needed actions to recoup the excess benefits received, such as initiating litigation.
Costs incurred to detect potential excessive benefits in the routine day-to-day operations of the program are excluded in determining the principal party in initiating or sustaining an action to recover. For example, the cost of income verification during an annual recertification would not be counted in determining the principal party in initiating or sustaining an action to recover.
Public housing agency (PHA). A public housing agency as defined in § 791.102.
Repayment agreement. Repayment agreement means a formal document signed by a tenant or owner and provided to a PHA in which a tenant or owner acknowledges a debt, in a specific amount, and agrees to repay the amount due at specific time period(s).
Subpart B—Recovery of Section 8 Funds
§ 792.201 Conduct of litigation.
The PHA must obtain HUD approval before initiating litigation in which the PHA is requesting HUD assistance or participation.
§ 792.202 PHA retention of proceeds.
(a) Where the PHA is the principal party initiating or sustaining an action to recover amounts from tenants that are due as a result of fraud and abuse, the PHA may retain, the greater of:
(1) Fifty percent of the amount it actually collects from a judgment, litigation (including settlement of lawsuit) or an administrative repayment agreement pursuant to, or incorporating the requirements of, § 982.555 of this title; or
(2) Reasonable and necessary costs that the PHA incurs related to the collection from a judgment, litigation (including settlement of lawsuit) or an administrative repayment agreement pursuant to, or incorporating the requirements of, § 982.555 of this title. Reasonable and necessary costs include the costs of the investigation, legal fees and collection agency fees.
(b) If HUD incurs costs on behalf of the PHA in obtaining the judgment, these costs must be deducted from the amount to be retained by the PHA.
§ 792.203 Application of amounts recovered.
(a) The PHA may only use the amount of the recovery it is authorized to retain in support of the section 8 program in which the fraud occurred.
(b) The remaining balance of the recovery proceeds (i.e., the portion of recovery the PHA is not authorized to retain) must be applied as directed by HUD.
§ 792.204 Recordkeeping and reporting.
To permit HUD to audit amounts retained under this part, an PHA must maintain all records required by HUD, including:
(a) Amounts recovered on any judgment or repayment agreement;
(b) The nature of the judgment or repayment agreement; and
(c) The amount of the legal fees and expenses incurred in obtaining the judgment or repayment agreement and recovery.
PARTS 793–799 [RESERVED]
CHAPTER VIII—OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOUSING-FEDERAL HOUSING COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, SECTION 202 DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM, SECTION 202 SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM AND SECTION 811 SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM)
PARTS 800–810 [RESERVED]
PART 811—TAX EXEMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS OF PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES AND RELATED AMENDMENTS
§ 811.101 Purpose and scope.
(a) The purpose of this part is to provide a basis for determining tax exemption of obligations issued by public housing agencies pursuant to Section 11(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437i) to refund bonds for Section 8 new construction or substantial rehabilitation projects.
(b) This part does not apply to tax exemption pursuant to Section 11(b) for low-income housing projects developed pursuant to 24 CFR parts 950 and 941.
§ 811.102 Definitions.
The terms HUD and Public Housing Agency (PHA) are defined in 24 CFR part 5.
Act. The United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437, et seq.).
Agency or Instrumentality PHA. A not-for-profit private or public organization that is authorized to engage in or assist in the development or operation of low-income housing and that has the relationship to a parent entity PHA required by this subpart.
Agreement. An Agreement to Enter Into Housing Assistance Payments Contract as defined in the applicable Section 8 regulations. The form of agreement for projects financed with tax-exempt obligations shall be amended in accordance with this subpart.
Annual Contributions Contract (ACC). An Annual Contributions Contract as defined in the applicable Section 8 regulations. The form of ACC for projects financed with tax-exempt obligations shall be amended in accordance with this subpart.
Applicable Section 8 Regulations. The provisions of 24 CFR parts 880, 881, or 883 that apply to the project.
Contract. A Housing Assistance Payments Contract as defined in the applicable Section 8 regulations. The form of contract for projects financed with tax-exempt obligations shall be amended in accordance with this subpart.
Cost of issuance. Ordinary, necessary, and reasonable costs in connection with the issuance of obligations. These costs shall include attorney fees, rating agency fees, trustee fees, printing costs, bond counsel fees, feasibility studies (for non-FHA-insured projects only), consultant fees and other fees or expenses approved by HUD.
Debt service reserve. A fund maintained by the trustee as a supplemental source of money for the payment of debt service on the obligations.
Financing Agency. The PHA (parent entity PHA or agency or instrumentality PHA) that issues the tax-exempt obligations for financing of the project.
Low-income Housing Project. Housing for families and persons of low-income developed, acquired or assisted by a PHA under Section 8 of the Act and the improvement of any such housing.
Obligations. Bonds or other evidence of indebtedness that are issued to provide permanent financing of a low-income housing project. Pursuant to Section 319(b) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the term obligation shall not include any obligation secured by a mortgage insured under Section 221(d)(3) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715l) and issued by a public agency as mortgagor in connection with the financing of a project assisted under Section 8 of the Act. This exclusion does not apply to a public agency as mortgagee.
Owner. An owner as defined in the applicable Section 8 regulations.
Parent Entity PHA. Any state, county, municipality or other governmental entity or public body that is authorized to engage in or assist in the development or operation of low-income housing and that has the relationship to an agency or instrumentality PHA required by this subpart.
Servicing fees. The annual costs of servicing the obligations 0including any debt service reserve), including trustee fees, mortgage servicing fees, PHA expenses in connection with annual reviews, maintenance of books and accounts, audit expenses, agent fees and other costs of servicing the obligations.
Trust indenture. A contract setting forth the rights and obligations of the issuer, bondholders, owner and trustee in connection with the tax-exempt obligations. The trust indenture may also include provisions regarding the loan to the owner or these may be set forth in a separate mortgage.
Trustee. The entity that has legal responsibility under the trust indenture for disposition of the proceeds of a bond issuance and servicing of the debt represented by the obligations. The trustee must be a bank or other financial institution that is legally qualified and experienced in performing fiduciary responsibilities with respect to the care and investment of funds of a magnitude comparable to those involved in the financing.
Yield. That percentage rate at which the present worth of all payments of principal and interest to be paid on the obligations is equal to the purchase price.
§ 811.103 General.
(a) In order for obligations to be tax-exempt under this subpart the obligations must be issued by a PHA in connection with a low-income housing project approved by HUD under the Act and the applicable Section 8 regulations.
(1) Except as needed for a resident manager or similar requirement, all dwelling units in a low-income housing project that is to be financed with obligations issued pursuant to this subpart must be Section 8 contract units.
(2) A low-income housing project that is to be financed with obligations issued pursuant to this subpart may include necessary appurtenances. Such appurtenances may include commercial space not to exceed 10% of the total net rentable area.
(b) Where the parent entity PHA is not the owner of the project, the parent entity PHA or other PHA approvable under § 811.104 must agree to administer the contract pursuant to an ACC with HUD, and such a PHA must agree that in the event there is a default under the contract it will pursue all available remedies to achieve correction of the default, including operation and possession of the project, if called upon by HUD to do so. If the field office finds that the PHA does not have the capacity to perform these functions, the Assistant Secretary may approve alternative contractual arrangements for performing these functions.
§ 811.104 Approval of Public Housing Agencies (other than agency or instrumentality PHAS).
(a)(1) An application to the field office for approval as a Public Housing Agency, other than an agency or instrumentality PHA, for purposes of this subpart shall be supported by evidence satisfactory to HUD to establish that:
(i) The applicant is a PHA as defined in this subpart, and has the legal authority to meet the requirements of this subpart and applicable Section 8 regulations, as described in its application. This evidence shall be supported by the opinion of counsel for the applicant.
(ii) The applicant has or will have the administrative capability to carry out the responsibilities described in its application.
(2) The evidence shall include any facts or documents relevant to the determinations required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, including identification of any pending application the applicant has submitted under the Act. In the absence of evidence indicating the applicant may not be qualified, the field office may accept as satisfactory evidence:
(i) Identification of any previous HUD approval of the applicant as a PHA pursuant to this section;
(ii) Identification of any prior ACC with the applicant under the Act; or
(iii) A statement, where applicable, that the applicant is an approved participating agency under 24 CFR Part 883 (State Housing Finance and Development Agencies).
(b) The applicant shall receive no compensation in connection with the financing of a project, except for its expenses. Such expenses shall be subject to approval by HUD in determining the development cost, cost of issuance and servicing fee, as appropriate. Should the applicant receive any compensation in excess of such expenses, the excess is to be placed in the debt service reserve.
(c) Where the applicant acts as the financing agency, the applicant shall be required to furnish to HUD an audit by an independent public accountant of its books and records in connection with the financing of the project within 90 days after the execution of the contract or final endorsement and at least biennially thereafter.
(d) Any subsequent amendments to the documents submitted to HUD pursuant to this section must be approved by HUD.
§ 811.105 Approval of agency or instrumentality PHA.
(a) An application to the field office for approval as an agency or instrumentality PHA for purposes of this subpart shall:
(1) Identify the parent entity PHA.
(2) Establish by evidence satisfactory to HUD that:
(i) The parent entity PHA meets the requirements of § 811.104.
(ii) The applicant was properly created pursuant to state law as a not-for-profit entity; is an agency or instrumentality PHA, as defined in this subpart; has the legal authority to meet the requirements of this subpart and applicable Section 8 regulations, as described in its application; and the actions required to establish the legal relationship with the parent entity PHA prescribed by paragraph (c) of this section have been taken and are not prohibited by State law. This evidence shall be supported by the opinion of counsel for the applicant and counsel for the parent entity PHA.
(iii) The applicant has, or will have, the administrative capability to carry out the responsibilities described in its application.
(b) The charter or other organic document establishing the applicant shall limit the activities to be performed by the applicant, and funds and assets connected therewith, to carrying out or assisting in carrying out Section 8 projects and other low-income housing projects approved by the Secretary. Such organic documents shall provide that the applicant shall receive no compensation in connection with the financing of a project, except for its expenses. Such expenses shall be subject to approval by HUD in determining the development cost, cost of issuance and servicing fee, as appropriate. Should the applicant receive any compensation in excess of such expenses, the excess is to be placed in the debt service reserve.
(c) The documents submitted by the applicant shall include the following with respect to the relationship between the parent entity PHA and the agency or instrumentality PHA:
(1) Provisions requiring approval by the parent entity PHA of the charter or other organic instrument and of the bylaws of the applicant, which organic instrument and bylaws shall specify that any amendments are subject to approval by the parent entity PHA and by HUD.
(2) Provisions requiring approval by the parent entity PHA of each project and of the program and expenditures of the applicant.
(3) Provisions requiring approval by the parent entity PHA of each issue of obligations by the applicant not more than 60 days prior to the date of issue and approval of any substantive changes to the terms and conditions of the issuance prior to date of issue.
(4) Provisions requiring the applicant to furnish an audit of all its books and records by an independent public accountant to the parent entity PHA within 90 days after execution of the contract or final endorsement and at least bennially thereafter; and provisions requiring the parent entity PHA to perform an annual review of the applicant’s performance and to provide HUD with a copy of such review together with any audits performed during the reporting period.
(5) Provisions giving the parent entity PHA right of access at any time to all books and records of the applicant.
(6) Provisions that upon dissolution of the applicant, title to or other interest in any real or personal property that is owned by such applicant at the time of dissolution shall be transferred to the parent entity PHA or to another PHA or to another not-for-profit entity as determined by the parent entity PHA and approved by HUD, to be used only for purposes approved by HUD.
(7) Evidence of agreement by the parent entity PHA, or other entity as may be provided for in alternative contractual arrangements pursuant to § 811.103(b), to accept title to any real or personal property pursuant to paragraph (c)(6) of this section.
(d) Any subsequent amendments to the documents submitted to HUD pursuant to this section must be approved by HUD.
(e) Members, officers, or employees of the parent entity PHA may be directors or officers of the applicant unless this is contrary to state law.
§ 811.106 Default under the contract.
If HUD finds there is a default under the Contract, the field office shall so notify the trustee and give the trustee a specified reasonable time to take action to require the owner to correct such default prior to any suspension or termination of payments under the contract. In the event of a default under the contract, HUD may terminate or suspend payments under the contract, may seek specific performance of the contract and may pursue other remedies.
§ 811.107 Financing documents and data.
(a) The financing agency shall assure that any official statement or prospectus or other disclosure statement prepared in connection with the financing shall state on the first page that:
(1) In addition to any security cited in the statement, the bonds may be secured by a pledge of an Annual Contributions Contract and a Housing Assistance Payments Contract, executed by HUD;
(2) The faith of the United States is solemnly pledged to the payment of annual contributions pursuant to the Annual Contributions Contact or to the payment of housing assistance payments pursuant to the Housing Assistance Payments Contract, and funds have been obligated by HUD for such payments;
(3) Except as provided in any contract of mortgage insurance, the bonds are not insured by HUD;
(4) The bonds are not to be construed as a debt or indebtedness of HUD or the United States, and payment of the bonds is not guaranteed by the United States;
(5) Nothing in the text of a disclosure statement is to be interpreted to conflict with the above; and
(6) HUD has not reviewed or approved and bears no responsibility for the content of disclosure statements.
(b) The financing agency shall retain in its files the documentation relating to the financing. A copy of this documentation shall be furnished to HUD upon request.
§ 811.108 Debt service reserve.
(a) FHA-Insured projects. (1) The debt service reserve shall be invested and the income used to pay principal and interest on that portion of the obligations which is attributable to the funding of the debt service reserve. Any excess investment income shall be added to the debt service reserve. In the event such investment income is insufficient, surplus cash or residual receipts, to the extent approved by the field office, may be used to pay such principal and interest costs.
(2) The debt service reserve and its investment income shall be available only for the purpose of paying principal or interest on the obligations. The use of the debt service reserve for this purpose shall not be a cure for any failure by the owner to make required payments.
(3) Upon full payment of the principal and interest on the obligations (including that portion of the obligations attributable to the funding of the debt service reserve), any funds remaining in the debt service reserve shall be remitted to HUD.
(b) Non-FHA-insured projects. (1) Investment income from the debt service reserve, up to the amount required for debt service on the bonds attributable to the debt service reserve, shall be credited toward the owner’s debt service payment. Any excess investment income shall be added to and become part of the debt service reserve.
(2) The debt service reserve and investment income thereon shall be available only for the purpose of paying principal or interest on the obligations. The use of the debt service reserve for this purpose shall not be a cure for any failure by the owner to make required payments.
(3) Upon full payment of the principal and interest on the obligations (including that portion of the obligations attributable to the funding of the debt service reserve), any funds remaining in the debt service reserve shall be remitted to HUD.
§ 811.109 Trust indenture provisions.
Obligations shall be prepaid only under such conditions as HUD shall require, including reduction of contract rents and continued operation of the project for the housing of low-income families.
§ 811.110 Refunding of obligations issued to finance Section 8 projects.
(a) This section states the terms and conditions under which HUD will approve refunding or defeasance of certain outstanding debt obligations which financed new construction or substantial rehabilitation of Section 8 projects, including fully and partially assisted projects.
(b) In the case of bonds issued by State Agencies qualified under 24 CFR part 883 to refund bonds which financed projects assisted pursuant to 24 CFR part 883, HUD requires compliance with the prohibition on duplicative fees contained in 24 CFR part 883 and with paragraphs (f) and (h) of this section, as applicable to the projects to be refunded.
(c) No agency shall issue obligations to refund outstanding 11(b) obligations until the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing sends the financing agency a Notification of Tax Exemption based on approval of the proposed refunding’s terms and conditions as conforming to this part’s requirements, including continued operation of the project as housing for low-income families, and where possible, reduction of Section 8 assistance payments through lower contract rents or an equivalent cash rebate to the U.S. Treasury (i.e. Trustee Sweep). The agency shall submit such documentation as HUD determines is necessary for review and approval of the refunding transaction. Upon conclusion of the closing of refunding bonds, written confirmation must be sent to the Office of Multifamily Housing by bond counsel, or other acceptable closing participant, including a schedule of the specific amount of savings in Section 8 assistance where applicable, CUSIP number information, and a final statement of Sources and Uses.
(d)(1) HUD approval of the terms and conditions of a Section 8 refunding proposal requires evaluation by HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing of the reasonableness of the terms of the Agency’s proposed financing plan, including projected reductions in project debt service where warranted by market conditions and bond yields. This evaluation shall determine that the proposed amount of refunding obligations is the amount needed to: pay off outstanding bonds; fund a debt service reserve to the extent required by credit enhancers or bond rating agencies, or bond underwriters in the case of unrated refunding bonds; pay credit enhancement fees acceptable to HUD; and pay transaction costs as approved by HUD according to a sliding scale ceiling based on par amount of refunding bond principal. Exceptions may be approved by HUD, if consistent with applicable statutes, in the event that an additional issue amount is required for project purposes.
(2) The stated maturity of the refunding bonds may not exceed by more than one year the remaining term of the project mortgage, or in the case of an uninsured loan, the later of expiration date of the Housing Assistance Payments Contract (the “HAPC”) or final maturity of the refunded bonds.
(3) The bond yield may not exceed by more than 75 basis points the 20 Bond General Obligation Index published by the Daily Bond Buyer for the week immediately preceding the sale of the bonds, except as otherwise approved by HUD. An amount not to exceed one-fourth of one percent annually of the bonds’ outstanding principal balance may be allowed for servicing and trustee fees.
(e) For projects for which the Agreement to enter into the HAPC was executed between January 1, 1979, and December 31, 1984 (otherwise known as “McKinney Act Projects”), for which a State or local agency initiates a refunding, the Secretary shall make available to an eligible issuing agency 50 percent of the Section 8 savings of a refunding, as determined by HUD on a project-by-project basis, to be used by the agency in accordance with the terms of a Refunding Agreement executed by the Agency and HUD which incorporates the Agency’s Housing Plan for use of savings to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for very low-income households. In determining the amount of savings recaptured on a project-by-project basis, as authorized by section 1012(b) of the McKinney Act, HUD will take into account the physical condition of the projects participating in the refunding which generate the McKinney Act savings and, if necessary, HUD will finance in refunding bond debt service correction of existing deficiencies which cannot be funded completely by existing project replacement reserves or by a portion of reserves released from the refunded bond’s indenture. For McKinney Act refundings of projects which did not receive a Financing Adjustment Factor (“FAF”), HUD will allow up to 50 percent of debt service savings to be allocated to the project account; in which case, the remainder will be shared equally by the Agency and the U.S. Treasury.
(f) For refundings of Section 8 projects other than McKinney Act Projects, and for all transactions which substitute collateral for, but do not redeem, outstanding obligations, and for which a HUD approval is needed (such as assignment of a HAPC or insured mortgage note), the Office of Multifamily Housing in consultation with HUD Field Office Counsel will review the HAPC, the Trust Indenture for the outstanding obligations, applicable HUD regulations, and reasonableness of proposed financing terms. In particular, HUD review should be obtained for the release of reserves from the trust indenture of the outstanding 11(b) bonds that are being refunded, defeased, or pre-paid. A proposal to distribute to a non-Federal entity the benefits of a refinancing, such as debt service savings and/or balances in reserves held under the original Trust Indenture, should be referred to the Office of Multifamily Housing for further review. In proposals submitted for HUD approval, HUD will consent to release reserves, as provided by the Trust Indenture, in an amount remaining after correction of project physical deficiencies and/or replenishment of replacement reserves, where needed. In the case of a refunding of 11(b) bonds by a public agency issuer which is the owner of the project and is entitled to reserves held under the Trust Indenture, HUD requires execution by the project owner of a use agreement, and amendment of a regulatory agreement, if applicable, to extend low-income tenant occupancy for ten years after expiration of the original HAPC term. In the case of HAP contracts with renewable 5-year terms, the Use Agreement shall extend for 10 years after the project owners first opt-out date. The Use Agreement may also be required of private entity owners, unless the refunding is incidental to a transfer of project ownership or a transaction which provides a substantial public benefit, as determined by the Office of Multifamily Housing. Proposed use of benefits shall be consistent with applicable appropriations law, the HAPC, and other requirements applicable to the original project financing, and the proposed financing terms must be reasonable in relation to bond market yields and transaction fees, as approved by the HUD Office of Multifamily Housing.
(g) Agencies shall have wide latitude in the design of specific delivery vehicles for use of McKinney Act savings, subject to HUD audit of each Agency’s performance in serving the targeted income eligible population. Savings may be used for shelter costs of providing housing, rental, or owner-occupied, to very low-income households through new construction, rehabilitation, repairs, and acquisition with or without rehab, including assistance to very low-income units in mixed-income developments. These include programs designed to assist in obtaining shelter, such as rent or homeownership subsidies. Self-sufficiency services in support of very low-income housing are also eligible, and may include, but are not limited to, homeownership counseling, additional security measures in high-crime areas, construction job training for residents’ repair of housing units occupied by very low-income families, and empowerment activities designed to support formation and growth of resident entities. Except for the cost of providing third-party program audit reports to HUD, eligible costs exclude consultant fees or reimbursement of Agency staff expenses, but may include fees for professional services required in the Agency’s McKinney Act programs of assistance to very low-income families. Unless otherwise specified by HUD in a McKinney Agreement, savings shall be subject to the above use requirements for 10 years from the date of receipt of the savings.
(h) Refunding bonds, including interest thereon, approved under this Section shall be exempt from all taxation now or hereafter imposed by the United States, and the notification of approval of tax exemption shall not be subject to revocation by HUD. Whether refunding bonds approved under this section meet the requirements of Section 103 or any other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code is not within the responsibilities of HUD to determine. Such bonds shall be prepaid during the HAPC term only under such conditions as HUD shall require.
PART 850—HOUSING DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Subpart A—General Provisions
§ 850.1 Applicability and savings clause.
(a) Applicability. This part implements the Housing Development Grant Program contained in section 17 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437o). The Program authorized the Secretary to make housing development grants to support the new construction or substantial rehabilitation of real property to be used primarily for residential rental purposes. Section 289(b)(1) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12839) repealed section 17 effective October 1, 1991. Section 289(a) prohibited new grants under the Housing Development Grant Program except for projects for which binding commitments had been entered into prior to October 1, 1991.
(b) Savings clause. Any grant made pursuant to a binding commitment entered into before October 1, 1991 will continue to be governed by subparts A through E of this part in effect immediately before April 1, 1996, and by subpart F of this part as currently in effect.
Subparts B–E [Reserved]
Subpart F—Project Management
§ 850.151 Project restrictions.
(a) Owner-grantee agreement. The grantee and the owner must enter into an agreement that requires the owner (including its successors in interest) to carry out the requirements of this section and of the grant agreement, as appropriate. The grantee-owner agreement must require the grantee to monitor (where required) and to take appropriate legal action to enforce compliance with the owner’s responsibilities thereunder. The owner’s compliance with its obligations under this section must be secured by a mortgage or other security instrument meeting the requirements of § 850.155. Nothing in this section shall preclude enforcement by the Federal government of grant agreement provisions, civil rights statutes, or other provisions of law that apply to the Housing Development Grant Program.
(b) Restriction on conversion. The owner shall not convert the units in the project to condominium ownership or to a form of cooperative ownership that is not eligible to receive a housing development grant, during the 20-year period from the date on which the units in the project are available for occupancy.
(c) Tenant selection. The owner shall determine the eligibility of applicants for lower income units in accordance with the requirements of 24 CFR parts 812 and 813, including the provisions of these parts concerning citizenship or eligible immigration status and income limits, and certain assistance to mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status.). The owner shall not, during the 20-year period from the date on which the units in the project are available for occupancy, discriminate against prospective tenants on the basis of their receipt of, or eligibility for, housing assistance under any Federal, State, or local housing assistance program or, except for an elderly housing project, on the basis that they have a minor child or children who will be living with them.
(d) Restriction on leasing assisted units. The owner shall assure that the percentage of low-income units specified in the grant agreement is occupied, or is available for occupancy, by low-income households during the period beginning on the date on which the units in the project are available for occupancy through 20 years from the date on which 50 percent of the units are occupied. The owner may lease a low-income unit only to a tenant that is a low-income household at the time of its initial occupancy. An owner may continue to lease a low-income unit to a tenant that ceases to qualify as a low-income household only as provided in paragraph (f) of this section.
(e) Low-income unit rent. (1) Section 17(d)(8)(A) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 prohibits the rents for low-income units from exceeding “30 per centum of the adjusted income of a family whose income equals 50 per centum of the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families.” This paragraph describes how these maximum rent determinations are made.
(2) The maximum rents that may be charged for low-income units are based on the size of the unit by number of bedrooms, and are calculated in accordance with the following procedure. For each unit size, HUD will provide the Section 8 very low-income limits. HUD will also provide income adjustments for each unit size, consistent with 24 CFR part 813. An adjusted income amount for each unit size is calculated by the owner or grantee by subtracting the income adjustment from the Section 8 limit. The adjusted income amount is multiplied by 30 percent and divided by 12 to obtain the maximum monthly gross rent for each low-income unit. A monthly allowance for the utilities and services (excluding telephone) to be paid by the tenant is subtracted from the maximum monthly gross rent to obtain the maximum monthly rent that may be charged for low-income units. Information to be provided by HUD will be available from the responsible HUD Field Office.
(3) The initial monthly allowance for utilities and services to be paid by the tenant must be approved by HUD. Subsequent calculations of this allowance must be approved by the grantee in connection with its review and approval of rent schedules under paragraph (e)(4) of this section. The maximum monthly rent must be recalculated annually, and may change as changes in the Section 8 very low-income limit, the income adjustments, or the monthly allowance for utilities and services warrant.
(4) The grantee must review and approve any schedule of rents proposed by the owner for low-income units. Any schedule submitted by an owner within the permissible maximum will be deemed approved, unless the grantee informs the owner, within 60 days after receiving the schedule, that it is disapproved.
(5) Any increase in rents for low-income units is subject to the provisions of outstanding leases, in any event, the owner must provide tenants of those units not less than 30 days prior written notice before implementing any increase in rents.
(f) Reexamination of tenant income and composition. (1) The owner shall reexamine the income of each tenant household living in low-income units at least once a year. At the first regular reexamination after June 19, 1995 the owner shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 812 concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of all family members. Thereafter, at each regular reexamination, the owner shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 812 concerning verification of the immigration status of any new family member.
(2) If this reexamination indicates that the tenant no longer qualifies as a low-income household, the owner must take one of the following actions, as appropriate: (i) If the unit occupied by the tenant must be leased to a low- income household to maintain the percentage of low-income units specified in the grant agreement, the owner must notify the tenant that it must move when the current lease expires or six months after the date of the notification, whichever is later; (ii) If the owner can meet this percentage without the unit occupied by the tenant (for example, by designating another comparable unit as a low-income unit), the owner may continue to lease to that tenant, but is free to renegotiate the rent at the expiration of the current lease.
(3) For provisions related to termination of assistance for failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, see 24 CFR 812.9, and also 24 CFR 812.10 for provisions related to certain assistance to mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, and for provisions related to deferral of termination of assistance.
(g) Affirmative fair housing marketing. Marketing must be done in accordance with the HUD-approved Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, Form HUD–935.2, and all fair housing and equal opportunity requirements. The purpose of the Plan and the requirements is to provide for affirmative marketing through the provision of information regarding the availability of units in projects assisted. Affirmative marketing steps consist of good faith efforts to provide information and otherwise attract eligible persons from all racial, ethnic and gender groups in the housing market area to the available housing.
(h) Management and maintenance functions. The owner must perform all management and maintenance functions in compliance with equal opportunity requirements. These functions include selection of tenants, reexamination of family income, evictions and other terminations of tenancy, and all ordinary and extraordinary maintenance and repairs, including replacement of capital items.
(i) Residency preferences. Local residency requirements are prohibited. Local residency preferences may be applied in selecting tenants only to the extent that they are not inconsistent with affirmative fair housing marketing objectives and the owner’s HUD-approved AFHM Plan. With respect to any residency preference, persons expected to reside in the community as a result of current or planned employment will be treated as residents.
§ 850.153 Rent control.
A project constructed or substantially rehabilitated with a housing development grant is not subject to State or local rent control unless the rent control requirements or agreements (a) (1) were entered into under a State law or local ordinance of general applicability that was enacted and in effect in the jurisdiction before November 30, 1983 and (2) apply generally to rental housing projects not assisted under the Housing Development Grant Program, or (b) are imposed under this subpart. State and local rent controls expressly preempted by this section include, but are not limited to, rent laws or ordinances, rent regulating agreements, rent regulations, occupancy agreements, or financial penalties for failure to achieve certain occupancy or rent projections.
§ 850.155 Securing owner’s responsibilities.
Assistance provided under this part shall constitute a debt of the owner (including its successors in interest) to the grantee, and shall be secured by a mortgage or other security instrument. The debt shall be repayable in the event of a substantive, uncorrected violation by an owner of the obligations contained in paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of § 850.151. The instruments securing this debt shall provide for repayment to the grantee in an amount equal to the total amount of housing development grant assistance outstanding, plus interest which is determined by the Secretary by adding two percent to the average yield on outstanding marketable long-term obligations of the United States during the month preceding the date on which assistance was made available. The amount to be repaid shall be reduced by 10 percent for each full year in excess of 10 years that intervened between the beginning of the term of the owner-grantee agreement and the violation.
PART 880—SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
Subpart A—Summary and Applicability
§ 880.101 General.
(a) The purpose of the Section 8 program is to provide low-income families with decent, safe and sanitary rental housing through the use of a system of housing assistance payments. This part contains the policies and procedures applicable to the Section 8 new construction program. The assistance may be provided to public housing agency owners or to private owners either directly from HUD or through public housing agencies.
(b) This part does not apply to projects developed under other Section 8 program regulations, including 24 CFR parts 881, 882, 883, 884, and 885, except to the extent specifically stated in those parts. Portions of subparts E and F of this part 880 have been cross-referenced in 24 CFR parts 881 and 883.
§ 880.104 Applicability of part 880.
(a) Part 880, in effect as of November 5, 1979, applies to all proposals for which a notification of selection was not issued before the November 5, 1979 effective date of part 880. (See 24 CFR part 880, revised as of April 1, 1980.) Where a notification of selection was issued for a proposal before the November 5, 1979 effective date, part 880, in effect as of November 5, 1979, applies if the owner notified HUD within 60 calendar days that the owner wished the provisions of part 880, effective November 5, 1979, to apply and promptly brought the proposal into conformance.
(b) Subparts E (Housing Assistance Payments Contract) and F (Management) of this part apply to all projects for which an Agreement was not executed before the November 5, 1979, effective date of part 880. Where an Agreement was so executed:
(1) The owner and HUD may agree to make the revised subpart E of this part applicable and to execute appropriate amendments to the Agreement and/or Contract.
(2) The owner and HUD may agree to make the revised subpart F of this part applicable (with or without the limitation on distributions) and to execute appropriate amendments to the Agreement and/or Contract.
(c) Section 880.607 (Termination of tenancy and modification of leases) applies to all families.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, the provisions of 24 CFR part 5 apply to all projects, regardless of when an Agreement was executed.
§ 880.105 Applicability to proposals and projects under 24 CFR part 811.
Where proposals and projects are financed with tax-exempt obligations under 24 CFR part 811, the provisions of part 811 will be complied with in addition to all requirements of this part. In the event of any conflict between this part and part 811, part 811 will control.
Subpart B—Definitions and Other Requirements
§ 880.201 Definitions.
Annual Contributions Contract (ACC). As defined in part 5 of this title.
Agency. As defined in 24 CFR part 883.
Agreement. (Agreement to Enter into Housing Assistance Payments Contract) The Agreement between the owner and the contract administrator which provides that, upon satisfactory completion of the project in accordance with the HUD-approved final proposal, the administrator will enter into the Contract with the owner.
Annual income. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Contract. (Housing Assistance Payments Contract) The Contract entered into by the owner and the contract administrator upon satisfactory completion of the project, which sets forth the rights and duties of the parties with respect to the project and the payments under the Contract.
Contract Administrator. The entity which enters into the Contract with the owner and is responsible for monitoring performance by the owner. The contract administrator is a PHA in the case of private-owner/PHA projects, and HUD in private-owner/HUD and PHA-owner/HUD projects.
Contract rent. The total amount of rent specified in the contract as payable to the owner for a unit.
Covered housing provider. For the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Program for New Construction, “covered housing provider,” as such term is used in HUD’s regulations in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), refers to the owner.
Decent, safe, and sanitary. Housing is decent, safe, and sanitary if it meets the physical condition requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
Drug-related criminal activity. The illegal manufacture, sale, distribution, use or possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, distribute, or use, of a controlled substance as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 802.
Elderly family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Fair Market Rent (FMR). As defined in part 5 of this title.
Family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Final proposal. The detailed description of a proposed project to be assisted under this part, which an owner submits after selection of the preliminary proposal, except where a preliminary proposal is not required under § 880.303(c). (The final proposal becomes an exhibit to the Agreement and is the standard by which HUD judges acceptable construction of the project.)
Housing assistance payment. The payment made by the contract administrator to the owner of an assisted unit as provided in the contract. Where the unit is leased to an eligible family, the payment is the difference between the contract rent and the tenant rent. An additional payment is made to the family when the utility allowance is greater than the total tenant payment. A housing assistance payment, known as a “vacancy payment”. may be made to the owner when an assisted unit is vacant, in accordance with the terms of the contract.
HUD. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Independent Public Accountant. A Certified Public Accountant or a licensed or registered public accountant, having no business relationship with the owner except for the performance of audit, systems work and tax preparation. If not certified, the Independent Public Accountant must have been licensed or registered by a regulatory authority of a State or other political subdivision of the United States on or before December 31, 1970. In States that do not regulate the use of the title “public accountant,” only Certified Public Accountants may be used.
Low income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
NOFA. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Owner. Any private person or entity (including a cooperative) or a public entity which qualifies as a PHA, having the legal right to lease or sublease newly constructed dwelling units assisted under this part. The term owner also includes the person or entity submitting a proposal under this part.
Partially-assisted Project. A project for non-elderly families under this part which includes more than 50 units of which 20 percent or fewer are assisted.
PHA-Owner/HUD Project. A project under this part which is owned by a PHA. For this type of project, the Agreement and the Contract are entered into by the PHA, as owner, and HUD, as contract administrator.
Private-Owner/HUD Project. A project under this part which is owned by a private owner. For this type of project, the Agreement and Contract are entered into by the private owner, as owner, and HUD, as contract administrator.
Private-Owner/PHA Project. A project under this part which is owned by a private owner. For this type of project, the Agreement and Contract are entered into by the private owner, as owner, and the PHA, as contract administrator, pursuant to an ACC between the PHA and HUD. The term also covers the situation where the ACC is with one PHA and the owner is another PHA.
Project Account. A specifically identified and segregated account for each project which is established in accordance with § 880.503(b) out of the amounts by which the maximum annual commitment exceeds the amount actually paid out under the Contract or ACC, as applicable, each year.
Public Housing Agency (PHA). As defined in part 5 of this title.
Rent. In the case of an assisted unit in a cooperative project, rent means the carrying charges payable to the cooperative with respect to occupancy of the unit.
Replacement cost. The estimated construction cost of the project when the proposed improvements are completed. The replacement cost may include the land, the physical improvements, utilities within the boundaries of the land, architect’s fees, and miscellaneous charges incident to construction as approved by the Assistant Secretary.
Secretary. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or designee).
Small Project. A project for non-elderly families under this part which includes a total of 50 or fewer (assisted and unassisted) units.
Tenant rent. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Total tenant payment. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility allowance. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility reimbursement. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Vacancy payment. The housing assistance payment made to the owner by the contract administrator for a vacant assisted unit if certain conditions are fulfilled as provided in the Contract. The amount of the vacancy payment varies with the length of the vacancy period and is less after the first 60 days of any vacancy.
Very low income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
§ 880.205 Limitation on distributions.
(a) Non-profit owners are not entitled to distributions of project funds.
(b) For the life of the Contract, project funds may only be distributed to profit-motivated owners at the end of each fiscal year of project operation following the effective date of the Contract after all project expenses have been paid, or funds have been set aside for payment, and all reserve requirements have been met. The first year’s distribution may not be made until cost certification, where applicable, is completed. Distributions may not exceed the following maximum returns:
(1) For projects for elderly families, the first year’s distribution will be limited to 6 percent on equity. The Assistant Secretary may provide for increases in subsequent years’ distributions on an annual or other basis so that the permitted return reflects a 6 percent return on the value in subsequent years, as determined by HUD, of the approved initial equity. Any such adjustment will be made by Notice in the
(2) For projects for non-elderly families, the first year’s distribution will be limited to 10 percent on equity. The Assistant Secretary may provide for increases in subsequent years’ distributions on an annual or other basis so that the permitted return reflects a 10 percent return on the value in subsequent years, as determined by HUD, of the approved initial equity. Any such adjustment will be made by Notice in the
(c) For the purpose of determining the allowable distribution, an owner’s equity investment in a project is deemed to be 10 percent of the replacement cost of the part of the project attributable to dwelling use accepted by HUD at cost certification (see § 880.405) unless the owner justifies a higher equity contribution by cost certification documentation in accordance with HUD mortgage insurance procedures.
(d) Any short-fall in return may be made up from surplus project funds in future years.
(e) If HUD determines at any time that project funds are more than the amount needed for project operations, reserve requirements and permitted distribution, HUD may require the excess to be placed in an account to be used to reduce housing assistance payments or for other project purposes. Upon termination of the Contract, any excess funds must be remitted to HUD.
(f) Owners of small projects or partially-assisted projects are exempt from the limitation on distributions contained in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section.
(g) In the case of HUD-insured projects, the provisions of this section will apply instead of the otherwise applicable mortgage insurance program provisions.
(h) HUD may permit increased distributions of surplus cash, in excess of the amounts otherwise permitted, to profit-motivated owners who participate in a HUD-approved initiative or program to preserve below-market housing stock. The increased distributions will be limited to a maximum amount based on market rents and calculated according to HUD instructions. Funds that the owner is authorized to retain under section 236(g)(2) of the National Housing Act are not considered distributions to the owner.
(i) Any State or local law or regulation that restricts distributions to an amount lower than permitted by this section or permitted by the Commissioner under this paragraph (i) is preempted to the extent provided by section 524(f) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997.
§ 880.207 Property standards.
Projects must comply with:
(a) [Reserved]
(b) In the case of manufactured homes, the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, pursuant to Title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and 24 CFR part 3280;
(c) In the case of congregate or single room occupant housing, the appropriate HUD guidelines and standards;
(d) HUD requirements pursuant to section 209 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 for projects for the elderly or handicapped;
(e) HUD requirements pertaining to noise abatement and control; and
(f) Applicable State and local laws, codes, ordinances and regulations.
(g) Smoke detectors—(1) Performance requirement. After October 30, 1992, each dwelling unit must include at least one battery-operated or hard-wired smoke detector, in proper working condition, on each level of the unit. If the unit is occupied by hearing-impaired persons, smoke detectors must have an alarm system, designed for hearing-impaired persons, in each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person.
(2) Acceptability criteria. The smoke detector must be located, to the extent practicable, in a hallway adjacent to a bedroom, unless the unit is occupied by a hearing-impaired person, in which case each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person must have an alarm system connected to the smoke detector installed in the hallway.
§ 880.208 Financing.
(a) Types of financing. Any type of construction financing and long-term financing may be used, including:
(1) Conventional loans from commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, pension funds, insurance companies or other financial institutions;
(2) Mortgage insurance programs under the National Housing Act;
(3) Mortgage and loan programs of the Farmers’ Home Administration of the Department of Agriculture compatible with the Section 8 program; and
(4) Financing by tax-exempt bonds or other obligations.
(b) HUD approval. HUD must approve the terms and conditions of the financing to determine consistency with these regulations and to assure they do not purport to pledge or give greater rights or funds to any party than are provided under the Agreement, Contract, and/or ACC. Where the project is financed with tax-exempt obligations, the terms and conditions will be approved in accordance with the following:
(1) An issuer of obligations that are tax-exempt under any provision of Federal law or regulation, the proceeds of the sale of which are to be used to purchase GNMA mortgage-backed securities issued by the mortgagee of the Section 8 project, will be subject to 24 CFR part 811, subpart B.
(2) Issuers of obligations that are tax-exempt under Section 11(b) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 will be subject to 24 CFR part 811, subpart A if paragraph (b)(1) of this section is not applicable.
(3) Issuers of obligations that are tax-exempt under any provision of Federal law or regulation other than section 11(b) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 will be subject to 24 CFR part 811, subpart A if paragraph (b)(1) of this section is not applicable, except that such issuers that are State Agencies qualified under 24 CFR part 883 are not subject to 24 CFR part 811 subpart A and are subject solely to the requirements of 24 CFR part 883 with regard to the approval of tax-exempt financing.
(c) Pledge of Contracts. An owner may pledge, or offer as security for any loan or obligation, an Agreement, Contract or ACC entered into pursuant to this part: Provided, however, That such financing is in connection with a project constructed pursuant to this part and approved by HUD. Any pledge of the Agreement, Contract, or ACC, or payments thereunder, will be limited to the amounts payable under the Contract or ACC in accordance with its terms. If the pledge or other document provides that all payments will be paid directly to the mortgagee or the trustee for bondholders, the mortgagee or trustee will make all payments or deposits required under the mortgage or trust indenture or HUD regulations and remit any excess to the owner.
(d) Foreclosure and other transfers. In the event of foreclosure, assignment or sale approved by HUD in lieu of foreclosure, or other assignment or sale approved by HUD:
(1) The Agreement, the Contract and the ACC, if applicable, will continue in effect, and
(2) Housing assistance payments will continue in accordance with the terms of the Contract.
(e) Financing of manufactured home parks. In the case of a newly constructed manufactured home park, the principal amount of any mortgage attributable to the rental spaces in the park may not exceed an amount per space determined in accordance with § 207.33(b) of this title.
§ 880.211 Audit.
Where a non-Federal entity (as defined in 2 CFR 200.69) is the eligible owner of a project or a contract administrator under § 880.505 receiving financial assistance under this part, the audit requirements in 2 CFR part 200, subpart F, shall apply.
§ 880.212 Broadband infrastructure.
Any new construction or substantial rehabilitation, as substantial rehabilitation is defined by 24 CFR 5.100, of a building with more than 4 rental units and that is subject to a Housing Assistance Payments contract executed or renewed after January 19, 2017 must include installation of broadband infrastructure, as this term is also defined in 24 CFR 5.100, except where the owner determines and documents the determination that:
(a) The location of the new construction or substantial rehabilitation makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible;
(b) The cost of installing broadband infrastructure would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program or activity or in an undue financial burden; or
(c) The structure of the housing to be substantially rehabilitated makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible.
Subparts C–D [Reserved]
Subpart E—Housing Assistance Payments Contract
§ 880.501 The contract.
(a) Contract. The Housing Assistance Payments Contract sets forth rights and duties of the owner and the contract administrator with respect to the project and the housing assistance payments. The owner and contract administrator execute the Contract in the form prescribed by HUD upon satisfactory completion of the project.
(b) [Reserved]
(c) Housing Assistance Payments to Owners under the Contract. The housing assistance payments made under the Contract are:
(1) Payments to the owner to assist eligible families leasing assisted units, and
(2) Payments to the owner for vacant assisted units (“vacancy payments”) if the conditions specified in § 880.610 are satisfied.
(d) Amount of Housing Assistance Payments to Owner. (1) The amount of the housing assistance payment made to the owner of a unit being leased by an eligible family is the difference between the contract rent for the unit and the tenant rent payable by the family.
