[Title 24 CFR ]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - April 1, 2000 Edition]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[[Page i]]
24
Parts 0 to 199
Revised as of April 1, 2000
Housing and Urban Development
Containing a Codification of documents of general
applicability and future effect
As of April 1, 2000
With Ancillaries
Published by
Office of the Federal Register
National Archives and Records
Administration
As a Special Edition of the Federal Register
[[Page ii]]
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 2000
For sale by U.S. Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328
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Table of Contents
Page
Explanation................................................. v
Title 24:
Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of
Housing and Urban Development 3
Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Housing and
Urban Development 591
Chapter I--Office of Assistant Secretary for Equal
Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban
Development 593
Finding Aids:
Material Approved for Incorporation by Reference........ 705
Table of CFR Titles and Chapters........................ 707
Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR...... 725
List of CFR Sections Affected........................... 735
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Cite this Code: CFR
To cite the regulations in
this volume use title,
part and section number.
Thus, 24 CFR 0.1 refers
to title 24, part 0,
section 1.
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[[Page v]]
EXPLANATION
The Code of Federal Regulations is a codification of the general and
permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive
departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The Code is divided
into 50 titles which represent broad areas subject to Federal
regulation. Each title is divided into chapters which usually bear the
name of the issuing agency. Each chapter is further subdivided into
parts covering specific regulatory areas.
Each volume of the Code is revised at least once each calendar year
and issued on a quarterly basis approximately as follows:
Title 1 through Title 16.................................as of January 1
Title 17 through Title 27..................................as of April 1
Title 28 through Title 41...................................as of July 1
Title 42 through Title 50................................as of October 1
The appropriate revision date is printed on the cover of each
volume.
LEGAL STATUS
The contents of the Federal Register are required to be judicially
noticed (44 U.S.C. 1507). The Code of Federal Regulations is prima facie
evidence of the text of the original documents (44 U.S.C. 1510).
HOW TO USE THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
The Code of Federal Regulations is kept up to date by the individual
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To determine whether a Code volume has been amended since its
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EFFECTIVE AND EXPIRATION DATES
Each volume of the Code contains amendments published in the Federal
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OMB CONTROL NUMBERS
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-511) requires
Federal agencies to display an OMB control number with their information
collection request.
[[Page vi]]
Many agencies have begun publishing numerous OMB control numbers as
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OBSOLETE PROVISIONS
Provisions that become obsolete before the revision date stated on
the cover of each volume are not carried. Code users may find the text
of provisions in effect on a given date in the past by using the
appropriate numerical list of sections affected. For the period before
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1963, 1964-1972, or 1973-1985, published in seven separate volumes. For
the period beginning January 1, 1986, a ``List of CFR Sections
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
What is incorporation by reference? Incorporation by reference was
established by statute and allows Federal agencies to meet the
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This material, like any other properly issued regulation, has the force
of law.
What is a proper incorporation by reference? The Director of the
Federal Register will approve an incorporation by reference only when
the requirements of 1 CFR part 51 are met. Some of the elements on which
approval is based are:
(a) The incorporation will substantially reduce the volume of
material published in the Federal Register.
(b) The matter incorporated is in fact available to the extent
necessary to afford fairness and uniformity in the administrative
process.
(c) The incorporating document is drafted and submitted for
publication in accordance with 1 CFR part 51.
Properly approved incorporations by reference in this volume are
listed in the Finding Aids at the end of this volume.
What if the material incorporated by reference cannot be found? If
you have any problem locating or obtaining a copy of material listed in
the Finding Aids of this volume as an approved incorporation by
reference, please contact the agency that issued the regulation
containing that incorporation. If, after contacting the agency, you find
the material is not available, please notify the Director of the Federal
Register, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC
20408, or call (202) 523-4534.
CFR INDEXES AND TABULAR GUIDES
A subject index to the Code of Federal Regulations is contained in a
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The Federal Register Index is issued monthly in cumulative form.
This index is based on a consolidation of the ``Contents'' entries in
the daily Federal Register.
A List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA) is published monthly, keyed to
the revision dates of the 50 CFR titles.
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REPUBLICATION OF MATERIAL
There are no restrictions on the republication of material appearing
in the Code of Federal Regulations.
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Raymond A. Mosley,
Director,
Office of the Federal Register.
April 1, 2000.
[[Page ix]]
THIS TITLE
Title 24--Housing and Urban Development is composed of five volumes.
The first four volumes containing parts 0-199, parts 200-499, parts 500-
699, parts 700-1699, represent the regulations of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development. The fifth volume, containing part 1700 to
end continues with regulations of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development and also includes regulations of the Neighborhood
Reinvestment Corporation. The contents of these volumes represent all
current regulations codified under this title of the CFR as of April 1,
2000.
For this volume, Lisa N. Morris was Chief Editor. The Code of
Federal Regulations publication program is under the direction of
Frances D. McDonald, assisted by Alomha S. Morris.
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[[Page 1]]
TITLE 24--HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(This book contains parts 0 to 199)
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Part
SUBTITLE A--Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing
and Urban Development..................................... 0
SUBTITLE B--Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban
Development:..............................................
chapter i--Office of Assistant Secretary for Equal
Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development.. 100
Cross References: Farmers Home Administration, Department of
Agriculture: For agricultural credit, see 7 CFR chapter XVIII.
Office of Thrift Supervision, Department of the Treasury, 12 CFR
chapter V.
Department of Veterans Affairs regulations on assistance to certain
veterans in acquiring specially adapted housing and guaranty of loans on
homes: See Pensions, Bonuses, and Veteran Relief, 38 CFR part 36.
[[Page 3]]
Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban
Development
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Part Page
0 Standards of conduct........................ 7
1 Nondiscrimination in federally assisted
programs of the Department of Housing
and Urban Development--effectuation of
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 7
4 HUD Reform Act.............................. 14
5 General HUD program requirements; waivers... 21
6 Nondiscrimination in programs and activities
receiving assistance under Title I of
the Housing and Community Development
Act of 1974............................. 89
7 Equal employment opportunity; policy and
procedures.............................. 96
8 Nondiscrimination based on handicap in
federally assisted programs and
activities of the Department of Housing
and Urban Development................... 102
9 Enforcement of nondiscrimination on the
basis of disability in programs or
activities conducted by the Department
of Housing and Urban Development........ 123
10 Rulemaking: Policy and procedures........... 134
13 Use of penalty mail in the location and
recovery of missing children............ 137
14 Implementation of the Equal Access to
Justice Act in administrative
proceedings............................. 138
15 Testimony, production and disclosure of
material or information by HUD employees 145
16 Implementation of the Privacy Act of 1974... 159
17 Administrative claims....................... 172
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18 Indemnification of HUD employees............ 198
20 Board of Contract Appeals................... 199
24 Government debarment and suspension and
governmentwide requirements for drug-
free workplace (grants)................. 209
25 Mortgagee Review Board...................... 231
26 Hearing procedures.......................... 237
27 Nonjudicial foreclosure of multifamily and
single family mortgages................. 252
28 Implementation of the Program Fraud Civil
Remedies Act of 1986.................... 260
30 Civil money penalties: certain prohibited
conduct................................. 264
35 Lead-based paint poisoning prevention in
certain residential structures.......... 270
40 Accessibility standards for design,
construction, and alteration of publicly
owned residential structures............ 319
41 Policies and procedures for the enforcement
of standards and requirements for
accessibility by the physically
handicapped............................. 321
42 Displacement, relocation assistance, and
real property acquisition for HUD and
HUD-assisted programs................... 323
43-45 [Reserved]
50 Protection and enhancement of environmental
quality................................. 328
51 Environmental criteria and standards........ 337
52 Intergovernmental review of Department of
Housing and Urban Development programs
and activities.......................... 354
55 Floodplain management....................... 357
58 Environmental review procedures for entities
assuming HUD environmental
responsibilities........................ 366
60 Protection of human subjects................ 384
70 Use of volunteers on projects subject to
Davis-Bacon and HUD-determined wage
rates................................... 384
81 The Secretary of HUD's regulation of the
Federal National Mortgage Association
(Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac)...... 387
84 Grants and agreements with institutions of
higher education, hospitals, and other
non-profit organizations................ 419
85 Administrative requirements for grants and
cooperative agreements to State, local
and federally recognized Indian tribal
governments............................. 456
87 New restrictions on lobbying................ 483
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91 Consolidated submissions for community
planning and development programs....... 494
92 Home Investment Partnerships Program........ 527
Appendixes A-C to Subtitle A [Reserved]
Editorial Note: For nomenclature changes to chapter I see 59 FR 14092,
Mar. 25, 1994.
[[Page 7]]
PART 0--STANDARDS OF CONDUCT--Table of Contents
Sec. 0.1 Cross-reference to employees ethical conduct standards and financial disclosure regulations.
Employees of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(Department) are subject to the executive branch-wide standards of
ethical conduct at 5 CFR part 2635, the Department's regulation at 5 CFR
part 7501 which supplements the executive branch-wide standards, and the
executive branch-wide financial disclosure regulation at 5 CFR part
2634.
5 U.S.C. 301, 7301; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d)
[61 FR 36251, July 9, 1996]
PART 1--NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT--EFFECTUATION OF TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF
1964--Table of Contents
Sec.
1.1 Purpose.
1.2 Definitions.
1.3 Application of part 1.
1.4 Discrimination prohibited.
1.5 Assurances required.
1.6 Compliance information.
1.7 Conduct of investigations.
1.8 Procedure for effecting compliance.
1.9 Hearings.
1.10 Effect on other regulations; forms and instructions.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2000d-1 and 3535(d).
Source: 38 FR 17949, July 5, 1973, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 1.1 Purpose.
The purpose of this part 1 is to effectuate the provisions of title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (hereafter referred to as the Act) to
the end that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of
race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be
denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance
from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Sec. 1.2 Definitions.
As used in this part 1--
(a) The term Department means the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
(b) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development.
(c) The term responsible Department official means the Secretary or,
to the extent of any delegation of authority by the Secretary to act
under this part 1, any other Department official to whom the Secretary
may hereafter delegate such authority.
(d) The term United States means the States of the United States,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, the Canal Zone, and the territories and
possessions of the United States, and the term State means any one of
the foregoing.
(e) The term Federal financial assistance includes: (1) Grants,
loans, and advances of Federal funds, (2) the grant or donation of
Federal property and interests in property, (3) the detail of Federal
personnel, (4) the sale and lease of, and the permission to use (on
other than a casual or transient basis), Federal property or any
interest in such property without consideration or at a nominal
consideration, or at a consideration which is reduced for the purpose of
assisting the recipient, or in recognition of the public interest to be
served by such sale or lease to the recipient, and (5) any Federal
agreement, arrangement, or other contract which has as one of its
purposes the provision of assistance. The term Federal financial
assistance does not include a contract of insurance or guaranty.
(f) The term recipient means any State, political subdivision of any
State, or instrumentality of any State or political subdivision, any
public or private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or
any individual, in any State, to whom Federal financial assistance is
extended, directly or through another recipient, for any program or
activity, or who otherwise participates in carrying out such program or
activity (such as a redeveloper in the Urban Renewal Program), including
any successor, assign, or transferee thereof, but such term does not
include
[[Page 8]]
any ultimate beneficiary under any such program or activity.
(g) The term applicant means one who submits an application,
contract, request, or plan requiring Department approval as a condition
to eligibility for Federal financial assistance, and the term
application means such an application, contract, request, or plan.
Sec. 1.3 Application of part 1.
This part 1 applies to any program or activity for which Federal
financial assistance is authorized under a law administered by the
Department, including any program or activity assisted under the
statutes listed in appendix A of this part 1. It applies to money paid,
property transferred, or other Federal financial assistance extended to
any such program or activity on or after January 3, 1965. This part 1
does not apply to: (a) Any Federal financial assistance by way of
insurance or guaranty contracts, (b) money paid, property transferred,
or other assistance extended to any such program or activity before
January 3, 1965, (c) any assistance to any person who is the ultimate
beneficiary under any such program or activity, or (d) any employment
practice, under any such program or activity, of any employer,
employment agency, or labor organization, except to the extent described
in Sec. 1.4(c). The fact that certain financial assistance is not listed
in appendix A shall not mean, if title VI of the Act is otherwise
applicable, that such financial assistance is not covered. Other
financial assistance under statutes now in force or hereinafter enacted
may be added to this list by notice published in the Federal Register.
Sec. 1.4 Discrimination prohibited.
(a) General. No person in the United States shall, on the ground of
race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be
denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity to which this part 1 applies.
(b) Specific discriminatory actions prohibited. (1) A recipient
under any program or activity to which this part 1 applies may not,
directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on the ground of
race, color, or national origin:
(i) Deny a person any housing, accommodations, facilities, services,
financial aid, or other benefits provided under the program or activity;
(ii) Provide any housing, accommodations, facilities, services,
financial aid, or other benefits to a person which are different, or are
provided in a different manner, from those provided to others under the
program or activity;
(iii) Subject a person to segregation or separate treatment in any
matter related to his receipt of housing, accommodations, facilities,
services, financial aid, or other benefits under the program or
activity;
(iv) Restrict a person in any way in access to such housing,
accommodations, facilities, services, financial aid, or other benefits,
or in the enjoyment of any advantage or privilege enjoyed by others in
connection with such housing, accommodations, facilities, services,
financial aid, or other benefits under the program or activity;
(v) Treat a person differently from others in determining whether he
satisfies any occupancy, admission, enrollment, eligibility, membership,
or other requirement or condition which persons must meet in order to be
provided any housing, accommodations, facilities, services, financial
aid, or other benefits provided under the program or activity;
(vi) Deny a person opportunity to participate in the program or
activity through the provision of services or otherwise, or afford him
an opportunity to do so which is different from that afforded others
under the program or activity (including the opportunity to participate
in the program or activity as an employee but only to the extent set
forth in paragraph (c) of this section).
(vii) Deny a person the opportunity to participate as a member of a
planning or advisory body which is an integral part of the program.
(2)(i) A recipient, in determining the types of housing,
accommodations, facilities, services, financial aid, or other benefits
which will be provided under any such program or activity, or the
[[Page 9]]
class of persons to whom, or the situations in which, such housing,
accommodations, facilities, services, financial aid, or other benefits
will be provided under any such program or activity, or the class of
persons to be afforded an opportunity to participate in any such program
or activity, may not, directly or through contractual or other
arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration which have
the effect of subjecting persons to discrimination because of their
race, color, or national origin, or have the effect of defeating or
substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the program
or activity as respect to persons of a particular race, color, or
national origin.
(ii) A recipient, in operating low-rent housing with Federal
financial assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), shall assign eligible applicants to
dwelling units in accordance with a plan, duly adopted by the recipient
and approved by the responsible Department official, providing for
assignment on a community-wide basis in sequence based upon the date and
time the application is received, the size or type of unit suitable, and
factors affecting preference or priority established by the recipient's
regulations, which are not inconsistent with the objectives of title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and this part 1. The plan may allow an
applicant to refuse a tendered vacancy for good cause without losing his
standing on the list but shall limit the number of refusals without
cause as prescribed by the responsible Department official.
(iii) The responsible Department official is authorized to prescribe
and promulgate plans, exceptions, procedures, and requirements for the
assignment and reassignment of eligible applicants and tenants
consistent with the purpose of paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section,
this part 1, and title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, in order to
effectuate and insure compliance with the requirements imposed
thereunder.