(2) A housing assistance payment will be made to the owner for a vacant assisted unit in an amount equal to 80 percent of the contract rent for the first 60 days of vacancy, subject to the conditions in § 880.611. If the owner collects any tenant rent or other amount for this period which, when added to this vacancy payment, exceeds the contract rent, the excess must be repaid as HUD directs.
(3) For a vacancy that exceeds 60 days, a housing assistance payment for the vacant unit will be made, subject to the conditions in § 880.611, in an amount equal to the principal and interest payments required to amortize that portion of the debt attributable to the vacant unit for up to 12 additional months.
(e) Payment of utility reimbursement. Where applicable, the owner will pay a utility reimbursement in accordance with § 5.632 of this title. HUD will provide funds for the utility reimbursement to the owner in trust solely for the purpose of paying the utility reimbursement.
§ 880.502 Term of contract.
(a) Term (except for Manufactured Home Parks). The term of the contract will be as follows:
(1) For assisted units in a project financed with the aid of a loan insured or co-insured by the Federal government or a loan made, guaranteed or intended for purchase by the Federal government, the term will be 20 years.
(2) For assisted units in a project financed other than as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the term will be the lesser of (i) the term of the project’s financing (but not less than 20 years), or (ii) 30 years, or 40 years if (A) the project is owned or financed by a loan or loan guarantee from a state or local agency, (B) the project is intended for occupancy by non-elderly families and (C) the project is located in an area designated by HUD as one requiring special financing assistance.
(b) Term for Manufactured Home Parks. For manufactured home units or spaces in newly constructed manufactured home parks, the term of the Contract will be 20 years.
(c) Staged Projects. If the project is completed in stages, the term of the Contract must relate separately to the units in each stage. The total Contract term for the units in all stages, beginning with the effective date of the Contract for the first stage, may not exceed the overall maximum term allowable for any one unit under this section, plus two years.
§ 880.503 Maximum annual commitment and project account.
(a) Maximum Annual Commitment. Where HUD is the contract administrator, the maximum annual amount that may be committed under the Contract is the total of the contract rents and utility allowances for all assisted units in the project. Where the PHA is the contract administrator, the maximum annual contribution that may be contracted for in the ACC is the total of the contract rents and utility allowances for all assisted units plus an administrative fee for the PHA as approved by HUD.
(b) Project Account. (1) A project account will be established and maintained by HUD as a specifically identified and segregated account for each project. The account will be established out of the amounts by which the maximum annual commitment exceeds the amount actually paid out under the Contract or ACC each year. Payments will be made from this account for housing assistance payments (and fees for PHA administration, if appropriate) when needed to cover increases in contract rents or decreases in tenant rents and for other cost specifically approved by the Secretary.
(2) Whenever a HUD-approved estimate of required annual payments under the Contract or ACC for a fiscal year exceeds the maximum annual commitment and would cause the amount in the project account to be less than 40 percent of the maximum, HUD will, within a reasonable period of time, take such additional steps authorized by Section 8(c)(6) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as may be necessary, to assure that payments under the Contract or ACC will be adequate to cover increases in Contract rents and decreases in tenant rents.
§ 880.504 Leasing to eligible families.
(a) Availability of units for occupancy by Eligible Families. During the term of the Contract, an owner shall make available for occupancy by eligible families the total number of units for which assistance is committed under the Contract. For purposes of this section, making units available for occupancy by eligible families means that the owner: (1) Is conducting marketing in accordance with § 880.601(a); (2) has leased or is making good faith efforts to lease the units to eligible and otherwise acceptable families, including taking all feasible actions to fill vacancies by renting to such families; and (3) has not rejected any such applicant family except for reasons acceptable to the contract administrator. If the owner is temporarily unable to lease all units for which assistance is committed under the Contract to eligible families, one or more units may be leased to ineligible families with the prior approval of the contract administrator in accordance with HUD guidelines. Failure on the part of the owner to comply with these requirements is a violation of the Contract and grounds for all available legal remedies, including specific performance of the Contract, suspension or debarment from HUD programs, and reduction of the number of units under the Contract as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Reduction of number of units covered by Contract—(1) Part 880 and 24 CFR part 881 projects. HUD (or the PHA at the direction of HUD, as appropriate) may reduce the number of units covered by the Contract to the number of units available for occupancy by eligible families if:
(i) The owner fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; or
(ii) Notwithstanding any prior approval by the contract administrator to lease such units to ineligible families, HUD (or the PHA at the direction of HUD, as appropriate) determines that the inability to lease units to eligible families is not a temporary problem.
(2) For 24 CFR part 883 projects. HUD and the Agency may reduce the number of units covered by the Contract to the number of units available for occupancy by eligible families if:
(i) The owner fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; or
(ii) Notwithstanding any prior approval by the Agency to lease such units to ineligible families, HUD and the Agency determine that the inability to lease units to eligible families is not a temporary problem.
(c) Restoration. For this part 880 and 24 CFR part 881 projects, HUD will agree to an amendment of the ACC or the Contract, as appropriate, to provide for subsequent restoration of any reduction made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, and for 24 CFR part 883 projects, HUD will agree to an amendment of the ACC and the Agency may agree to an amendment to the Contract to provide for subsequent restoration of any reduction made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, if:
(1) HUD determines (for 24 CFR part 883 projects, HUD and the Agency determine) that the restoration is justified by demand,
(2) The owner otherwise has a record of compliance with his obligations under the Contract, and
(3) Contract and budget authority is available.
(d) Applicability. In accordance with section 555 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section apply to all Contracts. An owner who had leased an assisted unit to an ineligible family consistent with the regulations in effect at the time will continue to lease the unit to that family. However, the owner must make the unit available for occupancy by an eligible family when the ineligible family vacates the unit.
(e) Termination of assistance for failure to submit evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status. If an owner who is subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section is required to terminate housing assistance payments for the family in accordance with 24 CFR part 5 because the owner determines that the entire family does not have U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, the owner may allow continued occupancy of the unit by the family without Section 8 assistance following the termination of assistance, or if the family constitutes a mixed family, as defined in 24 CFR part 5, the owner shall comply with the provisions of 24 CFR part 5 concerning assistance to mixed families, and deferral of termination of assistance.
(f) Protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The regulations of 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), apply to this section.
§ 880.505 Contract administration and conversions.
(a) Contract administration. For private-owner/PHA projects, the PHA is primarily responsible for administration of the Contract, subject to review and audit by HUD. For private-owner/HUD and PHA-owner/HUD projects, HUD is responsible for administration of the Contract. The PHA or HUD may contract with another entity for the performance of some or all of its contract administration functions.
(b) PHA fee for Contract administration. A PHA will be entitled to a reasonable fee, determined by HUD, for administering a Contract except under certain circumstances (see 24 CFR part 883) where a state housing finance agency is the PHA and finances the project.
(c) Conversion of Projects from one Ownership/Contractual arrangement to another. Any project may be converted from one ownership/contractual arrangement to another (for example, from a private-owner/HUD to a private-owner/PHA project) if:
(1) The owner, the PHA and HUD agree,
(2) HUD determines that conversion would be in the best interest of the project, and
(3) In the case of conversion from a private-owner/HUD to a private-owner/PHA project, contract authority is available to cover the PHA fee for administering the Contract.
§ 880.506 Default by owner (private-owner/HUD and PHA-owner/HUD projects).
The Contract will provide:
(a) That if HUD determines that the owner is in default under the Contract, HUD will notify the owner and the lender of the actions required to be taken to cure the default and of the remedies to be applied by HUD including specific performance under the Contract, reduction or suspension of housing assistance payments and recovery of overpayments, where appropriate; and
(b) That if the owner fails to cure the default, HUD has the right to terminate the Contract or to take other corrective action.
§ 880.507 Default by PHA and/or owner (private-owner/PHA projects).
(a) Rights of Owner if PHA defaults under Agreement or Contract. The ACC, the Agreement and the Contract will provide that, in the event of failure of the PHA to comply with the Agreement or Contract with the owner, the owner will have the right, if he is not in default, to demand that HUD investigate. HUD will first give the PHA a reasonable opportunity to take corrective action. If HUD determines that a substantial default exists, HUD will assume the PHA’s rights and obligations under the Agreement or Contract and meet the obligations of the PHA under the Agreement or Contract including the obligations to enter into the Contract.
(b) Rights of HUD if PHA defaults under ACC. The ACC will provide that, if the PHA fails to comply with any of its obligations, HUD may determine that there is a substantial default and require the PHA to assign to HUD all of its rights and interests under the Contract; however, HUD will continue to pay annual contributions in accordance with the terms of the ACC and the Contract. Before determining that a PHA is in substantial default, HUD will give the PHA a reasonable opportunity to take corrective action.
(c) Rights of PHA and HUD if Owner defaults under Contract. (1) The Contract will provide that if the PHA determines that the owner is in default under the Contract, the PHA will notify the owner and lender, with a copy to HUD, (i) of the actions required to be taken to cure the default, (ii) of the remedies to be applied by the PHA including specific performance under the Contract, abatement of housing assistance payments and recovery of overpayments, where appropriate, and (iii) that if he fails to cure the default, the PHA has the right to terminate the Contract or to take other corrective action, in its discretion or as directed by HUD.
(2) If the PHA is the lender, the Contract will also provide that HUD has an independent right to determine whether the owner is in default and to take corrective action and apply appropriate remedies, except that HUD will not have the right to terminate the Contract without proceeding in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
§ 880.508 Notice upon contract expiration.
(a) The Contract will provide that the owner will notify each assisted family, at least 90 days before the end of the Contract term, of any increase in the amount the family will be required to pay as rent which may occur as a result of its expiration. If the Contract is to be renewed but with a reduction in the number of units covered by it, this notice shall be given to each family who will no longer be assisted under the Contract.
(b) The notice provided for in paragraph (a) of this section shall be accomplished by: (1) Sending a letter by first class mail, properly stamped and addressed, to the family at its address at the project, with a proper return address; and (2) serving a copy of the notice on any adult person answering the door at the leased dwelling unit, or if no adult responds, by placing the notice under or through the door, if possible, or else by affixing the notice to the door. Service shall not considered to be effective until both required notices have been accomplished. The date on which the notice shall be considered to be received by the family shall be the date on which the owner mails the first class letter provided for in this paragraph, or the date on which the notice provided for in this paragraph is properly given, whichever is later.
(c) The notice shall advise each affected family that, after the expiration date of the Contract, the family will be required to bear the entire cost of the rent and that the owner will be free (to the extent the project is not otherwise regulated by HUD) to alter the rent without HUD approval, but subject to any applicable requirements or restrictions under the lease or under State or local law. The notice shall also state: (1) The actual (if known) or the estimated rent which will be charged following the expiration of the Contract; (2) the difference between the rent and the Total Tenant Payment toward rent under the Contract; and (3) the date the Contract will expire.
(d) The owner shall give HUD a certification that families have been notified in accordance with this section with an example of the text of the notice attached.
(e) This section applies to all Contracts entered into pursuant to an Agreement executed on or after October 1, 1981, or entered into pursuant to an Agreement executed before October 1, 1981, but renewed or amended on or after October 1, 1984.
Subpart F—Management
§ 880.601 Responsibilities of owner.
(a) Marketing. (1) The owner must commence diligent marketing activities in accordance with the Agreement not later than 90 days prior to the anticipated date of availability for occupancy of the first unit of the project.
(2) Marketing must be done in accordance with the HUD-approved Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan and all Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity requirements. The purpose of the Plan and requirements is to assure that eligible families of similar income in the same housing market area have an equal opportunity to apply and be selected for a unit in projects assisted under this part regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, sex or national origin.
(3) With respect to non-elderly family units, the owner must undertake marketing activities in advance of marketing to other prospective tenants in order to provide opportunities to reside in the project to non-elderly families who are least likely to apply, as determined in the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, and to non-elderly families expected to reside in the community by reason of current or planned employment.
(4) At the time of Contract execution, the owner must submit a list of leased and unleased units, with justification for the unleased units, in order to qualify for vacancy payments for the unleased units.
(b) Management and maintenance. The owner is responsible for all management functions, including determining eligibility of applicants, selection of tenants, reexamination and verification of family income and composition, determination of family rent (total tenant payment, tenant rent and utility reimbursement), collection of rent, termination of tenancy and eviction, and performance of all repair and maintenance functions (including ordinary and extraordinary maintenance), and replacement of capital items. (See part 5 of this title.) All functions must be performed in accordance with applicable equal opportunity requirements.
(c) Contracting for services. (1) For this part 880 and 24 CFR part 881 projects, with HUD approval, the owner may contract with a private or public entity (except the contract administrator) for performance of the services or duties required in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
(2) For 24 CFR part 883 projects, with approval of the Agency, the owner may contract with a private or public entity (but not with the Agency unless temporarily necessary for the Agency to protect its financial interest and to uphold its program responsibilities where no alternative management agent is immediately available) for performance of the services or duties required in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
(3) However, such an arrangement does not relieve the owner of responsibility for these services and duties.
(d) Submission of financial and operating statements. After execution of the Contract, the owner must submit to the contract adminstrator:
(1) Financial information in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, subpart H; and
(2) Other statements as to project operation, financial conditions and occupancy as HUD may require pertinent to administration of the Contract and monitoring of project operations.
(e) Use of project funds. (1) Project funds must be used for the benefit of the project, to make required deposits to the replacement reserve in accordance with § 880.602 and to provide distributions to the owner as provided in § 880.205, § 881.205 of this chapter, or § 883.306 of this chapter, as appropriate.
(2) For this part 880 and 24 CFR part 881 projects:
(i) Any remaining project funds must be deposited with the mortgagee or other HUD-approved depository in an interest-bearing residual receipts account. Withdrawals from this account will be made only for project purposes and with the approval of HUD.
(ii) Partially-assisted projects are exempt from the provisions of this section.
(iii) In the case of HUD-insured projects, the provisions of this paragraph (e) will apply instead of the otherwise applicable mortgage insurance provisions.
(3) For 24 CFR part 883 projects:
(i) Any remaining project funds must be deposited with the Agency, other mortgagee or other Agency-approved depository in an interest-bearing account. Withdrawals from this account may be made only for project purposes and with the approval of the Agency.
(ii) In the case of HUD-insured projects, the provisions of this paragraph will apply instead of the otherwise applicable mortgage insurance provisions, except in the case of partially-assisted projects which are subject to the applicable mortgage insurance provisions.
§ 880.602 Replacement reserve.
(a) A replacement reserve must be established and maintained in an interest-bearing account to aid in funding extraordinary maintenance and repair and replacement of capital items.
(1) Part 880 and 24 CFR part 881 projects. (i) For this part 880 and 24 CFR part 811 projects, an amount equivalent to .006 of the cost of total structures, including main buildings, accessory buildings, garages and other buildings, or any higher rate as required by HUD from time to time, will be deposited in the replacement reserve annually. This amount will be adjusted each year by the amount of the automatic annual adjustment factor.
(ii) The reserve must be built up to and maintained at a level determined by HUD to be sufficient to meet projected requirements. Should the reserve achieve that level, the rate of deposit to the reserve may be reduced with the approval of HUD.
(iii) All earnings including interest on the reserve must be added to the reserve.
(iv) Funds will be held by the mortgagee or trustee for bondholders, and may be drawn from the reserve and used only in accordance with HUD guidelines and with the approval of, or as directed by, HUD.
(v) Partially-assisted part 880 and 24 CFR part 881 projects are exempt from the provisions of this section.
(2) Part 883 of this chapter projects. (i) For 24 CFR part 883 projects, an amount equivalent to at least .006 of the cost of total structures, including main buildings, accessory buildings, garages and other buildings, or any higher rate as required from time to time by:
(A) The Agency, in the case of projects approved under 24 CFR part 883, subpart D; or
(B) HUD, in the case of all other projects, will be deposited in the replacement reserve annually. For projects approved under 24 CFR part 883, subpart D, this amount may be adjusted each year by up to the amount of the automatic annual adjustment factor. For all projects not approved under 24 CFR part 883, subpart D, this amount must be adjusted each year by the amount of the automatic annual adjustment factor.
(ii) The reserve must be built up to and maintained at a level determined to be sufficient by the Agency to meet projected requirements. Should the reserve achieve that level, the rate of deposit to the reserve may be reduced with the approval of the Agency.
(iii) All earnings, including interest on the reserve, must be added to the reserve.
(iv) Funds will be held by the Agency, other mortgagee or trustee for bondholders, as determined by the Agency, and may be drawn from the reserve and used only in accordance with Agency guidelines and with the approval of, or as directed by, the Agency.
(v) The Agency may exempt partially-assisted projects approved under 24 CFR part 883, subpart D, from the provisions of this section. All partially-assisted projects not approved under the Fast Track Procedures formerly in 24 CFR part 883, subpart D, are exempt from the provisions of this section.
(b) In the case of HUD-insured projects, the provisions of this section will apply instead of the otherwise applicable mortgage insurance provisions, except in the case of partially-assisted insured projects which are subject to the applicable mortgage insurance provisions.
§ 880.603 Selection and admission of assisted tenants.
(a) Application. The owner must accept applications for admission to the project in the form prescribed by HUD. Both the owner (or designee) and the applicant must complete and sign the application. For this part 880 and 24 CFR part 881 projects, on request, the owner must furnish copies of all applications to HUD and the PHA, if applicable. For 24 CFR part 883 projects, on request, the owner must furnish to the Agency or HUD copies of all applications received.
(b) Determination of eligibility and selection of tenants. The owner is responsible for obtaining and verifying information related to income eligibility in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, subpart F, and evidence related to citizenship and eligible immigration status in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, subpart E, to determine whether the applicant is eligible for assistance in accordance with the requirements of 24 CFR part 5, and to select families for admission to the program, which includes giving selection preferences in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, subpart D.
(1) If the owner determines that the family is eligible and is otherwise acceptable and units are available, the owner will assign the family a unit of the appropriate size in accordance with HUD standards. If no suitable unit is available, the owner will place the family on a waiting list for the project and notify the family of when a suitable unit may become available. If the waiting list is so long that the applicant would not be likely to be admitted for the next 12 months, the owner may advise the applicant that no additional applications are being accepted for that reason, provided the owner complies with the procedures for informing applicants about admission preferences as provided in 24 CFR part 5, subpart D.
(2) If the owner determines that an applicant is ineligible on the basis of income or family composition, or because of failure to meet the disclosure and verification requirements for Social Security Numbers (as provided by 24 CFR part 5), or because of failure by an applicant to sign and submit consent forms for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies (as provided by 24 CFR parts 5 and 813), or that the owner is not selecting the applicant for other reasons, the owner will promptly notify the applicant in writing of the determination and its reasons, and that the applicant has the right to meet with the owner or managing agent in accordance with HUD requirements. Where the owner is a PHA, the applicant may request an informal hearing. If the PHA determines that the applicant is not eligible, the PHA will notify the applicant and inform the applicant that he or she has the right to request HUD review of the PHA’s determination. The applicant may also exercise other rights if the applicant believes that he or she is being discriminated against on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin. See 24 CFR part 5 for the informal review provisions for the denial of a Federal preference or the failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status and for notice requirements where assistance is terminated, denied, suspended, or reduced based on wage and claim information obtained by HUD from a State Wage Information Collection Agency.
(3) Records on applicants and approved eligible families, which provide racial, ethnic, gender and place of previous residency data required by HUD, must be maintained and retained for three years.
(c) Reexamination of family income and composition—(1) Regular reexaminations. The owner must reexamine the income and composition of all families at least every 12 months. After consultation with the family and upon verification of the information, the owner must make appropriate adjustments in the Total Tenant Payment in accordance with part 5 of this title and determine whether the family’s unit size is still appropriate. The owner must adjust Tenant Rent and the Housing Assistance Payment to reflect any change in Total Tenant Payment and must carry out any unit transfer required by HUD. At the time of the annual reexamination of family income and composition, the owner must require the family to disclose the verify Social Security Numbers, as provided by 24 CFR part 5. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms by families for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see 24 CFR part 5. At the first regular reexamination after June 19, 1995, the owner shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5 concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of all family members. Thereafter, at each regular reexamination, the owner shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5 and verify the immigration status of any new family member.
(2) Interim reexaminations. The family must comply with provisions in its lease regarding interim reporting of changes in income. If the owner receives information concerning a change in the family’s income or other circumstances between regularly scheduled reexaminations, the owner must consult with the family and make any adjustments determined to be appropriate. Any change in the family’s income or other circumstances that results in an adjustment in the Total Tenant Payment, Tenant Rent and Housing Assistance Payment must be verified. See 24 CFR part 5 for the requirements for the disclosure and verification of Social Security Numbers at interim reexaminations involving new family members. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see 24 CFR part 5. At any interim reexamination after June 19, 1995, when a new family member has been added, the owner shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5 concerning obtaining and processing evidence of the citizenship or eligible immigration status of any new family member.
(3) Continuation of housing assistance payments. A family’s eligibility for Housing Assistance Payments continues until the Total Tenant Payment equals the contract rent plus any utility allowance. The termination of eligibility at such point will not affect the family’s other rights under its lease, nor will such termination preclude the resumption of payments as a result of later changes in income, rents, or other relevant circumstances during the term of the Contract. However, eligibility also may be terminated in accordance with HUD requirements, for such reasons as failure to submit requested verification information, including failure to meet the disclosure and verification requirements for Social Security Numbers, as provided by 24 CFR part 5, or failure to sign and submit consent forms for the obtaining wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, as provided by 24 CFR part 5. See 24 CFR part 5 for provisions requiring termination of assistance for failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status and also for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, and for provisions concerning deferral of termination of assistance.
(4) Streamlined income determination. An owner may elect to follow the provisions of 24 CFR 5.657(d).
§ 880.604 Tenant rent.
The eligible Family pays the Tenant Rent directly to the Owner.
§ 880.605 Overcrowded and underoccupied units.
If the contract administrator determines that because of change in family size an assisted unit is smaller than appropriate for the eligible family to which it is leased, or that the unit is larger than appropriate, housing assistance payments with respect to the unit will not be reduced or terminated until the eligible family has been relocated to an appropriate alternative unit. If possible, the owner will, as promptly as possible, offer the family an appropriate unit. The owner may receive vacancy payments for the vacated unit if he complies with the requirements of § 880.611.
§ 880.606 Lease requirements.
(a) Term of Lease. The term of the lease will be for not less than one year. The lease may, or in the case of a lease for a term of more than one year must, contain a provision permitting termination on 30 days advance written notice by the family.
(b) Form—(1) Part 880 and 24 CFR part 881 projects. For this part 880 and 24 CFR part 881 projects, the form of lease must contain all required provisions, and none of the prohibited provisions specified in the developer’s packet, and must conform to the form of lease included in the approved final proposal.
(2) 24 CFR part 883 projects. For 24 CFR part 883 projects, the form of lease must contain all required provisions, and none of the prohibited provisions specified below.
(i) Required provisions (Addendum to lease).
The following additional Lease provisions are incorporated in full in the Lease between ____________________ (Landlord) and ____________________ (Tenant) for the following dwelling unit: __________________. In case of any conflict between these and any other provisions of the Lease, these provisions will prevail.
a. The total rent will be $________ per month.
b. Of the total rent, $________ will be payable by the State Agency (Agency) as housing assistance payments on behalf of the Tenant and $__________ will be payable by the Tenant. These amounts will be subject to change by reason of changes in the Tenant’s family income, family composition, or extent of exceptional medical or other unusual expenses, in accordance with HUD-established schedules and criteria; or by reason of adjustment by the Agency of any applicable Utility Allowance; or by reasons of changes in program rules. Any such change will be effective as of the date stated in a notification to the Tenant.
c. The Landlord will not discriminate against the Tenant in the provision of services, or in any other manner, on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin.
d. The Landlord will provide the following services and maintenance: ____________
e. A violation of the Tenant’s responsibilities under the Section 8 Program, as determined by the Agency, is also a violation of the lease.
(ii) Prohibited provisions. Lease clauses which fall within the classifications listed below must not be included in any Lease.
a. Confession of Judgment. Consent by the tenant to be sued, to admit guilt, or to accept without question any judgment favoring the landlord in a lawsuit brought in connection with the lease.
b. Seize or Hold Property for Rent or Other Charges. Authorization to the landlord to take property of the tenant and/or hold it until the tenant meets any obligation which the landlord has determined the tenant has failed to perform.
c. Exculpatory Clause. Prior agreement by the tenant not to hold the landlord or landlord’s agents legally responsible for acts done improperly or for failure to act when the landlord or landlord’s agent was required to do so.
d. Waiver of Legal Notice. Agreement by the tenant that the landlord need not give any notices in connection with (1) a lawsuit against the tenant for eviction, money damages, or other purposes, or (2) any other action affecting the tenant’s rights under the lease.
e. Waiver of Legal Proceeding. Agreement by the tenant to allow eviction without a court determination.
f. Waiver of Jury Trial. Authorization to the landlord’s lawyer to give up the tenant’s right to trial by jury.
g. Waiver of Right to Appeal Court Decision. Authorization to the landlord’s lawyer to give up the tenant’s right to appeal a decision on the ground of judicial error or to give up the tenant’s right to sue to prevent a judgment being put into effect.
h. Tenant Chargeable with Cost of Legal Actions Regardless of Outcome of Lawsuit. Agreement by the tenant to pay lawyer’s fees or other legal costs whenever the landlord decides to sue the tenant whether or not the tenant wins. (Omission of such a clause does not mean that the tenant, as a party to a lawsuit, may not have to pay lawyer’s fees or other costs if the court so orders.)
§ 880.607 Termination of tenancy and modification of lease.
(a) Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to all decisions by an owner to terminate the tenancy of a family residing in a unit under Contract during or at the end of the family’s lease term.
(b) Entitlement of Families to occupancy—(1) Grounds. The owner may not terminate any tenancy except upon the following grounds:
(i) Material noncompliance with the lease;
(ii) Material failure to carry out obligations under any State landlord and tenant act;
(iii) Criminal activity by a covered person in accordance with sections 5.858 and 5.859, or alcohol abuse by a covered person in accordance with section 5.860. If necessary, criminal records can be obtained for lease enforcement purposes under section 5.903(d)(3).
(iv) Other good cause, which may include the refusal of a family to accept an approved modified lease form (see paragraph (d) of this section). No termination by an owner will be valid to the extent it is based upon a lease or a provisions of State law permitting termination of a tenancy solely because of expiration of an initial or subsequent renewal term. All terminations must also be in accordance with the provisions of any State and local landlord tenant law and paragraph (c) of this section.
(2) Notice of good cause. The conduct of a tenant cannot be deemed “other good cause” under paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section unless the owner has given the family prior notice that the grounds constitute a basis for termination of tenancy. The notice must be served on the family in the same manner as that provided for termination notices under paragraph (c) of this section and State and local law.
(3) Material noncompliance. (i) Material noncompliance with the lease includes:
(A) One or more substantial violations of the lease; or
(B) Repeated minor violations of the lease that disrupt the livability of the building; adversely affect the health or safety of any person or the right of any tenant to the quiet enjoyment of the leased premises and related facilities; interfere with the management of the building or have an adverse financial effect on the building.
(ii) Failure of the family to timely submit all required information on family income and composition, including failure to submit required evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status (as provided by 24 CFR part 5), failure to disclose and verify Social Security Numbers (as provided by 24 CFR part 5), failure to sign and submit consent forms (as provided by 24 CFR part 5), or knowingly providing incomplete or inaccurate information, shall constitute a substantial violation of the lease.
(c) Termination notice. (1) The owner must give the family a written notice of any proposed termination of tenancy, stating the grounds and that the tenancy is terminated on a specified date and advising the family that it has an opportunity to respond to the owner.
(2) When a termination notice is issued for other good cause (paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section), the notice will be effective, and it will so state, at the end of a term and in accordance with the termination provisions of the lease, but in no case earlier than 30 days after receipt by the family of the notice. Where the termination notice is based on material noncompliance with the lease or material failure to carry out obligations under a State landlord and tenant act pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(i) or (b)(1)(ii) of this section, the time of service must be in accord with the lease and State law.
(3) In any judicial action instituted to evict the family, the owner may not rely on any grounds which are different from the reasons set forth in the notice.
(4) See 24 CFR part 5 for provisions related to termination of assistance because of failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, including informal hearing procedures and also for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, and for provisions concerning deferral of termination of assistance.
(5) In actions or potential actions to terminate tenancy, the owner shall follow 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking).
(6) In the case of failure to pay rent, if the Secretary determines that tenants must be provided with adequate notice to secure Federal funding that is available due to a Presidential declaration of a national emergency:
(i) The termination notice must provide such information as required by the Secretary; and
(ii) The notice must provide the tenant with at least 30 days before termination.
(d) Modification of Lease form. The owner, with the prior approval of HUD or, for a 24 CFR part 883 project, the Agency, may modify the terms and conditions of the lease form effective at the end of the initial term or a successive term, by serving an appropriate notice on the family, together with the offer of a revised lease or an addendum revising the existing lease. This notice and offer must be received by the family at least 30 days prior to the last date on which the family has the right to terminate the tenancy without being bound by the modified terms and conditions. The family may accept the modified terms and conditions by executing the offered revised lease or addendum, or may reject the modified terms and conditions by giving the owner written notice in accordance with the lease that the family intends to terminate the tenancy. Any increase in rent must in all cases be governed by § 880.609 and other applicable HUD regulations.
§ 880.608 Security deposits.
(a) At the time of the initial execution of the lease, the owner will require each family to pay a security deposit in an amount equal to one month’s Total Tenant Payment or $50, whichever is greater. The family is expected to pay the security deposit from its own resources and/or other public sources. The owner may collect the security deposit on an installment basis.
(b) The owner must place the security deposits in a segregated, interest-bearing account. The balance of this account must at all times be equal to the total amount collected from the families then in occupancy, plus any accrued interest. The owner must comply with any applicable State and local laws concerning interest payments on security deposits.
(c) In order to be considered for the return of the security deposit, a family which vacates its unit will provide the owner with its forwarding address or arrange to pick up the refund.
(d) The owner, subject to State and local law and the requirements of this paragraph, may use the security deposit, plus any accrued interest, as reimbursement for any unpaid family contribution or other amount which the family owes under the lease. Within 30 days (or shorter time if required by State, or local law) after receiving notification of the family’s forwarding address, the owner must:
(1) Refund to a family owing no rent or other amount under the lease the full amount of the security deposit, plus accrued interest;
(2) Provide to a family owing rent or other amount under the lease a list itemizing any unpaid rent, damages to the unit, and estimated costs for repair, along with a statement of the family’s rights under State and local law. If the amount which the owner claims is owed by the family is less than the amount of the security deposit, plus accrued interest, the owner must refund the unused balance to the family. If the owner fails to provide the list, the family will be entitled to the refund of the full amount of the security deposit plus accrued interest.
(e) In the event a disagreement arises concerning reimbursement of the security deposit, the family will have the right to present objections to the owner in an informal meeting. The owner must keep a record of any disagreements and meetings in a tenant file for inspection by the contract administrator. The procedures of this paragraph do not preclude the family from exercising its rights under State and local law.
(f) If the security deposit, including any accrued interest, is insufficient to reimburse the owner for any unpaid tenant rent or other amount which the family owes under the lease, and the owner has provided the family with the list required by paragraph (d)(2) of this section, the owner may claim reimbursement from the contract administrator, as appropriate, for an amount not to exceed the lesser of:
(1) The amount owed the owner, or
(2) One month’s contract rent, minus the amount of the security deposit plus accrued interest. Any reimbursement under this section will be applied first toward any unpaid tenant rent due under the lease. No reimbursement may be claimed for unpaid rent for the period after termination of the tenancy.
§ 880.609 Adjustment of contract rents.
(a) Automatic annual adjustment of Contract Rents. Upon request from the owner to the contract administrator, contract rents will be adjusted on the anniversary date of the contract in accordance with 24 CFR part 888.
(b) Special additional adjustments. For all projects, special additional adjustments will be granted, to the extent determined necessary by HUD (for 24 CFR part 883 projects, by the Agency and HUD), to reflect increases in the actual and necessary expenses of owning and maintaining the assisted units which have resulted from substantial general increases in real property taxes, assessments, utility rates, and utilities not covered by regulated rates, and which are not adequately compensated for by annual adjustments under paragraph (a) of this section. The owner must submit to the contract administrator required supporting data, financial statements and certifications.
(c) Overall limitation. Any adjustments of contract rents for a unit after Contract execution or cost certification, where applicable, must not result in material differences between the rents charged for assisted units and comparable unassisted units except to the extent that the differences existed with respect to the contract rents set at Contract execution or cost certification, where applicable.
§ 880.610 Adjustment of utility allowances.
In connection with annual and special adjustments of contract rents, the owner must submit an analysis of the project’s Utility Allowances. Such data as changes in utility rates and other facts affecting utility consumption should be provided as part of this analysis to permit appropriate adjustments in the Utility Allowances. In addition, when approval of a utility rate change would result in a cumulative increase of 10 percent or more in the most recently approved Utility Allowances, the project owner must advise the contract administrator and request approval of new Utility Allowances. Whenever a Utility Allowance for a unit is adjusted, the owner will promptly notify affected families and make a corresponding adjustment of the tenant rent and the amount of the housing assistance payment for the unit.
§ 880.611 Conditions for receipt of vacancy payments.
(a) General. Vacancy payments under the Contract will not be made unless the conditions for receipt of these housing assistance payments set forth in this section are fulfilled.
(b) Vacancies during Rent-up. For each assisted unit that is not leased as of the effective date of the Contract, the owner is entitled to vacancy payments in the amount of 80 percent of the contract rent for the first 60 days of vacancy if the owner:
(1) Conducted marketing in accordance with § 880.601(a) and otherwise complied with § 880.601;
(2) Has taken and continues to take all feasible actions to fill the vacancy; and
(3) Has not rejected any eligible applicant except for good cause acceptable to the contract administrator.
(c) Vacancies after Rent-Up. If an eligible family vacates a unit, the owner is entitled to vacancy payments in the amount of 80 percent of the contract rent for the first 60 days of vacancy if the owner:
(1) Certifies that he did not cause the vacancy by violating the lease, the Contract or any applicable law;
(2) Notified the contract administrator of the vacancy or prospective vacancy and the reasons for the vacancy immediately upon learning of the vacancy or prospective vacancy;
(3) Has fulfilled and continues to fulfill the requirements specified in § 880.601(a) (2) and (3) and paragraph (b) (2) and (3) of this section; and
(4) For any vacancy resulting from the owner’s eviction of an eligible family, certifies that he has complied with § 880.607.
(d) Vacancies for longer than 60 days. If an assisted unit continues to be vacant after the 60-day period specified in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, the owner may apply to receive additional vacancy payments in an amount equal to the principal and interest payments required to amortize that portion of the debt service attributable to the vacant unit for up to 12 additional months for the unit if:
(1) The unit was in decent, safe and sanitary condition during the vacancy period for which payments are claimed;
(2) The owner has fulfilled and continues to fulfill the requirements specified in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, as appropriate; and
(3) The owner has (for 24 CFR part 883 projects, the owner and the Agency have) demonstrated to the satisfaction of HUD that:
(i) For the period of vacancy, the project is not providing the owner with revenues at least equal to project expenses (exclusive of depreciation), and the amount of payments requested is not more than the portion of the deficiency attributable to the vacant unit, and
(ii) The project can achieve financial soundness within a reasonable time.
(e) Prohibition of double compensation for vacancies. The owner is not entitled to vacancy payments for vacant units to the extent he can collect for the vacancy from other sources (such as security deposits, payments under § 880.608(f), and governmental payments under other programs).
§ 880.612 Management and occupancy reviews.
(a) The contract administrator will conduct management and occupancy reviews to determine whether the owner is in compliance with the Contract. Such reviews will be conducted in accordance with a schedule set out by the Secretary and published in the
(b) HUD or the Contract Administrator may inspect project operations and units at any time.
(c) Equal Opportunity reviews may be conducted by HUD at any time.
§ 880.612a Preference for occupancy by elderly families.
(a) Election of preference for occupancy by elderly families—(1) Election by owners of eligible projects. (i) An owner of a project assisted under this part (including a partially assisted project) that was originally designed primarily for occupancy by elderly families (an “eligible project”) may, at any time, elect to give preference to elderly families in selecting tenants for assisted, vacant units in the project, subject to the requirements of this section.
(ii) For purposes of this section, a project eligible for the preference provided by this section, and for which the owner makes an election to give preference in occupancy to elderly families is referred to as an “elderly project.” “Elderly families” refers to families whose heads of household, their spouses or sole members are 62 years or older.
(iii) An owner who elects to provide a preference to elderly families in accordance with this section is required to notify families on the waiting list who are not elderly that the election has been made and how the election may affect them if:
(A) The percentage of disabled families currently residing in the project who are neither elderly nor near-elderly (hereafter, collectively referred to as “non-elderly disabled families”) is equal to or exceeds the minimum required percentage of units established for the elderly project in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and therefore non-elderly families on the waiting list (including non-elderly disabled families) may be passed over for covered section 8 units; or
(B) The project, after making the calculation set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, will have no units set aside for non-elderly disabled families.
(iv) An owner who elects to give a preference for elderly families in accordance with this section shall not remove an applicant from the project’s waiting list on the basis of having made the election.
(2) HUD approval of election not required. (i) An owner is not required to solicit or obtain the approval of HUD before exercising the election of preference for occupancy provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The owner, however, if challenged on the issue of eligibility of the project for the election provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be able to support the project’s eligibility through the production of all relevant documentation in the possession of the owner that pertains to the original design of the project.
(ii) The Department reserves the right at any time to review and make determinations regarding the accuracy of the identification of the project as an elderly project. The Department can make such determinations as a result of ongoing monitoring activities, or the conduct of complaint investigations under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 through 3619), or compliance reviews and complaint investigations under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and other applicable statutes.
(b) Determining projects eligible for preference for occupancy by elderly families—(1) Evidence supporting project eligibility. Evidence that a project assisted under this part (or portion of a project) was originally designed primarily for occupancy by elderly families, and is therefore eligible for the election of occupancy preference provided by this section, shall consist of at least one item from the sources (“primary” sources) listed in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, or at least two items from the sources (“secondary” sources) listed in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section:
(i) Primary sources. Identification of the project (or portion of a project) as serving elderly (seniors) families in at least one primary source such as: The application in response to the notice of funding availability; the terms of the notice of funding availability under which the application was solicited; the regulatory agreement; the loan commitment; the bid invitation; the owner’s management plan, or any underwriting or financial document collected at or before loan closing; or
(ii) Secondary sources. Two or more sources of evidence such as: lease records from the earliest two years of occupancy for which records are available showing that occupancy has been restricted primarily to households where the head, spouse or sole member is 62 years of age or older; evidence that services for elderly persons have been provided, such as services funded by the Older Americans Act, transportation to senior citizen centers, or programs coordinated with the Area Agency on Aging; project unit mix with more than fifty percent of efficiency and one-bedroom units [a secondary source particularly relevant to distinguishing elderly projects under the previous section 3(b) definition (in which disabled families were included in the definition of “elderly families”) from non-elderly projects and which in combination with other factors (such as the number of accessible units) may be useful in distinguishing projects for seniors from those serving the broader definition of “elderly families” which includes disabled families]; or any other relevant type of historical data, unless clearly contradicted by other comparable evidence.
(2) Sources in conflict. If a primary source establishes a design contrary to that established by the primary source upon which the owner would base support that the project is an eligible project (as defined in this section), the owner cannot make the election of preferences for elderly families as provided by this section based upon primary sources alone. In any case where primary sources do not provide clear evidence of original design of the project for occupancy primarily by elderly families, including those cases where primary sources conflict, secondary sources may be used to establish the use for which the project was originally designed.
(c) Reservation of units in elderly projects for non-elderly disabled families. The owner of an elderly project is required to reserve, at a minimum, the number of units specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section for occupancy by non-elderly disabled families.
(1) Minimum number of units to be reserved for non-elderly disabled families. The number of units in an elderly project required to be reserved for occupancy by non-elderly disabled families, shall be, at a minimum, the lesser of:
(i) The number of units equivalent to the higher of—
(A) The percentage of units assisted under this part in the elderly project that were occupied by non-elderly disabled families on October 28, 1992; and
(B) The percentage of units assisted under this part in the elderly project that were occupied by non-elderly disabled families upon January 1, 1992; or
(ii) 10 percent of the number of units assisted under this part in the eligible project.
(2) Option to reserve greater number of units for non-elderly disabled families. The owner, at the owner’s option, and at any time, may reserve a greater number of units for non-elderly disabled families than that provided for in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The option to provide a greater number of units to non-elderly disabled families will not obligate the owner to always provide that greater number to non-elderly disabled families. The number of units required to be provided to non-elderly disabled families at any time in an elderly project is that number determined under paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(d) Secondary preferences. An owner of an elderly project also may elect to establish secondary preferences in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section.
(1) Preference for near-elderly disabled families in units reserved for elderly families. If the owner of an elderly project determines, in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section, that there are an insufficient number of elderly families who have applied for occupancy to fill all the vacant units in the elderly project reserved for elderly families (that is, all units except those reserved for the non-elderly disabled families as provided in paragraph (c) of this section), the owner may give preference for occupancy of such units to disabled families who are near-elderly families.
(2) Preference for near-elderly disabled families in units reserved for non-elderly disabled families. If the owner of an elderly project determines, in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section, that there are an insufficient number of non-elderly disabled families to fill all the vacant units in the elderly project reserved for non-elderly disabled families as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the owner may give preference for occupancy of these units to disabled families who are near-elderly families.
(e) Availability of units to families without regard to preference. An owner shall make vacant units in an elderly project generally available to otherwise eligible families who apply for housing, without regard to the preferences and reservation of units provided in this section if either:
(1) The owner has adopted the secondary preferences and there are an insufficient number of families for whom elderly preference, reserve preference, and secondary preference has been given, to fill all the vacant units; or
(2) The owner has not adopted the secondary preferences and there are an insufficient number of families for whom elderly preference, and reserve preference has been given to fill all the vacant units.
(f) Determination of insufficient number of applicants qualifying for preference. To make a determination that there are an insufficient number of applicants who qualify for the preferences, including secondary preferences, provided by this section, the owner must:
(1) Conduct marketing in accordance with § 880.601(a) to attract applicants qualifying for the preferences and reservation of units set forth in this section; and
(2) Make a good faith effort to lease to applicants who qualify for the preferences provided in this section, including taking all feasible actions to fill vacancies by renting to such families.
(g) Prohibition of evictions. An owner may not evict a tenant without good cause, or require that a tenant vacate a unit, in whole or in part because of any reservation or preference provided in this section, or because of any action taken by the Secretary pursuant to subtitle D (sections 651 through 661) of title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13611 through 13620).
§ 880.613 Emergency transfers for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
(a) Covered housing providers must develop and implement an emergency transfer plan that meets the requirements in 24 CFR 5.2005(e).
(b) In order to facilitate emergency transfers for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, covered housing providers have discretion to adopt new, and modify any existing, admission preferences or transfer waitlist priorities.
(c) In addition to following requirements in 24 CFR 5.2005(e), when a safe unit is not immediately available for a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who qualifies for an emergency transfer, covered housing providers must:
(1) Review the covered housing provider’s existing inventory of units and determine when the next vacant unit may be available; and
(2) Provide a listing of nearby HUD subsidized rental properties, with or without preference for persons of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and contact information for the local HUD field office.
(d) Each year, covered housing providers must submit to HUD data on all emergency transfers requested under 24 CFR 5.2005(e), including data on the outcomes of such requests.