(3) In determining the site or location of housing, accommodations,
or facilities, an applicant or recipient may not make selections with
the purpose or effect of excluding individuals from, denying them the
benefits of, or subjecting them to discrimination under any program to
which this part 1 applies, on the ground of race, color, or national
origin; or with the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially
impairing the accomplishment of the objectives of the Act or this part
1.
(4) As used in this part 1 the housing, accommodations, facilities,
services, financial aid, or other benefits provided under a program or
activity receiving Federal financial assistance shall be deemed to
include any housing, accommodations, facilities, services, financial
aid, or other benefits provided in or through a facility provided with
the aid of Federal financial assistance.
(5) The enumeration of specific forms of prohibited discrimination
in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section does not limit the generality
of the prohibition in paragraph (a) of this section.
(6)(i) In administering a program regarding which the recipient has
previously discriminated against persons on the ground of race, color,
or national origin, the recipient must take affirmative action to
overcome the effects of prior discrimination.
(ii) Even in the absence of such prior discrimination, a recipient
in administering a program should take affirmative action to overcome
the effects of conditions which resulted in limiting participation by
persons of a particular race, color, or national origin.
Where previous discriminatory practice or usage tends, on the ground of
race, color, or national origin, to exclude individuals from
participation in, to deny them the benefits of, or to subject them to
discrimination under any program or activity to which this part 1
applies, the applicant or recipient has an obligation to take reasonable
action to remove or overcome the consequences of the prior
discriminatory practice or usage, and to accomplish the purpose of the
Act.
(c) Employment practices. (1) Where a primary objective of the
Federal financial assistance to a program or activity to which this part
1 applies is to provide employment, a recipient may not, directly or
through contractual or other arrangements, subject a person to
discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin in its
[[Page 10]]
employment practices under such program or activity (including
recruitment or recruitment advertising, employment, layoff, termination,
upgrading, demotion, transfer, rates of pay or other forms of
compensation and use of facilities). The requirements applicable to
construction employment under such program or activity shall be those
specified in or pursuant to part III of Executive Order 11246 or any
executive order which supersedes or amends it.
(2) Where a primary objective of the Federal financial assistance is
not to provide employment, but discrimination on the ground of race,
color, or national origin in the employment practices of the recipient
or other persons subject to this part 1 tends, on the ground of race,
color, or national origin, to exclude individuals from participation in,
to deny them the benefits of, or to subject them to discrimination under
any program to which this part 1 applies, the provisions of this
paragraph (c) shall apply to the employment practices of the recipient
or other persons subject to this part 1 to the extent necessary to
assure equality of opportunity to, and nondiscriminatory treatment of,
beneficiaries.
Sec. 1.5 Assurances required.
(a) General. (1) Every contract for Federal financial assistance to
carry out a program or activity to which this part 1 applies, executed
on or after January 3, 1965, and every application for such Federal
financial assistance submitted on or after January 3, 1965, shall, as a
condition to its approval and the extension of any Federal financial
assistance pursuant to such contract or application, contain or be
accompanied by an assurance that the program or activity will be
conducted and the housing, accommodations, facilities, services,
financial aid, or other benefits to be provided will be operated and
administered in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant
to this part 1. In the case of a contract or application where the
Federal financial assistance is to provide or is in the form of personal
property or real property or interest therein or structures thereon, the
assurance shall obligate the recipient or, in the case of a subsequent
transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the property is
used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is
extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar
services or benefits, or for as long as the recipient retains ownership
or possession of the property, whichever is longer. In all other cases
the assurance shall obligate the recipient for the period during which
Federal financial assistance is extended pursuant to the contract or
application. The responsible Department official shall specify the form
of the foregoing assurance for such program or activity, and the extent
to which like assurances will be required of subgrantees, contractors
and subcontractors, transferees, successors in interest, and other
participants in the program or activity. Any such assurance shall
include provisions which give the United States a right to seek its
judicial enforcement.
(2) In the case of real property, structures or improvements
thereon, or interests therein, acquired through a program of Federal
financial assistance the instrument effecting any disposition by the
recipient of such real property, structures or improvements thereon, or
interests therein, shall contain a covenant running with the land
assuring nondiscrimination for the period during which the real property
is used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is
extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar
services or benefits. In the case where Federal financial assistance is
provided in the form of a transfer of real property or interests therein
from the Federal Government, the instrument effecting or recording the
transfer shall contain such a covenant.
(3) In program receiving Federal financial assistance in the form,
or for the acquisition, of real property or an interest in real
property, to the extent that rights to space on, over, or under any such
property are included as part of the program receiving such assistance,
the nondiscrimination requirements of this part 1 shall extend to any
facility located wholly or in part in such space.
(b) Preexisting contracts--funds not disbursed. In any case where a
contract for Federal financial assistance, to carry
[[Page 11]]
out a program or activity to which this part 1 applies, has been
executed prior to January 3, 1965, and the funds have not been fully
disbursed by the Department, the responsible Department official shall,
where necessary to effectuate the purposes of this part 1, require an
assurance similar to that provided in paragraph (a) of this section as a
condition to the disbursement of further funds.
(c) Preexisting contracts--periodic payments. In any case where a
contract for Federal financial assistance, to carry out a program or
activity to which this part 1 applies, has been executed prior to
January 3, 1965, and provides for periodic payments for the continuation
of the program or activity, the recipient shall, in connection with the
first application for such periodic payments on or after January 3,
1965: (1) Submit a statement that the program or activity is being
conducted in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to
this part 1 and (2) provide such methods of administration for the
program or activity as are found by the responsible Department official
to give reasonable assurance that the recipient will comply with all
requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part 1.
(d) Assurances from institutions. (1) In the case of any application
for Federal financial assistance to an institution of higher education,
the assurance required by this section shall extend to admission
practices and to all other practices relating to the treatment of
students.
(2) The assurance required with respect to an institution of higher
education, hospital, or any other institution, insofar as the assurance
relates to the institution's practices with respect to admission or
other treatment of persons as students, patients, or clients of the
institution or to the opportunity to participate in the provision of
services or other benefits to such persons, shall be applicable to the
entire institution unless the applicant establishes, to the satisfaction
of the responsible Department official, that the institution's practices
in designated parts or programs of the institution will in no way affect
its practices in the program of the institution for which Federal
financial assistance is sought, or the beneficiaries of or participants
in such program. If in any such case the assistance sought is for the
construction of a facility or part of a facility, the assurance shall in
any event extend to the entire facility and to facilities operated in
connection therewith.
(e) Elementary and secondary schools. The requirements of this
section with respect to any elementary or secondary school or school
system shall be deemed to be satisfied if such school or school system
(1) is subject to a final order of a court of the United States for the
desegregation of such school or school system, and provides an assurance
that it will comply with such order, including any future modification
of such order, or (2) submits a plan for the desegregation of such
school or school system which the responsible official of the Department
of Health and Human Services determines is adequate to accomplish the
purposes of the Act and this part 1 within the earliest practicable
time, and provides reasonable assurance that it will carry out such
plan.
[38 FR 17949, July 5, 1973, as amended at 50 FR 9269, Mar. 7, 1985]
Sec. 1.6 Compliance information.
(a) Cooperation and assistance. The responsible Department official
and each Department official who by law or delegation has the principal
responsibility within the Department for the administration of any law
extending financial assistance subject to this part 1 shall to the
fullest extent practicable seek the cooperation of recipients in
obtaining compliance with this part 1 and shall provide assistance and
guidance to recipients to help them comply voluntarily with this part 1.
(b) Compliance reports. Each recipient shall keep such records and
submit to the responsible Department official or his designee timely,
complete, and accurate compliance reports at such times, and in such
form and containing such information, as the responsible Department
official or his designee may determine to be necessary to enable him to
ascertain whether the recipient has complied or is complying with this
part 1. In general, recipients should have available for the department
racial and ethnic data showing
[[Page 12]]
the extent to which members of minority groups are beneficiaries of
federally assisted programs.
(c) Access to sources of information. Each recipient shall permit
access by the responsible Department official or his designee during
normal business hours to such of its books, records, accounts, and other
sources of information, and its facilities as may be pertinent to
ascertain compliance with this part 1. Where any information required of
a recipient is in the exclusive possession of any other agency,
institution, or person and this agency, institution, or person shall
fail or refuse to furnish this information, the recipient shall so
certify in its report and shall set forth what efforts it has made to
obtain the information.
(d) Information to beneficiaries and participants. Each recipient
shall make available to participants, beneficiaries, and other
interested persons such information regarding the provisions of this
part 1 and its applicability to the program or activity under which the
recipient receives Federal financial assistance, and make such
information available to them in such manner, as the responsible
Department official finds necessary to apprise such persons of the
protections against discrimination assured them by the Act and this part
1.
Sec. 1.7 Conduct of investigations.
(a) Periodic compliance reviews. The responsible Department official
or his designee shall from time to time review the practices of
recipients to determine whether they are complying with this part 1.
(b) Complaints. Any person who believes himself or any specific
class of persons to be subjected to discrimination prohibited by this
part 1 may by himself or by a representative file with the responsible
Department official or his designee a written complaint. A complaint
must be filed not later than 180 days from the date of the alleged
discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the
responsible Department official or his designee.
(c) Investigations. The responsible Department official or his
designee shall make a prompt investigation whenever a compliance review,
report, complaint, or any other information indicates a possible failure
to comply with this part 1. The investigation should include, where
appropriate, a review of the pertinent practices and policies of the
recipient, the circumstances under which the possible noncompliance with
this part 1 occurred, and other factors relevant to a determination as
to whether the recipient has failed to comply with this part .
(d) Resolution of matters. (1) If an investigation pursuant to
paragraph (c) of this section indicates a failure to comply with this
part 1, the responsible Department official or his designee will so
inform the recipient and the matter will be resolved by informal means
whenever possible. If it has been determined that the matter cannot be
resolved by informal means, action will be taken as provided for in
Sec. 1.8.
(2) If an investigation does not warrant action pursuant to
paragraph (d)(1) of this section the responsible Department official or
his designee will so inform the recipient and the complainant, if any,
in writing.
(e) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No recipient or
other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against
any person for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege
secured by title VI of the Act or this part 1, or because he has made a
complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an
investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this part. The identity of
complainants shall be kept confidential except to the extent necessary
to carry out the purposes of this part, including the conduct of any
investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder.
Sec. 1.8 Procedure for effecting compliance.
(a) General. If there appears to be a failure or threatened failure
to comply with this part 1, and if the noncompliance or threatened
noncompliance cannot be corrected by informal means, compliance with
this part 1 may be effected by the suspension or termination of or
refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance, or by any
other means authorized by law. Such other means may include, but are not
limited to: (1) A reference to the
[[Page 13]]
Department of Justice with a recommendation that appropriate proceedings
be brought to enforce any rights of the United States under any law of
the United States (including other titles of the Act), or any assurance
or other contractual undertaking, and (2) any applicable proceeding
under State or local law.
(b) Noncompliance with Sec. 1.5. If an applicant fails or refuses to
furnish an assurance required under Sec. 1.5 or otherwise fails or
refuses to comply with the requirement imposed by or pursuant to that
section, Federal financial assistance may be refused in accordance with
the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section. The Department shall
not be required to provide assistance in such a case during the pendency
of the administrative proceedings under such paragraph, except that the
Department shall continue assistance during the pendency of such
proceedings where such assistance is due and payable pursuant to a
contract therefor approved prior to January 3, 1965.
(c) Termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal
financial assistance. No order suspending, terminating, or refusing to
grant or continue Federal financial assistance shall become effective
until (1) the responsible Department official has advised the applicant
or recipient of his failure to comply and has determined that compliance
cannot be secured by voluntary means, (2) there has been an express
finding on the record, after opportunity for hearing, of a failure by
the applicant or recipient to comply with a requirement imposed by or
pursuant to this part 1, (3) the action has been approved by the
Secretary, and (4) the expiration of 30 days after the Secretary has
filed with the committees of the House and Senate having legislative
jurisdiction over the program or activity involved a full written report
of the circumstances and the grounds for such action. Any action to
suspend or terminate or to refuse to grant or to continue Federal
financial assistance shall be limited to the particular political
entity, or part thereof, or other recipient as to whom such a finding
has been made and shall be limited in its effect to the particular
program, or part thereof, in which such noncompliance has been so found.
(d) Other means authorized by law. No action to effect compliance by
any other means authorized by law shall be taken until (1) the
responsible Department official has determined that compliance cannot be
secured by voluntary means, (2) the recipient or other person has been
notified of its failure to comply and of the action to be taken to
effect compliance, and (3) the expiration of at least 10 days from the
mailing of such notice to the applicant or recipient. During this period
of at least 10 days additional efforts shall be made to persuade the
applicant or recipient to comply with this part 1 and to take such
corrective action as may be appropriate.
Sec. 1.9 Hearings.
(a) Opportunity for hearing. Whenever an opportunity for a hearing
is required by Sec. 1.8(c), reasonable notice shall be given by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the affected
applicant or recipient. This notice shall advise the applicant or
recipient of the action proposed to be taken, the specific provision
under which the proposed action against it is to be taken, and the
matters of fact or law asserted as the basis for this action, and
either:
(1) Fix a date not less than 20 days after the date of such notice
within which the applicant or recipient may request of the responsible
Department official that the matter be scheduled for hearing, or (2)
advise the applicant or recipient that the matter in question has been
set down for hearing at a stated time and place. The time and place so
fixed shall be reasonable and shall be subject to change for cause. The
complainant, if any, shall be advised of the time and place of the
hearing. An applicant or recipient may waive a hearing and submit
written information and argument for the record. The failure of an
applicant or recipient to request a hearing under this paragraph (a) or
to appear at a hearing for which a date has been set shall be deemed to
be a waiver of the right to a hearing under section 602 of the Act and
Sec. 1.8(c) and consent to the making
[[Page 14]]
of a decision on the basis of such information as is available.
(b) Hearing procedures. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance
with 24 CFR part 180.
38 FR 17949, July 5, 1973, as amended at 61 FR 52217, Oct. 4, 1996]
Sec. 1.10 Effect on other regulations; forms and instructions.
(a) Effect on other regulations. All regulations, orders, or like
directions heretofore issued by any officer of the Department which
impose requirements designed to prohibit any discrimination against
persons on the ground of race, color, or national origin under any
program or activity to which this part applies, and which authorize the
suspension or termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal
financial assistance to any applicant or recipient for failure to comply
with such requirements, are hereby superseded to the extent that such
discrimination is prohibited by this part, except that nothing in this
part shall be deemed to relieve any person of any obligation assumed or
imposed under any such superseded regulation, order, instruction, or
like direction prior to January 3, 1965. Nothing in this part, however,
shall be deemed to supersede any of the following (including future
amendments thereof):
(1) Executive Orders 11246 and 11375 and regulations issued
thereunder, or
(2) Executive Order 11063 and regulations issued thereunder, or any
other order, regulations or instructions, insofar as such order,
regulations, or instructions, prohibit discrimination on the ground of
race, color, or national origin in any program or activity or situation
to which this part is inapplicable, or prohibit discrimination on any
other ground.
(b) Forms and instructions. The responsible Department official
shall assure that forms and detailed instructions and procedures for
effectuating this part are issued and promptly made available to
interested persons.
(c) Supervision and coordination. The Secretary may from time to
time assign to officials of the Department, or to officials of other
departments or agencies of the Government with the consent of such
department or agency, responsibilities in connection with the
effectuation of the purposes of title VI of the Act and this part (other
than responsibility for final decision as provided in Sec. 1.10),
including the achievement of effective coordination and maximum
uniformity within the Department and within the Executive Branch of the
Government in the application of title VI and this part to similar
programs or activities and in similar situations. Any action taken,
determination made, or requirement imposed by an official of another
department or agency acting pursuant to an assignment of responsibility
under this paragraph shall have the same effect as though such action
had been taken by the responsible official of this Department.