PART 881—SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION
Subpart A—Summary and Applicability
§ 881.101 General.
(a) The purpose of the Section 8 program is to provide low-income families with decent, safe and sanitary rental housing through the use of a system of housing assistance payments. This part contains the policies and procedures applicable to the Section 8 substantial rehabilitation program. The assistance may be provided to public housing agency owners or to private owners either directly from HUD or through public housing agencies.
(b) This part does not apply to projects developed under other Section 8 program regulations, including 24 CFR parts 880, 882, 883, 884, and 885, except to the extent specifically stated in those parts.
§ 881.104 Applicability of part 881.
(a) Part 881, in effect as of February 20, 1980, applies to all proposals for which a notification of selection was not issued before the February 20, 1980 effective date of part 881. (See 24 CFR part 881, revised as of April 1, 1980). Where a notification of selection was issued for a proposal before the February 20, 1980, effective date, part 881 in effect as of February 20, 1980 applies if the owner notified HUD within 60 calendar days that the owner wished the provisions of part 881, effective February 20, 1980, to apply and promptly brought the proposal into conformance.
(b) Subparts E (Housing Assistance Payments Contract) and F (Management) of this part apply to all projects for which an Agreement was not executed before the February 20, 1980, effective date of part 881. Where an Agreement was so executed:
(1) The owner and HUD may agree to make the revised subpart E of this part applicable and to execute appropriate amendments to the Agreement and/or Contract.
(2) The owner and HUD may agree to make the revised subpart F of this part applicable (with or without the limitation on distributions) and to execute appropriate amendments to the Agreement and/or Contract.
(c) Section 881.607 (Termination of tenancy and modification of leases) applies to all families.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, the provisions of 24 CFR part 5 apply to all projects, regardless of when an Agreement was executed.
§ 881.105 Applicability to proposals and projects under 24 CFR part 811.
Where proposals and projects are financed with tax-exempt obligations under 24 CFR part 811, the provisions of part 811 will be complied with in addition to all requirements of this part. In the event of any conflict between this part and part 811, part 811 will control.
Subpart B—Definitions and Other Requirements
§ 881.201 Definitions.
Agreement. (Agreement to Enter into Housing Assistance Payments Contract) The Agreement between the owner and the contract administrator which provides that, upon satisfactory completion of the project in accordance with the HUD-approved final proposal, the administrator will enter into the Contract with the owner.
Annual Contributions Contract (ACC). As defined in part 5 of this title.
Annual income. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Assisted unit. A dwelling unit eligible for assistance under a Contract.
Contract. (Housing Assistance Payments Contract) The Contract entered into by the owner and the contract administrator upon satisfactory completion of the project, which sets forth the rights and duties of the parties with respect to the project and the payments under the Contract.
Contract Administrator. The entity which enters into the Contract with the owner and is responsible for monitoring performance by the owner. The contract administrator is a PHA in the case of private-owner/PHA projects, and HUD is private-owner/HUD and PHA-owner/HUD projects.
Contract rent. The total amount of rent specified in the contract as payable to the owner for a unit.
Decent, safe, and sanitary. Housing is decent, safe, and sanitary if it meets the physical condition requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
Elderly family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Fair Market Rent (FMR). As defined in part 5 of this title.
Family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Final proposal. The detailed description of a proposed project to be assisted under this part, which an owner submits after selection of the preliminary proposal, except where a preliminary proposal is not required under § 881.303(c). The final proposal becomes an exhibit to the Agreement and is the standard by which HUD judges acceptable construction of the project.
Housing assistance payment. The payment made by the contract administrator to the owner of an assisted unit as provided in the contract. Where the unit is leased to an eligible family, the payment is the difference between the contract rent and the tenant rent. An additional payment is made to the family when the utility allowance is greater than the total tenant payment. A housing assistance payment, known as a “vacancy payment”. may be made to the owner when an assisted unit is vacant, in accordance with the terms of the contract.
HUD. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Independent Public Accountant. A Certified Public Accountant or a licensed or registered public accountant, having no business relationship with the owner except for the performance of audit, systems work and tax preparation. If not certified, the Independent Public Accountant must have been licensed or registered by a regulatory authority of a State or other political subdivision of the United States on or before December 31, 1970. In States that do not regulate the use of the title “public accountant,” only Certified Public Accountants may be used.
Low income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
NOFA. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Owner. Any private person or entity (including a cooperative) or a public entity which qualifies as a PHA, having the legal right to lease or sublease substantially rehabilitated dwelling units assisted under this part. The term owner also includes the person or entity submitting a proposal under this part.
Partially-assisted Project. A project for non-elderly families under this part which includes more than 50 units of which 20 percent or fewer are assisted.
PHA-Owner/HUD Project. A project under this part which is owned by a PHA. For this type of project, the Agreement and the Contract are entered into by the PHA, as owner, and HUD, as contract administrator.
Private-Owner/HUD Project. A project under this part which is owned by a private owner. For this type of project, the Agreement and Contract are entered into by the private owner, as owner, and HUD, as contract administrator.
Private-Owner/PHA Project. A project under this part which is owned by a private owner. For this type of project, the Agreement and Contract are entered into by the private owner, as owner, and the PHA, as contract administrator, pursuant to an ACC between the PHA and HUD. The term also covers the situation where the ACC is with one PHA and the owner is another PHA.
Project Account. A specifically identified and segregated account for each project which is established in accordance with § 881.503(b) out of the amounts by which the maximum annual commitment exceeds the amount actually paid out under the Contract or ACC, as applicable, each year.
Public Housing Agency (PHA). As defined in part 5 of this title.
Rent. In the case of an assisted unit in a cooperative project, rent means the carrying charges payable to the cooperative with respect to occupancy of the unit.
Replacement cost. The sum of the “as is” value before rehabilitation of the property as determined by HUD and the estimated cost of rehabilitation, including carrying and finance charges.
Secretary. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or designee).
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing. A unit for occupancy by a single eligible individual capable of independent living, which does not contain food preparation and/or sanitary facilities and is located within a multifamily structure consisting of more than 12 units.
Small project. A project for non-elderly families under this part which includes a total of 50 or fewer (assisted and unassisted) units.
Substantial rehabilitation. (a) The improvement of a property to decent, safe and sanitary condition in accordance with the standards of this part from a condition below those standards. Substantial rehabilitation may vary in degree from gutting and extensive reconstruction to the cure of substantial accumulation of deferred maintenance. Cosmetic improvements alone do not qualify as substantial rehabilitation under this definition.
(b) Substantial rehabilitation may also include renovation, alteration or remodeling for the conversion or adaptation of structurally sound property to the design and condition required for use under this part or the repair or replacement of major building systems or components in danger of failure.
Tenant rent. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Total tenant payment. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility allowance. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility reimbursement. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Vacancy payment. The housing assistance payment made to the owner by the contract administrator for a vacant assisted unit if certain conditions are fulfilled as provided in the Contract. The amount of the vacancy payment varies with the length of the vacancy period and is less after the first 60 days of any vacancy.
Very low income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
§ 881.205 Limitation on distributions.
(a) Non-profit owners are not entitled to distributions of project funds.
(b) For the life of the Contract, project funds may only be distributed to profit-motivated owners at the end of each fiscal year of project operation following the effective date of the Contract after all project expenses have been paid, or funds have been set aside for payment, and all reserve requirements have been met. The first year’s distribution may not be made until cost certification, where applicable, is completed. Distributions may not exceed the following maximum returns:
(1) For projects for elderly families, the first year’s distribution will be limited to 6 percent on equity. The Assistant Secretary may provide for increases in subsequent years’ distributions on an annual or other basis so that the permitted return reflects a 6 percent return on the value in subsequent years, as determined by HUD, of the approved initial equity. Any such adjustment will be made by Notice in the
(2) For projects for non-elderly families, the first year’s distribution will be limited to 10 percent on equity. The Assistant Secretary may provide for increases in subsequent years’ distributions on an annual or other basis so that the permitted return reflects a 10 percent return on the value in subsequent years, as determined by HUD, of the approved initial equity. Any such adjustment will be made by Notice in the
(c) For the purpose of determining the allowable distribution, an owner’s equity investment in a project is deemed to be 10 percent of the replacement cost of the part of the project attributable to dwelling use accepted by HUD at cost certification (see § 881.405), unless the owner justifies a higher equity contribution by cost certification documentation in accordance with HUD mortgage insurance procedures.
(d) Any short-fall in return may be made up from surplus project funds in future years.
(e) If HUD determines at any time that project funds are more than the amount needed for project operations, reserve requirements and permitted distribution, HUD may require the excess to be placed in an account to be used to reduce housing assistance payments or for other project purposes. Upon termination of the Contract, any excess funds must be remitted to HUD.
(f) Owners of small projects or partially-assisted projects are exempt from the limitation on distributions contained in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section.
(g) In the case of HUD-insured projects, the provisions of this section will apply instead of the otherwise applicable mortgage insurance program provisions.
(h) HUD may permit increased distributions of surplus cash, in excess of the amounts otherwise permitted, to profit-motivated owners who participate in a HUD-approved initiative or program to preserve below-market housing stock. The increased distributions will be limited to a maximum amount based on market rents and calculated according to HUD instructions. Funds that the owner is authorized to retain under section 236(g)(2) of the National Housing Act are not considered distributions to the owner.
(i) Any State or local law or regulation that restricts distributions to an amount lower than permitted by this section or permitted by the Commissioner under this paragraph (i) is preempted to the extent provided by section 524(f) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997.
§ 881.207 Property standards.
Projects must comply with:
(a) [Reserved]
(b) In the case of congregate or single room occupant housing, the appropriate HUD guidelines and standards;
(c) HUD requirements pursuant to section 209 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 for projects for the elderly or handicapped;
(d) HUD requirements pertaining to noise abatement and control;
(e) The Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 4821–4846), the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4851–4856), and implementing regulations at part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R of this title; and
(f) Applicable State and local laws, codes, ordinances and regulations.
(g) Smoke detectors—(1) Performance requirement. After October 30, 1992, each dwelling unit must include at least one battery-operated or hard-wired smoke detector, in proper working condition, on each level of the unit. If the unit is occupied by hearing-impaired persons, smoke detectors must have an alarm system, designed for hearing-impaired persons, in each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person.
(2) Acceptability criteria. The smoke detector must be located, to the extent practicable, in a hallway adjacent to a bedroom, unless the unit is occupied by a hearing-impaired person, in which case each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person must have an alarm system connected to the smoke detector installed in the hallway.
§ 881.208 Financing.
(a) Types of financing. Any type of construction financing and long-term financing may be used, including:
(1) Conventional loans from commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, pension funds, insurance companies or other financial institutions;
(2) Mortgage insurance programs under the National Housing Act; and
(3) Financing by tax-exmpt bonds or other obligations.
(b) HUD approval. HUD must approve the terms and conditions of the financing to determine consistency with these regulations and to assure they do not purport to pledge or give greater rights or funds to any party than are provided under the Agreement, Contract, and/or ACC. Where the project is financed with tax-exempt obligations, the terms and conditions will be approved in accordance with the following:
(1) An issuer of obligations that are tax-exempt under any provision of Federal law or regulation, the proceeds of the sale of which are to be used to purchase GNMA mortgage-backed securities issued by the mortgagee of the Section 8 project, will be subject to 24 CFR part 811, subpart B.
(2) Issuers of obligations that are tax-exempt under Section 11(b) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 will be subject to 24 CFR part 811, subpart A if paragraph (b)(1) of this section is not applicable.
(3) Issuers of obligations that are tax-exempt under any provision of Federal law or regulation other than Section 11(b) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 will be subject to 24 CFR 811, subpart A if paragraph (b)(1) of this section is not applicable, except that such issuers that are State Agencies qualified under 24 CFR part 883 are not subject to 24 CFR part 811, subpart A and are subject solely to the requirements of 24 CFR part 883 with regard to the approval of tax-exempt financing.
(c) Pledge of contracts. An owner may pledge, or offer as security for any loan or obligation, an Agreement, Contract or ACC entered into pursuant to this part: Provided, however, That such financing is in connection with a project constructed pursuant to this part and approved by HUD. Any pledge of the Agreement, Contract, or ACC, or payments thereunder, will be limited to the amounts payable under the Contract or ACC in accordance with its terms. If the pledge or other document provides that all payments will be paid directly to the mortgagee or the trustee for bondholders, the mortgagee or trustee will make all payments or deposits required under the mortgage, trust indenture of HUD regulations and remit any excess to the owner.
(d) Foreclosure and other transfers. In the event of foreclosure, assignment or sale approved by HUD in lieu of foreclosure, or other assignment or sale approved by HUD:
(1) The Agreement, the Contract and the ACC, if applicable, will continue in effect, and
(2) Housing assistance payments will continue in accordance with the terms of the Contract.
(e) Financing of manufactured home parks. In the case of a substantially rehabilitated manufactured home park, the principal amount of any mortgage attributable to the rental spaces in the park may not exceed an amount per space determined in accordance with § 207.33(b) of this Title.
§ 881.211 Audit.
(a) Where a non-Federal entity (as defined in 2 CFR 200.69) is the eligible owner of a project or a contract administrator under § 881.505 receiving financial assistance under this part, the audit requirements in 2 CFR part 200, subpart F, shall apply.
§ 881.212 Broadband infrastructure.
Any new construction or substantial rehabilitation, as substantial rehabilitation is defined by 24 CFR 5.100, of a building with more than 4 rental units and that is subject to a Housing Assistance Payments contract executed or renewed after January 19, 2017 must include installation of broadband infrastructure, as this term is also defined in 24 CFR 5.100, except where the owner determines and documents the determination that:
(a) The location of the new construction or substantial rehabilitation makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible;
(b) The cost of installing broadband infrastructure would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program or activity or in an undue financial burden; or
(c) The structure of the housing to be substantially rehabilitated makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible.
Subparts C–D [Reserved]
Subpart E—Housing Assistance Payments Contract
§ 881.501 The contract.
(a) Contract. The Housing Assistance Payments Contract sets forth rights and duties of the owner and the contract administrator with respect to the project and the housing assistance payments. The owner and contract administrator execute the Contract in the form prescribed by HUD upon satisfactory completion of the project.
(b) [Reserved]
(c) Housing assistance payments to owners under the contract. The housing assistance payments made under the Contract are:
(1) Payments to the owner to assist eligible families leasing assisted units, and
(2) Payments to the owner for vacant assisted units (“vacancy payments”) if the conditions specified in § 881.611 are satisfied.
(d) Amount of housing assistance payments to owner. (1) The amount of the housing assistance payment made to the owner of a unit being leased by an eligible family is the difference between the contract rent for the unit and the tenant rent payable by the family.
(2) A housing assistance payment will be made to the owner for a vacant assisted unit in an amount equal to 80 percent of the contract rent for the first 60 days of vacancy, subject to the conditions in § 881.611. If the owner collects any tenant rent or other amount for this period which, when added to this vacancy payment, exceeds the contract rent, the excess must be repaid as HUD directs.
(3) For a vacancy that exceeds 60 days, a housing assistance payment for the vacant unit will be made, subject to the conditions in § 881.611, in an amount equal to the principal and interest payments required to amortize that portion of the debt attributable to the vacant unit for up to 12 additional months.
(e) Payment of utility reimbursement. Where applicable, the Utility Reimbursement will be paid to the Family as an additional Housing Assistance Payment. The Contract will provide that the Owner will make this payment on behalf of the contract administrator. Funds for this purpose will be paid to the Owner in trust solely for the purpose of making the additional payment. If the Family and the utility company consent, the Owner may pay the Utility Reimbursement jointly to the Family and the utility company or directly to the utility company.
§ 881.502 Term of contract.
(a) Term (except for Manufactured Home Parks). The term of the Contract will be as follows:
(1) Where the estimated cost of the rehabilitation is less than 25 percent of the estimated value of the project after completion of the rehabilitation, the contract will be for a term of 20 years for any dwelling unit.
(2) Where the estimated cost of rehabilitation is 25 percent or more of the estimated value of the project after completion of rehabilitation, the contract may be for a term which:
(i) Will cover the longest term, but not less than 20 years, of a single credit instrument covering:
(A) The cost of rehabilitation, or
(B) The existing indebtedness, or
(C) The cost of rehabilitation and the refinancing of the existing indebtedness, or
(D) The cost of rehabilitation and the acquisition of the property; and
(ii) For assisted units in a project financed with the aid of a loan insured or co-insured by the Federal government or a loan made, guaranteed or intended for purchase by the Federal government, will be 20 years for any dwelling unit; or
(iii) For units in a project financed other than as described in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section will not exceed 30 years for any dwelling unit except that this limit will be 40 years if (A) the project is owned or financed by a loan or loan guarantee from a state or local agency, (B) the project is intended for occupancy by non-elderly families and (C) the project is located in an area designated by HUD as one requiring special financing assistance.
(b) Term for manufactured home parks. For manufactured home units or spaces in substantially rehabilitated manufactured home parks, the term of the Contract will be 20 years.
(c) Staged projects. If the project is completed in stages, the term of the Contract must relate separately to the units in each stage. The total Contract term for the units in all stages, beginning with the effective date of the Contract for the first stage, may not exceed the overall maximum term allowable for any one unit under this section, plus two years.
§ 881.503 Cross-reference.
All of the provisions of §§ 880.503, 880.504, 880.505, 880.506, 880.507, and 880.508 of this chapter apply to projects assisted under this part, subject to the requirements of § 881.104.
Subpart F—Management
§ 881.601 Cross-reference.
All of the provisions of part 880, subpart F, of this chapter apply to projects assisted under this part, subject to the requirements of § 881.104.
PART 882—SECTION 8 MODERATE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS
Subpart A—Applicability, Scope and Basic Policies
§ 882.101 Applicability.
(a) The provisions of this part apply to the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation program.
(b) This part states the policies and procedures to be used by a PHA in administering a Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation program. The purpose of this program is to upgrade substandard rental housing and to provide rental subsidies for low-income families.
(c) Subpart H of this part only applies to the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program for Homeless Individuals.
§ 882.102 Definitions.
(a) Terms found elsewhere. The following terms are defined in part 5, subpart A of this title: 1937 Act, covered person, drug, drug-related criminal activity, federally assisted housing, guest, household, HUD, MSA, other person under the tenant’s control, public housing agency (PHA), Section 8, and violent criminal activity.
(b) In addition, the following definitions apply to this part:
ACC reserve account (or “project account”). The account established and maintained in accordance with § 882.403(b).
Agreement to enter into Housing Assistance Payments Contract (“Agreement”). A written agreement between the Owner and the PHA that, upon satisfactory completion of the rehabilitation in accordance with requirements specified in the Agreement, the PHA will enter into a Housing Assistance Payments Contract with the Owner.
Annual Contributions Contract (“ACC”). The written agreement between HUD and a PHA to provide annual contributions to the PHA to cover housing assistance payments and other expenses pursuant to the 1937 Act.
Assisted lease (or “lease”). A written agreement between an Owner and a Family for the leasing of a unit by the Owner to the Family with housing assistance payments under a Housing Assistance Payments Contract between the Owner and the PHA.
Congregate housing. Housing for elderly persons or persons with disabilities that meets the HQS for congregate housing.
Contract. See definition of Housing Assistance Payments Contract.
Contract rent. The total amount of rent specified in the Housing Assistance Payments Contract as payable to the Owner by the Family and by the PHA to the Owner on the Family’s behalf.
Covered housing provider. For the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Programs, as provided in subparts A, D, and E of this part, “covered housing provider,” as such term is used in HUD’s regulations in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), refers to the PHA or owner, as applicable given the responsibilities of the covered housing provider as set forth in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L. For example, the PHA is the covered housing provider responsible for providing the notice of occupancy rights under VAWA and certification form described at 24 CFR 5.2005(a), though the PHA may provide this notice and form to owners, and charge owners with distributing the notice and form to tenants. In addition, the owner is the covered housing provider that may choose to bifurcate a lease as described at 24 CFR 5.2009(a), while both the PHA and owner are both responsible for ensuring that an emergency transfer plan is in place in accordance with 24 CFR 5.2005(e), and the owner is responsible for implementing the emergency transfer plan when an emergency occurs.
Decent, safe, and sanitary. Housing is decent, safe, and sanitary if it meets the physical condition standards in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
Gross rent. The total monthly cost of housing an eligible Family, which is the sum of the Contract Rent and any utility allowance.
Group home. A dwelling unit that is licensed by a State as a group home for the exclusive residential use of two to twelve persons who are elderly or persons with disabilities (including any live-in aide).
Housing Assistance Payment. The payment made by the PHA to the Owner of a unit under lease by an eligible Family, as provided under the Contract. The payment is the difference between the Contract Rent and the tenant rent. An additional payment (the “utility reimbursement”) is made by the PHA when the utility allowance is greater than the total tenant payment.
Housing Assistance Payments Contract (“Contract”). A written contract between a PHA and an Owner for the purpose of providing housing assistance payments to the Owner on behalf of an eligible Family.
Moderate rehabilitation. Rehabilitation involving a minimum expenditure of $1000 for a unit, including its prorated share of work to be accomplished on common areas or systems, to:
(1) Upgrade to decent, safe and sanitary condition to comply with the Housing Quality Standards or other standards approved by HUD, from a condition below these standards (improvements being of a modest nature and other than routine maintenance); or
(2) Repair or replace major building systems or components in danger of failure.
Owner. Any person or entity, including a cooperative, having the legal right to lease or sublease existing housing.
Single room occupancy housing (SRO). A unit that contains no sanitary facilities or food preparation facilities, or contains either, but not both, types of facilities.
Statement of Family responsibility. An agreement in the form prescribed by HUD, between the PHA and a Family to be assisted under the Program, stating the obligations and responsibilities of the Family.
§§ 882.103-882.122 [Reserved]
§ 882.123 Conversion of Section 23 Units to Section 8 and Section 23 monitoring.
(a)–(d) [Reserved]
(e) Section 23 policies for units planned for conversion on or before September 30, 1981. (1) PHAs shall not enter into new leases with owners for additional units nor shall they renew or extend leases with owners except consistent with the conversion schedules.
(2) Subject to the rights of families under existing leases, PHAs may continue to lease units to families under Section 23 only on a month-to-month basis.
(3) PHAs shall conduct annual inspections of all units to determine whether the units are decent, safe and sanitary.
(4) PHAs shall certify with their requisitions to HUD for payments under the ACC that the units are decent, safe and sanitary, or the PHA shall furnish HUD with a report of the nature of the deficiencies of the units which are not so certified. If an owner’s units are not decent, safe and sanitary.
(i) Where the owner is responsible under the terms of the lease for correcting the deficiencies, the PHA shall send the owner written notification requiring the owner to take specified corrective action within a specified time. The notification shall also state that, if the owner fails to comply, rent payments will be suspended. If the owner fails to comply with the first notification, he shall be notified by the PHA of the noncompliance and rent payments shall be suspended immediately. In the event of such suspension of rent payments, the PHA shall requisition a correspondingly lower ACC payment.
(ii) Where the PHA is responsible under the terms of the lease for correcting the deficiencies, the Field Office shall send written notification requiring the PHA to take specified corrective action within a specified time. The notification shall also state that, if the PHA fails to comply, HUD will make reduced payments to the PHA only in the amount of the rent due the owner. If the PHA fails to comply with the first notification, the PHA shall be notified of the noncompliance, and the PHA shall not receive any fees for performing management functions until the PHA has complied with the Field Office request and has corrected the noted deficiencies.
(f) [Reserved]
(g) Section 23 policies for units not planned to be converted. (1) PHAs shall not enter into new leases with owners for additional units nor shall they renew or extend leases with owners for more than one year.
(2) The provisions contained in paragraphs (e) (3) and (4) of this section shall apply.
(h) Request for rent increases. An owner may submit to the PHA a request for rent increase because of increases in operating cost, when the rents to the owner, after adjustments based on provisions in the lease, are insufficient to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing. Such a request shall be supported by an audited financial statement, and the data shall clearly show that failure to obtain additional revenue will result in deterioriation of units and loss of decent, safe and sanitary housing for low-income families. The PHA shall inspect the units to determine whether the units are decent, safe and sanitary. Where the need for an adjustment under this paragraph is shown:
(1) Subject to available contract authority and prior approval by the HUD Field Office, the PHA may grant an adjustment to the extent documented and justified for those items of expenses (excluding debt service) for which the owner is responsible under the lease.
(2) The amount of the adjustment must be reasonable when compared with similar items under the Section 8 Existing Housing program.
(3) The adjusted amount for expenses shall not exceed the result of applying the appropriate Section 8 Existing Housing Annual Adjustment Factor (24 CFR part 888) most recently published by HUD in the
(4) The adjustment shall not be retroactive to pay for costs that the owner had previously incurred.
(5) The adjustment shall be effective for a period not to exceed one year.
§ 882.124 Audit.
PHAs receiving financial assistance under this part are subject to audit requirements in 2 CFR part 200, subpart F .
Subparts B–C [Reserved]
Subpart D—Special Procedures for Moderate Rehabilitation—Basic Policies
§ 882.401 Eligible properties.
(a) Eligible properties. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, housing suitable for moderate rehabilitation as defined in § 882.102 is eligible for inclusion under the Moderate Rehabilitation Program. Existing structures of various types may be appropriate for this program, including single-family houses, multi-family structures and group homes.
(b) Ineligible properties. (1) Nursing homes, units within the grounds of penal, reformatory, medical, mental and similar public or private institutions, and facilities providing continual psychiatric, medical or nursing services are not eligible for assistance under the Moderate Rehabilitation Program.
(2) Housing owned by a State or unit of general local government is not eligible for assistance under this program.
(3) High rise elevator projects for families with children may not be utilized unless HUD determines there is no practical alternative. (HUD may make this determination for a locality’s Moderate Rehabilitation Program in whole or in part and need not review each building on a case-by-case basis.)
(4) Single room occupancy (SRO) housing may not be utilized unless:
(i) The property is located in an area in which there is a significant demand for such units as determined by the HUD Field Office; and
(ii) The PHA and the unit of general local government in which the property is located approve of such units being utilized for such purpose.
(5) No Section 8 assistance may be provided with respect to any unit occupied by an Owner; however, cooperatives will be considered as rental housing for purposes of the Moderate Rehabilitation Program.
§ 882.402 [Reserved]
§ 882.403 ACC, housing assistance payments contract, and lease.
(a) Maximum Total ACC Commitments. The maximum total annual contribution that may be contracted for is the total of the Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rents for all the units. The fee for the costs of PHA administration is payable out of the annual contribution.
(b) Project account. (1) A project account will be established and maintained by HUD as a specifically identified and segregated account for each project. The account will contain the sum of the amounts by which the maximum annual commitment exceeds the amount actually paid out for the project under the ACC each year. Payments will be made from this account when needed to cover increases in Contract Rents or decreases in Gross Family Contributions for (i) housing assistance (including vacancy) payments, (ii) the amount of the fee for PHA costs of administration, and (iii) other costs specifically approved by the Secretary.
(2) When a HUD-approved estimate of required payments under the ACC for a fiscal year exceeds the maximum annual commitment, and would cause the amount in the project account to be less than 40 percent of the maximum, HUD will, within a reasonable period of time, take such additional steps authorized by Section 8(c)(6) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as may be necessary, to assure that payments under the ACC will be adequate to cover increases in Contract Rents and decreases in Gross Family Contributions.
(c) Term of Housing Assistance Payments Contract. The Contract for any unit rehabilitated in accordance with the Program must be for a term of 15 years.
(d) Term of Lease. (1) The initial lease between the family and the Owner must be for at least one year or the term of the HAP contract, whichever is shorter. In cases where there is less than one year remaining on the HAP contract, the owner and the PHA may mutually agree to terminate the unit from the HAP contract instead of leasing the unit to an eligible family.
(2) Any renewal or extension of the lease term for any unit must in no case extend beyond the remaining term of the HAP contract.
§ 882.404 Physical condition standards; physical inspection requirements.
(a) Compliance with physical condition standards. Housing in this program must be maintained and inspected in accordance with the requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
(b) Space and security. In addition to the standards in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G, a dwelling unit used in the Section 8 moderate rehabilitation program that is not SRO housing must have a living room, a kitchen area, and a bathroom. Such a dwelling unit must have at least one bedroom or living/sleeping room for each two persons.
(c) Special housing types. The following provisions in 24 CFR part 982, subpart M (Special Housing Types) apply to the Section 8 moderate rehabilitation program:
(1) 24 CFR 982.605(b) (for SRO housing). For the Section 8 moderate rehabilitation SRO program under subpart H of this part 882, see also § 882.803(b).
(2) 24 CFR 982.609(b) (for congregate housing).
(3) 24 CFR 982.614(c) (for group homes).
(d) Lead-based paint. The Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 4821–4846), the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4851–4856), and implementing regulations at part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R of this title apply to the Section 8 moderate rehabilitation program.
§ 882.405 Financing.
(a) Types. Any type of public or private financing may be utilized with the exception of the rehabilitation loan program under Section 312 of the Housing Act of 1964.
(b) Use of Contract as security for financing. An Owner may pledge, or offer as security for any loan or obligation, an Agreement or Contract entered into pursuant to this Program, Provided That (1) such security is in connection with a unit(s) rehabilitated pursuant to this Program and (2) the terms of the financing or any refinancing must be approved by the PHA in accordance with standards provided by HUD. Any pledge of the Agreement or Contract, or payments thereunder, will be limited to the amounts payable under the Contract in accordance with its terms.
§ 882.406 [Reserved]
§ 882.407 Other Federal requirements.
(a) The moderate rehabilitation program is subject to applicable Federal requirements in 24 CFR 5.105 and to the requirements for protection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking).
(b) In order to facilitate emergency transfers for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, covered housing providers have discretion to adopt and modify any existing admission preferences or transfer waitlist priorities for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(c) Covered housing providers must develop and implement an emergency transfer plan that meets the requirements in 24 CFR 5.2005(e), and when a safe unit is not immediately available for a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who qualifies for an emergency transfer, covered housing providers must, at a minimum:
(1) Review the covered housing provider’s existing inventory of units and determine when the next vacant unit may be available; and
(2) Provide a listing of nearby HUD subsidized rental properties, with or without preference for persons of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and contact information for the local HUD field office.
(d) Each year, the covered housing provider must submit to HUD data on all emergency transfers requested under 24 CFR 5.2005(e), pertaining to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including data on the outcomes of such requests.
§ 882.408 Initial contract rents.
(a) Fair Market Rent limitation. The Fair Market Rent Schedule for Moderate Rehabilitation is 120 percent of the Existing Housing Fair Market Rent Schedule, except that the Fair Market Rent limitation applicable to single room occupancy housing is 75 percent of the Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rent for a 0-bedroom unit. The initial Gross Rent for any Moderate Rehabilitation unit must not exceed the Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rent applicable to the unit on the date that the Agreement is executed except by up to 10 percent as provided in paragraph (b) of this section. Additionally, to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this section, the PHA may approve changes in the Contract Rent subsequent to execution of the Agreement which result in an initial Gross Rent which exceeds the Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rent applicable to the unit by up to 20 percent.
(b) Exception rents. With HUD Field Office approval, the PHA may approve initial Gross Rents which exceed the applicable Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rents by up to 10 percent for all units of a given size in specified areas where HUD has determined that the rents for standard units suitable for the Existing Housing Program are more than 10 percent higher than the Existing Housing Fair Market Rents. The PHA must submit documentation demonstrating the necessity for such exception rents in the area to the HUD Field Office. In areas where HUD has approved the use of exception rents for 0-bedroom units, the single room occupancy housing exception rent will be 75 percent of the exception rent applicable to Moderate Rehabilitation 0-bedroom units.
(c) Determination Initial Contract Rents. (1) The initial Contract Rent and base rent for each unit must be computed in accordance with HUD requirements. These amounts may be determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(2), or in accordance with an alternative method prescribed by HUD. However, the initial Contract Rent may in no event be more than—
(i) The Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rent or exception rent applicable to the unit on the date that the Agreement is executed, minus
(ii) Any applicable allowance for utilities and other services attributable to the unit.
(2) When the initial Contract Rent is computed under this paragraph, the rent will be equal to the base rent plus the monthly cost of a rehabilitation loan (but not more than the maximum stated in paragraph (c)(1)). The base rent must be calculated using the rent charged for the unit or the estimated costs to the Owner of owning, managing and maintaining the rehabilitated unit. The monthly cost of a rehabilitation loan must be calculated using:
(i) The actual interest rate on the portion of the rehabilitation costs borrowed by the Owner,
(ii) The HUD-FHA maximum interest rate for multifamily housing (or another rate prescribed by HUD) for rehabilitation costs paid by the Owner out of nonborrowed funds, and
(iii) At least a 15 year loan term, except that if the total amount of rehabilitation is less than $15,000, the actual loan term will be used for the portion of the rehabilitation costs borrowed by the Owner. (HUD Field Offices may authorize loan terms which differ from the above in accordance with HUD requirements.)
(d) Changes in Initial Contract Rents during rehabilitation. (1) The initial Contract Rents established pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section will be the Contract Rents on the effective date of the Contract except under the following circumstances:
(i) When, during rehabilitation, work items (including substantial and necessary design changes) which (A) could not reasonably have been anticipated or are necessitated by a change in local codes or ordinances, and (B) were not listed in the work write-up prepared or approved by the PHA, are subsequently required and approved by the PHA.
(ii) When the actual cost of the rehabilitation performed is less than that estimated in the calculation of Contract Rents for the Agreement or the actual, certified costs are more than estimated due to unforeseen factors beyond the owner’s control (e.g., strikes, weather delays or unexpected delays caused by local governments).
(iii) When the PHA (or HUD) approves changes in financing.
(iv) When the actual relocation payments made by the Owner to temporarily relocated Families varies from the cost estimated in the calculation of Contract Rents for the Agreement.
(v) When necessary to correct errors in computation of the base and Contract Rents to comply with the HUD requirements.
(2) Should changes occur as specified in paragraph (d)(1) (either an increase or decrease), the PHA will approve any necessary change in work and amendment of the work write-up and cost estimate, recalculate the initial Contract Rents in accordance with paragraph (d)(3) of this section, and amend the Contract or Agreement, as appropriate, to reflect the revised rents.
(3) In establishing the revised Contract Rents, the PHA must determine that the resulting Gross Rents do not exceed the Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rent or the exception rent in effect at the time of execution of the Agreement. The Fair Market Rent or exception rent, as appropriate, may only be exceeded when the PHA determines in accordance with paragraph (d)(1) of this section that it will be necessary for the revised Gross Rent to exceed the Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rent or exception rent. Should this determination be made, the PHA may not execute a revised Agreement or Contract for Gross Rents exceeding the Fair Market Rents by more than 10 percent until it receives HUD Field Office approval. The HUD Field Office may approve revised Gross Rents which exceed the Fair Market Rents by up to 20 percent for reasons specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section upon proper justification by the PHA of the necessity for the increase.
§ 882.409 Contract rents at end of rehabilitation loan term.
For a Contract where the initial Contract Rent was based upon a loan term shorter than 15 years, the Contract must provide for reduction of the Contract Rent effective with the rent for the month following the end of the term of the rehabilitation loan. The amount of the reduction will be the monthly cost of amortization of the rehabilitation loan. This reduction should result in a new Contract Rent equal to the base rent established pursuant to § 882.408(c) plus all subsequent adjustments.
§ 882.410 Rent adjustments.
(a) Annual and special adjustments. Contract Rents will be adjusted as provided in paragraphs (a) (1) and (2) of this section upon submittal to the PHA by the Owner of a revised schedule of Contract Rents, provided that the unit is in decent, safe, and sanitary condition and that the Owner is otherwise in compliance with the terms of the Lease and Contract. Subject to the foregoing, adjustments of Contract Rents will be as follows:
(1) The Annual Adjustment Factors which are published annually by HUD (see Schedule C, 24 CFR part 888) will be utilized. On or after each annual anniversary date of the Contract, the Contract Rents may be adjusted in accordance with HUD procedures, effective for the month following the submittal by the Owner of a revised schedule of Contract Rents. The changes in rent as a result of the adjustment cannot exceed the amount established by multiplying the Annual Adjustment Factor by the base rents. However, if the amounts borrowed to finance the rehabilitation costs or to finance purchase of the property are subject to a variable rate or are otherwise renegotiable, Contract Rents may be adjusted in accordance with other procedures as prescribed by HUD, and specified in the Contract, provided that the adjusted Contract Rents cannot exceed the rents established by multiplying the Annual Adjustment Factor by the Contract Rents. Adjusted Contract Rents must then be examined in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section and may be adjusted accordingly. Contract Rents may be adjusted upward or downward, as may be appropriate.
(2) Special Adjustments. (i) A special adjustment, to the extent determined by HUD to reflect increases in the actual and necessary expenses of owning and maintaining the unit which have resulted from substantial general increases in real property taxes, assessments, utility rates and utilities not covered by regulated rates, may be recommended by the PHA for approval by HUD. Subject to appropriations, a special adjustment may also be recommended by the PHA for approval by HUD when HUD determines that a project is located in a community where drug-related criminal activity is generally prevalent, and not specific to a particular project, and the project’s operating, maintenance, and capital repair expenses have substantially increased primarily as a result of the prevalence of such drug-related activity. HUD may, on a project-by-project basis, provide adjustments to the maximum monthly rents, to a level no greater than 120 percent of the current gross rents for each unit size under a Housing Assistance Payments Contract, to cover the costs of maintenance, security, capital repairs and reserves required for the Owner to carry out a strategy acceptable to HUD for addressing the problem of drug-related criminal activity. Prior to approval of a special adjustment to cover the cost of physical improvements, HUD will perform an environmental review to the extent required by HUD’s environmental regulations at 24 CFR part 50, including the applicable related authorities at 24 CFR 50.4.
(ii) The aforementioned special rent adjustments will only be approved if and to the extent the Owner clearly demonstrates that these general increases have caused increases in the owners operating costs which are not adequately compensated for by annual adjustments.
(iii) The Owner must submit financial information to the PHA which clearly supports the increase. For Contracts of more than twenty units, the Owner must submit audited financial information.
(b) Overall limitation. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part, adjustments as provided in this section must not result in material differences between the rents charged for assisted and comparable unassisted units, as determined by the PHA (and approved by HUD in the case of adjustments under paragraph (a)(2) of this section). However, unless the rents have been adjusted in accordance with § 882.409, this limitation should not be construed to prohibit differences in rents between assisted and comparable unassisted units to the extent that differences existed with respect to the initial Contract Rents.
§ 882.411 Payments for vacancies.
(a) Vacancies from execution of Contract to initial occupancy. If a Contract unit which has been rehabilitated in accordance with this Program is not leased within 15 days of the effective date of the Contract, the Owner will be entitled to housing assistance payments in the amount of 80 percent of the Contract Rent for the unit for a vacancy period not exceeding 60 days from the effective date of the Contract, provided that the Owner (1) has complied with §§ 882.506(d) and 882.508(c); (2) has taken and continues to take all feasible actions to fill the vacancy; and (3) has not rejected any eligible applicant except for good cause acceptable to the PHA.
(b) Vacancies after initial occupancy. (1) If an Eligible Family vacates its unit (other than as a result of action by the Owner which is in violation of the Lease or the Contract or any applicable law), the Owner may receive the housing assistance payments due under the Contract for so much of the month in which the Family vacates the unit as the unit remains vacant. Should the unit continue to remain vacant, the Owner may receive from the PHA a housing assistance payment in the amount of 80 percent of the Contract Rent for a vacancy period not exceeding an additional month. However, if the Owner collects any of the Family’s share of the rent for this period, the payment must be reduced to an amount which, when added to the Family’s payment, does not exceed 80 percent of the Contract Rent. Any such excess must be reimbursed by the Owner to the PHA. The Owner will not be entitled to any payment under this paragraph (b)(1) of this section unless the Owner:
(i) Immediately upon learning of the vacancy, has notified the PHA of the vacancy or prospective vacancy, and
(ii) has taken and continues to take all feasible actions specified in paragraphs (a) (2) and (3) of this section.
(2) If the Owner evicts an Eligible Family, the Owner will not be entitled to any payment under paragraph (b)(1) of this section unless the PHA determines that the Owner complied with all requirements of the Contract.
(c) Prohibition of double compensation for vacancies. The Owner will not be entitled to housing assistance payments with respect to vacant units under this section if the Owner is entitled to payments from other sources (for example, payments for losses of rental income incurred for holding units vacant for relocatees pursuant to Title I of the HCD Act of 1974 or payments for unpaid rent under § 882.414 (Security and Utility Deposits)).
§ 882.412 Subcontracting of owner services.
(a) General. Any Owner may contract with any private or public entity to perform for a fee the services required by the Agreement, Contract or Lease, provided that such contract may not shift any of the Owner’s responsibilities or obligations.
(b) PHA management. If the Owner and a PHA wish to enter into a management contract, they may do so provided that:
(1) The Housing Assistance Payments Contract with respect to the housing involved is administered by another PHA, or
(2) Should another PHA not be available and willing to administer the Housing Assistance Payments Contract and no other management alternative exists, the HUD Field Office may authorize PHA management of units administered by the PHA in accordance with specified criteria.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 882.408 (b) and (c), a PHA may not approve, without prior HUD approval, rents which exceed the appropriate Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rent for a unit for which it provides the management functions under this section.
§ 882.413 Responsibility of the Family.
(a) A family receiving housing assistance under this Program must fulfill all of its obligations under the Lease and Statement of Family Responsibility.
(b) No family member may engage in drug-related criminal activity or violent criminal activity. Failure of the Family to meet its responsibilities under the Lease, the Statement of Family Responsibility, or this section shall constitute rounds for termination of assistance by the PHA. Should the PHA determine to terminate assistance to the Family, the provisions of § 882.514(f) must be followed.
§ 882.414 Security and utility deposits.
(a) If at the time of the initial execution of the Lease the Owner wishes to collect a security deposit, the maximum amount shall be the greater of one month’s Total Tenant Payment or $50. However, this amount shall not exceed the maximum amount allowable under State or local law. For units leased in place, security deposits collected prior to the execution of a Contract which are in excess of this maximum amount do not have to be refunded until the Family vacates the unit subject to the lease terms. The Family is expected to pay security deposits and utility deposits from its resources and/or other public or private sources.
(b) If a Family vacates the unit, the Owner, subject to State and local law, may use the security deposit as reimbursement for any unpaid Tenant Rent or other amount which the Family owes under the Lease. If a Family vacates the unit owing no rent or other amount under the Lease consistent with State or local law or if such amount is less than the amount of the security deposit, the Owner shall refund the full amount or the unused balance to the Family.
(c) In those jurisdictions where interest is payable by the Owner on security deposits, the refunded amount shall include the amount of interest payable. The Owner shall comply with all State and local laws regarding interest payments on security deposits.
(d) If the security deposit is insufficient to reimburse the Owner for the unpaid Tenant Rent or other amounts which the Family owes under the Lease, or if the Owner did not collect a security deposit, the Owner may claim reimbursement from the PHA for an amount not to exceed the lesser of:
(1) The amount owed the Owner, or
(2) Two month’s Contract Rent; minus, in either case, the greater of the security deposit actually collected or the amount of security deposit the Owner could have collected under the program (pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section). Any reimbursement under this section must be applied first toward any unpaid Tenant Rent due under the Lease and then to any other amounts owed. No reimbursement may be claimed for unpaid rent for the period after the Family vacates.
Subpart E—Special Procedures for Moderate Rehabilitation—Program Development and Operation
§§ 882.501-882.506 [Reserved]
§ 882.507 Completion of rehabilitation.
(a) Notification of completion. The Owner must notify the PHA when the work is completed and submit to the PHA the evidence of completion and certifications described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
(b) Evidence of completion. Completion of the unit(s) must be evidenced by furnishing the PHA with the following:
(1) A certificate of occupancy and/or other official approvals as required by the locality.
(2) A certification by the Owner that:
(i) The unit(s) has been completed in accordance with the requirements of the Agreement;
(ii) The unit(s) is in good and tenantable condition;
(iii) The unit(s) has been rehabilitated in accordance with the applicable zoning, building, housing and other codes, ordinances or regulations, as modified by any waivers obtained from the appropriate officials;
(iv) The unit(s) are in compliance with part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R of this title.
(iv) Any unit(s) built prior to 1973 are in compliance with § 882.404(c)(3) and § 882.404(c)(4).
(v) If applicable, the Owner has complied with the provisions of the Agreement relating to the payment of not less than prevailing wage rates and that to the best of the Owner’s knowledge and belief there are no claims of underpayment concerning alleged violations of said provisions of the Agreement. In the event there are any such pending claims to the knowledge of the Owner, PHA or HUD, the Owner will be required to place sufficient amount in escrow, as determined by the PHA or HUD, to assure such payments.
(c) Actual cost and rehabilitation loan certifications. The Owner must provide the PHA with a certification of the costs incurred for the rehabilitation and any temporary relocation as well as the interest rate and term of any rehabilitation loan. The Owner must certify that these are the actual costs, interest rate, and term.
(d) Review and inspections. The PHA must review the evidence of completion for compliance with paragraph (b) of this section. The PHA also must inspect the unit(s) to be assisted to determine that the unit(s) has been completed in accordance with the Agreement and meets the Housing Quality Standards or other standards approved by HUD for the Program. If the inspection discloses defects or deficiencies, the inspector must report these in detail.
(e) Acceptance. (1) If the PHA determines from the review and inspection that the unit(s) has been completed in accordance with the Agreement, the unit(s) will be accepted.
(2) If there are any items of delayed completion which are minor items or which are incomplete because of weather conditions, and in any case which do not preclude or affect occupancy, and all other requirements of the Agreement have been met, the unit(s) must be accepted. An escrow fund determined by the PHA to be sufficient to assure completion for items of delayed completion must be required, as well as a written agreement between the PHA and the Owner, to be included as an exhibit to the Contract, specifying the schedule for completion. If the items are not completed within the agreed time period, the PHA may terminate the Contract or exercise other rights under the Contract.
(3) If other deficiencies exist, the PHA must determine whether and to what extent the deficiencies are correctable, and whether the Contract Rents should be reduced. The Owner must be notified of the PHA’s decision. If the corrections required by the PHA are possible, the PHA and the Owner must enter into an agreement for the correction of the deficiencies within a specified time. If the deficiencies are corrected within the agreed period of time, the PHA must accept the unit(s).
(4) Otherwise, the unit(s) may not be accepted, and the Owner must be notified with a statement of the reasons for nonacceptance.
§ 882.508 [Reserved]
§ 882.509 Overcrowded and under occupied units.
If the PHA determines that a Contract unit is not decent, safe, and sanitary by reason of increase in Family size, or that a Contract unit is larger than appropriate for the size of the Family in occupancy, housing assistance payments with respect to the unit will not be abated; However, the Owner must offer the Family a suitable alternative unit should one be available and the Family will be required to move. If the Owner does not have a suitable available unit, the PHA must assist the Family in locating other standard housing in the locality within the Family’s ability to pay and require the Family to move to such a unit as soon as possible. In no case will a Family be forced to move nor will housing assistance payments under the Contract be terminated unless the Family rejects without good reason the offer of a unit which the PHA judges to be acceptable.
§ 882.510 Adjustment of utility allowance.
The PHA must determine, at least annually, whether an adjustment is required in the Utility Allowance applicable to the dwelling units in the Program, on grounds of changes in utility rates or other change of general applicability to all units in the Program. The PHA may also establish a separate schedule of allowances for each building of 20 or more assisted units, based upon at least one year’s actual utility consumption data following rehabilitation under the Program. If the PHA determines that an adjustment should be made in its Schedule of Allowances or if it establishes a separate schedule for a building which will change the allowance, the PHA must then determine the amounts of adjustments to be made in the amount of rent to be paid by affected Families and the amount of housing assistance payments and must notify the Owners and Families accordingly. Any adjustment to the Allowance must be implemented no later than at the Family’s next reexamination or at lease renewal, whichever is earlier.
§ 882.511 Lease and termination of tenancy.
(a) Lease. (1) The lease must include all provisions required by HUD, and must not include any provisions prohibited by HUD.
(2) The lease must provide that drug-related criminal activity engaged in on or near the premises by any tenant, household member, or guest, and any such activity engaged in on the premises by any other person under the tenant’s control is grounds for the owner to terminate tenancy. In addition, the lease must provide that the owner may terminate the tenancy of a family when the owner determines that a household member is illegally using a drug or when the owner determines that a pattern of illegal use of a drug interferes with the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.
(b) Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to decisions by an Owner to terminate the tenancy of a Family during or at the end of the Family’s lease term.
(c) Grounds for termination of or refusal to renew the lease. The Owner must not terminate or refuse to renew the lease except upon the following grounds:
(1) Serious or repeated violation of the terms and conditions of the lease.
(2) Violation of applicable Federal, State or local law.
(3) Other good cause.
(d) Notice of termination of tenancy. (1) The Owner must serve a written notice of termination of tenancy on the Family which states the date the tenancy shall terminate. Such date must be in accordance with the following:
(i) When termination is based on failure to pay rent, the date of termination must be not less than five working days after the Family’s receipt of the notice; or, if the Secretary determines that tenants must be provided with adequate notice to secure Federal funding that is available due to a Presidential declaration of a national emergency, the date of termination must be not less than 30 days after the Family’s receipt of the notice.
(ii) When termination is based on serious or repeated violation of the terms and conditions of the lease or on violation of applicable Federal, State or local law, the date of termination must be in accordance with State and local law.
(iii) When termination is based on other good cause, the date of termination must be no earlier than 30 days after the notice is served on the Family.
(2) The notice of termination must:
(i) State the reasons for such termination with enough specificity to enable the Family to prepare a defense.
(ii) Advise the Family that if a judicial proceeding for eviction is instituted, the tenant may present a defense in that proceeding.
(iii) Be served on the Family by sending a prepaid first class properly addressed letter (return receipt requested) to the tenant at the dwelling unit or by delivering a copy of the notice to the dwelling unit.
(iv) Include such information to tenants during a national emergency, as required by the Secretary.
(3) Substitution of State and local requirements. In the case of failure to pay rent, a notice of termination which is issued pursuant to State or local law or is common practice in the locality and which satisfies paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section may be substituted for or run concurrently with the notice required herein.
(e) Eviction. All evictions must be carried out through judical process under State and local law. “Eviction” means the dispossession of the Family from the dwelling unit pursuant to State or local court action.
(f) Lease. The requirements of this section shall be incorporated into the dwelling lease between the Owner and the Family.
(g) In actions or potential actions to terminate tenancy, the owner shall follow 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking).
§ 882.512 Reduction of number of units covered by contract.
(a) Limitation on leasing to ineligible Families. Owners must lease all assisted units under Contract to Eligible Families. Leasing of vacant, assisted units to ineligible tenants is a violation of the Contract and grounds for all available legal remedies, including suspension or debarment from HUD programs and reduction of the number of units under the Contract, as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. Once the PHA has determined that a violation exists, the PHA must notify HUD of its determination and the suggested remedies. At the direction of HUD, the PHA must take the appropriate action.
(b) Reduction for failure to lease to Eligible Families. If, at any time beginning six months after the effective date of the Contract, the Owner fails for a period of six continuous months to have at least 90 percent of the assisted units leased or available for leasing by Eligible Families (because families initially eligible have become ineligible), the PHA may, on at least 30 days’ notice, reduce the number of units covered by the Contract. The PHA may reduce the number of units to the number of units actually leased or available for leasing by Eligible Families plus 10 percent (rounded up). If the Owner has only one unit under Contract and if one year has elapsed since the date of the last housing assistance payment, the Contract may be terminated with the consent of the Owner.
(c) Restoration. The PHA will agree to an amendment of the Contract, to provide for subsequent restoration of any reduction made pursuant to paragraph (b) if:
(1) The PHA determines that the restoration is justified by demand,
(2) The Owner otherwise has a record of compliance with obligations under the Contract, and
(3) Contract authority is available.
§ 882.513 Public notice to low-income families; waiting list.
(a) Public notice to low-income Families. (1) If the PHA does not have a waiting list which is sufficient to provide applicants for the units under the Moderate Rehabilitation Program, the PHA must, promptly after receiving the executed ACC, make known to the public the availability of the Program.
(i) The notice must state that assistance under this Program will be available only in specified units which have been rehabilitated under the Program.
(ii) The notice must be made in accordance with the PHA’s HUD-approved application and with the HUD guidelines for fair housing requiring the use of the equal housing opportunity logotype, statement and slogan.
(b) Waiting list. The PHA must maintain a waiting list for applicants for the Moderate Rehabilitation Program. This requirement may be met through the use of waiting lists for other subsidized housing programs such as the Existing Housing Program.
§ 882.514 Family participation.
(a) Initial determination of family eligibility. (1) The PHA is responsible for receipt and review of applications, and determination of family eligibility for participation in accordance with HUD regulations (see 24 CFR parts 5, 750 and 760). The PHA is responsible for verifying the sources and amount of the family’s income and other information necessary for determining income eligibility and the amount of the assistance payments.
(2) PHA records on applicants and Families selected to participate must be maintained so as to provide HUD with racial, gender, and ethnic data.
(b) Selection of Families for participation. When vacancies occur, the PHA will refer to the Owner one or more appropriate size Families on its waiting list. The PHA must select Families for participation in accordance with the provisions of the Program and in accordance with the PHA’s application, including any PHA requirement or preferences as approved by HUD. The PHA must select Families eligible for housing assistance payments currently residing in units that are designated for rehabilitation under the Program without requiring that these Families be placed on the waiting list. Notwithstanding the fact that the PHA may not be accepting additional applications for participation because of the length of the waiting list, the PHA may not refuse to place an applicant on the waiting list if the applicant is otherwise eligible for partcipation and claims that he or she qualifies for a Federal preference as provided in 24 CFR part 5, unless the PHA determines, on the basis of the number of applicants who are already on the waiting list and who claim a Federal preference, and the anticipated number of admissions under this part, that—
(1) There is an adequate pool of applicants who are likely to qualify for a Federal preference and
(2) It is unlikely that, on the basis of the PHA’s system for applying the Federal preferences, the preference or preferences that the applicant claims, and the preferences claimed by applicants on the waiting list, the applicant would qualify for assistance before other applicants on the waiting list.
(c) Owner selection of Families. All vacant units under Contract must be rented to Eligible Families referred by the PHA from its waiting list. However, if the PHA is unable to refer a sufficient number of interested applicants on the waiting list to the Owner within 30 days of the Owner’s notification to the PHA of a vacancy, the Owner may advertise or solicit applications from Low-Income Families and refer such Families to the PHA to determine eligibility. Since the Owner is responsible for tenant selection, the Owner may refuse any family, provided that the Owner does not unlawfully discriminate.
However, the owner must not deny program assistance or admission to an applicant based on the fact that the applicant is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, if the applicant otherwise qualifies for assistance or admission. Should the Owner reject a Family, and should the Family believe that the Owner’s rejection was the result of unlawful discrimination, the Family may request the assistance of the PHA in resolving the issue. If the issue cannot be resolved promptly, the Family may file a complaint with HUD, and the PHA may refer the Family to the next available Moderate Rehabilitation unit.
(d) Briefing of Families. (1) When a Family is initially determined to be eligible for housing assistance payments or is selected for participation in accordance with this section, the PHA must provide the Family with information as to the Tenant Rent and the PHA’s schedule of Utility Allowances. Each Family must also, either in group or individual sessions, be provided with a full explanation of the following:
(i) Family and Owner responsibilities under the Lease and Contract;
(ii) Significant aspects of the applicable State and local laws;
(iii) Significant aspects of Federal, State and local fair housing laws;
(iv) The fact that the subsidy is tied to the unit and the Family must occupy a unit rehabilitated under the Program;
(v) The Family’s options under the Program should the Family be required to move due to an increase or decrease in Family size; and
(vi) The advisability and availability of blood lead level screening for children under 6 years of age and HUD’s lead-based paint requirements in part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R of this title.
(2) For all Families to be temporarily relocated, the briefing must include a discussion of the relocation policies.
(e) Continued participation of Family when Contract is terminated. If an Owner evicts an assisted family in violation of the Contract or otherwise breaches the Contract, and the Contract for the unit is terminated, and if the Family was not at fault and is eligible for continued assistance, the Family may continue to receive housing assistance through the conversion of the Moderate Rehabilitation assistance to tenant-based assistance under the Section 8 certificate or voucher program. The Family must then be issued a certificate or voucher, and treated as any participant in the tenant-based programs under 24 CFR part 982, and must be assisted by the PHA in finding a suitable unit. All requirements of 24 CFR part 982 will be applicable except that the term of any housing assistance payments contract may not extend beyond the term of the initial Moderate Rehabilitation Contract. If the Family is determined ineligible for continued assistance, the certificate or voucher may be offered to the next Family on the PHA’s waiting list. The unit will remain under the Moderate Rehabilitation ACC which provides for such a conversion of the units; therefore no amendment to the ACC will be necessary to convert to the Section 8 tenant-based assistance programs.
(f) Families determined by the PHA to be ineligible. If a Family is determined to be ineligible in accordance with the PHA’s HUD-approved application, either at the application stage or after assistance has been provided on behalf of the Family, the PHA shall promptly notify the Family by letter of the determination and the reasons for it and the letter shall state that the Family has the right within a reasonable time (specified in the letter) to request an informal hearing. If, after conducting such an informal hearing, the PHA determines, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the Family is ineligible, it shall notify the Family in writing. The procedures of this paragraph do not preclude the Family from exercising its other rights if it believes it is being discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, familial status, or national origin. The informal review provisions for the denial of a Federal selection preference under § 882.517 are contained in paragraph (k) of that section. The informal hearing requirements for denial and termination of assistance on the basis of ineligible immigration status are contained in 24 CFR part 5.
§ 882.515 Reexamination of family income and composition.
(a) Regular reexaminations. The PHA must reexamine the income and composition of all families at least once every 12 months. After consultation with the family and upon verification of the information, the PHA must make appropriate adjustments in the Total Tenant Payment in accordance with part 813 of this chapter and determine whether the family’s unit size is still appropriate (see § 882.213). The PHA must adjust Tenant Rent and the Housing Assistance Payment to reflect any change in Total Tenant Payment. At the time of the annual reexamination of family income and composition, the PHA must require the family to disclose and verify Social Security Numbers. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms by families for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see part 5, subpart B, of this title. At the first regular reexamination after June 19, 1995, the PHA shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5 concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of all family members. Thereafter, at each regular reexamination, the PHA shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5 concerning verification of immigration status of any new family member.
(b) Interim reexaminations. If the PHA receives information concerning a change in the family’s income or other circumstances between regularly scheduled reexaminations, the PHA must consult with the family and make any adjustments determined to be appropriate. Any change in the family’s income or other circumstances that results in an adjustment in the Total Tenant Payment, Tenant Rent, and Housing Assistance Payment must be verified. See part 5, subpart B, of this title for the requirements for the disclosure and verification of Social Security Numbers at interim reexaminations involving new family members. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms by families for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see part 5, subpart B, of this title. At any interim reexamination after June 19, 1995 when there is a new family member, the PHA shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5 concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of the new family member.
(c) Obligation to supply information. The family must supply such certification, release, information or documentation as the PHA or HUD determine to be necessary, including submission of required evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status, submission of social security numbers and verifying documentation, submission of signed consent forms for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, and submissions required for an annual or interim reexamination of family income and composition. See 24 CFR part 5.
(d) Continuation of housing assistance payments. A family’s eligibility for Housing Assistance Payments shall continue until the Total Tenant Payment equals the Gross Rent. The termination of eligibility at such point will not affect the family’s other rights under its lease, nor will such termination preclude the resumption of payments as a result of later changes in income, rents or other relevant circumstances during the term of the Contract. However, eligibility also may be terminated in accordance with HUD requirements for such reasons as failure to submit requested verification information, including failure to meet the disclosure and verification requirements for Social Security Numbers, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title, or failure to sign and submit consent forms for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title. For provisions requiring termination of assistance when the PHA determines that a family member is not a U.S. citizen or does not have eligible immigration status, see 24 CFR parts 5 and 982 for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, and for provisions concerning deferral of termination of assistance.
§ 882.516 Maintenance, operation and inspections.
(a) Maintenance and operation. The Owner must provide all the services, maintenance and utilities as agreed to under the Contract, subject to abatement of housing assistance payments or other applicable remedies if the Owner fails to meet these obligations.
(b) Periodic inspection. In addition to the inspections required prior to execution of the Contract, the PHA must inspect or cause to be inspected each dwelling unit under Contract at least annually and at such other times as may be necessary to assure that the Owner is meeting the obligations to maintain the unit in decent, safe and sanitary condition and to provide the agreed upon utilities and other services. The PHA must take into account complaints and any other information coming to its attention in scheduling inspections.
(c) Units not decent, safe and sanitary. If the PHA notifies the Owner that the unit(s) under Contract are not being maintained in decent, safe and sanitary condition and the Owner fails to take corrective action (including corrective action with respect to the Family where the condition of the unit is the fault of the Family) within the time prescribed in the notice, the PHA may exercise any of its rights or remedies under the Contract, including abatement of housing assistance payments (even if the Family continues in occupancy), termination of the Contract on the affected unit(s) and assistance to the Family in accordance with § 882.514(e).
(d) PHA management. Where the PHA is managing units on which it is also administering the Housing Assistance Payments Contract pursuant to a management contract approved by HUD in accordance with § 882.412, HUD will make reviews of project operations, including inspections, in addition to required PHA reviews. These HUD reviews will be sufficient to assure that the Owner and the PHA are in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the Contract and the ACC. Should HUD determine that there are deficiencies, it may exercise any rights or remedies specified for the PHA under the Contract or reserved for HUD in the ACC, require termination of the management contract, or take other appropriate action.
(e) Periodic PHA audits must be conducted as required by HUD, in accordance with 2 CFR part 200, subpart F .
§ 882.517 HUD review of contract compliance.
HUD will review program operations at such intervals as it deems necessary to ensure that the Owner and the PHA are in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the Contract and the ACC. Equal Opportunity review may be conducted with the scheduled HUD review or at any time deemed appropriate by HUD.
§ 882.518 Denial of admission and termination of assistance for criminals and alcohol abusers.
(a) Requirement to deny admission—(1) Prohibiting admission of drug criminals. (i) The PHA must prohibit admission to the program of an applicant for three years from the date of termination of tenancy if any household member’s federally assisted housing tenancy has been terminated for drug-related criminal activity. However, the PHA may admit the household if the PHA determines:
(A) The household member who engaged in drug-related criminal activity and whose tenancy was terminated has successfully completed an approved supervised drug rehabilitation program, or
(B) The circumstances leading to the termination of tenancy no longer exist (for example, the criminal household member has died or is imprisoned).
(ii) The PHA must establish standards that permanently prohibit admission to the program if any household member has ever been convicted of drug-related criminal activity for manufacture or production of methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing.
(iii) The PHA must establish standards that prohibit admission of a household to the program if the PHA determines that any household member is currently engaging in illegal use of a drug or that it has reasonable cause to believe that a household member’s pattern of illegal use of a drug, as defined in § 5.100 of this title, may threaten the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.
(2) Prohibiting admission of sex offenders. The PHA must establish standards that prohibit admission to the program if any member of the household is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program. In this screening of applicants, the PHA must perform criminal history background checks necessary to determine whether any household member is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement in the State where the housing is located and in other States where household members are known to have resided.
(b) Authority to deny admission—(1) Prohibiting admission of other criminals. The PHA may prohibit admission of a household to the program under standards established by the PHA if the PHA determines that any household member is currently engaged in or has engaged in during a reasonable time before the admission decision:
(i) Drug-related criminal activity;
(ii) Violent criminal activity;
(iii) Other criminal activity which may threaten the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents;
(iv) Other criminal activity which may threaten the health or safety of the owner or any employee, contractor, subcontractor or agent of the owner who is involved in the owner’s housing operations.
(2) Reasonable time. The PHA may establish a period before the admission decision during which an applicant must not have engaged in the activities specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section “reasonable time”.
(3) Sufficient evidence. If the PHA has denied admission to an applicant because a member of the household engaged in criminal activity in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the PHA may reconsider the applicant if the PHA has sufficient evidence that the members of the household are not currently engaged in, and have not engaged in criminal activity during a reasonable period, as determined by the PHA, before the admission decision.
(i) The PHA would have “sufficient evidence” if the household member submitted a certification that she or he is not currently engaged in and has not engaged in such criminal activity during the specified period and provided supporting information from such sources as a probation officer, a landlord, neighbors, social service agency workers and criminal records, which the PHA verified.
(ii) For purposes of this section, a household member is “currently engaged in” criminal activity if the person has engaged in the behavior recently enough to justify a reasonable belief that the behavior is current.
(4) Prohibiting admission of alcohol abusers. The PHA must establish standards that prohibit admission to the program if the PHA determines that it has reasonable cause to believe that a household member’s abuse or pattern of abuse of alcohol may threaten the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.
(c) Terminating assistance—(1) Terminating assistance for drug criminals. (i) The PHA may terminate assistance for drug-related criminal activity engaged in on or near the premises by any tenant, household member, or guest, and any such activity engaged in on the premises by any other person under the tenant’s control. In addition, the PHA may terminate assistance if the PHA determines that a household member is illegally using a drug or when the PHA determines that a pattern of illegal use of a drug interferes with the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.
(ii) The PHA must immediately terminate assistance for a family under the program if the PHA determines that any member of the household has ever been convicted of drug-related criminal activity for manufacture or production of methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing.
(2) Terminating assistance for other criminals. (i) The PHA must establish standards that allow the PHA to terminate assistance for a family if the PHA determines that any household member is engaged in criminal activity that threatens the health, safety, or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents or by persons residing in the immediate vicinity of the premises.
(ii) The PHA may terminate assistance for a family if the PHA determines that a member of the household is:
(A) Fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, for a crime, or attempt to commit a crime, that is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual flees, or that, in the case of the State of New Jersey, is a high misdemeanor; or
(B) Violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under Federal or State law.
(3) Evidence of criminal activity. (i) The PHA may terminate assistance for criminal activity in accordance with this section if the PHA determines, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that a covered person has engaged in the criminal activity, regardless of whether the covered person has been arrested or convicted for such activity.
(ii) See part 5, subpart J, of this title for provisions concerning access to criminal records.
(4) Terminating assistance for alcohol abusers. The PHA must establish standards that allow termination of assistance for a family if the PHA determines that a household member’s abuse or pattern of abuse of alcohol threatens the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.
Subparts F–G [Reserved]
Subpart H—Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program for Homeless Individuals
§ 882.801 Purpose.
The purpose of the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program for Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Dwellings for Homeless Individuals is to provide rental assistance for homeless individuals in rehabilitated SRO housing. The Section 8 assistance is in the form of rental assistance payments. These payments equal the rent for the unit, including utilities, minus the portion of the rent payable by the tenant under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.).
§ 882.802 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions set forth in 24 CFR part 5 and § 882.102 (except for the definition of “Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing” therein) the following will apply:
Agreement to enter into housing assistance payments contract (Agreement). A written agreement between the owner and the HA that, upon satisfactory completion of the rehabilitation in accordance with requirements specified in the Agreement, the HA will enter into a housing assistance payments contract with the owner.
Applicant. A public housing agency or Indian housing authority (collectively referred to as HAs), or a private nonprofit organization that applies for assistance under this program. HUD will require private nonprofit applicants to subcontract with public housing agencies to administer their rental assistance.
Covered housing provider. For the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program for Homeless Individuals, “covered housing provider,” as such term is used in HUD’s regulations in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), refers to the owner.
Eligible individual (“individual”). An individual who is capable of independent living and is authorized for admission to assisted housing under 24 CFR part 5.
Homeless individual. An individual as described in section 103 of the McKinney Act (42 U.S.C. 11302).
McKinney Act. The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.).
Moderate rehabilitation. Rehabilitation involving a minimum expenditure of $3,000 for a unit, including its prorated share of work to be accomplished on common areas or systems, to upgrade to decent, safe, and sanitary condition to comply with the Housing Quality Standards or other standards approved by HUD, from a condition below those standards (improvements being of a modest nature and other than routine maintenance).
Private nonprofit organization. An organization, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual. The organization must:
(1) Have a voluntary board;
(2) Have a functioning accounting system that is operated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or designate an entity that will maintain a functioning accounting system for the organization in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and
(3) Practice nondiscrimination in the provision of assistance.
Single room occupancy (SRO) housing. A unit for occupancy by one person, which need not but may contain food preparation, sanitary facilities, or both.
Statement of individual responsibility. An agreement, in the form prescribed by HUD, between the HA and an individual to be assisted under the program, stating the obligations and responsibilities of the two parties.
§ 882.803 Project eligibility and other requirements.
(a) Eligible and ineligible properties. (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a) of this section, housing suitable for moderate rehabilitation is eligible for inclusion under this program. Existing structures of various types may be appropriate for this program, including single family houses and multifamily structures.
(2) Housing is not eligible for assistance under this program if it is receiving Federal funding for rental assistance or operating costs under other HUD programs.
(3) Nursing homes and related facilities such as intermediate care or board and care homes; units within the grounds of penal, reformatory, medical, mental, and similar public or private institutions; and facilities providing continual psychiatric, medical, or nursing services are not eligible for assistance under this program.
(4) No Section 8 assistance may be provided with respect to any unit occupied by an owner.
(5) Housing located in the Coastal Barrier Resources System designated under the Coastal Barriers Resources Act is not eligible.
(6) Single-sex facilities are allowable under this program, provided that the HA determines that because of the physical limitations or configuration of the facility, considerations of personal privacy require that the facility (or parts of the facility) be available only to members of a single sex.
(b)(1) Physical condition standards. Section 882.404 applies to this program.
(2) Site standards. (i) The site must be adequate in size, exposure, and contour to accommodate the number and type of units proposed; adequate utilities and streets must be available to service the site. (The existence of a private disposal system and private sanitary water supply for the site, approved in accordance with local law, may be considered adequate utilities.)
(ii) The site must be suitable from the standpoint of facilitating and furthering full compliance with the applicable provisions of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d–2000d–4), title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601–19), E.O. 11063 (as amended by E.O. 12259; 3 CFR, 1959–1963 Comp., p. 652 and 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 307), and HUD regulations issued pursuant thereto.
(iii) The site must be accessible to social, recreational, educational, commercial, and health facilities, and other appropriate municipal facilities and services.
(c) Financing. Section 882.405 applies to this program.
(d) Relocation. Section 882.406 applies to a project assisted under this program.
(e) HA-owned housing. (1) A unit that is owned by the HA that administers the assistance under the ACC (including a unit owned by an entity substantially controlled by the HA) may only be assisted if:
(i) The unit is not ineligible under § 882.803(a); and
(ii) HUD approves the base and contract rent calculations prior to execution of the Agreement and prior to execution of the HAP contract.
(2) The HA as owner is subject to the same program requirements that apply to other owners in the program.
§ 882.804 Other Federal requirements.
(a) Participation in this program requires compliance with the Federal requirements set forth in 24 CFR 5.105, with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), and with the regulations in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking).
(b) In order to facilitate emergency transfers for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, covered housing providers have discretion to adopt and modify any existing admission preferences or transfer waitlist priorities for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(c) Covered housing providers must develop and implement an emergency transfer plan that meets the requirements in 24 CFR 5.2005(e), and when a safe unit is not immediately available for a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who qualifies for an emergency transfer, covered housing providers must, at a minimum:
(1) Review the covered housing provider’s existing inventory of units and determine when the next vacant unit may be available; and
(2) Provide a listing of nearby HUD subsidized rental properties, with or without preference for persons of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and contact information for the local HUD field office.
(d) Each year, the covered housing provider must submit to HUD data on all emergency transfers requested under 24 CFR 5.2005(e), pertaining to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including data on the outcomes of such requests.
(e) For agreements covering nine or more assisted units, the following requirements for labor standards apply:
(1) Not less than the wages prevailing in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 276a through 276a–5), must be paid to all laborers and mechanics employed in the development of the project, other than volunteers under the conditions set out in 24 CFR part 70;
(2) The employment of laborers and mechanics is subject to the provisions of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327–333); and
(3) HAs, owners, contractors, and subcontractors must comply with all related rules, regulations, and requirements.
(f) The environmental review requirements of 24 CFR part 58, implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and related environmental laws and authorities, apply to this program.
§ 882.805 HA application process, ACC execution, and pre-rehabilitation activities.
(a) Review. When funds are made available for assistance, HUD will publish a notice of funding availability (NOFA) in the
(b) ACC Execution. (1) Before execution of the annual contributions contract (ACC), the HA must submit to the appropriate HUD field office the following:
(i) Estimates of Required Annual Contributions, Forms HUD–52672 and HUD–52673;
(ii) Administrative Plan, which should include:
(A) Procedures for tenant outreach;
(B) A policy governing temporary relocation; and
(C) A mechanism to monitor the provision of supportive services.
(iii) Proposed Schedule of Allowances for Tenant-Furnished Utilities and Other Services, Form HUD–52667, with a justification of the amounts proposed;
(iv) If applicable, proposed variations to the acceptability criteria of the Housing Quality Standards (see § 882.803(b)); and
(v) The fire and building code applicable to each structure.
(2) After HUD has approved the HA’s application, the review and comment requirements of 24 CFR part 791 have been complied with, and the HA has submitted (and HUD has approved) the items required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, HUD and the HA must execute the ACC in the form prescribed by HUD. The initial term of the ACC must be 11 years. This term allows one year to rehabilitate the units and place them under a 10-year HAP contract. The ACC must give HUD the option to renew the ACC for an additional 10 years.
(3) Section 882.403(a) (Maximum Total ACC Commitments) applies to this program.
(4) Section 882.403(b) (Project account) applies to this program.
(c)(1) If an owner is proposing to accomplish at least $3000 per unit of rehabilitation by including work to make the unit(s) accessible to a person with disabilities occupying the unit(s) or expected to occupy the unit(s), the PHA may approve such units not to exceed 5 percent of the units under its Program, provided that accessible units are necessary to meet the requirements of 24 CFR part 8, which implements section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The rehabilitation must make the unit(s), and access and egress to the unit(s), barrier-free with respect to the disability of the individual in residence or expected to be in residence.
(2) The PHA must take the applications and determine the eligibility of all tenants residing in the approved units who wish to apply for the Program. After eligibility of all the tenants has been determined, the Owner must be informed of any adjustment in the number of units to be assisted. In order to make the most efficient use of housing assistance funds, an Agreement may not be entered into covering any unit occupied by a family which is not eligible to receive housing assistance payments. Therefore, the number of units approved by the PHA for a particular proposal must be adjusted to exclude any unit(s) determined by the PHA to be occupied by a family not eligible to receive housing assistance payments. Eligible Families must also be briefed at this stage as to their rights and responsibilities under the Program.
(3) Should the Owner agree with the assessment of the PHA as to the work that must be accomplished, the preliminary feasibility of the proposal, and the number of units to be assisted, the Owner, with the assistance of the PHA where necessary, must prepare detailed work write-ups including specifications and plans (where necessary) so that a cost estimate may be prepared. The work write-up will describe how the deficiencies eligible for amortization through the Contract Rents are to be corrected including minimum acceptable levels of workmanship and materials. From this work write-up, the Owner, with the assistance of the PHA, must prepare a cost estimate for the accomplishment of all specified items.
(4) The owner is responsible for selecting a competent contractor to undertake the rehabilitation. The PHA must propose opportunities for minority contractors to participate in the program.
(5) The PHA must discuss with the Owner the various financing options available. The terms of the financing must be approved by the PHA in accordance with standards prescribed by HUD.
(6) Before execution of the Agreement, the HA must:
(i)(A) Inspect the structure to determine the specific work items that need to be accomplished to bring the units to be assisted up to the Housing Quality Standards (see § 882.803(b)) or other standards approved by HUD;
(B) Conduct a feasibility analysis, and determine whether cost-effective energy conserving improvements can be added;
(C) Ensure that the owner prepares the work write-ups and cost estimates required by paragraph (c)(3) of this section;
(D) Determine initial base rents and contract rents;
(ii) Assure that the owner has selected a contractor in accordance with paragraph (c)(4) of this section;
(iii) After the financing and a contractor are obtained, determine whether the costs can be covered by initial contract rents, computed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section; and, if a structure contains more than 50 units to be assisted, submit the base rent and contract rent calculations to the appropriate HUD field office for review and approval in sufficient time for execution of the Agreement in a timely manner;
(iv) Obtain firm commitments to provide necessary supportive services;
(v) Obtain firm commitments for other resources to be provided;
(vi) Determine that the $3,000 minimum amount of work requirement and other requirements in paragraph (c)(1) of this section are met;
(vii) Determine eligibility of current tenants, and select the units to be assisted, in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section;
(viii) Comply with the financing requirements in paragraph (c)(5) of this section;
(ix) Assure compliance with all other applicable requirements of this subpart; and
(x) If the HA determines that any structure proposed in its application is infeasible, or the HA proposes to select a different structure for any other reason, the HA must submit information for the proposed alternative structure to HUD for review and approval. HUD will rate the proposed structure in accordance with procedures in the applicable notice of funding availability. The HA may not proceed with processing for the proposed structure or execute an Agreement until HUD notifies the HA that HUD has approved the proposed alternative structure and that all requirements have been met.
(d) Initial contract rents. Section 882.408 (Initial contract rents), including the establishment of fair market rents for SRO units at 75 percent of the O-bedroom Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rent, applies to this program, except as follows:
(1)(i) In determining the monthly cost of a rehabilitation loan, in accordance with § 882.408(c)(2), a loan term of a least 10 years (instead of 15 years) may be used. The exception in § 882.408(c)(2)(iii) for using the actual loan term if the total amount of the rehabilitation is less than $15,000 continues to apply. In addition, the cost of the rehabilitation that may be included for the purpose of calculating the amount of the initial contract rent for any unit must not exceed the lower of:
(A) The projected cost of rehabilitation; or
(B) The per unit cost limitation that is established by
(ii) If the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) believes that high construction costs warrant an increase in the per unit cost limitation in paragraph (d)(1)(i)(B) of this section, the HA must demonstrate to HUD’s satisfaction that a higher average per unit amount is necessary to conduct this program, and that every appropriate step has been taken to contain the amount of the rehabilitation within the published per unit cost limitation established at that time, plus the cost of the required fire and safety improvements. These higher amounts will be determined as follows:
(A) HUD may approve a higher per unit amount up to, but not to exceed, an amount computed by multiplying the HUD-approved High Cost Percentage for Base Cities (used for computing FHA high cost area adjustments) for the area, by the current published cost limitation plus the cost of the required fire and safety improvements.
(B) HUD may, on a structure-by-structure basis, increase the level approved in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section to up to an amount computed by multiplying 2.4 by the current published cost limitation plus the cost of the required fire and safety improvements.
(2) In approving changes to initial contract rents during rehabilitation in accordance with § 882.408(d), the revised initial contract rents may not reflect an average per unit rehabilitation cost that exceeds the limitation specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(3) If the structure contains four or fewer SRO units, the Fair Market Rent for that size structure (the Fair Market Rent for a 1–, 2–, 3–, or 4–bedroom unit, as applicable) must be used to determine the Fair Market Rent limitation instead of using the separate Fair Market Rent for each SRO unit. To determine the Fair Market Rent limitation for each SRO unit, the Fair Market Rent for the structure must be apportioned equally to each SRO unit.
(4) Contract rents must not include the costs of providing supportive services, transportation, furniture, or other nonhousing costs, as determined by HUD. SRO program assistance may be used for efficiency units selected for rehabilitation under this program, but the gross rent (contract rent plus any Utility Allowance) for these units will be no higher than for SRO units (i.e., 75 percent of the 0-bedroom Moderate Rehabilitation Fair Market Rent).
§ 882.806 Agreement to enter into housing assistance payments contract.
(a) Rehabilitation period—(1) Agreement. Before the owner begins any rehabilitation, the HA must enter into an Agreement with the owner in the form prescribed by HUD.
(2) Timely performance of work. (i) After execution of the Agreement, the Owner must promptly proceed with the rehabilitation work as provided in the Agreement. If the work is not so commenced, diligently continued, or completed, the PHA will have the right to rescind the Agreement, or take other appropriate action.
(ii) The Agreement must provide that the work must be completed and the contract executed within 12 months of execution of the ACC. HUD may reduce the number of units or the amount of the annual contribution commitment if, in HUD’s determination, the HA fails to demonstrate a good faith effort to adhere to this schedule or if other reasons justify reducing the number of units.
(3) Inspections. The PHA must inspect, as appropriate, during rehabilitation to ensure that work is proceeding on schedule and is being accomplished in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, particularly that the work meets the acceptable levels of workmanship and materials specified in the work write-up.
(4) Changes. (i) The Owner must submit to the PHA for approval any changes from the work specified in the Agreement which would alter the design or the quality of the required rehabilitation. The PHA may condition its approval of such changes on a reduction of the Contract Rents. If changes are made without prior PHA approval, the PHA may determine that Contract Rents must be reduced or that the Owner must remedy any deficiency as a condition for acceptance of the unit(s).
(ii) Contract rents may not be increased except in accordance with §§ 882.408(d) and 882.805(d)(2).
(b) Completion of rehabilitation—(1) Notification of completion. Section 882.507(a) applies to this program.
(2) Evidence of completion. Section 882.507(b) applies to this program, except that § 882.507(b)(2)(iv), concerning lead-based paint requirements, does not apply.
(3) Actual cost and rehabilitation loan certifications. Section 882.507(c) applies to this program, except that contract rents must be established in accordance with § 882.805(d).
(4) Review and inspections. Section 882.507(d) applies to this program.
(5) Acceptance. Section 882.507(e) applies to this program.
§ 882.807 Housing assistance payments contract.
(a) Time of execution. Upon PHA acceptance of the unit(s) and certifications pursuant to § 882.507, the Contract will be executed by the Owner and the PHA. The effective date must be no earlier than the PHA inspection which provides the basis for acceptance as specified in § 882.507(e).
(b) Term of contract. The contract for any unit rehabilitated in accordance with this program must be for a term of 10 years. The contract must give the HA the option to renew the contract for an additional 10 years.
(c) Changes in contract rents from agreement. The contract rents may be higher or lower than those specified in the Agreement, in accordance with § 882.805(d).
(d) Unleased unit(s). At the time of execution of the Contract, the Owner will be required to submit a list of dwelling unit(s) leased and not leased as of the effective date of the Contract.
(e) Contract rents at end of rehabilitation loan term. For a contract in which the initial contract rent was based upon a loan term shorter than 10 years, the contract must provide for reduction of the contract rent effective with the rent for the month following the end of the term of the rehabilitation loan. The amount of the reduction will be the monthly cost of amortization of the rehabilitation loan. This reduction should result in a new contract rent equal to the base rent plus all subsequent adjustments.
§ 882.808 Management.
(a) Outreach to homeless individuals and appropriate organizations. (1) The HA or the owner must undertake outreach efforts to homeless individuals so that they may be brought into the program. The outreach effort should include notification to emergency shelter providers and other organizations that could provide referrals of homeless individuals. If the owner conducts the outreach effort, the owner must notify the HA so that it may provide referrals of homeless individuals.
(2) Additional outreach concerns. If the procedures that the HA or owner intends to use to publicize the availability of this program are unlikely to reach persons of any particular race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or mental or physical disability who may qualify for admission to the program, the HA or owner must establish additional procedures that will ensure that such persons are made aware of the availability of the program. The HA or owner must also adopt and implement procedures to ensure that interested persons can obtain information concerning the existence and location of services and facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities.
(3) First priority for homeless individuals. Homeless individuals must have the first priority for occupancy of housing rehabilitated under this program.
(b) Individual participation—(1) Initial determination of individual eligibility. Section 882.514(a) applies to this program.
(2) Owner selection of individuals. The owner must rent all vacant units under contract to homeless individuals located through HA or owner outreach efforts and determined by the HA to be eligible. The owner is responsible for tenant selection and may refuse any individual, provided the owner does not unlawfully discriminate. If the owner rejects an individual, and the individual believes that the owner’s rejection was the result of unlawful discrimination, the individual may request the assistance of the HA in resolving the issue and may also file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in accordance with 24 CFR 103.25. If the individual requests the assistance of the HA, and if the HA cannot resolve the complaint promptly, the HA should advise the individual that he or she may file a complaint with HUD, and provide the individual with the address of the nearest HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
(3) Briefing of individuals. Section 882.514(d) applies to this program, except that § 882.514(d)(1)(vi) does not apply.
(4) Continued participation of individual when contract is terminated. Section 882.514(e) applies to this program.
(5) Individuals determined by the HA to be ineligible. Section 882.514(f) applies to this program. In addition, individuals are not precluded from exercising other rights if they believe they have been discriminated against on the basis of age.
(c) Lease. Sections 882.403(d) and 882.511(a) apply to this program. In addition, the lease must limit occupancy to one eligible individual.
(d) Security and utility deposits. Section 882.414 applies to this program.
(e) Rent adjustments. Section 882.410 applies to this program.
(f) Payments for vacancies. Section 882.411 applies to this program.
(g) Subcontracting of owner services. Section 882.412 applies to this program.
(h) Responsibility of the individual. Section 882.413 applies to this program.
(i) Reexamination of individual income—(1) Regular reexaminations. The HA must reexamine the income of all individuals at least once every 12 months. After consultation with the individual and upon verification of the information, the HA must make appropriate adjustments in the Total Tenant Payment in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, subpart F, and verify that only one individual is occupying the unit. The HA must adjust Tenant Rent and the Housing Assistance Payment to reflect any change in Total Tenant Payment. At each regular reexamination, the HA must follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5, subpart E concerning verification of immigration status of any new family member.
(2) Interim reexaminations. The individual shall supply such certification, release, information, or documentation as the PHA or HUD determines to be necessary, including submissions required for interim reexaminations of individual income and determinations as to whether only one individual is occupying the unit. In addition § 882.515(b) shall apply.
(3) Continuation of Housing Assistance Payments. Section 882.515(d) applies to this program.
(j) Overcrowded units. If the HA determines that anyone other than, or in addition to, the eligible individual is occupying an SRO unit assisted under this program, the HA must take all necessary action, as soon as reasonably feasible, to ensure that the unit is occupied by only one eligible individual.
(k) Adjustment of utility allowance. Section 882.510 applies to this program.
(l) Termination of tenancy. Section 882.511 applies to this program. For provisions requiring termination of assistance when the HA determines that a family member is not a U.S. citizen or does not have eligible immigration status, see 24 CFR part 5, subpart E for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, or for provisions concerning deferral of termination of assistance.
(m) Reduction of number of units covered by contract. Section 882.512 applies to this program.
(n) Maintenance, operation, and inspections. Section 882.516 applies to this program.
(o) HUD review of contract compliance. Section 882.517 applies to this program.
(p) Records and reports. Each recipient of assistance under this subpart must keep any records and make any reports that HUD may require within the timeframe required.