[38 FR 17949, July 5, 1973. Redesignated at 61 FR 52217, Oct. 4, 1996]
PART 4--HUD REFORM ACT--Table of Contents
Subpart A--Accountability in the Provision of HUD Assistance
Sec.
4.1 Purpose.
4.3 Definitions.
4.5 Notice and documentation of assistance subject to section 102(a).
4.7 Notice of funding decisions.
4.9 Disclosure requirements for assistance subject to section 102(b).
4.11 Updating of disclosure.
4.13 Limitation of assistance subject to section 102(d).
Subpart B--Prohibition of Advance Disclosure of Funding Decisions
4.20 Purpose.
4.22 Definitions.
4.24 Scope.
4.26 Permissible and impermissible disclosures.
4.28 Civil penalties.
4.30 Procedure upon discovery of a violation.
4.32 Investigation by Office of Inspector General.
4.34 Review of Inspector General's report by the Ethics Law Division.
4.36 Action by the Ethics Law Division.
4.38 Administrative remedies.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d), 3537a, 3545.
Source: 61 FR 14449, Apr. 1, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
[[Page 15]]
Subpart A--Accountability in the Provision of HUD Assistance
Sec. 4.1 Purpose.
The provisions of this subpart A are authorized under section 102 of
the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (Pub.
L. 101-235, approved December 15, 1989) (42 U.S.C. 3537a) (hereinafter,
Section 102). Both the provisions of Section 102 and this subpart A
apply for the purposes of Section 102. Section 102 contains a number of
provisions designed to ensure greater accountability and integrity in
the way in which the Department makes assistance available under certain
of its programs.
Sec. 4.3 Definitions.
Applicant includes a person whose application for assistance must be
submitted to HUD for any purpose including approval, environmental
review, or rent determination.
Assistance under any program or discretionary fund administered by
the Secretary is subject to Section 102(a), and means any assistance,
under any program administered by the Department, that provides by
statute, regulation or otherwise for the competitive distribution of
funding.
Assistance within the jurisdiction of the Department is subject to
Section 102(b), and means any contract, grant, loan, cooperative
agreement, or other form of assistance, including the insurance or
guarantee of a loan or mortgage, that is provided with respect to a
specific project or activity under a program administered by the
Department, whether or not it is awarded through a competitive process.
Assistance within the jurisdiction of the Department to any housing
project is subject to Section 102(d), and means:
(1) Assistance which is provided directly by HUD to any person or
entity, but not to subrecipients. It includes assistance for the
acquisition, rehabilitation, operation conversion, modernization,
renovation, or demolition of any property containing five or more
dwelling units that is to be used primarily for residential purposes. It
includes assistance to independent group residences, board and care
facilities, group homes and transitional housing but does not include
primarily nonresidential facilities such as intermediate care
facilities, nursing homes and hospitals. It also includes any change
requested by a recipient in the amount of assistance previously
provided, except changes resulting from annual adjustments in Section 8
rents under Section 8(c)(2)(A) of the United States Housing Act of 1937
(42 U.S.C. 1437f);
(2) Assistance to residential rental property receiving a tax credit
under Federal, State or local law.
(3) For purposes of this definition, assistance includes assistance
resulting from annual adjustments in Section 8 rents under Section
8(c)(2)(A) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, unless the initial
assistance was made available before April 15, 1991, and no other
assistance subject to this subpart A was made available on or after that
date.
Housing project means: (1) Property containing five or more dwelling
units that is to be used for primarily residential purposes, including
(but not limited to) living arrangements such as independent group
residences, board and care facilities, group homes, and transitional
housing, but excluding facilities that provide primarily non-residential
services, such as intermediate care facilities, nursing homes, and
hospitals.
(2) Residential rental property receiving a tax credit under
Federal, State, or local law.
Interested party means any person involved in the application for
assistance, or in the planning, development or implementation of the
project or activity for which assistance is sought and any other person
who has a pecuniary interest exceeding the lower of $50,000 or 10
percent in the project or activity for which assistance is sought.
Selection criteria includes, in addition to any objective measures
of housing and other need, project merit, or efficient use of resources,
the weight or relative importance of each published selection criterion
as well as any other factors that may affect the selection of
recipients.
[[Page 16]]
Sec. 4.5 Notice and documentation of assistance subject to section 102(a).
(a) Notice. Before the Department solicits an application for
assistance subject to Section 102(a), it will publish a Notice in the
Federal Register describing application procedures. Not less than 30
calendar days before the deadline by which applications must be
submitted, the Department will publish selection criteria in the Federal
Register.
(b) Documentation of decisions. HUD will make available for public
inspection, for at least five (5) years, and beginning not less than 30
calendars days after it provides the assistance, all documentation and
other information regarding the basis for the funding decision with
respect to each application submitted to HUD for assistance. HUD will
also make available any written indication of support that it received
from any applicant. Recipients of HUD assistance must ensure, in
accordance with HUD guidance, the public availability of similar
information submitted by subrecipients of HUD assistance.
Sec. 4.7 Notice of funding decisions.
HUD will publish a Notice in the Federal Register at least quarterly
to notify the public of all decisions made by the Department to provide:
(a) Assistance subject to Section 102(a); and
(b) Assistance that is provided through grants or cooperative
agreements on a discretionary (non-formula, non-demand) basis, but that
is not provided on the basis of a competition.
Sec. 4.9 Disclosure requirements for assistance subject to section 102(b).
(a) Receipt and reasonable expectation of receipt. (1) In
determining the threshold of applicability of Section 102(b), an
applicant will be deemed to have received or to have a reasonable
expectation of receiving:
(i) The total amount of assistance received during the Federal
fiscal year during which the application was submitted;
(ii) The total amount of assistance requested for the fiscal year in
which any pending application, including the current application, was
submitted; and
(iii) For the fiscal year described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this
section, the total amount of assistance from the Department or any other
entity that is likely to be made available on a formula basis or in the
form of program income as defined in 24 CFR part 85.
(2) In the case of assistance that will be provided pursuant to
contract over a period of time (such as project-based assistance under
Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937), all amounts that
are to be provided over the term of the contract, irrespective of when
they are to be received.
(b) Content of disclosure. Applicants that receive or can reasonably
be expected to receive, as defined in paragraph (a) of this section, an
aggregate amount of assistance that is in excess of $200,000 must
disclose the following information:
(1) Other governmental assistance that is or is expected to be made
available, based upon a reasonable assessment of the circumstances, with
respect to the project or activities for which the assistance is sought;
(2) The name and pecuniary interest of any interested party; and
(3) A report of the expected sources and uses of funds for the
project or activity which is the subject of the application, including
governmental and non-governmental sources of funds and private capital
resulting from tax benefits.
(c) In the case of mortgage insurance under 24 CFR subtitle B,
chapter II, the mortgagor is responsible for making the disclosures
required under Section 102(b) and this section, and the mortgagee is
responsible for furnishing the mortgagor's disclosures to the
Department.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
2510-0011)
Sec. 4.11 Updating of disclosure.
(a) During the period in which an application for assistance covered
under Section 102(b) is pending, or in which such assistance is being
provided, the applicant must report to the Department, or to the State
or unit of general local government, as appropriate:
[[Page 17]]
(1) Any information referred to in Section 102(b) that the applicant
should have disclosed with respect to the application, but did not
disclose;
(2) Any information referred to in Section 102(b) that initially
arose after the time for making disclosures under that subsection,
including the name and pecuniary interest of any person who did not have
a pecuniary interest in the project or activity that exceeded the
threshold in Section 102(b) at the time of the application, but that
subsequently exceeded the threshold.
(b) With regard to changes in information that was disclosed under
Sections 102(b) or 102(c):
(1) For programs administered by the Assistant Secretary for
Community Planning and Development:
(i) Any change in other government assistance covered by Section
102(b) that exceeds the amount of all assistance that was previously
disclosed by the lesser of $250,000 or 10 percent of the assistance;
(ii) Any change in the expected sources or uses of funds that exceed
the amount of all previously disclosed sources or uses by the lesser of
$250,000 or 10 percent of previously disclosed sources;
(2) For all other programs:
(i) Any change in other government assistance under Section
102(b)(1) that exceeds the amount of assistance that was previously
disclosed;
(ii) Any change in the pecuniary interest of any person under
Section 102(b)(2) that exceeds the amount of all previously disclosed
interests by the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of such interest;
(iii) For all projects receiving a tax credit under Federal, Sate or
local law, any change in the expected sources or uses of funds that were
previously disclosed;
(iv) For all other projects:
(A) Any change in the expected source of funds from a single source
that exceeds the lesser of the amount previously disclosed for that
source of funds by $250,000 or 10 percent of the funds previously
disclosed for that source;
(B) Any change in the expected sources of funds from all sources
previously disclosed that exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 10 percent
of the amounts previously disclosed from all sources of funds;
(C) Any change in a single expected use of funds that exceeds the
lesser of $250,000 or 10 percent of the previously disclosed use;
(D) Any change in the use of all funds that exceeds the lesser of
$250,000 or 10 percent of the previously disclosed uses for all funds.
(c) Period of coverage. For purposes of updating of Section 102(c),
an application for assistance will be considered to be pending from the
time the application is submitted until the Department communicates its
decision with respect to the selection of the applicant.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
2510-0011)
Sec. 4.13 Limitation of assistance subject to section 102(d).
(a) In making the certification for assistance subject to Section
102(d), the Secretary will consider the aggregate amount of assistance
from the Department and from other sources that is necessary to ensure
the feasibility of the assisted activity. The Secretary will take into
account all factors relevant to feasibility, which may include, but are
not limited to, past rates of returns for owners, sponsors, and
investors; the long-term needs of the project and its tenants; and the
usual and customary fees charged in carrying out the assisted activity.
(b) If the Department determines that the aggregate of assistance
within the jurisdiction of the Department to a housing project from the
Department and from other governmental sources exceeds the amount that
the Secretary determines is necessary to make the assisted activity
feasible, the Department will consider all options available to enable
it to make the required certification, including reductions in the
amount of Section 8 subsidies. The Department also may impose a dollar-
for-dollar, or equivalent, reduction in the amount of HUD assistance to
offset the amount of other government assistance. In grant programs,
this could result in a reduction of any grant amounts not yet drawn
down. The Department may make these adjustments immediately, or in
conjunction with
[[Page 18]]
servicing actions anticipated to occur in the near future (e.g., in
conjunction with the next annual adjustment of Section 8 rents).
(c) If an applicant does not meet the $200,000 disclosure
requirement in Sec. 4.7(b), an applicant must certify whether there is,
or is expected to be made, available with respect to the housing project
any other governmental assistance. The Department may also require any
applicant subject to this subpart A to submit such a certification in
conjunction with the Department's processing of any subsequent servicing
action on that project. If there is other government assistance for
purposes of the two preceding sentences, the applicant must submit such
information as the Department deems necessary to make the certification
and subsequent adjustments under Section 102(d).
(d) The certification under Section 102(d) shall be retained in the
official file for the housing project.
Subpart B--Prohibition of Advance Disclosure of Funding Decisions
Sec. 4.20 Purpose.
The provisions of this subpart B are authorized under section 103 of
the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (Pub.
L. 101-235, approved December 15, 1989) (42 U.S.C. 3537a) (hereinafter,
Section 103). Both the provisions of Section 103 and this subpart B
apply for the purposes of Section 103. Section 103 proscribes direct or
indirect communication of certain information during the selection
process by HUD employees to persons within or outside of the Department
who are not authorized to receive that information. The purpose of the
proscription is to preclude giving an unfair advantage to applicants who
would receive information not available to other applicants or to the
public. Section 103 also authorizes the Department to impose a civil
money penalty on a HUD employee who knowingly discloses protected
information, if such a violation of Section 103 is material, and
authorizes the Department to sanction the person who received
information improperly by, among other things, denying assistance to
that person.
Sec. 4.22 Definitions.
Application means a written request for assistance regardless of
whether the request is in proper form or format.
Assistance does not include any contract (e.g., a procurement
contract) that is subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
(48 CFR ch. 1).
Disclose means providing information directly or indirectly to a
person through any means of communication.
Employee includes persons employed on a full-time, part-time, or
temporary basis, and special government employees as defined in 18
U.S.C. 202. The term applies whether or not the employee is denoted as
an officer of the Department. ``Employee'' is to be construed broadly to
include persons who are retained on a contractual or consultative basis
under an Office of Human Resources appointment. However, ``employee''
does not include an independent contractor, e.g., a firm or individual
working under the authority of a procurement contract.
Material or materially means in some influential or substantial
respect or having to do more with substance than with form.
Person means an individual, corporation, company, association,
authority, firm, partnership, society, State, local government, or any
other organization or group of people.
Selection process means the period with respect to a selection for
assistance that begins when the HUD official responsible for awarding
the assistance involved, or his or her designee, makes a written request
(which includes the selection criteria to be used in providing the
assistance) to the Office of General Counsel (OGC) to prepare the NOFA,
solicitation, or request for applications for assistance for publication
in the Federal Register. The period includes the evaluation of
applications, and concludes with the announcement of the selection of
recipients of assistance.
Sec. 4.24 Scope.
(a) Coverage. The prohibitions against improper disclosure of
covered selection information apply to any person
[[Page 19]]
who is an employee of the Department. In addition, the Department will
require any other person who participates at the invitation of the
Department in the selection process to sign a certification that he or
she will be bound by the provisions of this part.
(b) Applicability. The prohibitions contained in this part apply to
conduct occurring on or after June 12, 1991.
Sec. 4.26 Permissible and impermissible disclosures.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 103, an employee is
permitted to disclose information during the selection process with
respect to:
(1) The requirements of a HUD program or programs, including
unpublished policy statements and the provision of technical assistance
concerning program requirements, provided that the requirements or
statements are disclosed on a uniform basis to any applicant or
potential applicant. For purposes of this part, the term ``technical
assistance'' includes such activities as explaining and responding to
questions about program regulations, defining terms in an application
package, and providing other forms of technical guidance that may be
described in a NOFA. The term ``technical assistance'' also includes
identification of those parts of an application that need substantive
improvement, but this term does not include advising the applicant how
to make those improvements.
(2) The dates by which particular decisions in the selection process
will be made;
(3) Any information which has been published in the Federal Register
in a NOFA or otherwise;
(4) Any information which has been made public through means other
than the Federal Register;
(5) An official audit, inquiry or investigation, if the disclosure
is made to an auditor or investigator authorized by the HUD Inspector
General to conduct the audit or investigation;
(6) Legal activities, including litigation, if the disclosure is
made to an attorney who is representing or is otherwise responsible to
the Department in connection with the activities; or
(7) Procedures that are required to be performed to process an
application, e.g., environmental or budget reviews, and technical
assistance from experts in fields who are regularly employed by other
government agencies, provided that the agency with which the expert is
employed or associated is not an applicant for HUD assistance during the
pending funding cycle.
(b) An authorized employee, during the selection process, may
contact an applicant for the purpose of:
(1) Communication of the applicant's failure to qualify, after a
preliminary review for eligibility and completeness with respect to his
or her application, and the reasons for the failure to qualify, or the
fact of the applicant's failure to be determined to be technically
acceptable after a full review; or
(2) Clarification of the terms of the applicant's application. A
clarification, for the purpose of this paragraph (b), may include a
request for additional information consistent with regulatory
requirements.
(c) Prohibition of advance disclosure of funding decisions. During
the selection process an employee shall not knowingly disclose any
covered selection information regarding the selection process to any
person other than an employee authorized to receive that information.
(1) The following disclosures of information are, at any time during
the selection process, a violation of Section 103:
(i) Information regarding any applicant's relative standing;
(ii) The amount of assistance requested by any applicant;
(iii) Any information contained in an application;
(2) The following disclosures of information, before the deadline
for the submission of applications, shall be a violation of Section 103:
(i) The identity of any applicant; and
(ii) The number of applicants.
Sec. 4.28 Civil penalties.
Whenever any employee knowingly and materially violates the
prohibition in Section 103, the Department may impose a civil money
penalty on the employee in accordance with the provisions of 24 CFR part
30.
[[Page 20]]
Sec. 4.30 Procedure upon discovery of a violation.
(a) In general. When an alleged violation of Section 103 or this
subpart B comes to the attention of any person, including an employee,
he or she may either:
(1) Contact the HUD Ethics Law Division to provide information about
the alleged violation; or
(2) Contact the HUD Office of Inspector General to request an
inquiry or investigation into the matter.
(b) Ethics Law Division. When the Ethics Law Division receives
information concerning an alleged violation of Section 103, it shall
refer the matter to the Inspector General stating the facts of the
alleged violation and requesting that the Inspector General make an
inquiry or investigation into the matter.
(c) Inspector General. When the Inspector General receives
information concerning an alleged violation of Section 103 or this
subpart B, he or she shall notify the Ethics Law Division when the
Inspector General begins an inquiry or investigation into the matter.
(d) Protection of employee complainants. (1) No official of the
Ethics Law Division, after receipt of information from an employee
stating the facts of an alleged violation of this part, shall disclose
the identity of the employee without the consent of that employee. The
Inspector General, after receipt of information stating the facts of an
alleged violation of this part, shall not disclose the identity of the
employee who provided the information without the consent of that
employee, unless the Inspector General determines that disclosure of the
employee's identity is unavoidable during the course of an
investigation. However, any employee who knowingly reports a false
alleged violation of this part is not so protected and may be subject to
disciplinary action.
(2) Any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take,
recommend or approve a personnel action is prohibited from threatening,
taking, failing to take, recommending, or approving any personnel action
as reprisal against another employee for providing information to
investigating officials.
Sec. 4.32 Investigation by Office of Inspector General.
The Office of Inspector General shall review every alleged violation
of Section 103. If after a review the Office of Inspector General
determines that further investigation is not warranted, it shall notify
the Ethics Law Division of that determination. If, after a review, the
Office of Inspector General determines that additional investigation is
warranted, it shall conduct the investigation and upon completion issue
a report of the investigation to the Ethics Law Division as to each
alleged violation.
Sec. 4.34 Review of Inspector General's report by the Ethics Law Division.
After receipt of the Inspector General's report, the Ethics Law
Division shall review the facts and circumstances of the alleged
violations. In addition, the Ethics Law Division may:
(a) Return the report to the Inspector General with a request for
further investigation;
(b) Discuss the violation with the employee alleged to have
committed the violation; or
(c) Interview any other person, including employees who it believes
will be helpful in furnishing information relevant to the inquiry.
Sec. 4.36 Action by the Ethics Law Division.
(a) After review of the Inspector General's report, the Ethics Law
Division shall determine whether or not there is sufficient information
providing a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of Section 103
or this subpart B has occurred.
(b) If the Ethics Law Division determines that there is no
reasonable basis to believe that a violation of Section 103 or this
subpart B has occurred, it shall close the matter and send its
determination to the Office of Inspector General.
(c) If the Ethics Law Division determines that there is sufficient
information to provide a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of
Section 103 or this subpart B has occurred, it shall:
(1) Send its determination to the Office of Inspector General; and
[[Page 21]]
(2) Refer the matter to the appropriate official for review as to
whether to impose a civil money penalty in accordance with 24 CFR part
30; provided, however, that the Ethics Law Division shall not make a
civil money penalty recommendation unless it finds the violation to have
been knowing and material. The decision to impose a civil money penalty
in a particular matter may be made only upon referral from the Ethics
Law Division.
(d) In determining whether a violation is material, the Ethics Law
Division shall consider the following factors, as applicable:
(1) The content of the disclosure and its significance to the person
to whom the disclosure was made;
(2) The time during the selection process when the disclosure was
made;
(3) The person to whom the disclosure was made;
(4) The dollar amount of assistance requested by the person to whom
the disclosure was made;
(5) The dollar amount of assistance available for a given
competition or program;
(6) The benefit, if any, received or expected by the employee, the
employee's relatives or friends, or any other person with whom the
employee is affiliated;
(7) The potential injury to the Department.
(e) If the Ethics Law Division determines that there is sufficient
information to provide a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of
Section 103 or this subpart B has occurred, it may, in addition to
referring the matter under 24 CFR part 30, refer the matter to an
appropriate HUD official for consideration of any other available
disciplinary action. Any referral authorized by this paragraph (e) shall
be reported to the Inspector General and may be reported to the
employee's supervisor.
Sec. 4.38 Administrative remedies.
(a) If the Department receives or obtains information providing a
reasonable basis to believe that a violation of Section 103 has
occurred, the Department may impose a sanction, as determined to be
appropriate, upon an applicant for or a recipient of assistance who has
received covered selection information.
(b) In determining whether a sanction is appropriate and if so which
sanction or sanctions should be sought, the Secretary shall give
consideration to the applicant's conduct with respect to the violation.
In so doing, the Secretary shall consider the factors listed at
Sec. 4.36(d), as well as any history of prior violations in any HUD
program, the benefits received or expected, deterrence of future
violations and the extent of any complicity in the violation.
(c) The Secretary may impose a sanction authorized by this section
whether or not the Ethics Law Division refers a case under 24 CFR part
30, and whether or not a civil money penalty is imposed.
PART 5--GENERAL HUD PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS; WAIVERS--Table of Contents
Subpart A--Generally Applicable Definitions and Federal Requirements;
Waivers
Sec.
5.100 Definitions.
5.105 Other Federal requirements.
5.107 Audit requirements for non-profit organizations.
5.110 Waivers.
Subpart B--Disclosure and Verification of Social Security Numbers and
Employer Identification Numbers; Procedures for Obtaining Income
Information
5.210 Purpose, applicability, and Federal preemption.
5.212 Compliance with the Privacy Act and other requirements.
5.214 Definitions.
Disclosure and Verification of Social Security Numbers and Employer
Identification Numbers for Applicants and Participants in Certain HUD
Programs
5.216 Disclosure and verification of Social Security and Employer
Identification Numbers.
5.218 Penalties for failing to disclose and verify Social Security and
Employer Identification Numbers.
Procedures for Obtaining Income Information About Applicants and
Participants
5.230 Consent by assistance applicants and participants.
5.232 Penalties for failing to sign consent forms.
[[Page 22]]
5.234 Requests for information from SWICAs and Federal agencies;
restrictions on use.
5.236 Procedures for termination, denial, suspension, or reduction of
assistance based on information obtained from a SWICA or
Federal agency.
5.238 Criminal and civil penalties.
5.240 Family disclosure of income information to the responsible entity
and verification.
Subpart C--Pet Ownership for the Elderly or Persons With Disabilities
General Requirements
5.300 Purpose.
5.303 Exclusion for animals that assist persons with disabilities.
5.306 Definitions.
5.309 Prohibition against discrimination.
5.312 Notice to tenants.
5.315 Content of pet rules: General requirements.
5.318 Discretionary pet rules.
5.321 Lease provisions.
5.324 Implementation of lease provisions.
5.327 Nuisance or threat to health or safety.
Pet Ownership Requirements for Housing Programs
5.350 Mandatory pet rules for housing programs.
5.353 Housing programs: Procedure for development of pet rules.
5.356 Housing programs: Pet rule violation procedures.
5.359 Housing programs: Rejection of units by applicants for tenancy.
5.360 Housing programs: Additional lease provisions.
5.363 Housing programs: Protection of the pet.
Pet Ownership Requirements for Public Housing Programs
5.380 Public housing programs: Procedure for development of pet rules.
Subpart D--Definitions for Section 8 and Public Housing Assistance Under
the United States Housing Act of 1937
5.400 Applicability.
5.403 Definitions.
5.405 Basic eligibility; preference over single persons; and housing
assistance limitation for single persons.
5.410 Selection preferences.
5.415 Federal preferences: General.
5.420 Federal preference: Involuntary displacement.
5.425 Federal preference: Substandard housing.
5.430 Federal preference: Rent burden.
Subpart E--Restrictions on Assistance to Noncitizens
5.500 Applicability.
5.502 Requirements concerning documents.
5.504 Definitions.
5.506 General provisions.
5.508 Submission of evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration
status.
5.510 Documents of eligible immigration status.
5.512 Verification of eligible immigration status.
5.514 Delay, denial, reduction or termination of assistance.
5.516 Availability of preservation assistance to mixed families and
other families.
5.518 Types of preservation assistance available to mixed families and
other families.
5.520 Proration of assistance.
5.522 Prohibition of assistance to noncitizen students.
5.524 Compliance with nondiscrimination requirements.
5.526 Protection from liability for responsible entities and State and
local government agencies and officials.
5.528 Liability of ineligible tenants for reimbursement of benefits.
Subpart F--Section 8 and Public Housing: Family Income and Family
Payment; Occupancy Requirements for Section 8 Project-Based Assistance
5.601 Purpose and applicability.
5.603 Definitions.
5.605 Overall income eligibility for assistance.
5.607 Income limits for admission.
Family Income
5.609 Annual income.
5.611 Adjusted income.
5.613 Public housing program and Section 8 tenant-based assistance
program: PHA cooperation with welfare agency.
5.615 Public housing program and Section 8 tenant-based assistance
program: How welfare benefit reduction affects family income.
5.617 Reexamination and verification.
Family Payment
5.628 Total tenant payment.
5.630 Minimum rent.
5.632 Utility reimbursements.
5.634 Tenant rent.
Section 8 Project-Based Assistance: Occupancy Requirements
5.653 Section 8 project-based assistance programs: Admission--Income-
eligibility and income-targeting.
[[Page 23]]
5.655 Section 8 project-based assistance programs: Owner preferences in
selection for a project or unit.
5.657 Section 8 project-based assistance programs: Reexamination of
family income and composition.
5.659 Family information and verification.
5.661 Section 8 project-based assistance programs: Approval for police
or other security personnel to live in project.
Subpart G--Physical Condition Standards and Inspection Requirements
5.701 Applicability.
5.703 Physical condition standards for HUD housing that is decent,
safe, sanitary and in good repair (DSS/GR).
5.705 Uniform physical inspection requirements.
Subpart H--Uniform Financial Reporting Standards
5.801 Uniform financial reporting standards.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d), unless otherwise noted.
Source: 61 FR 5202, Feb. 9, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, part 5 was
amended by changing all references to the term ``HA'' to read ``PHA'',
effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Subpart A--Generally Applicable Definitions and Federal Requirements;
Waivers
Sec. 5.100 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this part and also in other
regulations, as noted:
1937 Act means the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437
et seq.)
ADA means the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12101 et seq.).
ALJ means an administrative law judge appointed to HUD pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 3105 or detailed to HUD pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3344.
Department means the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Elderly Person means an individual who is at least 62 years of age.
Fair Housing Act means title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968,
as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et
seq.).
Fair Market Rent (FMR) means the rent that would be required to be
paid in the particular housing market area in order to obtain privately
owned, decent, safe and sanitary rental housing of modest (non-luxury)
nature with suitable amenities. This Fair Market Rent includes utilities
(except telephone). Separate Fair Market Rents will be established by
HUD for dwelling units of varying sizes (number of bedrooms) and will be
published in the Federal Register in accordance with part 888 of this
title.
General Counsel means the General Counsel of HUD.
Grantee means the person or legal entity to which a grant is awarded
and that is accountable for the use of the funds provided.
Housing agency (HA) means a State, county, municipality or other
governmental entity or public body (or agency or instrumentality
thereof) authorized to engage in or assist in the development or
operation of low-income housing. (``PHA'' and ``HA'' mean the same
thing.)
HUD means the same as Department.
MSA means a metropolitan statistical area.
NAHA means the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42
U.S.C. 12701 et seq.).
NEPA means the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321).
NOFA means Notice of Funding Availability.
OMB means the Office of Management and Budget.
Organizational Unit means the jurisdictional area of each Assistant
Secretary, and each office head or field administrator reporting
directly to the Secretary.
Public housing means housing assisted under the 1937 Act, other than
under Section 8. ``Public housing'' includes dwelling units in a mixed
finance project that are assisted by a PHA with capital or operating
assistance.
Public Housing Agency (PHA) means any State, county, municipality,
or other governmental entity or public body, or agency or
instrumentality of these entities, that is authorized to engage or
assist in the development or
[[Page 24]]
operation of low-income housing under the 1937 Act.
Responsible entity means:
(1) For the public housing program, the Section 8 tenant-based
assistance program (part 982 of this title), and the Section 8 project-
based certificate or voucher programs (part 983 of this title), and the
Section 8 moderate rehabilitation program (part 882 of this title),
responsible entity means the PHA administering the program under an ACC
with HUD;
(2) For all other Section 8 programs, responsible entity means the
Section 8 project owner.
Section 8 means section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937
(42 U.S.C. 1437f).
Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
URA means the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4201-4655).
[61 FR 5202, Feb. 9, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 23853, Apr. 30, 1998; 65
FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.100 was
amended by revising the introductory text, removing the definition of
``housing agency (HA)'' and adding definitions of the terms ``public
housing'', and ``responsible entity'', effective Apr. 28, 2000. For the
convenience of the user, the superseded text is set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.100 Definitions.
The following definitions apply as noted in the respective program
regulations:
* * * * *
Sec. 5.105 Other Federal requirements.
The following Federal requirements apply as noted in the respective
program regulations:
(a) Nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. The Fair Housing Act
(42 U.S.C. 3601-19) and implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 100 et
seq.; Executive Order 11063, as amended by Executive Order 12259 (3 CFR,
1959-1963 Comp., p. 652 and 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 307) (Equal
Opportunity in Housing Programs) and implementing regulations at 24 CFR
part 107; title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-
2000d-4) (Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs) and
implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 1; the Age Discrimination Act of
1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101-6107) and implementing regulations at 24 CFR part
146; section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and
implementing regulations at part 8 of this title; title II of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.; 24 CFR part 8;
section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C.
1701u) and implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 135; Executive Order
11246, as amended by Executive Orders 11375, 11478, 12086, and 12107 (3
CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339; 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 684; 3 CFR,
1966-1970 Comp., p. 803; 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 230; and 3 CFR, 1978
Comp., p. 264, respectively) (Equal Employment Opportunity Programs) and
implementing regulations at 41 CFR chapter 60; Executive Order 11625, as
amended by Executive Order 12007 (3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 616 and 3
CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 139) (Minority Business Enterprises); Executive
Order 12432 (3 CFR, 1983 Comp., p. 198) (Minority Business Enterprise
Development); and Executive Order 12138, as amended by Executive Order
12608 (3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 393 and 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 245) (Women's
Business Enterprise).
(b) Disclosure requirements. The disclosure requirements and
prohibitions of 31 U.S.C. 1352 and implementing regulations at 24 CFR
part 87; and the requirements for funding competitions established by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (42
U.S.C. 3531 et seq.).