(q) Participation of homeless individuals. (1) Each approved applicant receiving assistance under this program, except HAs, must provide for the participation of not less than one homeless individual or formerly homeless individual on the board of directors or other equivalent policymaking entity of such applicant, to the extent that the entity considers and makes policies and decisions regarding the rehabilitation of any housing with assistance under this subpart. This requirement is waived if the applicant is unable to meet this requirement and presents a plan that HUD approves to consult with homeless or formerly homeless individuals in considering and making such policies and decisions.
(2) To the maximum extent practicable, each approved applicant must involve homeless individuals and families, through employment, volunteer services, or otherwise, in rehabilitating and operating facilities assisted under this subpart, and in providing services for occupants of such facilities.
§ 882.809 Waivers.
Section 5.405(b) of this title does not apply to this program.
§ 882.810 Displacement, relocation, and acquisition.
(a) Minimizing displacement. (1) Consistent with the other goals and objectives of this part, owners must assure that they have taken all reasonable steps to minimize the displacement of persons (households, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and farms) as a result of a project assisted under this part. To the extent feasible, residential tenants must be provided a reasonable opportunity to lease and occupy a suitable, decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable dwelling unit in the project upon its completion.
(2) Whenever a building/complex is rehabilitated, and some but not all of the rehabilitated units will be assisted upon completion of the rehabilitation, the relocation requirements described in this section apply to the occupants of each rehabilitated unit, whether or not Section 8 assistance will be provided for the unit.
(b) Temporary relocation. The following policies cover residential tenants who will not be required to move permanently but who must relocate temporarily for the project. Such tenants must be provided:
(1) Reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the temporary relocation;
(2) Appropriate advisory services, including reasonable advance written notice of:
(i) The date and approximate duration of the temporary relocation;
(ii) The location of the suitable, decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling to be made available for the temporary period;
(iii) The terms and conditions under which the tenant may lease and occupy a suitable, decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling in the project upon completion; and
(iv) The assistance required under paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(c) Relocation assistance for displaced persons. A “displaced person” (defined in paragraph (g) of this section) must be provided relocation assistance at the levels described in, and in accordance with the requirements of, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended (URA) (42 U.S.C. 4601–4655) and implementing regulations in 49 CFR part 24. A displaced person must be advised of his or her rights under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601–19) and, if the comparable replacement dwelling used to establish the amount of the replacement housing payment to be provided to a minority is located in an area of minority concentration, such person also must be given, if possible, referrals to comparable and suitable, decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwellings not located in such areas.
(d) Real property acquisition requirements. The acquisition of real property for a project is subject to the URA and the requirements described in 49 CFR part 24, subpart B.
(e) Appeals. A person who disagrees with the HA’s determination concerning whether the person qualifies as a displaced person, or the amount of relocation assistance for which the person is eligible, may file a written appeal of that determination with the HA. A person who is dissatisfied with the HA’s determination on his or her appeal may submit a written request for review of that determination to the HUD field office.
(f) Responsibility of HA. (1) The HA must certify (i.e., provide assurance of compliance as required by 49 CFR part 24) that it will comply with the URA, the regulations in 49 CFR part 24, and the requirements of this section, and must ensure such compliance notwithstanding any third party’s contractual obligation to the HA to comply with these provisions.
(2) The cost of required relocation assistance is an eligible project cost in the same manner and to the same extent as other project costs. Such costs may be paid for with local public funds or funds available from other sources. The cost of HA advisory services for temporary relocation of tenants to be assisted under the program also may be paid from preliminary administrative funds.
(3) The HA must maintain records in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this section. The HA must maintain data on the racial, ethnic, gender, and disability status of displaced persons.
(g) Definition of displaced person. (1) For purposes of this section, the term displaced person means a person (household, business, nonprofit organization, or farm) that moves from real property, or moves personal property from real property, permanently, as a direct result of acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition for a project assisted under this part. The term displaced person includes, but may not be limited to:
(i) A person who moves permanently from the real property after receiving notice requiring such move, if the move occurs on or after the date the owner submits to the HA the owner proposal that is later approved;
(ii) A person, including a person who moves from the property before the date the owner submits the proposal to the HA, if the HA or HUD determines that the displacement resulted directly from acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition for the assisted project; or
(iii) A tenant-occupant of a dwelling unit who moves from the building/complex permanently after the execution of the Agreement between the owner and the HA (or, for projects assisted under subpart H of this part, after the “initiation of negotiations” (see paragraph (h) of this section)), if the move occurs before the tenant is provided a written notice offering him or her the opportunity to lease and occupy a suitable, decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling in the same building/complex, under reasonable terms and conditions, upon its completion. Such reasonable terms and conditions must include a monthly rent and estimated average monthly utility costs that do not exceed the greater of:
(A) The tenant’s monthly rent before the execution of the agreement and estimated average monthly utility costs; or
(B) Thirty percent of gross household income.
(C) For projects assisted under subpart H of this part, the amount cannot exceed the greater of the tenant’s monthly rent before the “initiation of negotiations” and estimated average monthly utility costs; or (if the tenant is low-income) the total tenant payment, as determined under 24 CFR 5.613, or (if the tenant is not low-income) 30 percent of gross household income; or
(iv) A tenant-occupant of a dwelling, who is required to relocate temporarily, but does not return to the building/complex, if either:
(A) The tenant is not offered payment for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the temporary relocation; or
(B) Other conditions of the temporary relocation are not reasonable; or
(v) A tenant-occupant of a dwelling who moves from the building/complex permanently after he or she has been required to move to another dwelling unit in the building/complex, if either:
(A) The tenant is not offered reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the move; or
(B) Other conditions of the move are not reasonable.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (g)(1) of this section, a person does not qualify as a displaced person (and is not eligible for relocation assistance under the URA or this section), if:
(i) The person has been evicted for serious or repeated violation of the terms and conditions of the lease or occupancy agreement, violation of applicable Federal, State, or local law, or other good cause, and the HA determines that the eviction was not undertaken for the purpose of evading the obligation to provide relocation assistance;
(ii) The person moved into the property after the submission of the preliminary proposal (or application, if there is no preliminary proposal), and before signing a lease and commencing occupancy, received written notice of the project and its possible impact on the person (e.g., the person may be displaced, temporarily relocated, or suffer a rent increase) and the fact that the person would not qualify as a displaced person (or for any assistance provided under this section) as a result of the project;
(iii) The person is ineligible under 49 CFR 24.2(g)(2); or
(iv) HUD determines that the person was not displaced as a direct result of acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition for the project.
(3) The HA may request, at any time, HUD’s determination of whether a displacement is or would be covered by this section.
(h) Definition of initiation of negotiations. For purposes of determining the formula for computing the replacement housing assistance to be provided to a residential tenant displaced as a direct result of private-owner rehabilitation or demolition of the real property, the term initiation of negotiations means the execution of the Agreement between the owner and the HA.
PART 883—SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM—STATE HOUSING AGENCIES
Subpart A—Summary and Guide
§ 883.101 General.
(a) The purpose of the Section 8 program is to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing for low-income families through the use of a system of housing assistance payments. These needs may be met by statewide or special purpose housing agencies established by the various States.
(b) The regulations in this part 883 contain the policies and procedures applicable to the Section 8 program for these State agencies.
§ 883.105 Applicability of part 883 in effect as of February 29, 1980.
(a) Part 883, in effect as of February 29, 1980, applies to projects for which the initial application was submitted on or after the February 29, 1980, effective date. (See 24 CFR part 883, revised as of April 1, 1980.) Projects for which applications or proposals were submitted before the February 29, 1980, effective date of part 883 have been processed under the part 883 regulations and procedures in effect at the date of submission. If, however, the agency notified HUD within 60 calendar days of the February 29, 1980, effective date of the part 883 regulations that they chose to have the provisions of part 883, in effect as of February 29, 1980, apply to a specific case, it must have promptly modified the application(s) and proposal(s) to comply.
(b) Subpart F of this part, dealing with the HAP contract and subpart G of this part, dealing with management, apply to all projects for which an Agreement was not executed before the February 29, 1980, effective date of part 883. In cases where an Agreement has been executed:
(1) The Agency, owner and HUD may agree to make the revised subpart F of this part applicable and execute appropriate amendments to the Agreement or Contract;
(2) The Agency, Owner and HUD may agree to make the revised subpart G of this part applicable (with or without the limitation on distributions) and execute appropriate amendments to the Agreement or Contract.
(c) Section 883.708, Termination of Tenancy and Modifications of Leases, applies to new families who begin occupancy or execute a lease on or after 30 days following the February 29, 1980, effective date of part 883. This section also applies to families not covered by the preceding sentence, including families currently under lease, who have a lease in which a renewal becomes effective on or after the 60th day following the February 29, 1980 effective date of part 883. A lease is considered renewed when both the landlord and the family fail to terminate a tenancy under a lease permitting either to terminate.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, the provisions of 24 CFR part 5 (concerning preferences for selection of applicants) apply to all projects, regardless of when am Agreement was executed.
§ 883.106 Applicability and relationships between HUD and State agencies.
(a) Applicability. This subpart A applies to contract authority set aside for a State Agency.
(b) General responsibilities and relationships. Subject to audit and review by HUD to assure compliance with Federal requirements and objectives, Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) shall assume responsibility for project development and for supervision of the development, management and maintenance functions of owners.
(c) Certifications and HUD monitoring. (1) Generally, when reviewing any of the certifications of an HFA required by this part, HUD shall accept the certification as correct. If HUD has substantial reason to question the correctness of any element in a certification, HUD shall promptly bring the matter to the attention of the HFA and ask it to provide documentation supporting the certifications. When the HFA provides such evidence, HUD will act in accordance with the HFA’s judgment or evaluation unless HUD determines that the certification is clearly not supported by the documentation.
(2) HUD will periodically monitor the activities of HFA’s participating under this part only with respect to Section 8 or other HUD programs. This monitoring is intended primarily to ensure that certifications submitted and projects operated under this part reflect appropriate compliance with Federal law and requirements.
Subpart B [Reserved]
Subpart C—Definitions and Other Requirements
§ 883.301 Applicability.
The provisions of this subpart are applicable to newly constructed and substantially rehabilitated housing allocated contract authority under subpart B of this part and processed and constructed under the Fast Tract Procedures of subpart D. The definitions contained in § 883.302 and the provisions of § 883.307(b) regarding review and approval of financing documents, however, apply to all of this part.
§ 883.302 Definitions.
The terms Fair Market Rent (FMR), HUD, and Public Housing Agency (PHA) are defined in 24 CFR part 5.
ACC (Annual Contributions Contract). The contract between the State Agency and HUD under which HUD commits to provide the Agency with the funds needed to make housing assistance payments to the Owner and to pay the Agency for administrative fees in cases where it is eligible for them.
Agency. See State Agency.
Agreement—(Agreement to enter into Housing Assistance Payments Contract). The agreement between the owner and the State Agency on new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects which provides that, upon satisfactory completion of the project in accordance with the HUD-approved proposal or final proposal, the Agency will enter into a Housing Assistance Payments Contract with the owner.
Annual Income. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Assisted unit. A dwelling unit eligible for assistance under a Contract.
Application. A request, submitted by a State Agency, to assign a portion of its set-aside to a specific jurisdiction or project.
Contract—(Housing Assistance Payments Contract). The Contract entered into by the owner and the State Agency upon satisfactory completion of a new construction or substantial rehabilitation project which sets forth the rights and duties of the parties with respect to the project and the payments under the Contract.
Contract Rent. The total amount of rent specified in the Contract as payable by the Agency and the tenant to the owner for an assisted unit. In the case of the rental of only a manufactured home space, “contract rent” is the total rent specified in the Contract as payable by the Agency and the tenant to the owner for rental of the space, including fees or charges for management and maintenance services with respect to the space, but excluding utility charges for the manufactured home.
Covered housing provider. For the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Programs—State Housing Agencies, “covered housing provider,” as such term is used in HUD’s regulations in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), refers to the HFA or owner, as applicable given the responsibilities of the covered housing provider as set forth in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L. For example, the PHA is the covered housing provider responsible for providing the notice of occupancy rights under VAWA and certification form described at 24 CFR 5.2005(a), though the PHA may provide this notice and form to owners, and charge owners with distributing the notice and form to tenants. In addition, the owner is the covered housing provider that may choose to bifurcate a lease as described at 24 CFR 5.2009(a), while both the PHA and owner are both responsible for ensuring that an emergency transfer plan is in place in accordance with 24 CFR 5.2005(e), and the owner is responsible for implementing the emergency transfer plan when an emergency occurs.
Decent, safe, and sanitary. Housing is decent, safe, and sanitary if it meets the physical condition requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
Existing Housing. Housing assisted under a contract entered into pursuant to 24 CFR part 882. (See subpart E of this part.)
Fast Track procedures. The procedures contained in subpart D for processing and construction of new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects. In order to be eligible for these procedures, a State Agency must provide permanent financing without Federal mortgage insurance or a Federal guarantee except coinsurance under Section 244 of the National Housing Act.
Financing Cost Contingency (FCC). The maximum amount of contract authority which may be used to amend the Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) and Housing Assistance Payments Contract (HAP Contract) to provide increased contract rents to cover higher than anticipated debt service on the loan for a new construction or substantial rehabilitation project.
Gross Rent. As defined in part 813 of this chapter.
Household type. The three household types are (1) elderly and handicapped, (2) family, and (3) large family.
Housing Assistance Payment. The payment made to the Owner of an assisted unit by the State Agency as provided in the Contract. Where the unit is leased to an eligible Family, the payment is the difference between the Contract Rent and the Tenant Rent. An additional payment is made to the Family when the Utility Allowance is greater than Total Tenant Payment. In the case of a Family renting only a manufactured home space as provided in § 883.303(i), the Housing Assistance Payment is the difference between Gross Rent and the Total Tenant Payment, but such payment may not exceed the Contract Rent for the space, and no additional payment is made to the Family. A Housing Assistance Payment, known as a “vacancy payment”, may be made to the Owner when an assisted unit is vacant, as provided in § 883.712.
Housing Assistance Plan (HAP). A housing plan submitted by a unit of general local or State government and approved by HUD as being acceptable under the standards of 24 CFR part 570.
Housing type. The three housing types are new construction, substantial rehabilitation, and existing housing/moderate rehabilitation.
HFA (Housing Finance Agency). A State Agency which provides permanent financing for newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated housing processed under subpart D and financed without Federal mortgage insurance or a Federal guarantee except coinsurance under Section 244 of the National Housing Act.
Independent Public Accountant. Certified Public Accountant or a licensed or registered public accountant, none of which has a business relationship with the owner or State Agency except for the performance of audit, systems work and tax preparation. If not certified, the Independent Public Accountant must have been licensed or registered by a regulatory authority of a State or other political subdivision of the United States on or before December 31, 1970. In States that do not regulate the use of the title “public accountant,” only Certified Public Accountants may be used.
Moderate rehabilitation. The improvement of dwelling units in accordance with HUD requirements, under 24 CFR part 882.
New construction. Housing for which construction starts after execution of an Agreement, or housing which is already under construction when the Agreement is executed provided that:
(a) At the date an application is submitted to HUD, a substantial amount of construction (generally at least 25 percent) remains to be completed;
(b) At the date of application to HUD, the project cannot be completed and occupied by eligible families without assistance under this part; and
(c) At the time construction was initiated, all of the parties reasonably expected that the project would be completed without assistance under this part.
Override. The difference between an HFA’s cost of borrowing on obligations issued to finance a new construction or substantial rehabilitation project and the lending rate at which they provide permanent financing for the project.
Owner. Any private person or entity (including a cooperative) or a public entity, having the legal right to lease or sublease dwelling units assisted under this part. The term Owner also includes the person or entity submitting a proposal to a State Agency under this part.
Partially-assisted Project. A project for non-elderly families under this part which includes more than 50 units, of which the number of assisted units does not exceed the greater of (a) 20 percent of the units in the project, rounded to the next highest whole number of units, or (b) the minimum percentage required by State law as a condition of HFA permanent financing, if the Assistant Secretary approves such minimum percentage for purposes of applicability of this definition.
Permanent financing. An Agency is determined to provide permanent financing if HUD determines that (a) the Agency permanently finances a project from its own funds, including the sale of its obligations; or (b) permanent financing for projects developed or administered by the Agency is provided by the State government or by an agency or instrumentality thereof other than the Agency; or (c) the permanent financing (by a public or private entity other than the Agency) is backed by the commitment of the Agency to assume the risks of loss on default or foreclosure of the loan.
Project Account. A specifically identified and segregated account for each project which is established in accordance with § 883.604(b) out of the amounts by which the maximum Annual Contributions Contract commitment exceeds the amount actually paid out under the ACC each year.
Proposal. A proposal for a project that is submitted by an HFA to HUD for Section 8 assistance under this part.
Rent. In the case of an assisted unit in a cooperative project, rent means the carrying charges payable to the cooperative with respect to occupancy of the unit.
Replacement cost—(a) New construction. The estimated construction cost of the project when the proposed improvements are completed. The replacement cost may include the land, the physical improvements, utilities within the boundaries of the land, architect’s fees, miscellaneous charges incident to construction as approved by the Assistant Secretary.
(b) Substantial rehabilitation. The sum of the “as is” value before rehabilitation of the property as determined by the Agency and the estimated cost of rehabilitation, including carrying and finance charges.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing. A unit for occupancy by a single eligible individual capable of independent living, which does not contain food preparation and/or sanitary facilities and is located within a multifamily structure consisting of more than 12 units.
Secretary. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or designee).
Small Project. A project for non-elderly families under this part which includes a total of 50 or fewer units (assisted and unassisted).
State Agency (Agency). An agency which has been notified by HUD in accordance with § 883.203 that it is authorized to apply for a set-aside and/or to use the Fast Track Procedures of this part.
Substantial rehabilitation. (a) The improvement of a property to decent, safe and sanitary condition in accordance with the standards of this part from a condition below these standards. Substantial Rehabilitation may vary in degree from gutting and extensive reconstruction to the cure of substantial accumulation of deferred maintenance. Cosmetic improvements alone do not qualify as Substantial Rehabilitation under this definition.
(b) Substantial Rehabilitation may also include renovation, alteration or remodeling for the conversion or adaptation of structurally sound property to the design and condition required for use under this part, or the repair or replacement of major building systems or components in danger of failure.
(c) Housing on which rehabilitation work has already started when the Agreement is executed is eligible for assistance as a Substantial Rehabilitation project under this part provided:
(1) At the date of application to HUD, a substantial amount of construction (generally at least 25 percent) remains to be completed;
(2) At the date of application to HUD, the project cannot be completed and occupied by eligible families without assistance under this part; and
(3) At the time construction was initiated, all of the parties reasonably expected that the project would be completed without assistance under this part.
Tenant Rent. The monthly amount defined in, and determined in accordance with part 813 of this chapter.
Total Tenant Payment. The monthly amount defined in, and determined in accordance with part 813 of this chapter.
Utility Allowance. As defined in part 813 of this chapter, made or approved by HUD.
Utility reimbursement. As defined in part 813 of this chapter.
Vacancy payments. The housing assistance payment made to the owner by the State Agency for a vacant, assisted unit if certain conditions are fulfilled as provided in the Contract. The amount of vacancy payment varies with the length of the vacancy period and is less after the first 60 days of any vacancy.
Very Low-Income Family. As defined in part 813 of this chapter.
§ 883.306 Limitation on distributions.
(a) Non-profit owners are not entitled to distributions of project funds.
(b) For the life of the Contract, project funds may only be distributed to profit-motivated owners at the end of each fiscal year of project operation following the effective date of the Contract and after all project expenses have been paid, or funds have been set aside for payment, and all reserve requirements have been met. The first year’s distribution may not be made until the HFA certification of project costs, (See § 883.411), where applicable, has been submitted to HUD. The HFA must certify that distributions will not exceed the following maximum returns:
(1) For projects for elderly families, the first year’s distribution will be limited to 6 percent on equity. The Assistant Secretary may provide for increases in subsequent years’ distributions on an annual or other basis so that the permitted return reflects a 6 percent return on the value, in subsequent years, as determined in accordance with HUD guidelines, of the approved initial equity. Any such adjustments will be made in accordance with a Notice in the
(2) For projects for non-elderly families the first year’s distribution will be limited to 10 percent on equity. The Assistant Secretary may provide for increases in subsequent years’ distributions on an annual or other basis so that the permitted return reflects a 10 percent return on the value, in subsequent years, as determined in accordance with HUD guidelines, of the approved initial equity. Any such adjustments will be made in accordance with a Notice in the
(c) For the purpose of determining the allowable distribution, an owner’s equity investment in a project is deemed to be 10 percent of the replacement cost of the part of the project attributable to dwelling use accepted by the HFA at cost certification (See § 883.411), or as specified in the Proposal where cost certification is not required, unless the owner justifies a higher equity contribution through cost certification documentation accepted by the HFA.
(d) Any short-fall in return may be made up from surplus project funds in future years.
(e) If the HFA determines at any time that surplus project funds are more than the amount needed for project operations, reserve requirements and permitted distributions, the HFA may require the excess to be placed in a separate account to be used to reduce housing assistance payments or for other project purposes. Upon termination of the Contract, any excess project funds must be remitted to HUD.
(f) Owners of small projects or partially assisted projects are exempt from the limitation on distributions contained in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section.
(g) HUD may permit increased distributions of surplus, in excess of the amounts otherwise permitted, to profit-motivated owners who participate in a HUD-approved initiative or program to preserve below-market housing stock. The increased distributions will be limited to a maximum amount based on market rents and calculated according to HUD instructions. Funds that the owner is authorized to retain under section 236(g)(2) of the National Housing Act are not considered distributions to the owner.
(h) Any State or local law or regulation that restricts distributions to an amount lower than permitted by this section or permitted by the Commissioner under this paragraph (h) is preempted as provided by section 524(f) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997.
§ 883.307 Financing.
(a) Types of financing. A State Agency that used the Fast Track Procedures formerly in this part must provide permanent financing for any new construction or substantial rehabilitation project without Federal mortgage insurance, except coinsurance under section 244 under the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq). Obligations issued by the HFA for this purpose may be taxable under section 802 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1440) or tax-exempt under section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 103), 24 CFR part 811 or other Federal Law.
(b) HUD approval. (1) A State Agency, prior to receiving HUD approval of its first New Construction or Substantial Rehabilitation Proposal using contract authority under this part, must submit copies of the documents relating to the method of financing Section 8 projects to HUD for review. These documents shall include bond resolutions or indentures, loan agreements, regulatory agreements, notes, mortgages or deeds of trust and other related documents, if any, but does not need to include the “official statement” or copies of the prospectus for individual bond issues. HUD review will be limited to making certain that the documents are not inconsistent with or in violation of these regulations and the administrative procedures used to implement them. After review, HUD must notify the Agency that the documents are acceptable or, if unacceptable, will request clarification or changes. This review and approval will meet the requirements of 24 CFR 811.107(a).
(2) When an Agency which has received HUD approval of its financing documents proposes substantive changes in them which affect the Section 8 program, the revised documents must be submitted for review. HUD review will be limited to the areas indicated in paragraph (b)(1) of this section and must be carried out promptly. HUD will notify the Agency that the revised documents are acceptable, or, if unacceptable, will request clarification or changes.
(3) The review and approval of financing documents required under 24 CFR part 811 will constitute HUD approval under this section.
(4) The Agency must retain in its files, and make available for HUD inspection, the documentation relating to its financing of Section 8 projects, including any relating to the certifications of compliance with applicable Department of Treasury or HUD regulations (24 CFR part 811) regarding tax-exempt financing.
(c) Pledge of Contracts. The HFA or owner may pledge, or offer as security for any loan or obligation, an Agreement, Contract, or ACC entered into pursuant this part provided that such security is in connection with a project constructed pursuant to this part. Any pledge of the Agreement, Contract, or ACC, or payments thereunder will be limited to the amounts payable under the Contract or ACC in accordance with its terms. If the pledge or other document provides that all payments will be paid directly to the HFA, other mortgagee or the trustee for bondholders, the HFA, other mortgagee or trustee may make all payments or deposits required under the mortgage or trust indenture and remit any excess to the owner.
(d) Foreclosure and other transfers. In the event of assignment, sale, or other disposition of the project or the contracts agreed to by the HFA and approved by HUD (which approval shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld), foreclosure, or assignment of the mortgage or deed in lieu of foreclosure,
(1) The Agreement, the Contract and the ACC will continue in effect, and
(2) Housing assistance payments will continue in accordance with the terms of the Contract, unless approval to amend or terminate the Agreement, the Contract or the ACC has been obtained from the Assistant Secretary.
(e) In the case of a newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated manufactured home park, the principal amount of any mortgage attributable to the rental spaces in the park may not exceed an amount per space determined in accordance with § 207.33(b) of this title.
§ 883.308 Adjustments to reflect changes in terms of financing.
(a) Certifications of projected financing terms. When an HFA, under this part, provides permanent financing for a project through the issuance of obligations and these are not sold until after the contract rents for a project have been set, the HFA must submit, with the Proposal, a certification of:
(1) Its projected rate of borrowing (net interest cost), based on a reasonable evaluation of market conditions, on obligations issued to provide interim and permanent financing for the project,
(2) The projected cost of borrowing to the owner on interim financing for the project,
(3) The projected loan amount for the project,
(4) The projected cost of borrowing and the term of the permanent financing to be provided to the owner for the project,
(5) The projected annual debt service for the permanent financing on which the Contract Rents are based, and
(6) The override, if any.
(b) Revised certifications. If, at any time prior to the execution of the Agreement, the terms and conditions of financing change, other than the HFA’s projected cost of borrowing, the HFA must submit revised certifications based upon the new terms.
(c) Certifications of actual financing terms. After a project has been permanently financed, the HFA must submit a certification which specifies the actual financing terms. The items that must be included in this certification include:
(1) The HFA’s actual cost of borrowing (net interest cost) on obligations from which funds were used to permanently finance the project,
(2) The override, if any, added to the actual cost of borrowing on obligations in setting the rate of lending to the owner,
(3) The annual debt service to the owner for the permanent financing on which contract rents are based; and,
(4) The actual loan amount and the term on which the annual debt service is based.
(d) Reduction of Contract Rents. If the actual debt service to the owner under the permanent financing is lower than the anticipated debt service on which the Contract Rents were based, the initial Contract Rents, or the Contract Rents currently in effect, must be reduced commensurately, and the amount of the savings credited to the project account.
(e) Increase of Contract Rents. This paragraph (e) applies only if the HFA is using its set-aside for the project and it is processed under subpart D. If the actual debt service to the owner under the permanent financing is higher than the anticipated debt service on which the Contract Rents are based, the initial Contract Rents or the Contract Rents currently in effect may, if sufficient contract and budget authority is available, be increased commensurately based on the certification submitted under paragraph (c) of this section. The amount of this increase may not exceed the amount of the Financing Cost Contingency (FCC) authorized but not reserved for the project at the time the proposal is approved. The adjustment must not exceed the amount necessary to reflect an increase in debt service (based on the difference between the projected and actual terms of the permanent financing) resulting from an increase over the projected interest rate of not more than:
(1) One and one-half percent if the projected override was three-fourths of one percent or less, or
(2) One percent if such projected override was more than three-fourths of one percent but not more than one percent, or
(3) One-half of one percent if such projected override was more than one percent.
(f) Recoupment of savings in financing costs. In the event that interim financing is continued after the first year of the term of the Contract and the debt service of the interim financing for any period of three months after such first year is less than the anticipated debt service under the permanent financing on which the Contract Rents were based, an appropriate amount reflecting the savings in financing cost will be credited by HUD to the Project Account and withheld from housing assistance payments payable to the owner. If during the course of the same year there is any period of three months in which the debt service is greater than the anticipated debt service under the projected permanent financing, an adjustment will be made so that only the net amount of savings in debt service for the year is credited by HUD to the Project Account and withheld from housing assistance payments to the owner. No increased payments will be made to the owner on account of any net excess for the year of actual interim debt service over the anticipated debt service under the permanent financing. Nothing in this paragraph will be construed as requiring a permanent reduction in the Contract Rents or precluding adjustments of Contract Rents in accordance with paragraphs (d) or (e) of this section.
(g) Compliance with other regulations. The HFA must also submit a certification specifying:
(1) That the terms of financing, the amount of the obligations issued with respect to the project and the use of the funds will be in compliance with any regulation governing the issuance of the obligations, e.g., Department of the Treasury regulations regarding arbitrage or HUD regulations regarding Tax Exemption of Obligations of Public Housing Agencies (24 CFR part 811), and
(2) That the override, if any, on the permanent financing for the project will not be greater than the projected override nor greater than the override allowed for the borrowing as a whole under applicable regulations, e.g., the Department of Treasury regulations regarding arbitrage. The certifications required under 24 CFR 811.107(a)(2) will be sufficient to meet the certification requirements of this paragraph (g).
§ 883.310 Property standards.
(a) New Construction. Projects must comply with:
(1) [Reserved]
(2) In the case of manufactured homes, the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, pursuant to Title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and 24 CFR part 3280;
(3) In the case of congregate or single room occupant housing, the appropriate HUD guidelines and standards,
(4) HUD requirements pursuant to Section 209 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 for projects for the elderly or the handicapped;
(5) HUD requirements pertaining to noise abatement and control; and
(6) Applicable state and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
(b) Substantial Rehabilitation. Projects must comply with:
(1) [Reserved]
(2) In the case of congregate or single room occupant housing, the appropriate HUD guidelines and standards,
(3) HUD requirements pursuant to Section 209 of the HCD Act for projects for the elderly or the handicapped;
(4) HUD requirements pertaining to noise abatement and control;
(5) The Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 4821–4846), the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4851–4856), and implementing regulations at part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R of this title.
(6) Applicable State and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
(c) Smoke detectors—(1) Performance requirement. After October 30, 1992, each dwelling unit must include at least one battery-operated or hard-wired smoke detector, in proper working condition, on each level of the unit. If the unit is occupied by hearing-impaired persons, smoke detectors must have an alarm system, designed for hearing-impaired persons, in each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person.
(2) Acceptability criteria. The smoke detector must be located, to the extent practicable, in a hallway adjacent to a bedroom, unless the unit is occupied by a hearing-impaired person, in which case each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person must have an alarm system connected to the smoke detector installed in the hallway.
§ 883.313 Audit.
Where housing assistance under the Section 8 Program is provided for projects developed or owned by non-Federal entities (as defined in 2 CFR 200.69), the audit requirements in 2 CFR part 200, subpart F, shall apply.
§ 883.314 Broadband infrastructure.
Any new construction or substantial rehabilitation, as substantial rehabilitation is defined by 24 CFR 5.100, of a building with more than 4 rental units and that is subject to a Housing Assistance Payments contract executed or renewed after January 19, 2017 must include installation of broadband infrastructure, as this term is also defined in 24 CFR 5.100, except where the owner determines and documents the determination that:
(a) The location of the new construction or substantial rehabilitation makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible;
(b) The cost of installing broadband infrastructure would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program or activity or in an undue financial burden; or
(c) The structure of the housing to be substantially rehabilitated makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible.
Subparts D–E [Reserved]
Subpart F—Housing Assistance Payments Contract
§ 883.601 Applicability.
The provisions of this subpart apply to new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects using contract authority allocated under subpart B, Allocation and Assignment of Contract Authority, or processed and constructed under subpart D, Fast Track Procedures.
§ 883.602 The contract.
(a) Contract. The Housing Assistance Payments Contract sets forth rights and duties of the owner and State Agency with respect to the project and the Housing Assistance payments.
(b) Housing Assistance Payments to Owners under the Contract. The Housing Assistance Payments made under the Contract are:
(1) Payments to the owner to assist eligible families leasing assisted units, and
(2) Payments to the owner for vacant assisted units (“vacancy payments”) if the conditions specified in § 880.611 of this chapter are satisfied.
(c) Amount of Housing Assistance Payments to the Owner. (1) The amount of the housing assistance payments made to the owner of a unit being leased by an eligible family is the difference between the contract rent for the unit and the tenant rent payable by the family.
(2) A housing assistance payment will be made to the owner for a vacant assisted unit in an amount equal to 80 percent of the contract rent for the first 60 days of vacancy, subject to the conditions in § 880.611 of this chapter. If the owner collects any tenant rent or other amount for this period which, when added to this vacancy payment, exceeds the contract rent, the excess must be repaid as the Agency directs in accordance with HUD guidelines.
(3) For a vacancy that exceeds 60 days, a housing assistance payment for the vacant unit will be made, subject to the conditions in § 880.611 of this chapter, in an amount equal to the principal and interest payments required to amortize that portion of the debt attributable to the vacant unit for up to 12 additional months.
(d) Payment of utility reimbursement. Where applicable, the Utility Reimbursement will be paid to the Family as an additional Housing Assistance Payment. The Contract will provide that the Owner will make this payment on behalf of the Agency. Funds will be paid to the Owner in trust solely for the purpose of making this additional payment. If the Family and the utility company consent, the Owner may pay the Utility Reimbursement jointly to the Family and the utility company or directly to the utility company.
§ 883.603 Term of contract.
(a) New Construction. The term of the Contract will be governed by the following provisions:
(1) For assisted units in a project financed with the aid of a loan insured by the Federal government (including coinsurance under Section 244 of the National Housing Act) or a loan made, guaranteed or intended for purchase by the Federal government and for assisted units in newly constructed manufactured home parks, the term of the Contract will be 20 years.
(2) For assisted units in a project owned by or financed by a loan or loan guarantee from a State or local agency, where the assisted units are intended for occupancy by non-elderly families and where it is located in an area designated by the Assistant Secretary as one requiring special financial assistance, the Contract will be for an initial term of 20 years for any dwelling unit, with provision for renewal for additional terms of not more than 5 years each. The total term of initial and renewal terms will not exceed the lesser of (i) 40 years for any dwelling unit, or (ii) the term of the permanent financing (but not less than 20 years).
(3) For assisted units in all other projects, the Contract will be for an initial term of 20 years for any dwelling unit, with provision for renewal for additional terms of not more than 5 years each. The total term of initial and renewal terms will not exceed the lesser of (i) 30 years for any dwelling unit, or (ii) the term of the permanent financing (but not less than 20 years).
(b) Substantial Rehabilitation. The Contract will be for a term which is consistent with paragraph (b)(1) and with paragraph (b) (2), (3), or (4) of this section.
(1) The Contract term will cover the longest term, but not less than 20 years, of a single credit instrument covering:
(i) The cost of rehabilitation or
(ii) The existing indebtedness, or
(iii) The cost of rehabilitation and the refinancing of the existing indebtedness, or
(iv) The cost of rehabilitation and the acquisition of the property; and
(2) For assisted units in a project financed with the aid of a loan (including coinsurance under Section 244 of the National Housing Act), or a loan made, guaranteed or intended for purchase by the Federal Government, and for assisted units in a substantially rehabilitated manufactured home park, the term of the Contract will not exceed 20 years; or
(3) For assisted units in a project owned or financed by a loan or loan guarantee from a State or local agency where the assisted units are intended for occupancy by non-elderly families and where it is located in an area designated by the Assistant Secretary as one requiring special financial assistance, the Contract will be for an initial term of 20 years for any dwelling unit. There will be a provision for renewal for additional terms of not more than 5 years each. The total of initial and renewal terms will not exceed the lesser of (i) 40 years for any dwelling unit, or (ii) the term of the permanent financing (but not less than 20 years); or
(4) For assisted units in projects financed other than as described in paragraph (b) (2) or (3) of this section, the Contract will be for an initial term of 20 years for any dwelling unit. There will be a provision for renewal for additional terms of not more than 5 years each. The total of initial and renewal terms will not exceed the lesser of (i) 30 years for any dwelling unit, or (ii) the term of the permanent financing (but not less than 20 years).
(c) Staged Projects. If a project is completed in stages, the term of the Contract must relate separately to the units in each stage unless the Agency and the owner agree that only the units in the first stage will be assisted for the maximum term of the Contract. The total Contract term, for the units in all stages, beginning with the effective date of the Contract for the first stage, may not exceed the overall maximum term allowable for any one unit under this section, plus two years.
§ 883.604 Maximum annual commitment and project account.
(a) Maximum annual commitment. The maximum annual contribution that may be contracted for in the ACC is the total of the contract rents and utility allowances for all assisted units in the project, plus the HUD-approved fees, if any, for State Agency administration of the Contract. (See § 883.606)
(b) Project Account. (1) A project account will be established and maintained by HUD as a specifically identified and segregated account for each project. The account will be established out of the amounts by which the maximum annual commitment exceeds the amount actually paid out under the ACC each year. Payments will be made from this account for housing assistance payments (and fees for Agency admininstration, if appropriate) when needed to cover increases in contract rents or decreases in tenant rents and for other costs specifically approved by the Secretary.
(2) Whenever a HUD-approved estimate of required payments under the ACC for a fiscal year exceeds the maximum annual commitment and would cause the amount in the project account to be less than 40 percent of the maximum, HUD will, within a reasonable period of time, take such additional steps authorized by Section 8(c)(6) of the 1937 Act, as may be necessary, to assure that payments under the ACC will be adequate to cover increases in contract rents and decreases in tenant rents.
§ 883.605 Leasing to eligible families.
The provisions of 24 CFR 880.504 apply to this section, including reference at 24 CFR 880.504(f) to the requirements of 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), subject to the requirements of § 883.105.
§ 883.606 Administration fee.
(a) The State Agency is responsible for administration of the Contract subject to periodic review and audit by HUD.
(b) The Agency is entitled to a reasonable fee, determined by HUD, for administering a Contract on newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated units provided there is no override on the permanent loan granted by the Agency to the owner for a project containing assisted units.
§ 883.607 Default by owner and/or agency.
(a) Rights of Owner if Agency defaults under Agreement or Contract. The ACC, the Agreement and the Contract will provide that, in the event of failure of the Agency to comply with the Agreement or Contract with the owner, the owner will have the right, if he/she is not in default, to demand that HUD investigate. HUD will first give the Agency a reasonable opportunity to take corrective action. If HUD determines that a substantial default exists, HUD will assume the Agency’s rights and obligations under the Agreement or Contract and meet the obligations of the Agency under the Agreement or Contract including the obligation to enter into the Contract.
(b) Rights of HUD if Agency defaults under ACC. The ACC will provide that, if the Agency fails to comply with any of its obligations, HUD may determine that there is a substantial default and require the Agency to assign to HUD all of its rights and interests under the Contract; however, HUD will continue to pay annual contributions in accordance with the terms of the ACC and the Contract. Before determining that an Agency is in substantial default, HUD will give the Agency a reasonable opportunity to take corrective action.
(c) Rights of Agency and HUD if Owner defaults under Contract. (1) The Contract will provide that if the Agency determines that the owner is in default under the Contract, the Agency will notify the owner, and lender, if applicable, with a copy to HUD,
(i) Of the actions required to be taken to cure the default,
(ii) Of the remedies to be applied by the Agency including specific performance under the Contract, abatement of housing assistance payments and recovery of overpayments, where appropriate; and
(iii) That, if he/she fails to cure the default, the Agency has the right to terminate the Contract or to take other corrective action, in its discretion.
(2) If the Agency provided the permanent financing, the Contract will also provide that HUD has an independent right to determine whether the owner is in default and to take corrective action and apply appropriate remedies, except that HUD will not have the right to terminate the Contract without proceeding in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
§ 883.608 Notice upon contract expiration.
The provisions of § 880.508 of this chapter apply, subject to the requirements of § 883.105.
Subpart G—Management
§ 883.701 Cross-reference.
All of the provisions of part 880, subpart F, of this chapter apply to projects assisted under this part, subject to the requirements of § 883.105. For purposes of this subpart G, all references in part 880, subpart F, of this chapter to “contract administrator” shall be construed to refer to “Agency”.
PART 884—SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM, NEW CONSTRUCTION SET-ASIDE FOR SECTION 515 RURAL RENTAL HOUSING PROJECTS
Subpart A—Applicability, Scope and Basic Policies
§ 884.101 Applicability and scope.
(a) The policies and procedures in subparts A and B of this part apply to the making of Housing Assistance Payments on behalf of Eligible Families leasing newly constructed housing pursuant to the provisions of section 8 of the 1937 Act. They are applicable only to proposals submitted by the Department of Agriculture/Farmers Home Administration (now the Department of Agriculture/Rural Housing and Community Development Service) that have been charged against the set-aside of section 8 contract authority specifically established for projects to be funded under section 515 of title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485).
(b) For the purpose of these subparts A and B, “new construction” shall mean newly constructed housing for which, prior to the start of construction, an Agreement to Enter into Housing Assistance Payments Contract is executed between the Owner and HUD or a Public Housing Agency.
§ 884.102 Definitions.
The terms Fair Market Rent (FMR), HUD, Public housing agency (PHA), and Secretary are defined in 24 CFR part 5.
Agreement to enter into housing assistance payments contract (“agreement”). (a) In the case of a Private-Owner Project or a PHA-Owner Project, a written agreement between the Owner and HUD that, upon satisfactory completion of the housing in accordance with the HUD-approved Proposal and submission by RHCDS of the required certifications, HUD will enter into a Housing Assistance Payments Contract with the Owner.
(b) In the case of a Private-Owner/PHA Project, a written agreement between the private owner and the PHA, approved by HUD, that, upon satisfactory completion of the housing in accordance with the HUD-approved Proposal and submission by RHCDS of the required certifications, the PHA will enter into a Housing Assistance Payments Contract with the Private Owner.
Annual contributions contract (“ACC”). In the case of a Private-Owner/PHA Project, a written agreement between HUD and the PHA to provide annual contributions to the PHA with respect to the project.
Annual income. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Contract. See definition of Housing Assistance Payments Contract.
Contract rent. The rent payable to the Owner under his Contract including the portion of the rent payable by the Family. In the case of a cooperative, the term “Contract Rent” means charges under the occupancy agreements between the members and the cooperative.
Covered housing provider. For the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Programs, New Construction Set-Aside for Section 515 Rural Rental Housing, “covered housing provider,” as such term is used in HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), refers to the owner.
Decent, safe, and sanitary. Housing is decent, safe, and sanitary if it meets the physical condition requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
Drug-related criminal activity. The illegal manufacture, sale, distribution, use or possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, distribute, or use, of a controlled substance as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 802.
Family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
HCD Act. The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
Housing Assistance Payment. The payment made by the contract administrator to the Owner of an assisted unit as provided in the Contract. Where the unit is leased to an eligible Family, the payment is the difference between the Contract Rent and Tenant Rent. An additional Housing Assistance Payment is made to the Family when the Utility Allowance is greater than the Total Tenant Payment. A Housing Assistance Payment may be made to the Owner when a unit becomes vacant, in accordance with the terms of the Contract.
Housing assistance payments contract (“Contract”). (a) In the case of a Private-Owner Project or a PHA-Owner Project, a written contract between the Owner and HUD for the purpose of providing housing assistance payments to the Owner on behalf of Eligible Families.
(b) In the case of a Private-Owner/PHA Project, a written contract between the private Owner, and the PHA, approved by HUD, for the purpose of providing housing assistance payments to the Owner on behalf of Eligible Families.
Income. Income from all sources of each member of the household as determined in accordance with criteria established by HUD and as defined in 24 CFR part 5, subpart F.
Lease. A written agreement between an Owner and an Eligible Family for the leasing of a Decent, Safe, and Sanitary dwelling unit in accordance with the applicable Contract, which agreement is in compliance with the provisions of this part.
Local housing assistance plan. A housing assistance plan submitted by a unit of general local government and approved by HUD under Section 104 of the HCD Act or, in the case of a unit of general local government not participating under Title I of the HCD Act, a housing plan which contains the elements set forth in Section 104(a)(4) of the HCD Act and which is approved by the Secretary as meeting the requirements of Section 213 of that Act.