(c) Debarred, suspended or ineligible contractors. The prohibitions
at 24 CFR part 24 on the use of debarred, suspended or ineligible
contractors.
(d) Drug-Free Workplace. The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41
U.S.C. 701 et seq.) and HUD's implementing regulations at 24 CFR part
24.
[61 FR 5202, Feb. 9, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.105 was
amended by adding, after the phrase ``section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and implementing regulations at'', the
phrase ``part 8 of this title; title II of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.;'', effective Apr. 28, 2000.
[[Page 25]]
Sec. 5.107 Audit requirements for non-profit organizations.
Non-profit organizations subject to regulations in the part 200 and
part 800 series of title 24 of the CFR shall comply with the audit
requirements of revised OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of States, Local
Governments, and Non-profit Organizations'' (see 24 CFR 84.26). For HUD
programs, a non-profit organization is the mortgagor or owner (as these
terms are defined in the regulations in the part 200 and part 800
series) and not a related or affiliated organization or entity.
[62 FR 61617, Nov. 18, 1997]
Sec. 5.110 Waivers.
Upon determination of good cause, the Secretary may, subject to
statutory limitations, waive any provision of this title and delegate
this authority in accordance with section 106 of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 3535(q)).
Subpart B--Disclosure and Verification of Social Security Numbers and
Employer Identification Numbers; Procedures for Obtaining Income
Information
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d), 3543, 3544, and 11901 et seq.
Source: 61 FR 11113, Mar. 18, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 5.210 Purpose, applicability, and Federal preemption.
(a) Purpose. This subpart B requires applicants for and participants
in covered HUD programs to disclose, and submit documentation to verify,
their Social Security Numbers (SSNs). This subpart B also enables HUD
and PHAs to obtain income information about applicants and participants
in the covered programs through computer matches with State Wage
Information Collection Agencies (SWICAs) and Federal agencies, in order
to verify an applicant's or participant's eligibility for or level of
assistance. The purpose of this subpart B is to enable HUD to decrease
the incidence of fraud, waste, and abuse in the covered programs.
(b) Applicability. (1) This subpart B applies to mortgage and loan
insurance and coinsurance and housing assistance programs contained in
chapter II, subchapter B, and chapters VIII and IX of this title.
(2) The information covered by consent forms described in this
subpart involves income information from SWICAs, and wages, net earnings
from self-employment, payments of retirement income, and unearned income
as referenced at 26 U.S.C. 6103. In addition, consent forms may
authorize the collection of other information from applicants and
participants to determine eligibility or level of benefits.
(c) Federal preemption. This subpart B preempts any State law,
including restrictions and penalties, that governs the collection and
use of income information to the extent State law is inconsistent with
this subpart.
[61 FR 11113, Mar. 18, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.210(b)(2)
was amended in the last sentence by removing after the word
``benefits'', the phrase ``, as provided in parts 813 and 913 of this
title'', effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.212 Compliance with the Privacy Act and other requirements.
(a) Compliance with the Privacy Act. The collection, maintenance,
use, and dissemination of SSNs, EINs, any information derived from SSNs
and Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), and income information under
this subpart shall be conducted, to the extent applicable, in compliance
with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and all other provisions of
Federal, State, and local law.
(b) Privacy Act notice. All assistance applicants shall be provided
with a Privacy Act notice at the time of application. All participants
shall be provided with a Privacy Act notice at each annual income
recertification.
Sec. 5.214 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions in Sec. 5.100, the following
definitions apply to this subpart B:
Assistance applicant. Except as excluded pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
3543(b) and
[[Page 26]]
3544(a)(2), this term means the following:
(1) For any program under 24 CFR parts 215, 221, 236, 290, or 891,
or any program under Section 8 of the 1937 Act: A family or individual
that seeks rental assistance under the program.
(2) For the public housing program: A family or individual that
seeks admission to the program.
(3) For any program under 24 CFR part 235: A homeowner or
cooperative member seeking homeownership assistance (including where the
individual seeks to assume an existing mortgage).
Computer match means the automated comparison of data bases
containing records about individuals.
Computer matching agreement means the agreement that describes the
responsibilities and obligations of the parties participating in a
computer match.
Consent form means any consent form approved by HUD to be signed by
assistance applicants and participants for the purpose of obtaining
income information from employers and SWICAs; return information from
the Social Security Administration (including wages, net earnings from
self-employment, and payments of retirement income), as referenced at 26
U.S.C. 6103(l)(7)(A); and return information for unearned income from
the Internal Revenue Service, as referenced at 26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(7)(B).
The consent forms expire after a certain time and may authorize the
collection of other information from assistance applicants or
participants to determine eligibility or level of benefits as provided
in Secs. 813.109, 913.109, and 950.315 of this title.
Employer Identification Number (EIN) means the nine-digit taxpayer
identifying number that is assigned to an individual, trust, estate,
partnership, association, company, or corporation pursuant to sections
6011(b), or corresponding provisions of prior law, or 6109 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Entity applicant. (1) Except as excluded pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
3543(b), 3544(a)(2), and paragraph (2) of this definition, this term
means a partnership, corporation, or any other association or entity,
other than an individual owner applicant, that seeks to participate as a
private owner in any of the following:
(i) The project-based assistance programs under Section 8 of the
1937 Act;
(ii) The programs in 24 CFR parts 215, 221, or 236; or
(iii) The other mortgage and loan insurance programs in 24 CFR parts
201 through 267, except that the term ``entity applicant'' does not
include a mortgagee or lender.
(2) The term does not include a public entity, such as a PHA, IHA,
or State Housing Finance Agency.
Federal agency means a department of the executive branch of the
Federal Government.
Income information means information relating to an individual's
income, including:
(1) All employment income information known to current or previous
employers or other income sources that HUD or the processing entity
determines is necessary for purposes of determining an assistance
applicant's or participant's eligibility for, or level of assistance in,
a covered program;
(2) All information about wages, as defined in the State's
unemployment compensation law, including any Social Security Number;
name of the employee; quarterly wages of the employee; and the name,
full address, telephone number, and, when known, Employer Identification
Number of an employer reporting wages under a State unemployment
compensation law;
(3) With respect to unemployment compensation:
(i) Whether an individual is receiving, has received, or has applied
for unemployment compensation;
(ii) The amount of unemployment compensation the individual is
receiving or is entitled to receive; and
(iii) The period with respect to which the individual actually
received such compensation;
(4) Unearned IRS income and self-employment, wages and retirement
income as described in the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(7);
and
(5) Wage, social security (Title II), and supplemental security
income (Title XVI) data obtaied from the Social Security Administration.
[[Page 27]]
Individual owner applicant. Except as excluded pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
3543(b), 3544(a)(2), or paragraph (2) of this definition, this term
means:
(1) An individual who seeks to participate as a private owner in any
of:
(i) The project-based assistance programs under Section 8 of the
1937 Act; or
(ii) The programs in 24 CFR parts 215, 221, 235 (without
homeownership assistance), or 236, including where the individual seeks
to assume an existing mortgage; or
(2) An individual who:
(i) Either: (A) Applies for a mortgage or loan insured or coinsured
under any of the programs referred to in paragraph (1)(iii) of the
definition of ``entity applicant'' in this section; or
(B) Seeks to assume an existing mortgage or loan; and
(ii) Intends to hold the mortgaged property in his or her individual
right.
IRS means the Internal Revenue Service.
Owner means the person or entity (or employee of an owner) that
leases an assisted dwelling unit to an eligible family and includes,
when applicable, a mortgagee.
Participant. Except as excluded pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 3543(b) and
3544(a)(2), this term has the following meaning:
(1) For any program under 24 CFR part 891, or Section 8 of the 1937
Act: A family receiving rental assistance under the program;
(2) For the public housing program: A family or individual that is
assisted under the program;
(3) For 24 CFR parts 215, 221, 236, and 290: A tenant or qualified
tenant under any of the programs; and
(4) For 24 CFR part 235: A homeowner or a cooperative member
receiving homeownership assistance.
Processing entity means the person or entity that, under any of the
programs covered under this subpart B, is responsible for making
eligibility and related determinations and an income reexamination. (In
the Section 8 and public housing programs, the ``processing entity'' is
the ``responsible entity'' as defined in Sec. 5.100.)
Social Security Number (SSN) means the nine-digit number that is
assigned to a person by the Social Security Administration and that
identifies the record of the person's earnings reported to the Social
Security Administration. The term does not include a number with a
letter as a suffix that is used to identify an auxiliary beneficiary.
SSA means the Social Security Administration.
State Wage Information Collection Agency (SWICA) means the State
agency, including any Indian tribal agency, receiving quarterly wage
reports from employers in the State, or an alternative system that has
been determined by the Secretary of Labor to be as effective and timely
in providing employment-related income and eligibility information.
[61 FR 11113, Mar. 18, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 23853, Apr. 30, 1998;
65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.214 was
amended by revising paragraph (2) in the definitions for ``assistance
applicant'' and ``participant'', and by revising the definition for
``processing entity'', effective Apr. 28, 2000. For the convenience of
the user, the superseded text is set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.214 Definitions.
* * * * *
Assistance applicant. * * *
(2) For any program under 24 CFR parts 904, 950, and 960: A
prospective tenant or homebuyer seeking the benefit of the program.
* * * * *
Participant. * * *
(2) For 24 CFR parts 904, 950, 960: A tenant or homebuyer under the
program;
* * * * *
Processing entity means the person or entity that, under any of the
programs covered under this subpart B, is responsible for making
eligibility and related determinations and any income reexamination.
* * * * *
[[Page 28]]
Disclosure and Verification of Social Security Numbers and Employer
Identification Numbers for Applicants and Participants in Certain HUD
Programs
Sec. 5.216 Disclosure and verification of Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers.
(a) Disclosure: assistance applicants. Each assistance applicant
must submit the following information to the processing entity when the
assistant applicant's eligibility under the program involved is being
determined:
(1)(i) The complete and accurate SSN assigned to the assistant
applicant and to each member of the assistant applicant's household who
is at least six years of age; and
(ii) The documentation referred to in paragraph (f)(1) of this
section to verify each such SSN; or
(2) If the assistance applicant or any member of the assistance
applicant's household who is at least six years of age has not been
assigned an SSN, a certification executed by the individual involved
that meets the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section.
(b) Disclosure: individual owner applicants. Each individual owner
applicant must submit the following information to the processing entity
when the individual owner applicant's eligibility under the program
involved is being determined:
(1)(i) The complete and accurate SSNs assigned to the individual
owner applicant and to each member of the individual owner applicant's
household who will be obligated to pay the debt evidenced by the
mortgage or loan documents; and
(ii) The documentation referred to in paragraph (f)(1) of this
section to verify the SSNs; or
(2) If any person referred to in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section
has not been assigned an SSN, a certification executed by the individual
involved that meets the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section.
(c) Disclosure: certain officials of entity applicants. As explained
more fully in HUD administrative instructions, each officer, director,
principal stockholder, or other official of an entity applicant must
submit the following information to the processing entity when the
entity applicant's eligibility under the program involved is being
determined:
(1) The complete and accurate SSN assigned to each such individual;
and
(2) The documentation referred to in paragraph (f)(1) of this
section to verify each SSN.
(d) Disclosure: participants--(1) Initial disclosure. Each
participant whose initial determination of eligibility under the program
involved was begun before November 6, 1989, must submit the following
information to the processing entity at the next regularly scheduled
income reexamination for the program involved:
(i)(A) The complete and accurate SSN assigned to the participant and
to each member of the participant's family who is at least six years of
age; and
(B) The documentation referred to in paragraph (f)(1) of this
section to verify each such SSN; or
(ii) If the participant or any member of the participant's household
who is at least six years of age has not been assigned an SSN, a
certification executed by the individual(s) involved that meets the
requirements of paragraph (j) of this section.
(2) Subsequent disclosure. Once a participant has disclosed and
verified every SSN, or submitted any certification that an SSN has not
been assigned, as provided by paragraph (a) of this section (for an
assistance applicant) or paragraph (d)(1) (for a preexisting
participant) of this section, the following rules apply:
(i) If the participant's household adds a new member who is at least
six years of age, the participant must submit to the processing entity,
at the next interim or regularly scheduled income reexamination that
includes the new members:
(A) The complete and accurate SSNs assigned to each new member and
the documentation referred to in paragraph (f)(1) of this section to
verify the SSNs for each new member; or
(B) If the new member has not been assigned an SSN, a certification
executed by the individual involved that meets the requirements of
paragraph (j) of this section.
(ii) If the participant or any member of the participant's household
who is at
[[Page 29]]
least six years of age obtains a previously undisclosed SSN, or has been
assigned a new SSN, the participant must submit the following to the
processing entity at the next regularly scheduled income reexamination:
(A) The complete and accurate SSN assigned to the participant or
household member involved; and
(B) The documentation referred to in paragraph (f)(1) of this
section to verify the SSN of each such individual.
(iii) Additional SSN disclosure and verification requirements,
including the nature of the disclosure and the verification required and
the time and manner for making the disclosure and verification, may be
specified in administrative instructions by:
(A) HUD; and
(B) In the case of the public housing program or the programs under
parts 882 and 887 of this title, the PHA.
(e) Disclosure: entity applicants. Each entity applicant must submit
the following information to the processing entity when the entity
applicant's eligibility under the program involved is being determined:
(1) Any complete and accurate EIN assigned to the entity applicant;
and
(2) The documentation referred to in paragraph (f)(2) of this
section to verify the EIN.
(f) Required documentation--(1) Social Security Numbers. The
documentation necessary to verify the SSN of an individual who is
required to disclose his or her SSN under paragraphs (a) through (d) of
this section is a valid SSN card issued by the SSA, or such other
evidence of the SSN as HUD and, where applicable, the PHA may prescribe
in administrative instructions.
(2) Employer Identification Numbers. The documentation necessary to
verify any EIN of an entity applicant that is required to disclose its
EIN under paragraph (e) of this section is the official, written
communication from the IRS assigning the EIN to the entity applicant, or
such other evidence of the EIN as HUD may prescribe in administrative
instructions.
(g) Special documentation rules for assistance applicants and
participants--(1) Certification of inability to meet documentation
requirements. If an individual who is required to disclose his or her
SSN under paragraph (a) (assistance applicants) of this section or
paragraph (d) (participants) of this section is able to disclose the
SSN, but cannot meet the documentation requirements of paragraph (f)(1)
of this section, the assistance applicant or participant must submit to
the processing entity the individual's SSN and a certification executed
by the individual that the SSN submitted has been assigned to the
individual, but that acceptable documentation to verify the SSN cannot
be provided.
(2) Acceptance or certification by processing entity. Except as
provided by paragraph (h) of this section, the processing entity must
accept the certification referred to in paragraph (g)(1) of this section
and continue to process the assistant applicant's or participant's
eligibility to participate in the program involved.
(3) Effect on assistance applicants. If the processing entity
determines that the assistance applicant is otherwise eligible to
participate in the program, the assistance applicant may not become a
participant in the program, unless it submits to the processing entity
the documentation required under paragraph (f)(1) of this section within
the time period specified in paragraph (g)(5) of this section. During
such period, the assistance applicant will retain the position that it
occupied in the program at the time the determination of eligibility was
made, including its place on any waiting list maintained for the
program, if applicable.
(4) Effect on participants. If the processing entity determines that
the participant otherwise continues to be eligible to participate in the
program, participation will continue, provided that the participant
submits to the processing entity the documentation required under
paragraph (f)(1) of this section within the time period specified in
paragraph (g)(5) of this section.
(5) Time for submitting documentation. The time period referred to
in paragraphs (g)(4) and (5) of this section is 60 calendar days from
the date on which the certification referred to in paragraph (g)(1) of
this section is executed, except that the processing entity may, in its
discretion, extend this period for
[[Page 30]]
up to an additional 60 days if the individual is at least 62 years of
age and is unable to submit the required documentation within the
initial 60-day period.
(h) Rejection of documentation or certification. The processing
entity may reject documentation referred to in paragraph (f) of this
section, or a certification provided under paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(2),
(d), or (g)(1) of this section, only for such reasons as HUD and the PHA
may prescribe in applicable administrative instructions.
(i) Information on SSNs and EINs. (1) Information regarding SSNs and
SSN cards may be obtained by contacting the local SSA Office or
consulting the SSA regulations at 20 CFR chapter III (see, particularly,
part 422).
(2) Information regarding EINs may be obtained by contacting the
local office of the IRS or consulting the appropriate regulations for
the IRS.
(j) Form and manner of certifications. The certifications referred
to in paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(2), (d), and (g)(1) of this section must be
in the form and manner that HUD and the PHA prescribe in applicable
administrative instructions. If an individual who is required to execute
a certification is less than 18 years of age, the certification must be
executed by his or her parent or guardian or, in accordance with
administrative instructions, by the individual or another person.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
2502-0204)
Sec. 5.218 Penalties for failing to disclose and verify Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers.
(a) Denial of eligibility: assistance applicants and individual
owner applicants. The processing entity must deny the eligibility of an
assistance applicant or individual owner applicant in accordance with
the provisions governing the program involved, if the assistance or
individual owner applicant does not meet the applicable SSN disclosure,
documentation and verification, and certification requirements specified
in Sec. 5.216.
(b) Denial of eligibility: entity applicants. The processing entity
must deny the eligibility of an entity applicant in accordance with the
provisions governing the program involved; if:
(1) The entity applicant does not meet the applicable EIN disclosure
and verification requirements specified in Sec. 5.216; or
(2) Any of the officials of the entity applicant referred to in
Sec. 5.216(c) does not meet the applicable SSN disclosure, and
documentation and verification requirements specified in Sec. 5.216.
(c) Termination of assistance or tenancy: participants. The
processing entity must terminate the assistance or tenancy, or both, of
a participant, in accordance with the provisions governing the program
involved, if the participant does not meet the applicable SSN
disclosure, documentation and verification, and certification
requirements specified in Sec. 5.216.
(d) Cross reference. Individuals should consult the regulations and
administrative instructions for the programs covered under this subpart
B for further information on the use of SSNs and EINs in determinations
regarding eligibility.
Procedures for Obtaining Income Information About Applicants and
Participants
Sec. 5.230 Consent by assistance applicants and participants.
(a) Required consent by assistance applicants and participants. Each
member of the family of an assistance applicant or participant who is at
least 18 years of age, and each family head and spouse regardless of
age, shall sign one or more consent forms.
(b) Consent authorization--(1) To whom and when. The assistance
applicant shall submit the signed consent forms to the processing entity
when eligibility under a covered program is being determined. A
participant shall sign and submit consent forms at the next regularly
scheduled income reexamination. Assistance applicants and participants
shall be responsible for the signing and submitting of consent forms by
each applicable family member.
(2) Subsequent consent forms--special cases. Participants are
required to sign and submit consent forms at the next interim or
regularly scheduled income
[[Page 31]]
reexamination under the following circumstances:
(i) When any person 18 years or older becomes a member of the
family;
(ii) When a member of the family turns 18 years of age; and
(iii) As required by HUD or the PHA in administrative instructions.
(c) Consent form--contents. The consent form required by this
section shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
(1) A provision authorizing HUD and PHAs to obtain from SWICAs any
information or materials necessary to complete or verify the application
for participation and to maintain continued assistance under a covered
program; and
(2) A provision authorizing HUD, PHAs, or the owner responsible for
determining eligibility for or the level of assistance to verify with
previous or current employers income information pertinent to the
assistance applicant's or participant's eligibility for or level of
assistance under a covered program;
(3) A provision authorizing HUD to request income return information
from the IRS and the SSA for the sole purpose of verifying income
information pertinent to the assistance applicant's or participant's
eligibility or level of benefits; and
(4) A statement that the authorization to release the information
requested by the consent form expires 15 months after the date the
consent form is signed.
Sec. 5.232 Penalties for failing to sign consent forms.
(a) Denial or termination of benefits. In accordance with the
provisions governing the program involved, if the assistance applicant
or participant, or any member of the assistance applicant's or
participant's family, does not sign and submit the consent form as
required in Sec. 5.230, then:
(1) The processing entity shall deny assistance to and admission of
an assistance applicant;
(2) Assistance to, and the tenancy of, a participant may be
terminated.
(b) Cross references. Individuals should consult the regulations and
administrative instructions for the programs covered under this subpart
B for further information on the use of income information in
determinations regarding eligibility.
Sec. 5.234 Requests for information from SWICAs and Federal agencies; restrictions on use.
(a) Information available from SWICAs and Federal agencies--to whom
and what. Income information will generally be obtained through computer
matching agreements between HUD and a SWICA or Federal agency, or
between a PHA and a SWICA, as described in paragraph (c) of this
section. Certification that the applicable assistance applicants and
participants have signed appropriate consent forms and have received the
necessary Privacy Act notice is required, as follows:
(1) When HUD requests the computer match, the processing entity
shall certify to HUD; and
(2) When the PHA requests the computer match, the PHA shall certify
to the SWICA.
(b) Restrictions on use of information. The restrictions of 42
U.S.C. 3544(c)(2)(A) apply to the use by HUD or a PHA of income
information obtained from a SWICA. The restrictions of 42 U.S.C.
3544(c)(2)(A) and of 26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(7) apply to the use by HUD or a
PHA of income information obtained from the IRS or SSA.
(c) Computer matching agreements. Computer matching agreements shall
specify the purpose and the legal authority for the match, and shall
include a description of the records to be matched, a statement
regarding disposition of information generated through the match, a
description of the administrative and technical safeguards to be used in
protecting the information obtained through the match, a description of
the use of records, the restrictions on duplication and redisclosure, a
certification, and the amount that will be charged for processing a
request.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
2508-0008)
[[Page 32]]
Sec. 5.236 Procedures for termination, denial, suspension, or reduction of assistance based on information obtained from a SWICA or Federal agency.
(a) Termination, denial, suspension, or reduction of assistance. The
provisions of 42 U.S.C. 3544(c)(2)(B) and (C) shall govern the
termination, denial, suspension, or reduction of benefits for an
assistance applicant or participant based on income information obtained
from a SWICA or a Federal agency. Procedures necessary to comply with
these provisions are provided in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Procedures for independent verification. (1) Any determination
or redetermination of family income verified in accordance with this
paragraph must be carried out in accordance with the requirements and
procedures applicable to the individual covered program. Independent
verification of information obtained from a SWICA or a Federal agency
may be:
(i) By HUD;
(ii) In the case of the public housing program, by a PHA; or
(iii) In the case of any Section 8 program, by a PHA acting as
contract administrator under an ACC.
(2) Upon receiving income information from a SWICA or a Federal
agency, HUD or, when applicable, the PHA shall compare the information
with the information about a family's income that was:
(i) Provided by the assistance applicant or participant to the PHA;
or
(ii) Obtained by the owner (or mortgagee, as applicable) from the
assistance applicant or participant or from his or her employer.
(3) When the income information reveals an employer or other income
source that was not disclosed by the assistance applicant or
participant, or when the income information differs substantially from
the information received from the assistance applicant or participant or
from his or her employer:
(i) HUD or, as applicable or directed by HUD, the PHA shall request
the undisclosed employer or other income source to furnish any
information necessary to establish an assistance applicant's or
participant's eligibility for or level of assistance in a covered
program. This information shall be furnished in writing, as directed to:
(A) HUD, with respect to programs under parts 215, 221, 235, 236, or
290 of this title;
(B) The responsible entity (as defined in Sec. 5.100) in the case of
the public housing program or any Section 8 program.
(C) The owner or mortgagee, as applicable, with respect to the rent
supplement, Section 221(d)(3) BMIR, Section 235 homeownership
assistance, or Section 236 programs.
(ii) HUD or the PHA may verify the income information directly with
an assistance applicant or participant. Such verification procedures
shall not include any disclosure of income information prohibited under
paragraph (b)(6) of this section.
(4) HUD and the PHA shall not be required to pursue these
verification procedures when the sums of money at issue are too small to
raise an inference of fraud or justify the expense of independent
verification and the procedures related to termination, denial,
suspension, or reduction of assistance.
(5) Based on the income information received from a SWICA or Federal
agency, HUD or the PHA, as appropriate, may inform an owner (or
mortgagee) that an assistance applicant's or participant's eligibility
for or level of assistance is uncertain and needs to be verified. The
owner (or mortgagee) shall then confirm the assistance applicant's or
participant's income information by checking the accuracy of the
information with the employer or other income source, or directly with
the family.
(6) Nondisclosure of Income information. Neither HUD nor the PHA may
disclose income information obtained from a SWICA directly to an owner
(unless a PHA is the owner). Disclosure of income information obtained
from the SSA or IRS is restricted under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 6103(l)(7) and 42
U.S.C. 3544.
(c) Opportunity to contest. HUD, the PHA, or the owner (or
mortgagee, as applicable) shall promptly notify any assistance applicant
or participant in writing of any adverse findings made on the basis of
the information verified in accordance with paragraph (b) of this
section. The assistance applicant
[[Page 33]]
or participant may contest the findings in the same manner as applies to
other information and findings relating to eligibility factors under the
applicable program. Termination, denial, suspension, or reduction of
assistance shall be carried out in accordance with requirements and
procedures applicable to the individual covered program, and shall not
occur until the expiration of any notice period provided by the statute
or regulations governing the program.
[61 FR 11113, Mar. 18, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.236 was
amended by revising paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(3)(i)(B), and (C), effective
Apr. 28, 2000. For the convenience of the user, the superseded text is
set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.236 Procedures for termination, denial, suspension, or reduction
of assistance based on information obtained from a SWICA or
Federal agency.
* * * * *
(b) * * * (1) Any determination or redetermination of family income
made on the basis of information verified in accordance with paragraph
(b) of this section shall be carried out in accordance with the
requirements and procedures applicable to the individual covered
program. Independent verification of information obtained from a SWICA
or a Federal agency may be:
(i) By HUD; and
(ii) By a HA, when the benefit to be provided to the assistance
applicant or participant is under a program in parts 880, 882, 886, 887,
891, 904, 950, or 960 of this title, including when the HA is the
contract administrator for the owner.
* * * * *
(3) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) The HA, with respect to programs under parts 880, 882, 886, 887,
891, 904, 950, or 960 of this title for which the HA is responsible for
determining eligibility or level of benefits; or
(C) The owner (or mortgagee, as applicable), with respect to
programs under parts 215, 221, 235, 236, or 290 of this title, or when
the owner is responsible under parts 880, 882, 886, 887, 891, 904, 950,
or 960 of this title for determining eligibility or the level of
assistance; or
* * * * *
Sec. 5.238 Criminal and civil penalties.
Persons who violate the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 3544 or 26 U.S.C.
6103(l)(7) with respect to the use and disclosure of income information
may be subject to civil or criminal penalties under 42 U.S.C.
3544(c)(3), 26 U.S.C. 7213(a), or 18 U.S.C. 1905.
Sec. 5.240 Family disclosure of income information to the responsible entity and verification.
(a) This section applies to families that reside in dwelling units
with assistance under the public housing program, the Section 8 tenant-
based assistance programs, or for which project-based assistance is
provided under the Section 8, Section 202, or Section 811 program.
(b) The family must promptly furnish to the responsible entity any
letter or other notice by HUD to a member of the family that provides
information concerning the amount or verification of family income.
(c) The responsible entity must verify the accuracy of the income
information received from the family, and change the amount of the total
tenant payment, tenant rent or Section 8 housing assistance payment, or
terminate assistance, as appropriate, based on such information.
[65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.240 was
added, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Subpart C--Pet Ownership for the Elderly or Persons With Disabilities
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1701r-1 and 3535(d).
General Requirements
Sec. 5.300 Purpose.
(a) This subpart implements section 227 of the Housing and Urban-
Rural Recovery Act of 1983 (12 U.S.C. 1701r-1) as it pertains to
projects for the elderly or persons with disabilities under:
(1) The housing programs administered by the Assistant Secretary for
Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner;
[[Page 34]]
(2) Projects assisted under the programs contained in chapter VIII
of this title 24; and
(3) The public housing program.
(b) [Reserved]
[61 FR 5202, Feb. 9, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.300 was
amended by revising paragraph (a)(3), effective Apr. 28, 2000. For the
convenience of the user, the superseded text is set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.300 Purpose.
(a) * * *
(3) The public housing programs administered by the Assistant
Secretary for Public and Indian Housing under title I of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437, et seq.). This part does not
apply to Indian housing administered under title II of that Act.
* * * * *
Sec. 5.303 Exclusion for animals that assist persons with disabilities.
(a) This subpart C does not apply to animals that are used to assist
persons with disabilities. Project owners and PHAs may not apply or
enforce any pet rules developed under this subpart against individuals
with animals that are used to assist persons with disabilities. This
exclusion applies to animals that reside in projects for the elderly or
persons with disabilities, as well as to animals that visit these
projects.
(1) A project owner may require resident animals to qualify for this
exclusion. Project owners must grant this exclusion if:
(i) The tenant or prospective tenant certifies in writing that the
tenant or a member of his or her family is a person with a disability;
(ii) The animal has been trained to assist persons with that
specific disability; and
(iii) The animal actually assists the person with a disability.
(2) [Reserved]
(b) Nothing in this subpart C:
(1) Limits or impairs the rights of persons with disabilities;
(2) Authorizes project owners or PHAs to limit or impair the rights
of persons with disabilities; or
(3) Affects any authority that project owners or PHAs may have to
regulate animals that assist persons with disabilities, under Federal,
State, or local law.
Sec. 5.306 Definitions.
Common household pet means:
(1) For purposes of Housing programs: A domesticated animal, such as
a dog, cat, bird, rodent (including a rabbit), fish, or turtle, that is
traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial
purposes. Common household pet does not include reptiles (except
turtles). If this definition conflicts with any applicable State or
local law or regulation defining the pets that may be owned or kept in
dwelling accommodations, the State or local law or regulation shall
apply. This definition shall not include animals that are used to assist
persons with disabilities.
(2) For purposes of Public Housing programs: PHAs may define the
term ``common household pet'' under Sec. 5.318.
Elderly or disabled family means:
(1) For purposes of Housing programs: An elderly person, a person
with a disability, or an elderly or disabled family for purposes of the
program under which a project for the elderly or persons with
disabilities is assisted or has its mortgage insured.
(2) For purposes of Public Housing programs: (i) An elderly person,
a person with a disability, or an elderly or disabled family as defined
in Sec. 5.403 in subpart A of this part.
(ii) [Reserved]
Housing programs means:
(1) The housing programs administered by the Assistant Secretary for
Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner; and
(2) The programs contained in chapter VIII of this title 24 that
assist rental projects that meet the definition of project for the
elderly or persons with disabilities in this subpart C.