Low-income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Owner. Any private person or entity, including a cooperative or a PHA, having the legal right to lease or sublease newly constructed dwelling units.
PHA-owner proposal and PHA-owner project. A proposal for a project under this part (and the resulting project) to be owned by a PHA throughout the term of the Agreement and Contract where such Agreement and Contract are to be entered into between the PHA and HUD.
Private-owner/PHA proposal and private-owner/PHA project. A proposal for a project under this part (and the resulting project) to be owned by a private Owner throughout the term of the Agreement and Contract where such Agreement and Contract are to be entered into between the private Owner and the PHA pursuant to an ACC between the PHA and HUD. The term also covers the situation where the ACC is with one PHA and the Owner is another PHA.
Private-owner proposal and private-owner project. A proposal for a project under this part (and the resulting project) to be owned by a private Owner throughout the term of the Agreement and Contract where such Agreement and Contract are to be entered into between the private Owner and HUD.
Project account. The account established and maintained in accordance with § 884.104 or § 884.105.
Proposal. A proposal for a Private-Owner or PHA-Owner/PHA Project to provide newly constructed housing submitted to HUD by RHCDS on the prescribed RHCDS form.
RHCDS. The Rural Housing and Community Development Service.
Tenant rent. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Total tenant payment. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility allowance. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility reimbursement. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Very low-income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
§ 884.104 Maximum total annual contract commitment and project account (private-owner or PHA-owner projects).
(a) Maximum total annual contract commitment. The maximum total annual housing assistance payments that may be committed under the Contract shall be the total of the Gross Rents for all the Contract units in the project.
(b) Project account. In order to assure that housing assistance payments will be increased on a timely basis to cover increases in Contract Rents or decreases in Family Incomes:
(1) A Project Account shall be established and maintained in an amount as determined by the Secretary consistent with his responsibilities under Section 8(c)(6) of the Act, out of amounts by which the maximum annual Contract commitment per year exceeds amounts paid under the Contract for any year. This account shall be established and maintained by HUD as a specifically identified and segregated account, and payment shall be made therefrom only for the purposes of (i) housing assistance payments, and (ii) other costs specifically authorized or approved by the Secretary.
(2) Whenever a HUD-approved estimate of required housing assistance payments for a fiscal year exceeds the maximum annual Contract commitment, and would cause the amount in the Project Account to be less than an amount equal to 40 percent of such maximum annual Contract commitment, HUD shall, within a reasonable period of time, take such additional steps authorized by Section 8(c)(6) of the Act as may be necessary to carry out this assurance, including (as provided in that section of the Act) “the reservation of annual contributions authority for the purpose of amending housing assistance contracts or the allocation of a portion of new authorizations for the purpose of amending housing assistance contracts.”
§ 884.105 Maximum total ACC commitment and project account (private-owner/PHA projects).
(a) Maximum total ACC commitment. The maximum total annual contribution that may be contracted for in the ACC for a project shall be the total of the Contract Rents plus any utility allowances for all the Contract units in the project, plus a fee for the regular costs of PHA administration. HUD-approved preliminary costs for administration (including administrative costs in connection with PHA activities related to relocation of occupants) shall be payable out of this total.
(b) Project account. In order to assure that housing assistance payments will be increased on a timely basis to cover increases in Contract Rents or decreases in Family Incomes:
(1) A Project Account shall be established and maintained, in an amount as determined by the Secretary consistent with his responsibilities under Section 8(c)(6) of the 1937 Act, out of amounts by which the maximum ACC commitment per year exceeds amounts paid under the ACC for any year. This account shall be established and maintained by HUD as a specifically identified and segregated account, and payment shall be made therefrom only for the purposes of (i) housing assistance payments and (ii) other costs specifically authorized or approved by the Secretary.
(2) Whenever a HUD-approved estimate of required Annual Contribution exceeds the maximum ACC commitment then in effect, and would cause the amount in the Project Account to be less than an amount equal to 40 percent of such maximum ACC commitment, HUD shall, within a reasonable period of time, take such additional steps authorized by Section 8(c)(6) of the 1937 Act as may be necessary to carry out this assurance, including (as provided in that section of the Act) “the reservation of annual contributions authority for the purpose of amending housing assistance contracts or the allocation of a portion of new authorizations for the purpose of amending housing assistance contracts.”
§ 884.106 Housing assistance payments to owners.
(a) General. Housing Assistance Payments shall be paid to Owners for units under lease by eligible families, in accordance with the Contract and as provided in this section. These Housing Assistance Payments will cover the difference between the Contract Rent and the Tenant Rent. Where applicable, the Utility Reimbursement will be paid to the Family as an additional Housing Assistance Payment. The Contract will provide that the Owner will make this payment on behalf of the contract administrator. Funds will be paid to the Owner in trust solely for the purpose of making this additional payment. If the Family and the utility company consent, the Owner may pay the utility reimbursement jointly to the Family and the utility company or directly to the utility company. No Section 8 assistance may be provided for any unit occupied by an Owner; however, cooperatives are considered rental housing, rather than Owner-occupied housing, for this purpose.
(b) Vacancies during rent-up. If a Contract Unit is not leased as of the effective date of the Contract, the Owner shall be entitled to housing assistance payments in the amount of 80 percent of the Contract Rent for the unit for a vacancy period not exceeding 60 days from the effective date of the Contract, in accordance with the procedure set forth in § 884.213(b): Provided, That the Owner: (1) Commenced marketing and otherwise complied with § 884.211(e), (2) has taken and continues to take all feasible actions to fill the vacancy, including, but not limited to, contacting applicants on his waiting list, if any, requesting the PHA and other appropriate sources to refer eligible applicants, and advertising the availability of the unit, and (3) has not rejected any eligible applicant, except for good cause acceptable to HUD or the PHA, as the case may be.
(c) Vacancies after rent-up. (1) If an Eligible Family vacates its unit (other than as a result of action by the Owner which is in violation of the Lease or the Contract or any applicable law), the Owner shall receive housing assistance payments in the amount of 80 percent of the Contract Rent for a vacancy period not exceeding 60 days; provided, however, That if the Owner collects any of the Family’s share of the rent for this period in an amount which, when added to the 80 percent payments, results in more than the Contract Rent, such excess shall be payable to HUD or as HUD may direct. (See also § 884.115). The Owner shall not be entitled to any payment under this paragraph (c)(1) unless he: (i) Immediately upon learning of the vacancy, has notified HUD or the PHA, as the case may be, of the vacancy or prospective vacancy and the reasons for the vacancy, and (ii) has taken and continues to take the actions specified in paragraphs (b) (2) and (3) of this section.
(2) If the Owner evicts an Eligible Family, he shall not be entitled to any payment under paragraph (c)(1) of this section unless the request for such payment is supported by a certification that: (i) He gave such Family a written notice of the proposed eviction, stating the grounds and advising the Family that it had 10 days within which to present its objections to the Owner in writing or in person and (ii) the proposed eviction was not in violation of the Lease or the Contract or any applicable law.
(d) Debt-service vacancy payments. (1) If a unit continues to be vacant after the 60-day period specified in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, the owner may submit a claim to receive additional housing assistance payments on a semiannual basis with respect to the vacant unit in an amount equal to the principal and interest payments required to amortize the portion of the debt attributable to that unit for the period of the vacancy, whether the vacancy commenced during rent-up or after rent-up.
(2) Additional payments under this paragraph (d) for any unit shall not be for more than 12 months for any vacancy period, and shall be made only if:
(i) The unit was in decent, safe and sanitary condition during the vacancy period for which payments are claimed.
(ii) The Owner has taken and is continuing to take the actions specified in paragraphs (b) (1), (2) and (3) or paragraphs (c)(1) (i) and (ii) and (c)(2) of this section, as appropriate.
(iii) The owner has demonstrated, in connection with the semiannual claim on a form and in accordance wih the standards prescribed by HUD with respect to the period of the vacancy, that the project is not providing the owner with revenues at least equal to the project costs incurred by the owner and that the amount of the payments requested is not in excess of the amount needed to make up the deficiency.
(iv) The owner has submitted to HUD or the PHA, as appropriate, in connection with the semiannual claim, a statement with relevant supporting evidence that there is a reasonable prospect that the project can achieve financial soundness within a reasonable time. The statement shall indicate the causes of the deficiency; the corrective steps that have been and will be taken; and the time by which it is expected that the project revenues will at least equal project costs without the additional payments provided under this paragraph.
(3) HUD or the PHA, as appropriate, may deny any claim for additional payments or suspend or terminate payments if it determines that, based on the owner’s statement and other evidence, there is not a reasonable prospect that the project can achieve financial soundness within a reasonable time.
(e) Prohibition of double compensation for vacancies. The Owner shall not be entitled to housing assistance payments with respect to vacant units under this section to the extent he is entitled to payments from other sources (for example, payments for losses of rental income incurred for holding units vacant for relocatees pursuant to Title I of the HCD Act or payments under § 884.115).
§ 884.108 Term of housing assistance payments contract.
(a) Except in the case of a Contract described in paragraph (b) of this section, the Contract shall be for an initial term of 20 years: Provided, That at the end of such Contract term and at the request of RHCDS, HUD may, subject to the availability of contract and budget authority, authorize the execution of a new Contract providing for a total Contract term of an additional 20 years.
(b) In the case of a Contract under which housing assistance payments are made with respect to a project owned by a State or local agency, the total Contract term may be equal to the term of such financing but may not exceed 40 years for any dwelling unit.
(c) If the project is completed in stages, the dates for the initial and the renewal terms shall be separately related to the units in each stage: Provided, however, That the total Contract term for the units in all the stages, beginning with the effective date of the Contract with respect to the first stage, may not exceed the overall maximum term allowable for any one unit, plus two years.
§ 884.108a Notice upon contract expiration.
(a) The Contract will provide that the owner will notify each assisted family, at least 90 days before the end of the Contract term, of any increase in the amount the family will be required to pay as rent which may occur as a result of its expiration. If the Contract is to be renewed but with a reduction in the number of units covered by it, this notice shall be given to each family who will no longer be assisted under the Contract.
(b) The notice provided for in paragraph (a) of this section shall be accomplished by: (1) Sending a letter by first class mail, properly stamped and addressed, to the family at its address at the project, with a proper return address, and (2) serving a copy of the notice on any adult person answering the door at the leased dwelling unit, or if no adult responds, by placing the notice under or through the door, if possible, or else by affixing the notice to the door. Service shall not be considered to be effective until both required notices have been accomplished. The date on which the notice shall be considered to be received by the family shall be the date on which the owner mails the first class letter provided for in this paragraph, or the date on which the notice provided for in this paragraph is properly given, whichever is later.
(c) The notice shall advise each affected family that, after the expiration date of the Contract, the family will be required to bear the entire cost of the rent and that the owner will be free (to the extent the project is not otherwise regulated by HUD) to alter the rent without HUD approval, but subject to any applicable requirements or restrictions under the lease or under State or local law. The notice shall also state: (1) The actual (if known) or the estimated rent which will be charged following the expiration of the Contract; (2) the difference between the rent and the Total Tenant Payment toward rent under the Contract; and (3) the date the Contract will expire.
(d) The owner shall give HUD a certification that families have been notified in accordance with this section with an example of the text of the notice attached.
(e) This section applies to all Contracts entered into pursuant to an Agreement executed on or after October 1, 1981, or entered into pursuant to an Agreement executed before October 1, 1981, but renewed or amended on or after October 1, 1984.
§ 884.109 Rent adjustments.
(a) Funding of adjustments. Housing assistance payments will be made in increased amounts commensurate with Contract Rent adjustments under this paragraph, up to the maximum amount authorized under the Contract. (See §§ 884.104 and 884.105).
(b) Automatic annual adjustments. (1) Automatic Annual Adjustment Factors will be determined by HUD at least annually; interim revisions may be made as market conditions warrant. Such Factors and the basis for their determination will be published in the
(2) On each anniversary date of the Contract, the Contract Rents shall be adjusted by applying the applicable Automatic Annual Adjustment Factor most recently published by HUD. Contract Rents may be adjusted upward or downward, as may be appropriate; however, in no case shall the adjusted rents be less than the Contract Rents on the effective date of the Contract.
(c) Special additional adjustments. Special additional adjustments shall be granted, when approved by HUD, to reflect increases in the actual and necessary expenses of owning and maintaining the Contract Units which have resulted from substantial general increases in real property taxes, utility rates, or similar costs (i.e., assessments, and utilities not covered by regulated rates), but only if and to the extent that the Owner clearly demonstrates that such general increases have caused increases in the Owner’s operating costs which are not adequately compensated for by automatic annual adjustments. The Owner shall submit to HUD financial statements which clearly support the increase.
(d) Overall limitation. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part, adjustments as provided in this section shall not result in material differences between the rents charged for assisted and comparable unassisted units, as determined by HUD: Provided, however, That this limitation shall not be construed to prohibit differences in rents between assisted and comparable unassisted units to the extent that such differences may have existed with respect to the initial Contract Rents.
§ 884.110 Types of housing and property standards.
(a) Newly constructed single-family houses and multifamily structures may be utilized in this program. Congregate housing may be developed for elderly, disabled, or handicapped Families and individuals. Except in the case of housing predominantly for the elderly, high-rise elevator projects for Families with children may not be utilized unless HUD determines there is no practical alternative.
(b) Participation in this program requires compliance with:
(1) [Reserved]
(2) In the case of congregate housing, the appropriate HUD guidelines and standards;
(3) HUD requirements pursuant to section 209 of the HCD Act for projects for the elderly, disabled, or handicapped;
(4) HUD requirements pertaining to noise abatement and control; and
(5) Applicable State and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
(c) Housing assisted under this part shall be modest in design. Amenities in projects assisted under this part (except partially assisted projects) will be limited to those amenities, as determined by HUD, which are generally provided in unassisted, decent, safe and sanitary housing for low-income families, in the market area. The use of more durable, high-quality materials to control or reduce maintenance, repair and replacement costs will not be considered an excess amenity.
(d) Smoke detectors—(1) Performance requirement. After October 30, 1992, each dwelling unit must include at least one battery-operated or hard-wired smoke detector, in proper working condition, on each level of the unit. If the unit is occupied by hearing-impaired persons, smoke detectors must have an alarm system, designed for hearing-impaired persons, in each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person.
(2) Acceptability criteria. The smoke detector must be located, to the extent practicable, in a hallway adjacent to a bedroom, unless the unit is occupied by a hearing-impaired person, in which case each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person must have an alarm system connected to the smoke detector installed in the hallway.
§ 884.114 Financing.
(a) Types. Eligible projects under this program shall be financed under Section 515, Title V of the Housing Act of 1949.
(b) Use of contract as security for financing. (1) An Owner may pledge, or offer as security for any loan or obligation, an Agreement or Contract entered into pursuant to this part: Provided, however, That such security is in connection with a project constructed pursuant to this part, and the terms of the financing or any refinancing have been approved by HUD. It is the Owner’s responsibility to request such approval in sufficient time before he needs the financing to permit review of the method and terms of the financing and the instrument of pledge, offer or other assignment that HUD is requested to approve.
(2) Any pledge of the Agreement, Contract, or ACC, or payments thereunder, shall be limited to the amounts payable under the Contract or ACC in accordance with its terms.
(3) In the event of foreclosure and in the event of assignment or sale agreed to by HUD, housing assistance payments shall continue in accordance with the Terms of the Contract.
§ 884.115 Security and utility deposits.
(a) An Owner may require Families to pay a security deposit in an amount equal to one month’s Gross Family Contribution. If a Family vacates its unit, the Owner, subject to State and local laws, may utilize the deposit as reimbursement for any unpaid rent or other amount owed under the Lease. If the Family has provided a security deposit, and it is insufficient for such reimbursement, the Owner may claim reimbursement from HUD or the PHA, as appropriate, not to exceed an amount equal to the remainder of one month’s Contract Rent. Any reimbursement under this section shall be applied first toward any unpaid rent. If a Family vacates the unit owing no rent or other amount under the Lease or if such amount is less than the amount of the security deposit, the Owner shall refund the full amount or the unused balance, as the case may be, to the Family.
(b) In those jurisdictions where interest is payable by the Owner on security deposits, the refunded amount shall include the amount of interest payable. All security deposit funds shall be deposited by the Owner in a segregated bank account, and the balance of this account, at all times, shall be equal to the total amount collected from tenants then in occupancy, plus any accrued interest. The Owner shall comply with all State and local laws regarding interest payments on security deposits.
(c) Families shall be expected to obtain the funds to pay security and utility deposits, if required, from their own resources and/or other private or public sources.
§ 884.116 Establishment of income limit schedules; 30 percent occupancy by very-low income families.
(a) HUD will establish schedules of Income limits for determining whether families qualify as Low-Income Families and Very Low-Income Families.
(b) In the leasing of units, the Owner shall comply with HUD requirements concerning the permissible income levels of families, as prescribed in part 5 of this title.
§ 884.117 Disclosure and verification of Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers by owners.
To be eligible to become an owner of housing assisted under this part, the owner (other than a PHA) must meet the disclosure and verification requirements for Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers, as provided by 24 CFR part 5.
§ 884.118 Responsibilities of the owner.
(a) The Owner shall be responsible (subject to post-review or audit by HUD or the PHA, as the case may be) for management and maintenance of the project. These responsibilities shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Payment for utilities and services (unless paid directly by the Family), insurance and taxes;
(2) Performance of all ordinary and extraordinary maintenance;
(3) Performance of all management functions, including the taking of applications; determining eligibility of applicants in accordance with part 5 of this title; selection of families, including verification of income, provision of Federal selection preferences in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, obtaining and verifying Social Security Numbers submitted by applicants (as provided by 24 CFR part 5), obtaining signed consent forms from applicants for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies (as provided in 24 CFR part 5), and other pertinent requirements; and determination of the amount of tenant rent in accordance with HUD established schedules and criteria;
(4) Collection of Tenant Rents;
(5) Termination of tenancies, including evictions;
(6) Preparation and furnishing of information required under the Contract;
(7) Reexamination of family income and composition; redetermination, as appropriate, of the amount of Tenant Rent and the amount of housing assistance payment in accordance with part 5 of this title; obtaining and verifying Social Security Numbers submitted by participants, as provided by 24 CFR part 5; and obtaining signed consent forms from participants for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, as provided by 24 CFR part 5;
(8) Redetermination of amount of Tenant Rent and amount of housing assistance payment in accordance with part 5 of this title as a result of an adjustment by the PHA or HUD, as appropriate, of any applicable Utility Allowance; and
(9) Compliance with equal opportunity requirements issued by RHCDS and HUD with respect to project operation.
(b) Subject to HUD approval, any Owner may contract with any private or public entity to perform for a fee the services required by paragraph (a) of this section: Provided, That such contract shall not relieve the Owner of his responsibilities or obligations. However, no entity which is responsible for administration of the Contract (for example, a PHA in the case of a Private-Owner/PHA Project) may contract to perform management and maintenance of the project: Provided, however, That this prohibition shall not preclude management by the PHA in the event it takes possession as the result of foreclosure or assignment in lieu of foreclosure. (See, however, § 884.123(b), which permits conversion of a Private-Owner/PHA Project to a Private-Owner Project.)
§ 884.119 Responsibility for contract administration and defaults (private-owner and PHA-owner projects).
(a) Contract administration. HUD is responsible for administration of the Contract. HUD may contract with another entity for the performance of some or all of its Contract administration functions.
(b) Defaults by owner. The Contract shall contain a provision to the effect (1) that if HUD determines that the Owner is in default under the Contract, HUD shall notify the Owner (with a copy to RHCDS) of the actions required to be taken to cure the default and of the remedies to be applied by HUD including abatement of housing assistance payments and recovery of overpayments, where appropriate; and (2) that if he fails to cure the default, HUD has the right to terminate the Contract or to take other corrective action.
§ 884.120 Responsibility for contract administration and defaults (private-owner/PHA projects).
(a) Contract administration. The PHA is primarily responsible for administration of the Contract, subject to review and audit by HUD.
(b) Defaults by PHA and/or owner. (1) The ACC and the Contract shall contain a provision to the effect that in the event of failure of the PHA to comply with the Contract with the Owner, the Owner shall have the right, if he is not in default, to demand that HUD determine, after notice to the PHA giving it a reasonable opportunity to take corrective action, whether a substantial default exists, and if HUD determines that such a default exists, that HUD assure that the obligations of the PHA to the Owner are carried out.
(2) The ACC shall contain a provision to the effect that if the PHA fails to comply with any of its obligations (including specifically failure to enforce its rights under the Contract, in the event of any default by the Owner, to achieve compliance to the satisfaction of HUD or to terminate the Contract in whole or in part, as directed by HUD), HUD may, after notice to the PHA giving it a reasonable opportunity to take corrective action, determine that there is a substantial default and require the PHA to assign to HUD all of the PHA’s rights and interests under the Contract. In such case, HUD will continue to pay annual contributions in accordance with the terms of the ACC and the Contract.
(3) The Contract shall contain a provision to the effect (i) that if the PHA determines that the Owner is in default under the Contract, the PHA shall notify the Owner, with a copy to HUD and RHCDS, of the actions required to be taken to cure the default and of the remedies to be applied by the PHA including abatement of housing assistance payments and recovery of overpayments, where appropriate; and (ii) that if he fails to cure the default, the PHA has the right to terminate the Contract or to take other corrective action, in its discretion or as directed by HUD.
§ 884.121 Rights of owner if PHA defaults under agreement (private-owner/PHA projects).
The ACC and the Agreement shall contain a provision to the effect that in the event of failure of the PHA to comply with the Agreement with the Owner, the Owner shall have the right, if he is not in default, to demand that HUD determine, after notice to the PHA giving it a reasonable opportunity to take corrective action, whether a substantial default exists, and if HUD determines that such a default exists, that HUD assume the PHA’s rights and obligations under the Agreement, and carry out the obligations of the PHA under the Agreement, including the obligation to enter into the Contract.
§ 884.122 Separate project requirement.
(a) In the case of a Private-Owner Project or a PHA-Owner Project, each Agreement and Contract shall constitute a separate project.
(b) In the case of a Private-Owner/PHA Project such project may not include more than one type of Section 8 assistance, shall be processed with a separate ACC List and ACC Part I and shall be assigned a separate project number. All new construction units to be placed under a single Contract shall comprise a separate project. However, the field office director may designate as a single project the units to be covered by two or more such Contracts for new construction projects where:
(1) The units are placed under ACC on the same date; and
(2) Such consolidation is necessary in the interest of administrative efficiency.
§ 884.123 Conversions.
(a) Conversion of private-owner project to private-owner/PHA project. HUD may request the Owner of a Private-Owner Project and an appropriate PHA to agree, if they are willing, to a conversion of any such project to a Private-Owner/PHA Project if HUD determines that such conversion would promote efficient project administration.
(b) Conversion of private-owner/PHA project to private-owner project. The Private Owner and the PHA, in the case of a Private-Owner/PHA Project, may request HUD to agree to a conversion of any such project to a Private-Owner or PHA-Owner Project. HUD shall agree to such conversion if it determines it to be in the best interest of the project.
§ 884.124 Audit.
Where a non-Federal entity (as defined in 2 CFR 200.69) is the eligible owner of a project, or is a contract administrator under § 884.119 or § 884.120, receiving financial assistance under this part, the audit requirements in 2 CFR part 200, subpart F, shall apply.
§ 884.125 Broadband infrastructure.
Any new construction or substantial rehabilitation, as substantial rehabilitation is defined by 24 CFR 5.100, of a building with more than 4 rental units and that is subject to a Housing Assistance Payments contract executed or renewed after January 19, 2017 must include installation of broadband infrastructure, as this term is also defined in 24 CFR 5.100, except where the owner determines and documents the determination that:
(a) The location of the new construction or substantial rehabilitation makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible;
(b) The cost of installing broadband infrastructure would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program or activity or in an undue financial burden; or
(c) The structure of the housing to be substantially rehabilitated makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible.
Subpart B—Project Development and Operation
§ 884.212 Project completion.
(a) FmHA certifications upon completion. Upon completion of the project, FmHA shall inspect the project and, if determined to be acceptable, submit to the HUD field office the following certifications:
(1) The project has been completed in accordance with the requirements of the Agreement;
(2) The project is in good and tenantable condition;
(3) There are no defects or deficiencies in the project other than punchlist items, or incomplete work awaiting seasonal opportunity;
(4) There has been no change in management capability.
(b) HUD review. HUD shall promptly review the certifications submitted pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section (see § 884.203(b)).
(c) HUD acceptance. If HUD determines from the review that the certifications are acceptable in accordance with these subparts, the project shall be accepted.
(d) Acceptance where defects or deficiencies reported. If the only defects or deficiencies are punchlist items or incomplete items awaiting seasonal opportunity, the project may be accepted and the Contract executed. If the Owner fails to complete the items within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of HUD (and the PHA, if applicable), HUD may, after consultation with FmHA, upon 30 days notice to the Owner (and the PHA, if applicable), terminate the Contract and/or exercise its other rights thereunder or, if the Contract is with a PHA, cancel its approval of the Contract and require its termination and/or exercise its other rights under the Contract and the ACC.
(e) Arbitration. In the event the Owner disputes HUD determinations, he may submit the controversy to third-party arbitration at his expense, provided that the arbitration is advisory only.
(f) Completion in stages. If the project is to be completed in stages, the procedures of this section shall apply to each stage.
§ 884.213 Execution of housing assistance payments contract.
(a) Time of execution. Upon acceptance of the project by HUD pursuant to § 884.212, the Contract shall be executed first by the Owner and then by HUD, or, in the case of a Private-Owner/PHA Project, executed by the Owner and the PHA and then approved by HUD.
(b) Unleased units. At the time of execution of the Contract, HUD (or the PHA, as appropriate) shall examine the lists of dwelling units leased and not leased, referred to in § 884.211(e) and shall determine whether or not the Owner has met his obligations under that section with respect to any unleased units. HUD (or the PHA, as appropriate) shall state in writing its determination with respect to the unleased units and for which of those units it will make housing assistance payments. The Owner shall indicate in writing his concurrence with this determination or his disagreement, reserving his rights to claim housing assistance payments for the unleased units pursuant to the Contract, without prejudice by reason of his signing the Contract. Copies of all documents referred to this paragraph shall be furnished to HUD in the case of a Private-Owner/PHA Project.
§ 884.214 Marketing.
(a) Compliance with equal opportunity requirements. Marketing of units and selection of Families by the Owner shall be in accordance with the Owner’s FmHA-approved Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, if required, and with all regulations relating to fair housing advertising including use of the equal opportunity logotype statement and slogan in all advertising. Projects shall be managed and operated without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin.
(b) Eligibility, selection and admission of families. (1) The owner is responsible for determination of eligibility of applicants in accordance with the procedure of 24 CFR part part 5, selection of families from among those determined to be eligible (including provision of Federal selection preferences in accordance with 24 CFR part 5), and computation of the amount of housing assistance payments on behalf of each selected family, in accordance with schedules and criteria established by HUD.
(2) For every family that applies for admission, the owner and the applicant will complete and sign the form of application prescribed by HUD. However, if there are no vacant units and the owner’s waiting list is such that there would be an unreasonable length of time before the applicant could be admitted, the owner may advise the applicant that the owner is not accepting applications for that reason.
(3) If the Owner determines that the applicant is eligible on the basis of Income and family composition and is otherwise acceptable but the Owner does not have a suitable unit to offer, the Owner shall place such Family on his waiting list and so advise the Family.
(4) If the Owner determines that the applicant is eligible on the basis of Income and family composition and is otherwise acceptable and if the Owner has a suitable unit, the Owner and the Family shall enter into a Lease. Such Lease shall be on the form of Lease included in the Owner’s approved Final Proposal and shall otherwise be in conformity with the provisions of this part.
(5) Records on applicant families and approved Families shall be maintained by the Owner so as to provide HUD with racial, ethnic and gender data and shall be retained by the Owner for three years.
(6) In the case of a PHA-Owner project, (i) if the PHA places a Family on its waiting list, it shall notify the Family of the approximate date of availability of a suitable unit insofar as such date can be reasonably determined, and (ii) if the PHA determines that an applicant is ineligible on the basis of income or family composition, or that the PHA is not selecting the applicant for other reasons, the PHA shall promptly send the applicant a letter notifying him of the determination and the reasons and that the applicant has the right within a reasonable time (specified in the letter) to request an informal hearing. If, after conducting such an informal hearing, the PHA determines that the applicant shall not be admitted, the PHA shall so notify the applicant in writing and such notice shall inform the applicant that he has the right to request a review by HUD of the PHA’s determination. The procedures of this subparagraph do not preclude the applicant from exercising his other rights if he believes he is being discriminated against on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin. The PHA shall retain for three years a copy of the application, the letter, the applicant’s response if any, the record of any informal hearing, and a statement of final disposition.
(7) See 24 CFR part 5 for the informal review provisions for the denial of a Federal selection preference.
(8) For the informal hearing provisions related to denial of assistance based upon failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, see part 5 of this title for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of denial of assistance.
§ 884.215 Lease requirements.
The Lease shall contain all required provisions specified in paragraph (b) of this section and none of the prohibited provisions listed in paragraph (c) of this section.
(a) Term of lease. The term of the Lease shall be for not less than one year. The Lease may (or, in the case of a Lease for a term of more than one year, shall) contain a provision permitting termination upon 30 days advance written notice by either party.
(b) Required provisions. The Lease between the Owner (Lessor) and the Family (Lessee) shall contain the following provisions:
The following additional Lease provisions are incorporated in full in the Lease between ____________________ (Lessor) and ____________________ (Lessee) for the following dwelling unit: ____________________. In case of any conflict between these and any other provisions of the Lease, these provisions shall prevail.
a. The total rent shall be $____________ per month.
b. Of the total rent, $____________ shall be payable by or at the direction of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) as housing assistance payments on behalf of the Lessee and $____________ shall be payable by the Lessee. These amounts shall be subject to change by reason of changes in the Lessee’s family income, family composition, or extent of exceptional medical or other unusual expenses, in accordance with HUD-established schedules and criteria; or by reason of adjustment by HUD, or the PHA, if appropriate, of any applicable Allowance for Utilities and Other Services. Any such change shall be effective as of the date stated in a notification to the Lessee.
c. The Lessor shall not discriminate against the Lessee in the provision of services, or in any other manner, on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin.
d. The Lessor shall provide the following services and maintenance:
(c) Prohibited provisions. Lease clauses which fall within the classifications listed below shall not be included in any Lease.
(1) Confession of judgment. Prior consent by tenant to any lawsuit the landlord may bring against him in connection with the Lease and to a judgment in favor of the landlord.
(2) Distraint for rent or other charges. Authorization to the landlord to take property of the tenant and hold it as a pledge until the tenant performs any obligation which the landlord has determined the tenant has failed to perform.
(3) Exculpatory clause. Agreement by tenant not to hold the landlord or landlord’s agents liable for any acts or omissions whether intentional or negligent on the part of the landlord or the landlord’s authorized representative or agents.
(4) Waiver of legal notice to tenant prior to actions for eviction or money judgments. Agreement by tenant that the landlord may institute suit without any notice to the tenant that the suit has been filed.
(5) Waiver of legal proceedings. Authorization to the landlord to evict the tenant or hold or sell the tenant’s possessions whenever the landlord determines that a breach or default has occurred, without notice to the tenant or any determination by a court of the rights and liabilities of the parties.
(6) Waiver of jury trial. Authorization to the landlord’s lawyer to appear in court for the tenant and to waive the tenant’s right to a trial by jury.
(7) Waiver of right to appeal judicial error in legal proceedings. Authorization to the landlord’s lawyer to waive the tenant’s right to appeal on the ground of judicial error in any suit or the tenant’s right to file a suit in equity to prevent the execution of a judgment.
(8) Tenant chargeable with costs of legal actions regardless of outcome. Agreement by the tenant to pay attorney’s fees or other legal costs whenever the landlord decides to take action against the tenant even though the court finds in favor of the tenant. (Omission of such clause does not mean that the tenant as a party to a lawsuit may not be obligated to pay attorney’s fee or other costs if he loses the suit.)
§ 884.216 Termination of tenancy.
(a) The owner is responsible for termination of tenancies, including evictions. However, conditions for payment of housing assistance payments for any resulting vacancies must be as set forth in § 884.106(c)(1). Failure of the family to sign and submit consent forms for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, as provided by 24 CFR part 5, shall be grounds for termination of tenancy. For provisions requiring termination of assistance for failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, including the applicable informal requirements, see 24 CFR part 5 and also for provisions concerning assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, and for provisions concerning deferral of termination of assistance.
(b) Termination of tenancy for criminal activity by a covered person is subject to 24 CFR 5.858 and 5.859, and termination of tenancy for alcohol abuse by a covered person is subject to 24 CFR 5.860.
(c) In actions or potential actions to terminate tenancy, the owner shall follow 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking).
(d) In the case of failure to pay rent, if the Secretary determines that tenants must be provided with adequate notice to secure Federal funding that is available due to a Presidential declaration of a national emergency:
(1) The owner must provide the tenant with written termination notification that includes such information as required by the Secretary; and
(2) The written termination notification described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section must be provided to the tenant at least 30 days before termination.
§ 884.217 Maintenance, operation and inspections.
(a) Maintenance and operation. The Owner shall maintain and operate the project so as to provide Decent, Safe, and Sanitary housing and he shall provide all the services, maintenance and utilities which he agrees to provide under the Contract, subject to abatement of housing assistance payments or other applicable remedies if he fails to meet these obligations.
(b) Inspection prior to occupancy. Prior to occupancy of any unit by a Family, the Owner and the Family shall inspect the unit and both shall certify, on forms prescribed by HUD, that they have inspected the unit and have determined it to be Decent, Safe, and Sanitary in accordance with the criteria provided in the prescribed forms. Copies of these reports shall be kept on file by the Owner for at least three years.
(c) Periodic inspections. HUD (or the PHA, as appropriate) will inspect or cause to be inspected each Contract unit and related facilities at least annually and at such other times (including prior to initial occupancy and rerenting of any unit) as HUD (or the PHA) may determine to be necessary to assure that the Owner is meeting his obligation to maintain the units in Decent, Safe, and Sanitary condition and to provide the agreed upon utilities and other services. HUD (or the PHA) will take into account complaints by occupants and any other information coming to its attention in scheduling inspections and shall notify the Owner and the Family of its determination.
(d) Units not decent, safe, and sanitary. If HUD (or the PHA, as appropriate) notifies the Owner that he has failed to maintain a dwelling unit in Decent, Safe, and Sanitary condition and the Owner fails to take corrective action within the time prescribed in the notice, HUD (or the PHA) may exercise any of its rights or remedies under the Contract, including abatement of housing assistance payments, even if the Family continues to occupy the unit. If, however, the Family wishes to be rehoused in another dwelling unit with Section 8 assistance and HUD (or the PHA) does not have other Section 8 funds for such purposes, HUD (or the PHA) may use the abated housing assistance payments for the purpose of rehousing the Family in another dwelling unit. Where this is done, the Owner shall be notified that he will be entitled to resumption of housing assistance payments for the vacated dwelling unit if:
(1) The unit is restored to Decent, Safe, and Sanitary condition;
(2) The Family is willing to and does move back to the restored dwelling unit; and
(3) A deduction is made for the expenses incurred by the Family for both moves.
§ 884.218 Reexamination of family income and composition.
(a) Regular reexaminations. The owner must reexamine the income and composition of all families at least once each year. Upon verification of the information, the owner must make appropriate adjustments in the Total Tenant Payment in accordance with part 5 of this title and determine whether the family’s unit size is still appropriate. The owner must adjust Tenant Rent and the Housing Assistance Payment to reflect any change in Total Tenant Payment and carry out any unit transfer required by HUD. At the time of the annual reexamination of family income and composition, the owner must require the family to disclose and verify Social Security Numbers, as provided by 24 CFR part 5. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms by families for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see 24 CFR part 5. At the first regular reexamination after June 19, 1995, the owner shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5 concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of all family members. Thereafter, at each regular reexamination, the owner shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5 concerning verification of the immigration status of any new family member.
(b) Interim reexaminations. The family must comply with provisions of its lease regarding interim reporting of changes in income. If the owner receives information concerning a change in the family’s income or other circumstances between regularly scheduled reexaminations, the owner must consult with the family and make any adjustments determined to be appropriate. Any change in the family’s income or other circumstances that results in an adjustment in the Total Tenant Payment, Tenant Rent and Housing Assistance Payment must be verified. See 24 CFR 750.10(d)(2)(i) for the requirements for the disclosure and verification of Social Security Numbers at interim reexaminations involving new family members. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms by families for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see 24 CFR part 5. At any interim reexamination after June 19, 1995 when there is a new family member, the owner shall follow the requirements of 24 CFR part 5 concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of the new family member.
(c) Continuation of housing assistance payments. A family’s eligibility for Housing Assistance Payments continues until the Total Tenant Payment equals the Contract Rent plus any utility allowance, or until the family loses eligibility for continued occupancy under Farmer’s Home Administration regulations. However, eligibility also may be terminated in accordance with HUD requirements, for such reasons as failure to submit requested verification information, including failure to meet the disclosure and verification requirements for Social Security Numbers, as provided by 24 CFR part 5, or failure to sign and submit consent forms for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, as provided by 24 CFR part 5. For provisions requiring termination of assistance for failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, see 24 CFR part 5 and also for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of
assistance, and for provisions concerning deferral of termination of assistance.
(d) Streamlined income determination. An owner may elect to follow the provisions of 24 CFR 5.657(d).
§ 884.219 Overcrowded and underoccupied units.
If HUD or the PHA, as the case may be, determines that a Contract unit assisted under this part is not Decent, Safe, and Sanitary by reason of increase in Family size, or that a Contract unit is larger than appropriate for the size of the Family in occupancy, housing assistance payments with respect to such unit will not be abated, unless the Owner fails to offer the Family a suitable unit as soon as one becomes vacant and ready for occupancy. In the case of an overcrowded unit, if the Owner does not have any suitable units or if no vacancy of a suitable unit occurs within a reasonable time, HUD (or the PHA) will assist the Family in finding a suitable dwelling unit and require the Family to move to such a unit as soon as possible. The Owner may receive housing assistance payments for the vacated unit if he complies with the requirements of § 884.106(c)(1).
§ 884.220 Adjustment of utility allowances.
In connection with annual and special adjustments of contract rents, the owner must submit an analysis of the project’s Utility Allowances. Such data as changes in utility rates and other facts affecting utility consumption should be provided as part of this analysis to permit appropriate adjustments in the Utility Allowances. In addition, when approval of a utility rate change would result in a cumulative increase of 10 percent or more in the most recently approved Utility Allowances, the project owner must advise the Secretary and request approval of new Utility Allowances. Whenever a Utility Allowance for a unit is adjusted, the owner will promptly notify affected families and make a corresponding adjustment of the tenant rent and the amount of the housing assistance payment for the unit.
§ 884.221 Continued family participation.
A Family must continue to occupy its approved unit to remain eligible for participation in the Housing Assistance Payments Program except that if the Family (a) wishes to vacate its unit at the end of the Lease term (or prior thereto but in accordance with the provisions of the Lease), or (b) is required to move for reasons other than violation of the Lease on the part of the Family, and if the Family wishes to receive the benefit of housing assistance payments in another approvable unit, the Family should give reasonable notice of the circumstances to HUD or to the PHA, as appropriate, so that HUD or the PHA may have the opportunity to consider the Family’s request.
§ 884.222 Inapplicability of low-rent public housing model lease and grievance procedures.
Model lease and grievance procedures established by HUD for PHA-owned low-rent public housing are applicable only to PHA-Owner Projects under the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program.
§ 884.223 Leasing to eligible families.
(a) Availability of units for occupancy by Eligible Families. During the term of the Contract, an owner shall make available for occupancy by eligible families the total number of units for which assistance is committed under the Contract. For purposes of this section, making units available for occupancy by eligible families means that the owner: (1) Is conducting marketing in accordance with § 884.214; (2) has leased or is making good faith efforts to lease the units to eligible and otherwise acceptable families, including taking all feasible actions to fill vacancies by renting to such families; and (3) has not rejected any such applicant family except for reasons acceptable to HUD (or the PHA in accordance with HUD guidelines and at the direction of HUD, as appropriate). If the owner is temporarily unable to lease all units for which assistance is committed under the Contract to eligible families, one or more units may be leased to ineligible families with the prior approval of HUD (or the PHA in accordance with HUD guidelines and at the direction of HUD, as appropriate). Failure on the part of the owner to comply with these requirements is a violation of the Contract and grounds for all available legal remedies, including specific performance of the Contract, suspension or debarment from HUD programs, and reduction of the number of units under the Contract as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Reduction of number of units covered by Contract. HUD (or the PHA at the direction of HUD, as appropriate), after consultation with the Farmers Home Administration, may reduce the number of units covered by the Contract to the number of units available for occupancy by eligible families if:
(1) The owner fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; or
(2) Notwithstanding any prior approval by HUD (or the PHA at the direction of HUD, as appropriate) to lease such units to ineligible families, HUD (or the PHA at the direction of HUD, as appropriate) determines that the inability to lease units to eligible families is not a temporary problem.
(c) Restoration. HUD will agree to an amendment of the ACC or the Contract, as appropriate, to provide for subsequent restoration of any reduction made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section if:
(1) HUD determines that the restoration is justified by demand;
(2) The owner otherwise has a record of compliance with his or her obligations under the Contract; and
(3) Contract and budget authority are available.
(d) Applicability. In accordance with section 555 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section apply to all contracts. An owner who had leased an assisted unit to an ineligible family consistent with the regulations in effect at the time will continue to lease the unit to that family. However, the owner must make the unit available for occupancy by an eligible family when the ineligible family vacates the unit.
(e) Termination of assistance for failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status. If an owner subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section is required to terminate housing assistance payments for the family in accordance with 24 CFR part 5 because the owner determines that the entire family does not have U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, the owner may allow continued occupancy of the unit by the family without Section 8 assistance following the termination of assistance, or if the family constitutes a mixed family, as defined in 24 CFR part 5, the owner shall comply with the provisions of 24 CFR part 5 concerning assistance to mixed families, and deferral of termination of assistance.
(f) The regulations in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking) apply to this section.
§ 884.223a Preference for occupancy by elderly families.
(a) Election of preference for occupancy by elderly families—(1) Election by owners of eligible projects. (i) An owner of a project assisted under this part (including a partially assisted project) that was originally designed primarily for occupancy by elderly families (an “eligible project”) may, at any time, elect to give preference to elderly families in selecting tenants for assisted, vacant units in the project, subject to the requirements of this section.
(ii) For purposes of this section, a project eligible for the preference provided by this section, and for which the owner makes an election to give preference in occupancy to elderly families is referred to as an “elderly project.” “Elderly families” refers to families whose heads of household, their spouses or sole members are 62 years or older.
(iii) An owner who elects to provide a preference to elderly families in accordance with this section is required to notify families on the waiting list who are not elderly that the election has been made and how the election may affect them if:
(A) The percentage of disabled families currently residing in the project who are neither elderly nor near-elderly (hereafter, collectively referred to as “non-elderly disabled families”) is equal to or exceeds the minimum required percentage of units established for the elderly project in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and therefore non-elderly families on the waiting list (including non-elderly disabled families) may be passed over for covered section 8 units; or
(B) The project, after making the calculation set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, will have no units set aside for non-elderly disabled families.