Project for the elderly or persons with disabilities means:
(1) For purposes of Housing programs: (i) A specific rental or
cooperative multifamily property that, unless currently owned by HUD, is
subject to a first mortgage, and:
(A) That is assisted under statutory authority identified by HUD
through notice;
[[Page 35]]
(B) That was designated for occupancy by elderly or disabled
families when funds for the project were reserved, or when the
commitment to insure the mortgage was issued or, of not then so
designated, that is designated for such occupancy in an effective
amendment to the regulatory agreement covering the project, made
pursuant to the project owner's request, and that is assisted or insured
under one of the programs identified by HUD through notice; or
(C) For which preference in tenant selection is given for all units
in the project to elderly or disabled families and that is owned by HUD
or assisted under one of the programs identified by HUD through notice.
(ii) This term does not include health and care facilities that have
mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act. This term also does
not include any of the project owner's other property that does not meet
the criteria contained in any one of paragraphs (1)(i)(A) through (C) of
this definition, even if the property is adjacent to or under joint or
common management with such specific property.
(2) For purposes of Public Housing programs: Any project assisted
under title I of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (other than under
section 8 or 17 of the Act), including any building within a mixed-use
project, that was designated for occupancy by the elderly or persons
with disabilities at its inception or, although not so designated, for
which the PHA gives preference in tenant selection (with HUD approval)
for all units in the project (or for a building within a mixed-use
project) to elderly or disabled families. For purposes of this part,
this term does not include projects assisted the Low-Rent Housing
Homeownership Opportunity program or under title II of the United States
Housing Act of 1937.
Project owner means an owner (including HUD, where HUD is the owner)
or manager of a project for the elderly or persons with disabilities, or
an agent authorized to act for an owner or manager of such housing.
Public Housing Agency (PHA) is defined in Sec. 5.100.
Public Housing programs means the public housing programs
administered by the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing
under title I of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.306 was
amended by removing the definition for ``Public Housing programs'',
effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.309 Prohibition against discrimination.
Except as otherwise specifically authorized under this subpart no
project owner or PHA that owns or manages a project for the elderly or
persons with disabilities may:
(a) As a condition of tenancy or otherwise, prohibit or prevent any
tenant of such housing from owning common household pets or having such
pets living in the tenant's dwelling unit; or
(b) Restrict or discriminate against any person in connection with
admission to, or continued occupancy of, such housing by reason of the
person's ownership of common household pets or the presence of such pets
in the person's dwelling unit.
Sec. 5.312 Notice to tenants.
(a) During the development of pet rules as described in Secs. 5.353
or 5.380, the project owner or PHA shall serve written notice on all
tenants of projects for the elderly or persons with disabilities in
occupancy at the time of service, stating that:
(1) Tenants are permitted to own and keep common household pets in
their dwelling units, in accordance with the pet rules (if any)
promulgated under this subpart C;
(2) Animals that are used to assist persons with disabilities are
excluded from the requirements of this subpart C, as provided in
Sec. 5.303;
(3) Tenants may, at any time, request a copy of any current pet rule
developed under this subpart C (as well as any current proposed rule or
proposed amendment to an existing rule); and
(4) Tenants may request that their leases be amended under
Sec. 5.321 to permit common household pets.
(b) The project owner or PHA shall provide to each applicant for
tenancy when he or she is offered a dwelling
[[Page 36]]
unit in a project for the elderly or persons with disabilities, the
written notice specified in paragraphs (a) (1), (2), and (3) of this
section.
(c) If a PHA chooses not to promulgate pet rules, the notice shall
be served within 60 days of the effective date of this part. PHAs shall
serve notice under this section in accordance with their normal service
of notice procedures.
Sec. 5.315 Content of pet rules: General requirements.
(a) Housing programs. The project owner shall prescribe reasonable
rules to govern the keeping of common household pets. The pet rules must
include the mandatory rules described in Sec. 5.350 and may, unless
otherwise noted in this subpart C, include other discretionary
provisions as provided in Sec. 5.318.
(b) Public Housing programs. (1) PHAs may choose not to promulgate
rules governing the keeping of common household pets or may include
rules as provided in Sec. 5.318. PHAs may elect to include provisions
based on those in Sec. 5.350. If they so choose, the PHAs may modify the
provisions in Sec. 5.350 in any manner consistent with this subpart C.
(2) If PHAs choose to promulgate pet rules, tenants must be
permitted to own and keep pets in their units in accordance with the
terms and conditions of their leases, the provisions of this subpart C,
and any applicable State or local law or regulation governing the owning
or keeping of pets in dwelling accommodations.
(3) PHAs that choose not to promulgate pet rules, shall not impose,
by lease modification or otherwise, any requirement that is inconsistent
with the provisions of this subpart C.
(c) Use of discretion. (1) This subpart C does not define with
specificity the limits of the project owners' or PHAs' discretion to
promulgate pet rules. Where a project owner or PHA has discretion to
prescribe pet rules under this subpart C, the pet rules should be:
(i) Reasonably related to furthering a legitimate interest of the
project owner or PHA, such as the owner's or PHA's interest in providing
a decent, safe, and sanitary living environment for existing and
prospective tenants and in protecting and preserving the physical
condition of the project and the owner's or PHA's financial interest in
it; and
(ii) Drawn narrowly to achieve the owner's or PHA's legitimate
interests, without imposing unnecessary burdens and restrictions on pet
owners and prospective pet owners.
(2) Where a project owner or PHA has discretion to prescribe pet
rules under this subpart C, the owner or PHA may vary the rules' content
among projects and within individual projects, based on factors such as
the size, type, location, and occupancy of the project or its units,
provided that the applicable rules are reasonable and do not conflict
with any applicable State or local law or regulation governing the
owning or keeping of pets in dwelling accommodations.
(d) Conflict with State or local law. The pet rules adopted by the
project owner or PHA shall not conflict with applicable State or local
law or regulations. If such a conflict may exist, the State and local
law or regulations shall apply.
Sec. 5.318 Discretionary pet rules.
Pet rules promulgated by project owners and PHAs may include, but
are not limited to, consideration of the following factors:
(a) Definitions of ``common household pet''--(1) For Public Housing
programs. The pet rules established by a PHA may contain a reasonable
definition of a common household pet.
(2) For Housing programs. Project owners wishing to define ``common
household pet'' in their pet rules must use the Housing programs
definition of the term in Sec. 5.306.
(b) Density of tenants and pets. (1)(i) The pet rules established
under this section may take into account tenant and pet density. The pet
rules may place reasonable limitations on the number of common household
pets that may be allowed in each dwelling unit. In the case of group
homes, the pet rules may place reasonable limitations on the number of
common household pets that may be allowed in each home.
(ii) For Housing programs. Under these rules, project owners may
limit the number of four-legged, warm-blooded
[[Page 37]]
pets to one pet in each dwelling unit or group home.
(iii) Other than the limitations described in this paragraph (b)(1),
the pet rules may not limit the total number of pets allowed in the
project.
(2) As used in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the term ``group
home'' means:
(i) For purposes of Housing programs. A small, communal living
arrangement designed specifically for individuals who are chronically
mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or physically disabled who
require a planned program of continual supportive services or
supervision (other than continual nursing, medical or psychiatric care).
(ii) For purposes of Public Housing programs. A dwelling or dwelling
unit for the exclusive residential use of elderly persons or persons
with disabilities who are not capable of living completely independently
and who require a planned program of continual supportive services or
supervision (other than continual nursing, medical or psychiatric care).
(c) Pet size and pet type. The pet rules may place reasonable
limitations on the size, weight, and type of common household pets
allowed in the project.
(d) Potential financial obligations of tenants--(1) Pet deposits.
The pet rules may require tenants who own or keep pets in their units to
pay a refundable pet deposit. In the case of project owners, this pet
deposit shall be limited to those tenants who own or keep cats or dogs
in their units. This deposit is in addition to any other financial
obligation generally imposed on tenants of the project. The project
owner or PHA may use the pet deposit only to pay reasonable expenses
directly attributable to the presence of the pet in the project,
including (but not limited to) the cost of repairs and replacements to,
and fumigation of, the tenant's dwelling unit and, for project owners,
the cost of animal care facilities under Sec. 5.363. The project owner
or PHA shall refund the unused portion of the pet deposit to the tenant
within a reasonable time after the tenant moves from the project or no
longer owns or keeps a pet (or a cat or dog in the case of project
owners) in the dwelling unit.
(2) Housing programs: Maximum pet deposit. (i) Pet deposits for the
following tenants shall not exceed an amount periodically fixed by HUD
through notice.
(A) Tenants whose rents are subsidized (including tenants of a HUD-
owned project, whose rents were subsidized before HUD acquired it) under
one of the programs identified by HUD through notice.
(B) Tenants who live in a project assisted (including tenants who
live in a HUD-owned project that was assisted before HUD acquired it)
under one of the programs identified by HUD through notice.
(C) For all other tenants of projects for the elderly or persons
with disabilities, the pet deposit shall not exceed one month's rent at
the time the pet is brought onto the premises.
(ii) In establishing the maximum amount of pet deposit under
paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, HUD will consider factors such as:
(A) Projected, estimated expenses directly attributable to the
presence of pets in the project;
(B) The ability of project owners to offset such expenses by use of
security deposits or HUD-reimbursable expenses; and
(C) The low income status of tenants of projects for the elderly or
persons with disabilities.
(iii) For pet deposits subject to paragraph (d)(2)(i)(A) of this
section, the pet rules shall provide for gradual accumulation of the
deposit by the pet owner through an initial payment not to exceed $50
when the pet is brought onto the premises, and subsequent monthly
payments not to exceed $10 per month until the amount of the deposit is
reached.
(iv) For pet deposits subject to paragraphs (d)(2)(i)(B) and (C) of
this section, the pet rules may provide for gradual accumulation of the
deposit by the pet owner.
(v) The project owner may (subject to the HUD-prescribed limits)
increase the amount of the pet deposit by amending the house pet rules
in accordance with Sec. 5.353.
(A) For pet deposits subject to paragraph (d)(2)(i)(A) of this
section, the house pet rules shall provide for gradual accumulation of
any such increase
[[Page 38]]
not to exceed $10 per month for all deposit amounts that are being
accumulated.
(B) [Reserved]
(vi) Any pet deposit that is established within the parameters set
forth by paragraph (d)(2) of this section shall be deemed reasonable for
purposes of this subpart C.
(3) Public Housing programs: Maximum pet deposit. The maximum amount
of pet deposit that may be charged by the PHA, on a per dwelling unit
basis, shall not exceed the higher of the Total Tenant Payment (as
defined in 24 CFR 913.102) or such reasonable fixed amount as the PHA
may require. The pet rules may permit gradual accumulation of the pet
deposit by the pet owner.
(4) Housing programs: Waste removal charge. The pet rules may permit
the project owner to impose a separate waste removal charge of up to
five dollars ($5) per occurrence on pet owners that fail to remove pet
waste in accordance with the prescribed pet rules. Any pet waste removal
charge that is within this five dollar ($5) limitation shall be deemed
to be a reasonable amount for the purposes of this subpart C.
(5) The pet deposit (for Housing and Public Housing programs) and
waste removal charge (for Housing programs) are not part of the rent
payable by the tenant. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this
section for Housing programs and, paragraph (d) of this section and 24
CFR 966.4(b) for Public Housing programs, project owners or PHAs may not
prescribe pet rules that impose additional financial obligations on pet
owners that are designed to compensate the project owner or PHA for
costs associated with the presence of pets in the project, including
(but not limited to) requiring pet owners:
(i) To obtain liability or other insurance to cover damage caused by
the pet;
(ii) To agree to be strictly liable for all damages caused by the
pet where this liability is not otherwise imposed by State or local law,
or
(iii) To indemnify the project owner for pet-related litigation and
attorney's fees.
(e) Standards of pet care. The pet rules may prescribe standards of
pet care and handling, but must be limited to those necessary to protect
the condition of the tenant's unit and the general condition of the
project premises, or to protect the health or safety of present tenants,
project employees, and the public. The pet rules may not require pet
owners to have any pet's vocal cords removed. Permitted rules may:
(1) Bar pets from specified common areas (such as lobbies, laundry
rooms, and social rooms), unless the exclusion will deny a pet
reasonable ingress and egress to the project or building.
(2) Require the pet owner to control noise and odor caused by a pet.
(3) Housing programs: Project owners may also:
(i) Require pet owners to have their dogs and cats spayed or
neutered; and
(ii) Limit the length of time that a pet may be left unattended in a
dwelling unit.
(f) Pet licensing. The pet rules may require pet owners to license
their pets in accordance with applicable State and local laws and
regulations. (Failure of the pet rules to contain this requirement does
not relieve the pet owner of responsibility for complying with
applicable State and local pet licensing requirements.)
(g) Public Housing programs: Designated pet areas. (1) PHAs may
designate buildings, floors of buildings, or sections of buildings as
no-pet areas where pets generally may not be permitted. Similarly, the
pet rules may designate buildings, floors of buildings, or sections of
buildings for residency generally by pet-owning tenants. The PHA may
direct such initial tenant moves as may be necessary to establish pet
and no-pet areas. The PHA may not refuse to admit (or delay admission
of) an applicant for tenancy on the grounds that the applicant's
admission would violate a pet or no-pet area. The PHA may adjust the pet
and no-pet areas or may direct such additional moves as may be necessary
(or both) to accommodate such applicants for tenancy or to meet the
changing needs of existing tenants.
(2) Project owners may not designate pet areas in buildings in their
pet rules.
[[Page 39]]
(h) Pets temporarily on the premises. The pet rules may exclude from
the project pets not owned by a tenant that are to be kept temporarily
on the project premises. For the purposes of paragraph (h) of this
section, pets are to be kept ``temporarily'' if they are to be kept in
the tenant's dwelling accommodations for a period of less than 14
consecutive days and nights. HUD, however, encourages project owners and
PHAs to permit the use of a visiting pet program sponsored by a humane
society, or other nonprofit organization.
Sec. 5.321 Lease provisions.
(a) Lease provisions. (1) PHAs which have established pet rules and
project owners shall ensure that the leases for all tenants of projects
for the elderly or persons with disabilities:
(i) State that tenants are permitted to keep common household pets
in their dwelling units (subject to the provisions of this subpart and
the pet rules);
(ii) Shall incorporate by reference the pet rules promulgated by the
project owner or PHA;
(iii) Shall provide that the tenant agrees to comply with these
rules; and
(iv) Shall state that violation of these rules may be grounds for
removal of the pet or termination of the pet owner's tenancy (or both),
in accordance with the provisions of this subpart and applicable
regulations and State or local law.
(2) [Reserved]
(b) Where a PHA has not established pet rules, the leases of all
tenants of such projects shall not contain any provisions prohibiting
the owning or keeping of common household pets, and shall state that
owning and keeping of such pets will be subject to the general
obligations imposed on the PHA and tenants in the lease and any
applicable State or local law or regulation governing the owning or
keeping of pets in dwelling accommodations.
Sec. 5.324 Implementation of lease provisions.
The lease for each tenant of a project for the elderly or persons
with disabilities who is admitted on or after the date on which this
subpart C is implemented shall contain the lease provisions described in
Sec. 5.321 and, if applicable, Sec. 5.360. The lease for each tenant who
occupies a unit in such a project under lease on the date of
implementation of this part shall be amended to include the provisions
described in Sec. 5.321 and, if applicable, Sec. 5.360:
(a) For Housing programs:
(1) Upon renewal of the lease and in accordance with any applicable
regulation; and
(2) When a Housing program tenant registers a common household pet
under Sec. 5.350
(b) For Public Housing programs:
(1) Upon annual reexamination of tenant income in accordance with
any applicable regulation; and
(2) When a Public Housing program tenant wishes to own or keep a
common household pet in his or her unit.