(iv) An owner who elects to give a preference for elderly families in accordance with this section shall not remove an applicant from the project’s waiting list solely on the basis of having made the election.
(2) HUD approval of election not required. (i) An owner is not required to solicit or obtain the approval of HUD before exercising the election of preference for occupancy provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The owner, however, if challenged on the issue of eligibility of the project for the election provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be able to support the project’s eligibility through the production of all relevant documentation in the possession of the owner that pertains to the original design of the project.
(ii) The Department reserves the right at any time to review and make determinations regarding the accuracy of the identification of the project as an elderly project. The Department can make such determinations as a result of ongoing monitoring activities, or the conduct of complaint investigations under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 through 3619), or compliance reviews and complaint investigations under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and other applicable statutes.
(b) Determining projects eligible for preference for occupancy by elderly families—(1) Evidence supporting project eligibility. Evidence that a project assisted under this part (or portion of a project) was originally designed primarily for occupancy by elderly families, and is therefore eligible for the election of occupancy preference provided by this section, shall consist of at least one item from the sources (“primary” sources) listed in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, or at least two items from the sources (“secondary” sources) listed in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section:
(i) Primary sources. Identification of the project (or portion of a project) as serving elderly (seniors) families in at least one primary source such as: the application in response to the notice of funding availability; the terms of the notice of funding availability under which the application was solicited; the regulatory agreement; the loan commitment; the bid invitation; the owner’s management plan, or any underwriting or financial document collected at or before loan closing; or
(ii) Secondary sources. Two or more sources of evidence such as: lease records from the earliest two years of occupancy for which records are available showing that occupancy has been restricted primarily to households where the head, spouse or sole member is 62 years of age or older; evidence that services for elderly persons have been provided, such as services funded by the Older Americans Act, transportation to senior citizen centers, or programs coordinated with the Area Agency on Aging; project unit mix with more than fifty percent of efficiency and one-bedroom units [a secondary source particularly relevant to distinguishing elderly projects under the previous section 3(b) definition (in which disabled families were included in the definition of “elderly families”) from non-elderly projects and which in combination with other factors (such as the number of accessible units) may be useful in distinguishing projects for seniors from those serving the broader definition of “elderly families” which includes disabled families]; or any other relevant type of historical data, unless clearly contradicted by other comparable evidence.
(2) Sources in conflict. If a primary source establishes a design contrary to that established by the primary source upon which the owner would base support that the project is an eligible project (as defined in this section), the owner cannot make the election of preferences for elderly families as provided by this section based upon primary sources alone. In any case where primary sources do not provide clear evidence of original design of the project for occupancy primarily by elderly families, including those cases where sources documents conflict, secondary sources may be used to establish the use for which the project was originally designed.
(c) Reservation of units in elderly projects for non-elderly disabled families. The owner of an elderly project is required to reserve, at a minimum, the number of units specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section for occupancy by non-elderly disabled families.
(1) Minimum number of units to be reserved for non-elderly disabled families. The number of units in an elderly project required to be reserved for occupancy by non-elderly disabled families, shall be, at a minimum, the lesser of:
(i) The number of units equivalent to the higher of—
(A) The percentage of units assisted under this part in the elderly project that were occupied by non-elderly disabled families on October 28, 1992; and
(B) The percentage of units assisted under this part in the elderly project that were occupied by non-elderly disabled families upon January 1, 1992; or
(ii) 10 percent of the number of units assisted under this part in the eligible project.
(2) Option to reserve greater number of units for non-elderly disabled families. The owner, at the owner’s option, and at any time, may reserve a greater number of units for non-elderly disabled families than that provided for in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The option to provide a greater number of units to non-elderly disabled families will not obligate the owner to always provide that greater number to non-elderly disabled families. The number of units required to be provided to non-elderly disabled families at any time in an elderly project is that number determined under paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(d) Secondary preferences. An owner of an elderly project also may elect to establish secondary preferences in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (d) of this section.
(1) Preference for near-elderly disabled families in units reserved for elderly families. If the owner of an elderly project determines, in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section, that there are an insufficient number of elderly families who have applied for occupancy to fill all the vacant units in the elderly project reserved for elderly families (that is, all units except those reserved for the non-elderly disabled families as provided in paragraph (c) of this section), the owner may give preference for occupancy of such units to disabled families who are near-elderly families.
(2) Preference for near-elderly disabled families in units reserved for non-elderly disabled families. If the owner of an elderly project determines, in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section, that there are an insufficient number of non-elderly disabled families to fill all the vacant units in the elderly project reserved for non-elderly disabled families as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the owner may give preference for occupancy of these units to disabled families who are near-elderly families.
(e) Availability of units to families without regard to preference. An owner shall make vacant units in an elderly project generally available to otherwise eligible families who apply for housing, without regard to the preferences and reservation of units provided in this section if either:
(1) The owner has adopted the secondary preferences and there are an insufficient number of families for whom elderly preference, reserve preference, and secondary preference has been given, to fill all the vacant units; or
(2) The owner has not adopted the secondary preferences and there are an insufficient number of families for whom elderly preference, and reserve preference has been given to fill all the vacant units.
(f) Determination of insufficient number of applicants qualifying for preference. To make a determination that there are an insufficient number of applicants who qualify for the preferences, including secondary preferences, provided by this section, the owner must:
(1) Conduct marketing in accordance with § 884.214(a) to attract applicants qualifying for the preferences and reservation of units set forth in this section; and
(2) Make a good faith effort to lease to applicants who qualify for the preferences provided in this section, including taking all feasible actions to fill vacancies by renting to such families.
(g) Prohibition of evictions. An owner may not evict a tenant without good cause, or require that a tenant vacate a unit, in whole or in part because of any reservation or preference provided in this section, or because of any action taken by the Secretary pursuant to subtitle D (sections 651 through 661) of title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13611 through 13620).
§ 884.224 Management and occupancy reviews.
(a) The contract administrator will conduct management and occupancy reviews to determine whether the owner is in compliance with the Contract. Such reviews will be conducted in accordance with a schedule set out by the Secretary and published in the
(b) HUD or the Contract Administrator may inspect project operations and units at any time.
(c) Equal Opportunity reviews may be conducted by HUD at any time.
§ 884.225 PHA reporting requirements. [Reserved]
§ 884.226 Emergency transfers for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
(a) Covered housing providers must develop and implement an emergency transfer plan that meets the requirements in 24 CFR 5.2005(e).
(b) In order to facilitate emergency transfers for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, covered housing providers have discretion to adopt new, and modify any existing, admission preferences or transfer waitlist priorities.
(c) In addition to following requirements in 24 CFR 5.2005(e), when a safe unit is not immediately available for a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who qualifies for an emergency transfer, covered housing providers must:
(1) Review the covered housing provider’s existing inventory of units and determine when the next vacant unit may be available; and
(2) Provide a listing of nearby HUD subsidized rental properties, with or without preference for persons of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and contact information for the local HUD field office.
(d) Each year, covered housing providers must submit to HUD data on all emergency transfers requested under 24 CFR 5.2005(e), including data on the outcomes of such requests.
PART 886—SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM—SPECIAL ALLOCATIONS
Subpart A—Additional Assistance Program for Projects With HUD-Insured and HUD-Held Mortgages
§ 886.101 Applicability.
(a) The policies and procedures of this subpart apply to Housing Assistance Payments under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 on behalf of Eligible Families in Eligible Projects (see definitions in § 886.102).
(b) The primary goal of the Section 8 Loan Management Set-Aside Program is to reduce claims on the Department’s insurance fund by aiding those FHA-insured or Secretary-Held projects with immediately or potentially serious financial difficulties. A first priority should be given to projects with presently serious financial problems, which are likely to result in a claim on the insurance fund in the near future. To the extent resources remain available, assistance also may be provided to projects with potentially serious financial problems which, on the basis of financial and/or management analysis, appear to have a high probability of producing a claim on the insurance fund within approximately the next five years.
§ 886.102 Definitions.
The terms Fair Market Rent (FMR), HUD, Public Housing Agency (PHA), and Secretary are defined in 24 CFR part 5.
Act. The United States Housing Act of 1937.
Annual income. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Contract (See Section 8 Contract).
Contract Rent. The rent payable to the Owner as required by HUD in connection with its mortgage insurance and/or lending functions, including the portion of the rent payable by the Family, not to exceed the amount stated in the Section 8 Contract as such amount may be adjusted in accordance with § 886.112. In the case of a cooperative, the term “Contract Rent” means charges under the occupancy agreements between the members and the cooperative.
Covered housing provider. For the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Programs—Special Allocations, subpart A of this part, “covered housing provider,” as such term is used in HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking) refers to the owner.
Decent, Safe, and Sanitary. Housing is decent, safe, and sanitary if it meets the physical condition requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
Eligible Project. Any existing subsidized or unsubsidized multifamily residential project that is subject to a mortgage insured or any section of the National Housing Act; any such project subject to a mortgage that has been assigned to the Secretary; any such project acquired by the Secretary and thereafter sold under a Secretary-held purchase money mortgage; or a project for the elderly financed under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (except projects receiving assistance under 24 CFR part 885).
Family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
HCD Act. The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
Housing Assistance Payment. The payment made by HUD to the Owner of an assisted unit as provided in the Contract. Where the unit is leased to an eligible Family, the payment is the difference between the Contract Rent and the Tenant Rent. An additional Housing Assistance Payment is made when the Utility Allowance is greater than the Total Tenant Payment. A Housing Assistance Payment may be made to the Owner when a unit is vacant, in accordance with § 886.109.
Income. Income from all sources of each member of the household as determined in accordance with criteria established by HUD and as defined in part 5 of this title.
Lease. A written agreement between the owner and a family for leasing of a decent, safe and sanitary dwelling unit to the family.
Low-income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Owner. The mortgagor of record under a multifamily project mortgage insured, or held by the Secretary, including purchase money mortgages; the owner of a Section 202 project.
Project. See § 886.101.
Project Account. The account established and maintained in accordance with § 886.108.
Section 8 Contract (“Contract”). A written Contract between the Owner of an Eligible Project and HUD for providing Housing Assistance Payments to the Owner on behalf of Eligible Families pursuant to this part.
Subsidized Rent. In Section 221(d)(3) BMIR, Section 202, or Section 236 projects, the rent payable to the project, based on the particular circumstances of any assisted tenant in the absence of any Housing Assistance Payment.
Tenant rent. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Total tenant payment. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility allowance. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility reimbursement. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Very low-income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
HUD will allocate to field offices contract authority for Section 8 project commitments for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in conformance with Section 213(d) of the HCD Act.
§ 886.104 Invitations to participate.
(a) HUD shall identify Eligible Projects which are most likely to meet the selection criteria set forth in § 886.117, and shall invite the Owners of such projects to make application for Section 8 assistance under this part.
(b) An Owner of an Eligible Project who has not been notified pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section may also make application for such assistance.
§ 886.105 Content of application; Disclosure.
Applications shall be in the form and in accordance with the instructions prescribed by HUD, and shall include:
(a) Information on Gross Income, family size, and amount of rent paid to the project by Families currently in residence;
(b) Information on vacancies and turnover;
(c) Estimate of effect of the availability of Section 8 assistance on marketability of units in the project;
(d) For projects having a history of financial default, financial difficulties or deferred maintenance, a plan and a schedule for remedying such defaulted or deferred obligations;
(e) Total number of units by unit size (by bedroom count) for which Section 8 assistance is requested; and
(f) Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan on a HUD-prescribed form.
§ 886.106 Notices.
(a) Within 10 days of receipt of each completed application by the HUD field office, the field office shall send to the chief executive officer of the unit of general local government in which the proposed assistance is to be provided, a notification in a form prescribed by HUD for purposes of compliance with Section 213 of the HCD Act.
(b) If an application is approved, HUD shall send to the Owner a notice of application approval. If an application can be approved only on certain conditions, HUD shall notify the Owner of the conditions and specify a time limit by which those conditions must be met. If an application is disapproved, HUD shall so notify the Owner by letter indicating the reasons for disapproval.
§ 886.107 Approval of applications.
HUD shall approve applications, after considering all pertinent information including comments (if any) received during the comment period from the unit of general local government, based on the following criteria:
(a) The Owner’s Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan is approvable.
(b) The HUD-approved unit rents are approvable within the Fair Market Rent limitations contained in § 886.110.
(c) The residential units meet the housing quality standards set forth in § 886.113, except for such variations as HUD may approve. Local climatic or geological conditions or local codes are examples which may justify such variations.
(d) A significant number of residents, or potential residents, in the case of projects having a vacancy rate over 10 percent, are eligible for and in need of Section 8 assistance.
(e) The infusion of Section 8 assistance into the subject project should not affect other HUD-related multifamily housing within the same neighborhood in a substantially adverse manner. Examples of such adverse effects are (1) substantial move-outs from nearby HUD-related projects precipitated by much lower rents in the subject project, or (2) substantial diversion of prospective applicants from such projects to the subject project.
(f) A first priority is given to HUD-Insured or Secretary-Held projects with presently serious financial problems, which are likely to result in a claim on the insurance fund in the near future. To the extent resources remain available, assistance also may be provided to projects with potentially serious financial problems which, on the basis of financial and/or management analysis, appear to have a high probability of producing a claim on the insurance funds within approximately the next five years.
(g) The infusion of Section 8 assistance into the subject project solves an identifiable problem, e.g., high vacancies and/or turnover, and provides a reasonable assurance of long-term project viability. A determination of long-term viability shall be based upon the following considerations:
(1) The project is not subject to any serious problems that are non-economic in nature. Examples of such problems are poor location, structural deficiencies or disinterested ownership.
(2) The Owner is in substantial compliance with the Regulatory Agreement. Owners are not diverting project funds for personal use. No dividends are being paid during any period of financial difficulty.
(3) The management agent is in substantial compliance with the management agreement. The current management agreement has been approved by HUD. Financial records are adequately kept. Occupancy requirements are being met. Marketing and maintenance programs are being carried out in an adequate manner, based upon available financial resources.
(4) The project’s problems are primarily the result of factors beyond the control of the present ownership and management.
(5) The major problems are traceable to an inadequate cash flow.
(6) The infusion of Section 8 assistance will solve the cash flow problem by:
(i) Making it possible to grant needed rent increases;
(ii) Reducing turnover, vacancies and collection losses.
(7) The Owner’s plan for remedying any deferred maintenance, financial problems, or other problems is realistic and achievable. There is positive evidence that the Owner will carry out the plan. Examples of such evidence are the Owner’s past performance in correcting problems and, in the case of profit-motivated Owners, any cash contributions made to correct project problems.
(h) Any plan submitted pursuant to § 886.105(d) is found by HUD to be adequate.
§ 886.108 Maximum annual contract commitment.
(a) Number of units assisted. Based on analysis of housing assistance needs of families residing or expected to reside in the project, HUD shall determine the number of units to be assisted up to 100 percent of the units in the project. All units currently assisted under section 23 or section 8 shall be converted and included under the Contract pursuant to this subpart, unless the parties to the Lease or Contract object to such conversion. Units assisted under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 or under section 236(f)(2) of the National Housing Act shall not be included under the Contract pursuant to this subpart unless the Owner proposes and HUD approves such conversion.
(b) Maximum annual Contract commitment. The maximum annual housing assistance payments that may be committed under the Contract shall be that amount which, when paid annually over the term of the Contract, is determined by HUD to be sufficient to provide for all housing assistance payments and fees under the Contract.
(c) Project Account. In order to assure that housing assistance payments will be increased on a timely basis to cover increases in Contract Rents or decreases in Family Incomes:
(1) A Project Account shall be established and maintained, in an amount as determined by the Secretary consistent with his responsibilities under section 8(c)(6) of the Act, out of amounts by which the maximum annual Contract commitment per year exceeds amounts paid under the Contract for any year. This account shall be established and maintained by HUD for each project as a specifically identified and segregated account, and payment shall be made therefrom only for the purposes of (i) housing assistance payments, and (ii) other costs specifically authorized or approved by the Secretary.
(2) Whenever a HUD-approved estimate of required housing assistance payments for a fiscal year exceeds the maximum annual Contract commitment, and would cause the amount in the Project Account to be less than an amount equal to 40 percent of such maximum annual Contract commitment, HUD shall, within a reasonable period of time, take such additional steps authorized by Section 8(c)(6) of the Act as may be necessary to carry out this assurance, including (as provided in that section of the Act) “the allocation of a portion of new authorizations for the purpose of amending housing assistance contracts.”
§ 886.109 Housing assistance payments to owners.
(a) General. Housing Assistance Payments shall be paid to Owners for units under lease by eligible families, in accordance with the Contract and as provided in this section. These Housing Assistance Payments will cover the difference between the Contract Rent and the Tenant Rent. Where applicable, the Utility Reimbursement will be paid to the Family as an additional Housing Assistance Payment. The Contract will provide that the Owner will make this payment on behalf of HUD. Funds will be paid to the Owner in trust solely for the purpose of making this additional payment. If the Family and the utility company consent, the Owner may pay the Utility Reimbursement jointly to the Family and the utility company or directly to the utility company.
(b) No Section 8 assistance may be provided for any unit occupied by an Owner; cooperatives are considered rental housing.
(c) If an Eligible Family vacates its unit (other than as a result of action by the Owner which is in violation of the Lease or the Contract or any applicable law), the Owner shall receive housing assistance payments in the amount of 80 percent of the Contract Rent for a vacancy period not exceeding 60 days: Provided, however, That if the Owner collects any of the Family’s share of the rent for this period, or applies security deposits for unpaid rent, in amounts which when added to the 80 percent payments, results in more than the Contract Rent, such excess shall be payable to HUD or as HUD may direct. (See also § 886.116.) The Owner shall not be entitled to any payment under this paragraph unless he:
(1) Immediately upon learning of the vacancy, has notified HUD of the vacancy or prospective vacancy and the reasons for the vacancy, and
(2) Has taken and continues to take all feasible actions to fill the vacancy including, but not limited to, contacting applicants on his waiting list (if any), and advising them of the availability of the unit, and
(3) Has not rejected any eligible applicant except for good cause.
§ 886.110 Contract rents.
(a) The sum of the Contract Rents plus an Allowance for Utilities and Other Services shall not exceed the published Section 8 Fair Market Rents for Existing Housing, except that they may be exceeded by:
(1) Up to 10 percent if the Field Office Director determines that special circumstances warrant such higher rents, or
(2) By up to 20 percent where the Regional Administrator determines that special circumstances warrant such higher rents, and in either case, such higher rents meet the test of reasonableness in paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) In the case of any project completed not more than six years prior to the application for assistance under that part, or in the case of units converted to Section 8 which were previously assisted under Section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 or Section 236(f)(2) of the National Housing Act, contract rents plus any allowance for utilities and other services may be as high as 75 percent of the published Section 8 Fair Market Rents for New Construction, which limitation may be increased: (1) By up to 10 percent if the Field Office Director determines that special circumstances warrant such higher rents, or (2) by up to 20 percent where the Regional Administrator determines that special circumstances warrant such higher rents, and in either case, such higher rents meet the test of reasonableness contained in paragraph (c) of this section. The project shall be converted using the current HUD approved rent level established pursuant to 24 CFR 207.19(e)(2)(i).
(c) In any case, HUD shall determine and so certify that the Contract Rents for the project do not exceed rents which are reasonable for the location, quality, amenities, facilities, and management and maintenance services in relation to the rents paid for comparable units in the private unassisted market, nor shall the Contract Rents exceed the rents charged by the Owner to unassisted Families for comparable units. HUD shall maintain for three years all certifications and relevant documentation under this paragraph (c).
§ 886.111 Term of contract.
A Contract may be for an initial term of not more than 5 years, renewable for successive 5 year terms by agreement between HUD and the Owner: Provided, That the total Contract term, including renewals, shall not exceed 15 years.
§ 886.111a Notice upon contract expiration.
(a) The Contract will provide that the owner will notify each assisted family, at least 90 days before the end of the Contract term, of any increase in the amount the family will be required to pay as rent which may occur as a result of its expiration. If the Contract is to be renewed but with a reduction in the number of units covered by it, this notice shall be given to each family who will not longer be assisted under the Contract.
(b) The notice provided for in paragraph (a) of this section shall be accomplished by: (1) Sending a letter by first class mail, properly stamped and addressed, to the family at its address at the project, with a proper return address, and (2) serving a copy of the notice on any adult person answering the door at the leased dwelling unit, or if no adult responds, by placing the notice under or through the door, if possible, or else by affixing the notice to the door. Service shall not be considered to be effective until both required notices have been accomplished. The date on which the notice shall be considered to be received by the family shall be the date on which the owner mails the first class letter provided for in this paragraph, or the date on which the notice provided for in this paragraph is properly given, whichever is later.
(c) The notice shall advise each affected family that, after the expiration date of the Contract, the family will be required to bear the entire cost of the rent and that the owner will be free (to the extent the project is not otherwise regulated by HUD) to alter the rent without HUD approval, but subject to any applicable requirements or restrictions under the lease or under State or local law. The notice shall also state: (1) The actual (if known) or the estimated rent which will be charged following the expiration of the Contract; (2) the difference between the rent and the Total Tenant Payment toward rent under the Contract; and (3) the date the Contract will expire.
(d) The owner shall give HUD a certification that families have been notified in accordance with this section with an example of the text of the notice attached.
(e) This section applies to all Contracts executed, renewed or amended on or after October 1, 1984.
§ 886.112 Rent adjustments.
This section applies to adjustments of the dollar amount stated in the Contract as the Maximum Unit Rent. It does not apply to adjustments in rents payable to Owners as required by HUD in connection with its mortgage insurance and/or lending functions.
(a) Funding of adjustments. Housing Assistance Payments will be made in increased amounts commensurate with Contract Rent adjustments up to the maximum annual amount of housing assistance payments specified in the Contract pursuant to § 886.108(b).
(b) Annual adjustments. The contract rents may be adjusted annually, or more frequently, at HUD’s option, either (1) on the basis of a written request for a rent increase submitted by the owner and properly supported by substantiating evidence, or (2) by applying, on each anniversary date of the contract, the applicable Automatic Annual Adjustment Factor most recently published by HUD in the
(c) Special additional adjustments. Special additional adjustments shall be granted, when approved by HUD, to reflect increases in the actual and necessary expenses of owning and maintaining the Contract units which have resulted from substantial general increases in real property taxes, utility rates or similar costs (i.e., assessment, and utilities not covered by regulated rates), but only if and to the extent that the Owner clearly demonstrates that such general increases have caused increases in the Owner’s operating costs which are not adequately compensated for by automatic annual adjustments. The Owner shall submit to HUD financial statements which clearly support the increase.
(d) Overall limitation. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the subpart, adjustments as provided in this section shall not result in material differences between the rents charged for assisted and comparable unassisted units, as determined by HUD.
(e) Incorporation of rent adjustments. Any adjustment in Maximum Unit Rents shall be incorporated into the Contract by a dated addendum to the Contract establishing the effective date of the adjustment.
§ 886.113 Physical condition standard; physical inspection requirements.
(a) General. Housing used in this program must be maintained and inspected in accordance with the requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
(b) Space and security. In addition to the standards in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G, the dwelling unit must have a living room, a kitchen area, and a bathroom. The dwelling unit must have at least one bedroom or living/sleeping room for each two persons.
(c)–(h) [Reserved]
(i) Lead based paint. The Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 4821–4846), the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4851–4856), and implementing regulations at part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R of this title apply to activities under this program.
(j)–(m) [Reserved]
(n) Congregate housing. In addition to the foregoing standards, the following standards apply to congregate housing:
(1) The unit shall contain a refrigerator of appropriate size.
(2) The central dining facility (and kitchen facility, if any) shall contain suitable space and equipment to store, prepare and serve food in a sanitary manner, and there shall be adequate facilities and services for the sanitary disposal of food wastes and refuse, including facilities for temporary storage where necessary (e.g., garbage cans).
§ 886.114 Equal opportunity requirements.
Participation in the program authorized in this subpart requires compliance with (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Executive Orders 11063 and 11246, and section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968; and (b) all rules, regulations, and requirements issued pursuant thereto.
§ 886.115 [Reserved]
§ 886.116 Security and utility deposits.
(a) An Owner may require Families to pay a security deposit in an amount up to, but not more than, one month’s Gross Family Contribution. If a Family vacates its unit, the Owner, subject to State and local laws, may utilize the deposit as reimbursement for any unpaid rent or other amount owed under the Lease. If the Family has provided a security deposit and it is insufficient for such reimbursement, the Owner may claim reimbursement from HUD, not to exceed an amount equal to the remainder of one month’s Contract Rent. Any reimbursement under this section shall be applied first toward any unpaid rent. If a Family vacates the unit owing no rent or other amount under the Lease or if such amount is less than the amount of the security deposit, the Owner shall refund the full amount or the unused balance, as the case may be, to the Family.
(b) In those jurisdictions where interest is payable by the Owner on security deposits, the refunded amount shall include the amount of interest payable. All security deposit funds shall be deposited by the Owner in a segregated bank account, and the balance of this account, at all times, shall be equal to the total amount collected from tenants then in occupancy, plus any accrued interest. The Owner shall comply with all State and local laws regarding interest payments on security deposits.
(c) Families shall be expected to obtain the funds to pay security and utility deposits, if required, from their own resources and/or other private or public sources.
§ 886.117 [Reserved]
§ 886.118 Amount of housing assistance payments in projects receiving other HUD assistance.
(a) For any Section 221(d)(3) BMIR, Section 236, or Section 202 project, the Housing Assistance Payment shall be the amount by which the rent payable by the eligible Family under Section 8 is less than the subsidized rent (which subsidy shall not be reduced by reason of any Section 8 assistance).
(b) In no event may any tenant benefit from more than one of the following subsidies: Rent Supplements, Section 236 deep subsidies, Section 23 leasing assistance, and Section 8 housing assistance.
§ 886.119 Responsibilities of the owner.
(a) The Owner shall be responsible for management and maintenance of the project in conformance with requirements of the Regulatory Agreement. These responsibilities shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Payment for utilities and services (unless paid directly by the Family), insurance and taxes;
(2) Performance of all ordinary and extraordinary maintenance;
(3) Performance of all management functions, including the taking of applications; determining eligibility of applicants in accordance with part 5 of this title; selection of families, including verification of income, in accordance with part 5 of this title, obtaining and verifying Social Security Numbers submitted by applicants (as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title), obtaining signed consent forms from applicants for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies (as provided in part 5, subpart B, of this title), and other pertinent requirements; and determination of the amount of tenant rent in accordance with HUD established schedules and criteria.
(4) Collection of Tenant Rents;
(5) Termination of tenancies, including evictions;
(6) Preparation and furnishing of information required under the Contract;
(7) Reexamination of family income and composition, redetermination, as appropriate, of the amount of Tenant Rent and the amount of housing assistance payment in accordance with part 5 of this title; collection of rent; obtaining and verifying participant Social Security Numbers, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title; and obtaining signed consent forms from participants for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title.
(8) Redeterminations of amount of Tenant Rent and amount of Housing Assistance Payment in accordance with part 5 of this title as a result of an adjustment by HUD of any applicable Utility Allowance; and
(9) Compliance with equal opportunity requirements.
(b) In the event of a financial default under the project mortgage, HUD shall have the right to make subsequent Housing Assistance Payments to the mortgagee until such time as the default is cured, or, at the option of the mortgagee and subject to HUD approval, until some other agreed-upon time.
(c) Subject to HUD approval, any Owner may contract with any private or public entity to perform for a fee the services required by paragraph (a) of this section: Provided, That such contract shall not shift any of the Owner’s responsibilities or obligations.
§ 886.120 Responsibility for contract administration.
(a) HUD is responsible for administration of the Contract. HUD may contract with another entity for the performance of some or all of its Contract administration functions.
(b) The Contract shall contain a provision to the effect (1) that if HUD determines that the Owner is not in compliance under the Contract, HUD shall notify the Owner of the actions required to be taken to restore compliance and of the remedies to be applied by HUD including abatement of Housing Assistance Payments and recovery of overpayments, where appropriate; and (2) that if he fails to comply, HUD has the right to terminate the Contract or to take other corrective action. A default under the Regulatory Agreement shall be treated as non-compliance under the Contract.
§ 886.121 Marketing.
(a) Marketing of units and selection of Families by the Owner shall be in accordance with the Owner’s HUD-approved Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, if required, and with all regulations relating to fair housing advertising including use of the equal opportunity logotype, statement, and slogan in all advertising. Projects shall be managed and operated without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin.
(b) The Owner shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Contract, this subpart A, and the procedures of part 5 of this title in taking applications, selecting families, and all related determinations.
(c) For the informal hearing provisions related to denial of assistance based upon failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, see part 5, subpart E, of this title for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of denial of assistance.
§ 886.122 [Reserved]
§ 886.123 Maintenance, operation and inspections.
(a) Maintenance and operation. The Owner shall maintain and operate the project so as to provide Decent, Safe, and Sanitary housing and he shall provide all the services, maintenance and utilities which he agrees to provide under the Contract, subject to abatement of housing assistance payments or other applicable remedies if he fails to meet these obligations.
(b) Inspection prior to occupancy. Prior to occupancy of any unit by a Family, the Owner and the Family shall inspect the unit and both shall certify, on forms prescribed by HUD that they have inspected the unit and have determined it to be Decent, Safe, and Sanitary in accordance with the criteria provided in the prescribed forms. Copies of these reports shall be kept on file by the Owner for at least three years.
(c) Periodic inspections. HUD will inspect or cause to be inspected a reasonable sample of contract units at least annually and at such other times as may be necessary to assure that the owner is meeting his contractual obligations. HUD will take into account complaints by occupants and any other information coming to its attention in scheduling inspections and shall notify the owner of its determination.
(d) Units not Decent, Safe, and Sanitary. If HUD notifies the Owner that he has failed to maintain a dwelling unit in Decent, Safe, and Sanitary condition and the Owner fails to take corrective action within the time prescribed in the notice, HUD may exercise any of its rights or remedies under the Contract, including abatement of housing assistance payments, even if the Family continues to occupy the unit.
§ 886.124 Reexamination of family income and composition.
(a) Regular reexaminations. The owner must reexamine the income and composition of all families at least once each year. Upon verification of the information, the owner must make appropriate adjustments in the Total Tenant Payment in accordance with part 5 of this title and determine whether the family’s unit size is still appropriate. The owner must adjust Tenant Rent and the Housing Assistance Payment to reflect any change in Total Tenant Payment and carry out any unit transfer required by HUD. At the time of the annual reexamination of family income and composition, the owner must require the family to disclose and verify Social Security Numbers. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms by families for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see part 5, subpart B, of this title. At the first regular reexamination after June 19, 1995, the owner shall follow the requirements of part 5, subpart E, of this title concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of all family members. Thereafter, at each regular reexamination, the owner shall follow the requirements of part 5, subpart E, of this title concerning verification of the immigration status of any new family member.
(b) Interim reexaminations. The family must comply with provisions in its lease regarding interim reporting of changes in income. If the owner receives information concerning a change in the family’s income or other circumstances between regularly scheduled reexaminations, the owner must consult with the family and make any adjustments determined to be appropriate. Any change in the family’s income or other circumstances that results in an adjustment in the Total Tenant Payment, Tenant Rent and Housing Assistance Payment must be verified. See part 5, subpart B, of this title for the requirements for the disclosure and verification of Social Security Numbers at interim reexaminations involving new family members. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms by families for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see part 5, subpart B, of this title. At any interim reexamination after June 19, 1995, when there is a new family member, the owner shall follow the requirements of part 5, subpart E, of this title concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of the new family member.
(c) Continuation of housing assistance payments. A family’s eligibility for housing assistance payments will continue until the Total Tenant Payment equals the Gross Rent. The termination of eligibility will not affect the family’s other rights under its lease, nor will such termination preclude the resumption of payments as a result of later changes in income, rents, or other relevant circumstances during the term of the Contract. However, eligibility also may be terminated in accordance with program requirements, for such reasons as failure to submit requested verification information, including failure to meet the disclosure and verification requirements for Social Security Numbers, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title, or failure to sign and submit consent forms for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title. For provisions requiring termination of assistance for failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, see part 5, subpart E, of this title for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, and for provisions concerning deferral of termination of assistance.
(d) Streamlined income determination. An owner may elect to follow the provisions of 24 CFR 5.657(d).
§ 886.125 Overcrowded and underoccupied units.
If HUD determines that a contract unit assisted under this part is not Decent, Safe, and Sanitary by reason of increase in Family size or that a Contract unit is larger than appropriate for the size of the Family in occupancy, housing assistance payments with respect to such unit will not be abated, unless the Owner fails to offer the Family a suitable unit as soon as one becomes vacant and ready for occupancy. The Owner may receive housing assistance payments for the vacated unit if he complies with the requirements of § 886.109.
§ 886.126 Adjustment of utility allowances.
When the owner requests HUD approval of adjustment in Contract Rents under § 886.112, an analysis of the project’s Utility Allowances must be included. Such data as changes in utility rates and other facts affecting utility consumption should be provided as part of this analysis to permit appropriate adjustments in the Utility Allowances. In addition, when approval of a utility rate change would result in a cumulative increase of 10 percent or more in the most recently approved Utility Allowances, the owner must advise the Secretary and request approval of new Utility Allowances.
§ 886.127 Lease requirements.
(a) Term of lease. (1) The term of a lease, including a new lease or a lease amendment, executed by the owner and the family must be for at least one year, or the remaining term of the contract if the remaining term of the contract is less than one year.
(2) During the first year of the lease term, the owner may not terminate the tenancy for “other good cause” under 24 CFR 247.3(a)(3), unless the termination is based on family malfeasance or nonfeasance. For example, during the first year of the lease term, the owner may not terminate the tenancy for “other good cause” based on the failure by the family to accept the offer of a new lease.
(3) The lease may contain a provision permitting the family to terminate the lease on 30 days advance written notice to the owner. In the case of a lease term for more than one year, the lease must contain this provision.
(b) Required and prohibited provisions. The lease between the owner and the family must comply with HUD regulations and requirements, and must be in the form required by HUD. The lease may not contain any of the following types of prohibited provisions:
(1) Admission of guilt. Agreement by the family (i) to be sued, (ii) to admit guilt, or (iii) to a judgment in favor of the owner, in a court proceeding against the family in connection with the lease.
(2) Treatment of family property. Agreement by the family that the owner may take or hold family property, or may sell family property, without notice to the family and a court decision on the rights of the parties.
(3) Excusing owner from responsibility. Agreement by the family not to hold the owner or the owner’s agents responsible for any action or failure to act, whether intentional or negligent.
(4) Waiver of notice. Agreement by the family that the owner does not need to give notice of a court proceeding against the family in connection with the lease, or does not need to give any notice required by HUD.
(5) Waiver of court proceeding for eviction. Agreement by the family that the owner may evict the family (i) without instituting a civil court proceeding in which the family has the opportunity to present a defense, or (ii) before a decision by the court on the rights of the parties.
(6) Waiver of jury trial. Agreement by the family to waive any right to a trial by jury.
(7) Waiver of appeal. Agreement by the family to waive the right to appeal, or to otherwise challenge in court, a court decision in connection with the lease.
(8) Family chargeable with legal costs regardless of outcome. Agreement by the family to pay lawyer’s fees or other legal costs of the owner, even if the family wins in a court proceeding by the owner against the family. (However, the family may have to pay these fees and costs if the family loses.)
§ 886.128 Termination of tenancy.
Part 247 of this title (24 CFR part 247) applies to the termination of tenancy and eviction of a family assisted under this subpart. For cases involving termination of tenancy because of a failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, the procedures of 24 CFR parts 247 and 5 shall apply. The provisions of 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), apply to this section. The provisions of 24 CFR part 5, subpart E, of this title concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, and concerning deferral of termination of assistance, also shall apply.
§ 886.129 Leasing to eligible families.
(a) Availability of units for occupancy by Eligible Families. During the term of the Contract, an owner shall make available for occupancy by eligible families the total number of units for which assistance is committed under the Contract. For purposes of this section, making units available for occupancy by eligible families means that the owner: (1) Is conducting marketing in accordance with § 886.121; (2) has leased or is making good faith efforts to lease the units to eligible and otherwise acceptable families, including taking all feasible actions to fill vacancies by renting to such families; and (3) has not rejected any such applicant family except for reasons acceptable to HUD. If the owner is temporarily unable to lease all units for which assistance is committed under the Contract to eligible families, one or more units may be leased to ineligible families with the prior approval of HUD. Failure on the part of the owner to comply with these requirements is a violation of the Contract and grounds for all available legal remedies, including specific performance of the Contract, suspension or debarment from HUD programs, and reduction of the number of units under the Contract as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Reduction of number of units covered by Contract. HUD may reduce the number of units covered by the Contract to the number of units available for occupancy by eligible families if:
(1) The owner fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; or
(2) Notwithstanding any prior approval by HUD to lease such units to ineligible families, HUD determines that the inability to lease units to eligible families is not a temporary problem.
(c) Restoration. HUD will agree to an amendment of the Contract to provide for subsequent restoration of any reduction made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section if:
(1) HUD determines that the restoration is justified by demand;
(2) The owner otherwise has a record of compliance with his or her obligations under the Contract; and
(3) Contract and budget authority are available.
(d) Applicability. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section apply to Contracts executed on or after October 3, 1984.
(e) Termination of assistance for failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status. If an owner subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section is required to terminate housing assistance payments for the family in accordance with part 5, subpart E, of this title because the owner determines that the entire family does not have U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, the owner may allow continued occupancy of the unit by the family without Section 8 assistance following the termination of assistance, or if the family constitutes a mixed family, as defined in part 5, subpart E, of this title, the owner shall comply with the provisions of part 5, subpart E, of this title concerning assistance to mixed families, and deferral of termination of assistance.
§ 886.130 Management and occupancy reviews.
(a) The contract administrator will conduct management and occupancy reviews to determine whether the owner is in compliance with the Contract. Such reviews will be conducted in accordance with a schedule set out by the Secretary and published in the
(b) HUD or the Contract Administrator may inspect project operations and units at any time.
(c) Equal Opportunity reviews may be conducted by HUD at any time.
§ 886.131 Audit.
Where a non-Federal entity (as defined in 2 CFR 200.69) is the eligible owner of a project, or is a contract administrator under § 886.120, receiving financial assistance under this part, the audit requirements in 2 CFR part 200, subpart F, shall apply.
§ 886.132 Tenant selection.
Subpart F of 24 CFR part 5 governs selection of tenants and occupancy requirements applicable under this subpart A of part 886. Subpart L of 24 CFR part 5 (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking) applies to this section.
§ 886.138 Displacement, relocation, and acquisition.
(a) Minimizing displacement. Consistent with the other goals and objectives of this part, owners shall assure that they have taken all reasonable steps to minimize the displacement of persons (families, individuals, businesses, nonprofit organization, and farms) as a result of a project assisted under this part.
(b) Temporary relocation. The following policies cover residential tenants who will not be required to move permanently but who must relocate temporarily for the project. Such tenants must be provided;
(1) Reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the temporary relocation, including the cost of moving to and from the temporary housing and any increase in monthly rent/utility costs; and
(2) Appropriate advisory services, including reasonable advance written notice of:
(i) The date and approximate duration of the temporary relocation;
(ii) The location of the suitable, decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling to be made available for the temporary period;
(iii) The terms and conditions under which the tenant may lease and occupy a suitable, decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling in the building/complex following completion of the rehabilitation; and
(iv) The provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(c) Relocation assistance for displaced persons. A “displaced person” (as defined in paragraph (g) of this section) must be provided relocation assistance at the levels described in, and in accordance with the requirements of, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (URA) (42 U.S.C. 4601–4655) and implementing regulations at 49 CFR part 24. A “displaced person” shall be advised of his or her rights under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601–19), and, if the representative comparable replacement dwelling used to establish the amount of the replacement housing payment to be provided to a minority person is located in an area of minority concentration, such person also shall be given, if possible, referrals to comparable and suitable, decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwellings not located in such areas.
(d) Real property acquisition requirements. The acquisition of real property for a project is subject to the URA and the requirements described in 49 CFR part 24, subpart B.
(e) Appeals. A person who disagrees with the Owner’s determination concerning whether the person qualifies as a “displaced person,” or the amount of relocation assistance for which the person is found to be eligible, may file a written appeal of that determination with the owner. A low-income person who is dissatisfied with the owner’s determination on such appeal may submit a written request for review of that determination to the HUD Field Office.
(f) Responsibility of owner. (1) The owner shall certify (i.e., provide assurance of compliance, as required by 49 CFR part 24) that he or she will comply with the URA, the regulations at 49 CFR part 24, and the requirements of this section. The owner is responsible for such compliance notwithstanding and third party’s contractual obligation to the owner to comply with these provisions.
(2) The cost of providing required relocation assistance is an eligible project cost to the same extent and in the same manner as other project costs. Such costs also may be paid for with funds available from other sources.
(3) The owner shall maintain records in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this section. The owner shall maintain data on the race, ethnic, gender, and handicap status of displaced persons.
(g) Definition of displaced person. (1) for purposes of this section, the term displaced person means a person (family, individual, business, nonprofit organization, or farm) that moves from real property, or moves personal property from real property, permanently, as a direct result of acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition for a project assisted under this part. This includes any permanent, involuntary move for an assisted project, including any permanent move from the real property that is made:
(i) After notice by the owner to move permanently from the property, if the move occurs on or after the date of the submission of the application to HUD;
(ii) Before submission of the application to HUD, if HUD determines that the displacement resulted directly from acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition for the assisted project; or
(iii) By a tenant-occupant of a dwelling unit, if any one of the following three situations occurs;
(A) The tenant moves after execution of the Housing Assistance Payments Contract, and the move occurs before the tenant is provided written notice offering him or her the opportunity to lease and occupy a suitable, decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling in the same building/complex, under reasonable terms and conditions, upon completion of the project. Such reasonable terms and conditions include a monthly rent and estimated average monthly utility costs that do not exceed the greater of:
(1) The tenant’s monthly rent before execution of the Housing Assistance Payments Contract and estimated average monthly utility costs; or
(2) The total tenant payment, as determined under part 5 of this title, if the tenant is low-income, or 30 percent of gross household income, if the tenant is not low-income;
(B) The tenant is required to relocate temporarily, does not return to the building/complex, and either:
(1) The tenant is not offered payment for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the temporary relocation, or
(2) Other conditions of the temporary relocation are not reasonable; or
(C) The tenant is required to move to another dwelling unit in the same building/complex but is not offered reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the move, or other conditions of the move are not reasonable.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (g)(1) of this section, a person does not qualify as a “displaced person” (and is not eligible for relocation assistance under the URA or this section), if:
(i) The person has been evicted for serious or repeated violation of the terms and conditions of the lease or occupancy agreement, violation of applicable Federal, State or local law, or other good cause, and HUD determines that the eviction was not undertaken for the purpose of evading the obligation to provide relocation assistance;
(ii) The person moved into the property after the submission of the application and, before signing a lease and commencing occupancy, received written notice of the project, its possible impact on the person (e.g., the person may be displaced, temporarily relocated, or suffer a rent increase) and the fact that he or she would not qualify as a “displaced person” (or for assistance under this section) as a result of the project;
(iii) The person is ineligible under 49 CFR 24.2(g)(2); or
(iv) HUD determines that the person was not displaced as a direct result of acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition for the project.
(3) The owner may ask HUD, at any time, to determine whether a displacement is or would be covered by this section.
(h) Definition of initiation of negotiations. For purposes of determining the formula for computing the replacement housing assistance to be provided to a residential tenant displaced as a direct result of private-owner rehabilitation, demolition or acquisition of the real property, the term “initiation of negotiations” means the owner’s execution of the Housing Assistance Payments Contract.
§ 886.139 Emergency transfers for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
(a) Covered housing providers must develop and implement an emergency transfer plan that meets the requirements in 24 CFR 5.2005(e).
(b) In order to facilitate emergency transfers for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, covered housing providers have discretion to adopt new, and modify any existing, admission preferences or transfer waitlist priorities.
(c) In addition to following requirements in 24 CFR 5.2005(e), when a safe unit is not immediately available for a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who qualifies for an emergency transfer, covered housing providers must: (1) Review the covered housing provider’s existing inventory of units and determine when the next vacant unit may be available; and
(2) Provide a listing of nearby HUD subsidized rental properties, with or without preference for persons of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and contact information for the local HUD field office.
(d) Each year, covered housing providers must submit to HUD data on all emergency transfers requested under 24 CFR 5.2005(e), including data on the outcomes of such requests.
§ 886.140 Broadband infrastructure.
Any new construction or substantial rehabilitation, as substantial rehabilitation is defined by 24 CFR 5.100, of a building with more than 4 rental units and that is subject to a Housing Assistance Payments contract executed or renewed after January 19, 2017 must include installation of broadband infrastructure, as this term is also defined in 24 CFR 5.100, except where the owner determines and documents the determination that:
(a) The location of the new construction or substantial rehabilitation makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible;
(b) The cost of installing broadband infrastructure would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program or activity or in an undue financial burden; or
(c) The structure of the housing to be substantially rehabilitated makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible.
Subpart B [Reserved]
Subpart C—Section 8 Housing Assistance Program for the Disposition of HUD-Owned Projects
§ 886.301 Purpose.
The purpose of this subpart is to provide for the use of Section 8 housing assistance in connection with the sale of HUD-owned multifamily rental housing projects and the foreclosure of HUD-held mortgages on rental housing projects (as defined in 24 CFR 290.5).
§ 886.302 Definitions.
The terms Fair Market Rent (FMR), HUD, and Public Housing Agency (PHA) are defined in 24 CFR part 5.
Act. The United States Housing Act of 1937.
Agreement. An Agreement to Enter into a Housing Assistance Payments Contract. See § 886.332.
Annual income. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Contract. (See Section 8 contract.)
Contract rent. The rent payable to the owner under the contract, including the portion of the rent payable by the family. In the case of a cooperative, the term “contract rent” means charges under the occupancy agreements between the members and the cooperative.
Covered housing provider. For the Section 8 Housing Assistance Program for the Disposition of HUD-Owned Projects, under subpart C of this part, “covered housing provider,” as such term is used in HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), refers to the owner.
Decent, safe, and sanitary. Housing is decent, safe, and sanitary if it meets the physical condition requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
Eligible project or project. A multifamily housing project (see 24 CFR part 290):
(1) For which the disposition in accordance with the provisions of 24 CFR part 290 involves sale with Section 8 housing assistance to enable the project to be used, in whole or in part, to provide housing for lower income families; and
(2) The units of which are decent, safe, and sanitary.
Family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
HCD Act. The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
Housing Assistance Payment. The payment made by the contract administrator to the Owner of an assisted unit as provided in the Contract. Where the unit is leased to an eligible Family, the payment is the difference between the Contract Rent and the Tenant Rent. A Housing Assistance Payment may be made to the Owner when a unit is vacant, in accordance with the terms of the Contract. An additional Housing Assistance Payment is made when the Utility Allowance is greater than the Total Tenant Payment.
Lease. A written agreement between the owner and a family for leasing of decent, safe and sanitary dwelling unit to the family.
Low-income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Owner. The purchaser, including a cooperative entity or an agency of the Federal Government, under this subpart, of a HUD-owned project; or the purchaser, including a cooperative entity or an agency of the Federal Government, through a foreclosure sale of a project that was subject to a HUD-held mortgage.
Project account. The account established and maintained in accordance with § 886.308.
Rehabilitation. The rehabilitation of an eligible project to upgrade the property to decent, safe, and sanitary condition to comply with the Housing Quality Standards described in § 886.307 of this part, or other standards approved by HUD, from a condition below those standards and requiring repairs that may vary in degree from gutting and extensive reconstruction to the cure of deferred maintenance. Rehabilitation may exceed the requirements of § 886.307 of this part.
Section 8 contract (“Contract”). A written contract between the owner of an eligible project and HUD providing housing assistance payments to the owner on behalf of eligible families pursuant to this subpart.
Tenant rent. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Total tenant payment. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility allowance. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Utility reimbursement. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Very low-income family. As defined in part 5 of this title.
Allocation. The contract authority and budget authority for this program will be provided from the Headquarters reserve authority approved specifically for use in connection with the sale of eligible projects.
§ 886.304 Project eligibility criteria.
(a) Selection of projects. HUD shall select projects for sale with assistance under this subpart on the basis of the final disposition programs developed and approved in accordance with part 290 and the requirements of this subpart. In the evaluation of projects, consideration shall be given to whether there are site occupants who would have to be displaced, whether the relocation of site occupants is feasible, and the degree of hardship which displacement might cause.
(b) Projects needing rehabilitation. A project, which is sold subject to the condition that following sale the project will be rehabilitated by the owner so as to become decent, safe and sanitary, will be sold with an Agreement that Section 8 assistance will be provided after the repairs are completed by the owner and the project is inspected and accepted by HUD. In these projects, Section 8 payments may be made only for project units which are determined to be decent, safe and sanitary.
(c) High-rise elevator projects. High-rise elevator projects for families with children will not be assisted under this subpart unless the final disposition program, prepared in accordance with 24 CFR part 290 indicates that there is a need for assisted housing for families and there is no other practical alternative for providing the needed housing.
§ 886.305 Disclosure and verification of Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers by owners.
To be eligible to become an owner of housing assisted under this subpart, the owner must meet the disclosure and verification requirements for Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title.
§ 886.306 Notices.
Before a project is approved for sale in accordance with this subpart, and as a part of the process of preparing a disposition recommendation in accordance with 24 CFR part 290, the field office manager must notify in writing the chief executive officer of the unit of general local government in which the project is located (or the designee of that officer) of the proposed sale with housing assistance, and must afford the unit of local government an opportunity to review and comment upon the proposed sale in accordance with 24 CFR part 791. Local government review should address consistency with the housing needs and strategy of the community, rather than strict conformance to the limitations on variations from housing assistance plan goals which are contained in part 791.
§ 886.307 Physical condition standards; physical inspection requirements.
(a) General. Housing assisted under this part must be maintained and inspected in accordance with the requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G.
(b) Space and security. In addition to the standards in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G, the dwelling unit must have a living room, a kitchen area, and a bathroom. The dwelling unit must have at least one bedroom or living/sleeping room for each two persons.
(c)–(h) [Reserved]
(i) Lead-based paint. The Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 4821–4846), the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4851–4856), and implementing regulations at part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R of this title apply to activities under this program.
(j)–(l) [Reserved]
(m) Congregate housing. In addition to the foregoing standards, the following standards apply to congregate housing:
(1) The unit shall contain and have ready access to a flush toilet which can be used in privacy, a fixed basin with hot and cold running water, and a shower and/or tub equipped with hot and cold running water all in proper operating condition and adequate for personal cleanliness and the disposal of human wastes. These facilities shall utilize an approved public or private disposal system, and shall be sufficient in number so that they need not be shared by more than four occupants. Those units accommodating physically handicapped occupants with wheelchairs or other special equipment shall provide access to all sanitary facilities, and shall provide, as appropriate to needs of the occupants, basins and toilets of appropriate height; grab bars to toilets, showers and/or bathtubs; shower seats; and adequate space for movement.
(2) The unit shall contain suitable space to store, prepare and serve foods in a sanitary manner. A cooking stove or range, a refrigerator(s) of appropriate size and in sufficient quantity for the number of occupants, and a kitchen sink with hot and cold running water shall be present in proper operating condition. The sink shall drain into an approved private or public system. Adequate space for the storage, preparation and serving of food shall be provided. There shall be adequate facilities and services for the sanitary disposal of food wastes and refuse, including facilities for temporary storage where necessary (e.g., garbage cans).
(3) The dwelling unit shall afford the Family adequate space and security. A living room, kitchen, dining area, bathroom, and other appropriate social and/or recreational community space shall be within the unit and the dwelling unit shall contain at least one sleeping room of appropriate size for each two persons. Exterior doors and windows accessible from outside each unit shall be capable of being locked. An emergency exit plan shall be developed and occupants shall be apprised of the details of the plan. Regular fire inspections shall be conducted by appropriate local officials. Readily accessible first aid supplies and fire extinguishers shall be provided throughout the unit, smoke detectors shall be provided and emergency phone numbers (police, ambulance, fire department, etc.) shall be available at every phone and individual copies shall be provided to each occupant. All emergency and safety features and procedures shall meet applicable State and local standards.
(n) Independent group residence. In addition to the foregoing standards, the standards in 24 CFR 887.467 (a) through (g) apply to independent group residences.
§ 886.308 Maximum total annual contract commitment.
(a) Number of units assisted. Based on the final disposition program developed in accordance with 24 CFR part 290, HUD shall determine the number of units to be assisted up to 100 percent of the units in the project.
(b) Maximum assistance. The maximum total annual housing assistance payments that may be committed under the contract shall be the total of the gross rents for all the contract units in the project.
(c) Changes in contract amounts. In order to assure that housing assistance payments will be increased on a timely basis to cover increases in contract rents, changes in family composition, or decreases in family incomes:
(1) A project account shall be established and maintained, in an amount as determined by HUD consistent with section 8(c)(6) of the Act, out of amounts by which the maximum annual contract commitment per year exceeds amounts paid under the contract for any fiscal year. This account shall be established and maintained by HUD as a specifically identified and segregated account, and payment shall be made therefrom only for the purposes of:
(i) Housing assistance payments, and
(ii) Other costs specifically authorized or approved by HUD.
(2) Whenever a HUD-approved estimate of required housing assistance payments for a fiscal year exceeds the maximum annual contract commitment, causing the amount in the project account to be less than an amount equal to 40 percent of the maximum annual contract commitment, HUD, within a reasonable period of time, shall take such additional steps authorized by Section 8(c)(6) of the Act as may be necessary to carry out this assurance, including (as provided in that section of the Act) “the reservation of annual contributions authority for the purpose of amending housing assistance contracts or the allocation of a portion of new authorizations for the purpose of amending housing assistance contracts.”
§ 886.309 Housing assistance payment to owners.
(a) General. Housing Assistance Payments shall be paid to Owners for units under lease by eligible Families, in accordance with the Contract and as provided in this section. These Housing Assistance Payments will cover the difference between the Contract Rent and the Tenant Rent. Where applicable, the Utility Reimbursement will be paid to the Family as an additional Housing Assistance Payment. The Contract will provide that the Owner will make this payment on behalf of HUD. Funds will be paid to the Owner in trust solely for the purpose of making this additional payment. If the Family and the utility company consent, the Owner may pay the Utility Reimbursement jointly to the Family and the utility company or directly to the utility company.
(b) No assistance for owners. No Section 8 assistance may be provided for any unit occupied by an owner. However, cooperatives are considered rental housing rather than owner-occupied housing under this subpart.
(c) Payments for vacancies from execution of contract to initial occupancy. If a Contract unit which is decent, safe and sanitary and has been accepted by HUD as available as of the effective date of the Contract is not leased within 15 days of the effective date of the Contract, the Owner will be entitled to housing assistance payments in the amount of 80 percent of the Contract Rent for the unit for a vacancy period not exceeding 60 days from the effective date of the Contract provided that the Owner (1) has submitted a list of units leased as of the effective date and a list of the units not so leased; (2) 60 days prior to the completion of the rehabilitation or the date the agreement was executed, whichever is later, had notified the PHA of any units which the owner anticipated would be vacant on the anticipated effective date of the contract; (3) has taken and continues to take all feasible actions to fill the vacancy including, but not limited to: contracting applicants on the Owner’s waiting list, if any, requesting the PHA and other appropriate sources to refer eligible applicants, and advertising the availability of the units in a manner specifically designed to reach low-income families; and (4) has not rejected any eligible applicant except for good cause acceptable to HUD.
(d) Payments for vacancies after initial occupancy. If an eligible family vacates its unit (other than as a result of action by the Owner which is in violation of the Lease or the Contract or any applicable law), the owner may receive housing assistance payments for so much of the month in which the Family vacates the unit as the unit remains vacant. Should the unit remain vacant, the Owner may receive from HUD a housing assistance payment in the amount of 80 percent of Contract Rent for a vacancy period not exceeding an additional month. However, if the owner collects any of the family’s share of the rent for this period, the payment must be reduced to an amount which, when added to the family’s payments, does not exceed 80 percent of the Contract Rent. Any such excess shall be reimbursed by the Owner to HUD or as HUD may direct. (See also § 886.315.) The owner shall not be entitled to any payment under this paragraph unless he or she: (1) Immediately upon learning of the vacancy, has notified HUD of the vacancy or prospective vacancy and the reasons for the vacancy, and (2) has made and continues to make a good faith effort to fill the vacancy, including but not limited to, contacting applicants on the waiting list, if any, requesting the PHA and other appropriate sources to refer eligible applicants, and advertising the availability of the unit, and (3) has not rejected any eligible applicant, except for good cause acceptable to HUD.
(e) Payments for units where family is evicted. If the owner evicts a family, the owner shall not be entitled to any payments pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section unless the request for such payment is supported by a certification that the provisions of § 886.328 and part 247 of this title have been followed.
(f) Prohibition for double compensation for vacancies. The owner shall not be entitled to housing assistance payments with respect to vacant units under this section to the extent he or she is entitled to payments from other sources (for example, payments for losses of rental income incurred for holding units vacant for relocatees pursuant to Title I of the HCD Act or payments under § 886.315).
(g) Debt service payments. (1) If a contract unit continues to be vacant after the 60-day period specified in paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, the Owner may submit a claim and receive additional housing assistance payments on a semiannual basis with respect to such a vacant unit in an amount equal to the principal and interest payments required to amortize the portion of the debt attributable to that unit for the period of the vacancy, whether such vacancy commenced during rent-up or after rent-up.
(2) Additional payments under this paragraph (g) for any unit shall not be for more than 12 months for any vacancy period, and shall be made only if:
(i) The unit is not in a project insured under the National Housing Act except pursuant to section 244 of that Act.
(ii) The unit was in decent, safe, and sanitary condition during the vacancy period for which payments are claimed.
(iii) The owner has taken and is continuing to take the actions specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (2) and (3) or paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section, as appropriate.
(iv) The Owner has demonstrated in connection with the semiannual claim on a form and in accordance with the standards prescribed by HUD with respect to the period of the vacancy, that the project is not providing the Owner with revenues at least equal to the project costs incurred by the Owner, and that the amount of the payments requested is not in excess of that portion of the deficiency which is attributable to the vacant units for the period of the vacancies.
(v) The Owner has submitted, in connection with the semiannual claim, a statement with relevant supporting evidence that there is a reasonable prospect that the project can achieve financial soundness within a reasonable time. The statement shall indicate the causes of the deficiency; the corrective steps that have been and will be taken; and the time by which it is expected that the project revenues will at least equal project costs without the additional payments provided under this paragraph.
(3) HUD may deny any claim for additional payments or suspend or terminate payments if it determines that based on the Owner’s statement and other evidence, there is not a reasonable prospect that the project can achieve financial soundness within a reasonable time.
§ 886.310 Initial contract rents.
HUD will establish contract rents at levels that, together with other resources available to the purchasers, provide sufficient amounts for the necessary costs of rehabilitating and operating the multifamily housing project and do not exceed 120 percent of the most recently published Section 8 Fair Market Rents for Existing Housing (24 CFR part 888, subpart A).
§ 886.311 Term of contract.
The contract term for any unit shall not exceed 15 years, except that the term may be less than 15 years as provided under either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section.
(a) The contract term may be less than 15 years if HUD finds that, based on the rental charges and financing for the multifamily housing project to which the contract relates, the financial viability of the project can be maintained under a contract having a term less than 15 years. Where a contract of less than 15 years is provided under this paragraph, the amount of rent payable by tenants of the project for units assisted under such a contract shall not exceed the amount payable for rent under section 3(a) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for a period of at least 15 years.
(b) The contract term may be less than 15 years if the assistance is provided under a contract authorized under section 6 of the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993, and pursuant to a disposition plan under this part for a project that is determined by the HUD to be otherwise in compliance with this part.
§ 886.311a Notice upon contract expiration.
(a) The Contract will provide that the owner will notify each assisted family, at least 90 days before the end of the Contract term, of any increase in the amount the family will be required to pay as rent which may occur as a result of its expiration. If the Contract is to be renewed but with a reduction in the number of units covered by it, this notice shall be given to each family who will no longer be assisted under the Contract.
(b) The notice provided for in paragraph (a) of this section shall be accomplished by: (1) Sending a letter by first class mail, properly stamped and addressed, to the family at its address at the project, with a proper return address, and (2) serving a copy of the notice on any adult person answering the door at the leased dwelling unit, or if no adult responds, by placing the notice under or through the door, if possible, or else by affixing the notice to the door. Service shall not be considered to be effective until both required notices have been accomplished. The date on which the notice shall be considered to be received by the family shall be the date on which the owner mails the first class letter provided for in this paragraph, or the date on which the notice provided for in this paragraph is properly given, whichever is later.
(c) The notice shall advise each affected family that, after the expiration date of the Contract, the family will be required to bear the entire cost of the rent and that the owner will be free (to the extent the project is not otherwise regulated by HUD) to alter the rent without HUD approval, but subject to any applicable requirements or restrictions under the lease or under State or local law. The notice shall also state:
(1) The actual (if known) or the estimated rent which will be charged following the expiration of the Contract;
(2) The difference between the rent and the Total Tenant Payment toward rent under the Contract; and
(3) The date the Contract will expire.
(d) The owner shall give HUD a certification that families have been notified in accordance with this section with an example of the text of the notice attached.
(e) This section shall apply to (1) Contracts involving Substantial Rehabilitation entered into pursuant to Agreements executed on or after October 1, 1981, or Contracts involving Substantial Rehabilitation entered into pursuant to Agreements executed before October 1, 1981, but renewed or amended on or after October 1, 1984 and (2) all other Contracts executed, renewed or amended on or after October 1, 1984.
§ 886.312 Rent adjustments.
(a) Limits. Housing assistance payments will be made in amounts commensurate with contract rent adjustments under this paragraph, up to the maximum amount authorized under the contract. (See § 886.308.)
(b) Annual adjustments. The contract rents may be adjusted annually, at HUD’s option, either (1) on the basis of a written request for a rent increase submitted by the owner and properly supported by substantiating evidence, or (2) by applying, on each anniversary date of the contract, the applicable automatic annual adjustment factor most recently published by HUD in the
(c) Special adjustments. Special adjustments in the contract rents shall be requested in writing by the owner and may be authorized by HUD to the extent HUD determines such adjustments are necessary to reflect increases in the actual and necessary expenses of owning and maintaining the contract units which have resulted from substantial general increases in real property taxes, utility rates or similar costs (i.e., assessments and utilities not covered be regulated rates) which are not adequately compensated for by the adjustment authorized by paragraph (b) of this section.
(d) Comparability between assisted and unassisted units. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subpart, adjustments as provided in this section shall not result in material differences between the rents charged for assisted and comparable unassisted units, as determined by HUD: Provided, however, That this limitation shall not be construed to prohibit differences in rents between assisted and comparable unassisted units to the extent that such differences may have existed with respect to the initial contract rents assuming no fraud or mistake adverse to the Department’s interest.
(e) Addendums to contract and leases. Any adjustment in contract rents shall be incorporated into the contract and leases by dated addendums to the contract and leases establishing the effective date of the adjustment.
§ 886.313 Other Federal requirements.
Participation in this program requires:
(a) Compliance with (1) title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Executive Orders 11063 and 11246, and Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, and (2) all rules, regulations, and requirements issued pursuant thereto.
(b) Submission of an approvable Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan.
(c) For projects where rehabilitation is to be completed by or at the direction of the owner, compliance with:
(1) The Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act;
(2) Where the property contains nine or more units to be assisted, the requirement to pay not less than the wage rates prevailing in the locality, as predetermined by the Secretary of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 276a–276a–5) to all laborers and mechanics (other than volunteers under the conditions set out in 24 CFR part 70) who are employed in the rehabilitation work, and the labor standards provisions contained in the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, Copeland Anti-Kickback Act, and implementing regulations of the Department of Labor.
(3) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
(4) The National Historic Preservation Act (Pub. L. 89–665);
(5) The Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93–291);
(6) Executive Order 11593 on Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment, including the procedures prescribed by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at 36 CFR part 800;
(7) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969;
(8) The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973;
(9) Executive Order 11988, Flood Plains Management;
(10) Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands.
§ 886.314 Financial default.
In the event of a financial default under the project mortgage, HUD shall have the right to make subsequent housing assistance payments to the mortgagee until such time as the default is cured, or until some other time agreeable to the mortgagee and approved by HUD.
§ 886.315 Security and utility deposits.
(a) Amount of deposits. If at the time of the initial execution of the Lease the Owner wishes to collect a security deposit, the maximum amount shall be the greater of one month’s Gross Family Contribution or $50. However, this amount shall not exceed the maximum amount allowable under State or local law. For units leased in place, security deposits collected prior to the execution of a Contract which are in excess of this maximum amount do not have to be refunded until the Family is expected to pay security deposits and utility deposits from its resources and/or other public or private sources.
(b) When a Family vacates. If a Family vacates the unit, the Owner, subject to State and local law, may use the security deposit as reimbursement for any unpaid Family Contribution or other amount which the Family owes under the Lease. If a Family vacates the unit owing no rent or other amount under the Lease consistent with State or local law or if such amount is less than the amount of the security deposit, the Owner shall refund the full amount or the unused balance to the Family.
(c) Interest payable on deposits. In those jurisdictions where interest is payable by the Owner on security deposits, the refunded amount shall include the amount of interest payable. The Owner shall comply with all State and local laws regarding interest payments on security deposits.
(d) Insufficient deposits. If the security deposit is insufficient to reimburse the Owner for the unpaid Family Contribution or other amounts which the Family owes under the Lease, or if the Owner did not collect a security deposit, the Owner may claim reimbursement from HUD for an amount not to exceed the lesser of: (1) The amount owed the Owner, (2) two months’ Contract Rent, minus, in either case, the greater of the security deposit actually collected or the amount of security deposit the owner could have collected under the program (pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section). Any reimbursement under this section must be applied first toward any unpaid Family Contribution due under the Lease and then to any other amounts owed. No reimbursement shall be claimed for unpaid rent for the period after the family vacates.
§§ 886.316-886.317 [Reserved]
§ 886.318 Responsibilities of the owner.
(a) Management and maintenance. The owner shall be responsible for the management and maintenance of the project in accordance with requirements established by HUD. These responsibilities shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Payment for utilities and services (unless paid directly by the family), insurance and taxes;
(2) Performance of all ordinary and extraordinary maintenance;
(3) Performance of all management functions, including the taking of applications; determining eligibility of applicants in accordance with 24 CFR part 5 of this title; selection of families, including verification of income, obtaining and verifying Social Security Numbers submitted by applicants (as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title), obtaining signed consent forms from applicants for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies (as provided in part 5, subpart B, of this title), and other pertinent requirements; and determination of the amount of tenant rent in accordance with HUD established schedules and criteria.
(4) Collection of Tenant Rents;
(5) Preparation and furnishing of information required under the contract;
(6) Reexamination of family income, composition, and extent of exceptional medical or other unusual expenses; redeterminations, as appropriate, of the amount of Tenant Rent and amount of housing assistance payment in accordance with part 5 of this title; obtaining and verifying Social Security Numbers submitted by participants, as provided by CFR part 750; and obtaining signed consent forms from participants for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title.
(7) Redeterminations of the amount of Tenant Rent and the amount of housing assistance payment in accordance with part 5 of this title as a result of an adjustment by HUD of any applicable utility allowance;
(8) Notifying families in writing when they are determined to be qualified for assistance under this subpart where they have not already been notified by HUD prior to sale;
(9) Reviewing at least annually the allowance for utilities and other services;
(10) Compliance with equal opportunity requirements; and
(11) Compliance with Federal requirements set forth in § 886.313(c).
(b) Contracting for Services. Subject to HUD approval, any owner may contract with any private or public entity to perform for a fee the services required by paragraph (a) of this section: Provided, That such contract shall not shift any of the owner’s responsibilities or obligations.
(c) HUD review. The owner shall permit HUD to review and audit the management and maintenance of the project at any time.
(d) Submission of financial and operating statements. After execution of the Contract, the owner must submit to HUD:
(1) Financial information in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, subpart H; and
(2) Other statements as to project operation, financial conditions and occupancy as HUD may require pertinent to administration of the Contract and monitoring of project operations.
§ 886.319 Responsibility for contract administration.
HUD is responsible for administration of the Contract. HUD may contract with another entity for the performance of some or all of its Contract administration functions.
§ 886.320 Default under the contract.
The contract shall contain a provision to the effect that if HUD determines that the owner is in default under the contract, HUD shall notify the owner of the actions required to be taken to cure the default and of the remedies to be applied by HUD including recovery of overpayments, where appropriate, and that if the owner fails to cure the default within a reasonable time as determined by HUD, HUD has the right to terminate the contract or to take other corrective action, including recission of the sale. When contract termination is under consideration by HUD, HUD shall give eligible families an opportunity to submit written and other comments. Where the project is sold under the arrangement that involves a regulatory agreement between HUD and the owner, a default under the regulatory agreement shall be treated as default under the contract.
§ 886.321 Marketing.
(a) Marketing in accordance with HUD-Approved Plan. Marketing of units and selection of families by the owner shall be in accordance with the owner’s HUD-approved Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, HUD-approved tenant selection factors and with all regulations relating to fair housing advertising including use of the equal opportunity logotype, statement, and slogan in all advertising. Projects shall be managed and operated without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin.
(b)(1) HUD will determine the eligibility of assistance of families in occupancy before sales closing. After the sale, the owner shall be responsible for taking applications, selecting families, and all related determinations, in accordance with part 5 of this title. (See especially, 24 CFR part 5, subpart F).
(2) For every family that applies for admission, the owner and the applicant must complete and sign the form of application prescribed by HUD. When the owner decides no longer to accept applications, the owner must publish a notice to that effect in a publication likely to be read by potential applicants. The notice must state the reasons for the owner’s refusal to accept additional applications. When the owner agrees to accept applications again, a notice to this effect must also be published. The owner must retain copies of all completed applications together with any related correspondence for three years. For each family selected for admission, the owner must submit one copy of the completed and signed application to HUD. Housing assistance payments will not be made on behalf of an admitted family until after this copy has been received by HUD.
(3) If the owner determines that the applicant is eligible on the basis of income and family composition and is otherwise acceptable but the owner does not have a suitable unit to offer, the owner shall place such family on the waiting list and so advise the family indicating approximately when a unit may be available.
(4) If the owner determines that the applicant is eligible on the basis of income and family composition and is otherwise acceptable in accordance with the HUD approved tenant selection factors and if the owner has a suitable unit, the owner and the family shall enter into a lease. The lease shall be on a form approved by HUD and shall otherwise be in conformity with the provisions of this subpart.
(5) Records on applicant families and approved families shall be maintained by the owner so as to provide HUD with racial, ethnic, and gender data and shall be retained by the owner for 3 years.
(6) If the owner determines that an applicant is not eligible, or, if eligible, not selected, the owner must notify the applicant in writing of the determination, the reasons upon which the determination is made, and inform the applicant that the applicant has the right within a reasonable time (specified in the letter) to request an informal hearing if the applicant believes that the owner’s determination is based on erroneous information. The procedures of this paragraph (b)(6) do not preclude an applicant from exercising his or her other rights if the applicant believes that he or she is being discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap. The owner must retain for three years a copy of the application, the letter, the applicant’s response, if any, the record of any informal hearing, and a statement of final disposition. The informal review provisions for the denial of a tenant selection preference under § 886.337 are contained in paragraph (k) of that section.
(7) For the informal hearing provisions related to denial of assistance based upon failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, see part 5 of this title for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of denial of assistance.
(c) Initial occupancy. (1) Where rehabilitation is involved, sixty days prior to the completion of the rehabilitation, or when the rehabilitation is begun, whichever is later, the Owner shall determine whether the tenant population of the project generally reflects the racial/ethnic makeup of the housing market area. Based on this determination, the Owner shall then conduct appropriate marketing activities in accordance with a HUD-approved Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan. Such activities may include special outreach to those groups identified as not ordinarily expected to apply for these units without special outreach; notification to PHA’s in the housing market area of any anticipated vacancies; and formulation of waiting lists based on the Owner’s HUD-approved tenant selection factors.
(2) Where a PHA is notified, the PHA shall notify an appropriate size family (families) on its waiting list of the availability of the unit and refer the family (families) to the owner. (Since the Owner is responsible for tenant selection, the owner is not required to lease to a PHA selected family, but the owner must comply with § 886.321(b)(6).)
§ 886.322 [Reserved]
§ 886.323 Maintenance, operation, and inspections.
(a) Maintain decent, safe, and sanitary housing. The owner shall maintain and operate the project so as to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing and the owner shall provide all the services, maintenance, and utilities which he or she agrees to provide under the contract and the lease. Failure to do so shall be considered a material default under the contract and Regulatory Agreement, if any.
(b) HUD inspection. Prior to execution of the contract, HUD shall inspect (or cause to be inspected) each proposed contract unit and related facilities to ensure that they are in decent, safe, and sanitary condition.
(c) Owner and family inspection. Prior to occupancy of any vacant until by a family, the owner and the family shall inspect the unit and both shall certify that they have inspected the unit and have determined it to be decent, safe, and sanitary. Copies of these reports shall be kept on file by the owner for at least 3 years.
(d) Annual inspections. HUD will inspect the project (or cause it to be inspected) at least annually and at such other times as HUD may determine to be necessary to assure that the owner is meeting his or her obligation to maintain the units and the related facilities in decent, safe, and sanitary condition and to provide the agreed-upon utilities and other services. HUD will take into account complaints by occupants and any other information coming to its attention in scheduling inspections and shall notify the owner and the family of its determination regarding the condition of the units.
(e) Failure to maintain decent, safe, and sanitary units. If HUD notifies the owner that he/she has failed to maintain a dwelling unit in decent, safe, and sanitary condition, and the owner fails to take corrective action within the time prescribed in the notice, HUD may exercise any of its rights or remedies under the contract, or Regulatory Agreement, if any, including abatement of housing assistance payments (even if the family continues to occupy the unit) and rescission of the sale. If, however, the family wishes to be rehoused in another dwelling unit, HUD shall provide assistance in finding such a unit for the family.
§ 886.324 Reexamination of family income and composition.
(a) Regular reexaminations. The owner must reexamine the income and composition of all families at least once each year. Upon verification of the information, the owner must make appropriate adjustments in the Total Tenant Payment in accordance with part 5 of this title and determine whether the family’s unit size is still appropriate. The owner must adjust Tenant Rent and the Housing Assistance Payment to reflect any change in Total Tenant Payment and carry out any unit transfer required by HUD. At the time of the annual reexamination of family income and composition, the owner must require the family to disclose and verify Social Security Numbers, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms by families for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see part 5, subpart B, of this title. At the first regular reexamination after June 19, 1995, the owner shall follow the requirements of part 5 of this title concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of all family members. Thereafter, at each regular reexamination, the owner shall follow the requirements of part 5 of this title concerning verification of the immigration status of any new family member.
(b) Interim reexaminations. The family must comply with provisions in its lease regarding interim reporting of changes in income. If the owner receives information concerning a change in the family’s income or other circumstances between regularly scheduled reexaminations, the owner must consult with the family and make any adjustments determined to be appropriate. Any change in the family’s income or other circumstances that results in an adjustment in the Total Tenant Payment, Tenant Rent and Housing Assistance Payment must be verified. See part 5, subpart B, of this title for the requirements for the disclosure and verification of Social Security Numbers at interim reexaminations involving new family members. For requirements regarding the signing and submitting of consent forms by families for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, see part 5, subpart B, of this title. At any interim reexamination after June 19, 1995 when there is a new family member, the owner shall follow the requirements of part 5 of this title concerning obtaining and processing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status of the new family member.
(c) Continuation of housing assistance payments. A family’s eligibility for Housing Assistance Payments will continue until the Total Tenant Payment equals the Contact Rent plus any applicable Utility Allowance. The termination of eligibility at such point will not affect the family’s other rights under its lease, nor will such termination preclude the resumption of payments as a result of later changes in income, rents, or other relevant circumstances during the term of the contract. However, eligibility also may be terminated in accordance with HUD requirements, for such reasons as failure to submit requested verification information, including failure to meet the disclosure and verification requirements for Social Security Numbers, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title, or failure to sign and submit consent forms for the obtaining of wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection Agencies, as provided by part 5, subpart B, of this title. For provisions requiring termination of assistance for failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, see part 5, subpart E, of this title for provisions concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, and for provisions concerning deferral of termination of assistance.
(d) Streamlined income determination. An owner may elect to follow the provisions of 24 CFR 5.657(d).
§ 886.325 Overcrowded and underoccupied units.
(a) Change in family composition, family’s notification. The family shall notify the owner of a change in family composition and shall transfer to an appropriate size dwelling unit, based on family composition, upon appropriate notice by the owner of HUD that such a dwelling unit is available. Such a family shall have priority over a family on the owner’s waiting list seeking the same size unit.
(b) Change in family composition, owner’s responsibilities. Upon receipt by the owner of a notification by the family of a change in the family size, the owner agrees to offer the family a suitable unit as soon as one becomes vacant and ready for occupancy. If the owner does not have any suitable units or if no vacancy of a suitable unit occurs within a reasonable time, HUD may assist the family in finding a suitable dwelling unit and require the family to move to such unit as soon as possible.
(c) HUD actions if appropriate size unit is not made available. If the owner fails to offer the family a unit appropriate for the size of the family when such unit becomes vacant and ready for occupancy, HUD may abate housing assistance payments to the owner for the unit occupied by the family and assist the family in finding a suitable dwelling unit elsewhere.
§ 886.326 Adjustment of utility allowances.
When the owner requests HUD approval of an adjustment in Contract Rents under § 886.312, an analysis of the project’s Utility Allowances must be included. Such data as changes in utility rates and other facts affecting utility consumption should be provided as part of this analysis to permit appropriate adjustments in the Utility Allowances. In addition, when approval of a utility rate change would result in a cumulative increase of 10 percent or more in the most recently approved Utility Allowances, the owner must advise the Secretary and request approval of new Utility Allowances.
§ 886.327 Lease requirements.
(a) Term of lease. (1) The term of a lease, including a new lease or a lease amendment, executed by the owner and the family must be for at least one year, or the remaining term of the contract if the remaining term of the contract is less than one year.
(2) During the first year of the lease term, the owner may not terminate the tenancy for “other good cause” under 24 CFR 247.3(a)(3), unless the termination is based on family malfeasance or nonfeasance. For example, during the first year of the lease term, the owner may not terminate the tenancy for “other good cause” based on the failure of the family to accept the offer of a new lease.
(3) The lease may contain a provision permitting the family to terminate on 30 days advance written notice to the owner. In this case of a lease term for more than one year, the lease must contain this provision.
(b) Required and prohibited provisions. The lease between the owner and the family must comply with HUD regulations and requirements, and must be in the form required by HUD. The lease may not contain any of the following types of prohibited provisions:
(1) Admission of guilt. Agreement by the family (i) to be sued, and (ii) to admit guilt, or (iii) to a judgment in favor of the owner, in a court proceeding against the family in connection with the lease.
(2) Treatment of family property. Agreement by the family that the owner may take or hold family property, or may sell family property, without notice to the family and a court decision on the rights of the parties.
(3) Excusing owner from responsibility. Agreement by the family not to hold the owner or the owner’s agents responsible for any action or failure to act, whether intentional or negligent.
(4) Waiver of notice. Agreement by the family that the owner does not need to give notice of a court proceeding against the family in connection with the lease, or does not need to give any notice required by HUD.
(5) Waiver of court proceeding for eviction. Agreement by the family that the owner may evict the family (i) without instituting a civil court proceeding in which the family has the opportunity to present a defense, or (ii) before a decision by the court on the rights of the parties.
(6) Waiver of jury trial. Agreement by the family to waive any right to a trial by jury.
(7) Waiver of appeal. Agreement by the family to waive the right to appeal, or to otherwise challenge in court, a court decision in connection with the lease.
(8) Family chargeable with legal costs regardless of outcome. Agreement by the family to pay lawyer’s fees or other legal costs of the owner, even if the family wins in a court proceeding by the owner against the family. (However, the family may have to pay these fees and costs if the family loses.)
§ 886.328 Termination of tenancy.
Part 247 of this title (24 CFR part 247) applies to the termination of tenancy and eviction of a family assisted under this subpart. For cases involving termination of tenancy because of a failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status, the procedures of 24 CFR part 247 and 24 CFR part 5 shall apply. The provisions of 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking) apply to this section. The provisions of 24 CFR part 5, subpart E, concerning certain assistance for mixed families (families whose members include those with eligible immigration status, and those without eligible immigration status) in lieu of termination of assistance, and concerning deferral of termination of assistance, also shall apply.
§ 886.329 Leasing to eligible families.
(a) Availability of units for occupancy by Eligible Families. During the term of the Contract, an owner shall make available for occupancy by eligible families the total number of units for which assistance is committed under the Contract. For purposes of this section, making units available for occupancy by eligible families means that the owner: (1) Is conducting marketing in accordance with § 886.321; (2) has leased or is making good faith efforts to lease the units to eligible and otherwise acceptable families, including taking all feasible actions to fill vacancies by renting to such families; and (3) has not rejected any such applicant family except for reasons acceptable to HUD. If the owner is temporarily unable to lease all units for which assistance is committed under the Contract to eligible families, one or more units may be leased to ineligible families with the prior approval of HUD. Failure on the part of the owner to comply with these requirements is a violation of the Contract and grounds for all available legal remedies, including specific performance of the Contract, suspension or debarment from HUD programs, and reduction of the number of units under the Contract as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Reduction of number of units covered by Contract. HUD may reduce the number of units covered by the Contract to the number of units available for occupancy by eligible families if:
(1) The owner fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; or
(2) Notwithstanding any prior approval by HUD to lease such units to ineligible families, HUD determines that the inability to lease units to eligible families is not a temporary problem.
(c) Restoration. HUD will agree to an amendment of the Contract to provide for subsequent restoration of any reduction made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section if:
(1) HUD determines that the restoration is justified by demand;
(2) The owner otherwise has a record of compliance with his or her obligations under the Contract; and
(3) Contract and budget authority are available.
(d) Applicability. In accordance with section 555 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section apply to all contracts involving substantial rehabilitation. These paragraphs apply to all other Contracts executed on or after October, 3, 1984. An owner who had leased an assisted unit to an ineligible family consistent with the regulations in effect at the time will continue to lease the unit to that family. However, the Borrower must make the unit available for occupancy by an eligible family when the ineligible family vacates the unit.
(e) Termination of assistance for failure to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status. If an owner who is subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section is required to terminate housing assistance payments for the family in accordance with part 5, subpart E, of this title because the owner determines that the entire family does not have U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, the owner may allow continued occupancy of the unit by the family without Section 8 assistance following the termination of assistance, or if the family constitutes a mixed family, as defined in part 5, subpart E, of this title, the owner shall comply with the provisions of part 5, subpart E, of this title concerning assistance to mixed families, and deferral of termination of assistance.
(f) The regulations of 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking) apply to this section.
§ 886.329a Preferences for occupancy by elderly families.
(a) Election of preference for occupancy by elderly families—(1) Election by owners of eligible projects. (i) An owner of a project involving substantial rehabilitation and assisted under this part (including a partially assisted project) that was originally designed primarily for occupancy by elderly families (an “eligible project”) may, at any time, elect to give preference to elderly families in selecting tenants for assisted, vacant units in the project, subject to the requirements of this section.
(ii) For purposes of this section, a project eligible for the preference provided by this section, and for which the owner makes an election to give preference in occupancy to elderly families is referred to as an “elderly project.” “Elderly families” refers to families whose heads of household, their spouses or sole members are 62 years or older.
(iii) An owner who elects to provide a preference to elderly families in accordance with this section is required to notify families on the waiting list who are not elderly that the election has been made and how the election may affect them if:
(A) The percentage of disabled families currently residing in the project who are neither elderly nor near-elderly (hereafter, collectively referred to as “non-elderly disabled families”) is equal to or exceeds the minimum required percentage of units established for the elderly project in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and therefore non-elderly families on the waiting list (including non-elderly disabled families) may be passed over for covered section 8 units; or
(B) The project, after making the calculation set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, will have no units set aside for non-elderly disabled families.
(iv) An owner who elects to give a preference for elderly families in accordance with this section shall not remove an applicant from the project’s waiting list solely on the basis of having made the election.
(2) HUD approval of election not required. (i) An owner is not required to solicit or obtain the approval of HUD before exercising the election of preference for occupancy provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The owner, however, if challenged on the issue of eligibility of the project for the election provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be able to support the project’s eligibility through the production of all relevant documentation in the possession of the owner that pertains to the original design of the project.
(ii) The Department reserves the right at any time to review and make determinations regarding the accuracy of the identification of the project as an elderly project. The Department can make such determinations as a result of ongoing monitoring activities, or the conduct of complaint investigations under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 through 3619), or compliance reviews and complaint investigations under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and other applicable statutes.
(b) Determining projects eligible for preference for occupancy by elderly families—(1) Evidence supporting project eligibility. Evidence that a project assisted under this part (or portion of a project) was originally designed primarily for occupancy by elderly families, and is therefore eligible for the election of occupancy preference provided by this section, shall consist of at least one item from the sources (“primary” sources) listed in paragraph (b)(1)(i), or at least two items from the sources (“secondary” sources) listed in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section:
(i) Primary sources. Identification of the project (or portion of a project) as serving elderly (seniors) families in at least one primary source such as: the application in response to the notice of funding availability; the terms of the notice of funding availability under which the application was solicited; the regulatory agreement; the loan commitment; the bid invitation; the owner’s management plan, or any underwriting or financial document collected at or before loan closing; or
(ii) Secondary sources. Two or more sources of evidence such as: lease records from the earliest two years of occupancy for which records are available showing that occupancy has been restricted primarily to households where the head, spouse or sole member is 62 years of age or older; evidence that services for elderly persons have been provided, such as services funded by the Older Americans Act, transportation to senior citizen centers, or programs coordinated with the Area Agency on Aging; project unit mix with more than fifty percent of efficiency and one-bedroom units [a secondary source particularly relevant to distinguishing elderly projects under the previous section 3(b) definition (in which disabled families were included in the definition of “elderly families”) from non-elderly projects and which in combination with other factors (such as the number of accessible units) may be useful in distinguishing projects for seniors from those serving the broader definition of “elderly families” which includes disabled families]; or any other relevant type of historical data, unless clearly contradicted by other comparable evidence.
(2) Sources in conflict. If a primary source establishes a design contrary to that established by the primary source upon which the owner would base support that the project is an eligible project (as defined in this section), the owner cannot make the election of preferences for elderly families as provided by this section based upon primary sources alone. In any case where primary sources do not provide clear evidence of original design of the project for occupancy primarily by elderly families, including those cases where primary sources conflict, secondary sources may be used to establish the use for which the project was originally designed.