Sec. 5.327 Nuisance or threat to health or safety.
Nothing in this subpart C prohibits a project owner, PHA, or an
appropriate community authority from requiring the removal of any pet
from a project, if the pet's conduct or condition is duly determined to
constitute, under the provisions of State or local law, a nuisance or a
threat to the health or safety of other occupants of the project or of
other persons in the community where the project is located.
Pet Ownership Requirements for Housing Programs
Sec. 5.350 Mandatory pet rules for housing programs.
Mandatory rules. The project owner must prescribe the following pet
rules:
(a) Inoculations. The pet rules shall require pet owners to have
their pets inoculated in accordance with State and local laws.
(b) Sanitary standards. (1) The pet rules shall prescribe sanitary
standards to govern the disposal of pet waste. These rules may:
(i) Designate areas on the project premises for pet exercise and the
deposit of pet waste;
(ii) Forbid pet owners from exercising their pets or permitting
their pets to deposit waste on the project premises outside the
designated areas;
[[Page 40]]
(iii) Require pet owners to remove and properly dispose of all
removable pet waste; and
(iv) Require pet owners to remove pets from the premises to permit
the pet to exercise or deposit waste, if no area in the project is
designated for such purposes.
(2) In the case of cats and other pets using litter boxes, the pet
rules may require the pet owner to change the litter (but not more than
twice each week), may require pet owners to separate pet waste from
litter (but not more than once each day), and may prescribe methods for
the disposal of pet waste and used litter.
(c) Pet restraint. The pet rules shall require that all cats and
dogs be appropriately and effectively restrained and under the control
of a responsible individual while on the common areas of the project.
(d) Registration. (1) The pet rules shall require pet owners to
register their pets with the project owner. The pet owner must register
the pet before it is brought onto the project premises, and must update
the registration at least annually. The project owner may coordinate the
annual update with the annual reexamination of tenant income, if
applicable. The registration must include:
(i) A certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian or a State or
local authority empowered to inoculate animals (or designated agent of
such an authority) stating that the pet has received all inoculations
required by applicable State and local law;
(ii) Information sufficient to identify the pet and to demonstrate
that it is a common household pet; and
(iii) The name, address, and phone number of one or more responsible
parties who will care for the pet if the pet owner dies, is
incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to care for the pet.
(2) The project owner may require the pet owner to provide
additional information necessary to ensure compliance with any
discretionary rules prescribed under Sec. 5.318, and shall require the
pet owner to sign a statement indicating that he or she has read the pet
rules and agrees to comply with them.
(3) The pet rules shall permit the project owner to refuse to
register a pet if:
(i) The pet is not a common household pet;
(ii) The keeping of the pet would violate any applicable house pet
rule;
(iii) The pet owner fails to provide complete pet registration
information or fails annually to update the pet registration; or
(iv) The project owner reasonably determines, based on the pet
owner's habits and practices, that the pet owner will be unable to keep
the pet in compliance with the pet rules and other lease obligations.
The pet's temperament may be considered as a factor in determining the
prospective pet owner's ability to comply with the pet rules and other
lease obligations.
(4) The project owner may not refuse to register a pet based on a
determination that the pet owner is financially unable to care for the
pet or that the pet is inappropriate, based on the therapeutic value to
the pet owner or the interests of the property or existing tenants.
(5) The pet rules shall require the project owner to notify the pet
owner if the project owner refuses to register a pet. The notice shall
state the basis for the project owner's action and shall be served on
the pet owner in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 5.353(f)(1)(i)
or (ii). The notice of refusal to register a pet may be combined with a
notice of pet violation as required in Sec. 5.356.
Sec. 5.353 Housing programs: Procedure for development of pet rules.
(a) General. Project owners shall use the procedures specified in
this section to promulgate the pet rules referred to in Secs. 5.318 and
5.350.
(b) Development and notice of proposed pet rules. Project owners
shall develop proposed rules to govern the owning or keeping of common
household pets in projects for the elderly or persons with disabilities.
Notice of the proposed pet rules shall be served on each tenant of the
project as provided in paragraph (f) of this section. The notice shall:
(1) Include the text of the proposed rules;
[[Page 41]]
(2) State that tenants or tenant representatives may submit written
comments on the rules; and
(3) State that all comments must be submitted to the project owner
no later than 30 days from the effective date of the notice of the
proposed rules.
(4) The notice may also announce the date, time, and place for a
meeting to discuss the proposed rules (as provided in paragraph (c) of
this section).
(c) Tenant consultation. Tenants or tenant representatives may
submit written comments on the proposed pet rules to the project owner
by the date specified in the notice of proposed rules. In addition, the
owner may schedule one or more meetings with tenants during the comment
period to discuss the proposed rules. Tenants and tenant representatives
may make oral comments on the proposed rules at these meetings. The
project owner must consider comments made at these meetings only if they
are summarized, reduced to writing, and submitted to the project owner
before the end of the comment period.
(d) Development and notice of final pet rules. The project owner
shall develop the final rules after reviewing tenants' written comments
and written summaries of any owner-tenant meetings. The project owner
may meet with tenants and tenant representatives to attempt to resolve
issues raised by the comments. Subject to this subpart C, the content of
the final pet rules, however, is within the sole discretion of the
project owner. The project owner shall serve on each tenant of the
project, a notice of the final pet rules as provided in paragraph (f) of
this section. The notice must include the text of the final pet rules
and must specify the effective date of the final pet rules.
(e) Amendment of pet rules. The project owner may amend the pet
rules at any time by following the procedure for the development of pet
rules specified in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section.
(f) Service of notice. (1) The project owner must serve the notice
required under this section by:
(i) Sending a letter by first class mail, properly stamped and
addressed to the tenant at the dwelling unit, with a proper return
address; or
(ii) Serving a copy of the notice on any adult answering the door at
the tenant's leased dwelling unit, or if no adult responds, by placing
the notice under or through the door, if possible, or else by attaching
the notice to the door; or
(iii) For service of notice to tenants of a high-rise building,
posting the notice in at least three conspicuous places within the
building and maintaining the posted notices intact and in legible form
for 30 days. For purposes of paragraph (f) of this section, a high-rise
building is a structure that is equipped with an elevator and has a
common lobby.
(2) For purposes of computing time periods following service of the
notice, service is effective on the day that all notices are delivered
or mailed, or in the case of service by posting, on the day that all
notices are initially posted.
Sec. 5.356 Housing programs: Pet rule violation procedures.
(a) Notice of pet rule violation. If a project owner determines on
the basis of objective facts, supported by written statements, that a
pet owner has violated a rule governing the owning or keeping of pets;
the project owner may serve a written notice of pet rule violation on
the pet owner in accordance with Sec. 5.353(f)(1)(i) or (ii). The notice
of pet rule violation must:
(1) Contain a brief statement of the factual basis for the
determination and the pet rule or rules alleged to be violated;
(2) State that the pet owner has 10 days from the effective date of
service of the notice to correct the violation (including, in
appropriate circumstances, removal of the pet) or to make a written
request for a meeting to discuss the violation;
(3) State that the pet owner is entitled to be accompanied by
another person of his or her choice at the meeting; and
(4) State that the pet owner's failure to correct the violation, to
request a meeting, or to appear at a requested meeting may result in
initiation of procedures to terminate the pet owner's tenancy.
[[Page 42]]
(b)(1) Pet rule violation meeting. If the pet owner makes a timely
request for a meeting to discuss an alleged pet rule violation, the
project owner shall establish a mutually agreeable time and place for
the meeting but no later than 15 days from the effective date of service
of the notice of pet rule violation (unless the project owner agrees to
a later date). At the pet rule violation meeting, the pet owner and
project owner shall discuss any alleged pet rule violation and attempt
to correct it. The project owner may, as a result of the meeting, give
the pet owner additional time to correct the violation.
(2) Notice for pet removal. If the pet owner and project owner are
unable to resolve the pet rule violation at the pet rule violation
meeting, or if the project owner determines that the pet owner has
failed to correct the pet rule violation within any additional time
provided for this purpose under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the
project owner may serve a written notice on the pet owner in accordance
with Sec. 5.353(f)(1) (i) or (ii) (or at the meeting, if appropriate),
requiring the pet owner to remove the pet. The notice must:
(i) Contain a brief statement of the factual basis for the
determination and the pet rule or rules that have been violated;
(ii) State that the pet owner must remove the pet within 10 days of
the effective date of service of the notice of pet removal (or the
meeting, if notice is served at the meeting); and
(iii) State that failure to remove the pet may result in initiation
of procedures to terminate the pet owner's tenancy.
(c) Initiation of procedures to remove a pet or terminate the pet
owner's tenancy. (1) The project owner may not initiate procedures to
terminate a pet owner's tenancy based on a pet rule violation, unless:
(i) The pet owner has failed to remove the pet or correct a pet rule
violation within the applicable time period specified in this section
(including any additional time permitted by the owner); and
(ii) The pet rule violation is sufficient to begin procedures to
terminate the pet owner's tenancy under the terms of the lease and
applicable regulations.
(2) The project owner may initiate procedures to remove a pet under
Sec. 5.327 at any time, in accordance with the provisions of applicable
State or local law.
Sec. 5.359 Housing programs: Rejection of units by applicants for tenancy.
(a) An applicant for tenancy in a project for the elderly or persons
with disabilities may reject a unit offered by a project owner if the
unit is in close proximity to a dwelling unit in which an existing
tenant of the project owns or keeps a common household pet. An
applicant's rejection of a unit under this section shall not adversely
affect his or her application for tenancy in the project, including (but
not limited to) his or her position on the project waiting list or
qualification for any tenant selection preference.
(b) Nothing in this subpart C imposes a duty on project owners to
provide alternate dwelling units to existing or prospective tenants
because of the proximity of common household pets to a particular unit
or the presence of such pets in the project.
Sec. 5.360 Housing programs: Additional lease provisions.
(a) Inspections. In addition to other inspections permitted under
the lease, the leases for all Housing program tenants of projects for
the elderly or persons with disabilities may state that the project
owner may, after reasonable notice to the tenant and during reasonable
hours, enter and inspect the premises. The lease shall permit entry and
inspection only if the project owner has received a signed, written
complaint alleging (or the project owner has reasonable grounds to
believe) that the conduct or condition of a pet in the dwelling unit
constitutes, under applicable State or local law, a nuisance or a threat
to the health or safety of the occupants of the project or other persons
in the community where the project is located.
(b) Emergencies. (1) If there is no State or local authority (or
designated agent of such an authority) authorized under applicable State
or local law to
[[Page 43]]
remove a pet that becomes vicious, displays symptoms of severe illness,
or demonstrates other behavior that constitutes an immediate threat to
the health or safety of the tenancy as a whole, the project owner may
place a provision in tenant leases permitting the project owner to enter
the premises (if necessary), remove the pet, and take such action with
respect to the pet as may be permissible under State and local law,
which may include placing it in a facility that will provide care and
shelter for a period not to exceed 30 days.
(2) The lease shall permit the project owner to enter the premises
and remove the pet or take such other permissible action only if the
project owner requests the pet owner to remove the pet from the project
immediately, and the pet owner refuses to do so, or if the project owner
is unable to contact the pet owner to make a removal request. The lease
may not contain a provision relieving the project owner from liability
for wrongful removal of a pet. The cost of the animal care facility
shall be paid as provided in Sec. 5.363.
(3) The project owner may place a provision in tenant leases
permitting the project owner to enter the premises, remove the pet, and
place the pet in a facility that will provide care and shelter, in
accordance with the provisions of Sec. 5.363. The lease may not contain
a provision relieving the project owner from liability for wrongful
removal of a pet.
Sec. 5.363 Housing programs: Protection of the pet.
(a) If the health or safety of a pet is threatened by the death or
incapacity of the pet owner, or by other factors that render the pet
owner unable to care for the pet, the project owner may contact the
responsible party or parties listed in the pet registration required
under Sec. 5.350(d)(1)(iii).
(b) If the responsible party or parties are unwilling or unable to
care for the pet, or the project owner, despite reasonable efforts, has
been unable to contact the responsible party or parties, the project
owner may contact the appropriate State or local authority (or
designated agent of such an authority) and request the removal of the
pet.
(c) If there is no State or local authority (or designated agent of
such an authority) authorized to remove a pet under these circumstances
and the project owner has placed a provision in the lease agreement (as
described in Sec. 5.360(c)(2)), the project owner may enter the pet
owner's unit, remove the pet, and place the pet in a facility that will
provide care and shelter until the pet owner or a representative of the
pet owner is able to assume responsibility for the pet, but not longer
than 30 days.
(d) The cost of the animal care facility provided under this section
shall be borne by the pet owner. If the pet owner (or the pet owner's
estate) is unable or unwilling to pay, the cost of the animal care
facility may be paid from the pet deposit, if imposed under the pet
rules.
Pet Ownership Requirements for Public Housing Programs
Sec. 5.380 Public housing programs: Procedure for development of pet rules.
PHAs that choose to promulgate pet rules shall consult with tenants
of projects for the elderly or persons with disabilities administered by
them with respect to their promulgation and subsequent amendment. PHAs
shall develop the specific procedures governing tenant consultation, but
these procedures must be designed to give tenants (or, if appropriate,
tenant councils) adequate opportunity to review and comment upon the pet
rules before they are issued for effect. PHAs are solely responsible for
the content of final pet rules, but must give consideration to tenant
comments. PHAs shall send to the responsible HUD field office, copies of
the final (or amended) pet rules, as well as summaries or copies of all
tenant comments received in the course of the tenant consultation.
Subpart D--Definitions for Section 8 and Public Housing Assistance Under
the United States Housing Act of 1937
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1437a and 3535(d).
[[Page 44]]
Source: 61 FR 5665, Feb. 13, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 5.400 Applicability.
This part applies to public housing and Section 8 programs.
[61 FR 5665, Feb. 13, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29. 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.400 was
amended after the words ``public housing'' by removing the phrase
``(other than Indian housing under 24 CFR part 950)'', effective Apr.
28, 2000.
Sec. 5.403 Definitions.
(a) The terms displaced person, elderly person, low income family,
near-elderly person, person with disabilities, and very low income
family are defined in section 3(b) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)).
For purposes of reasonable accommodation and program accessibility for
persons with disabilities, the term ``person with disabilities'' means
``individual with handicaps'' as defined in 24 CFR 8.3.
(b) In addition to the terms listed in paragraph (a) of this
section, the following definitions apply:
Annual contributions contract (ACC) means the written contract
between HUD and a PHA under which HUD agrees to provide funding for a
program under the 1937 Act, and the PHA agrees to comply with HUD
requirements for the program.
Applicant means a person or a family that has applied for housing
assistance.
Disabled family means a family whose head, spouse, or sole member is
a person with disabilities. It may include two or more persons with
disabilities living together, or one or more persons with disabilities
living with one or more live-in aides.
Displaced family means a family in which each member, or whose sole
member, is a person displaced by governmental action, or a person whose
dwelling has been extensively damaged or destroyed as a result of a
disaster declared or otherwise formally recognized pursuant to Federal
disaster relief laws.
Elderly family means a family whose head, spouse, or sole member is
a person who is at least 62 years of age. It may include two or more
persons who are at least 62 years of age living together, or one or more
persons who are at least 62 years of age living with one or more live-in
aides.
Family includes but is not limited to:
(1) A family with or without children (the temporary absence of a
child from the home due to placement in foster care shall not be
considered in determining family composition and family size);
(2) An elderly family;
(3) A near-elderly family;
(4) A disabled family;
(5) A displaced family;
(6) The remaining member of a tenant family; and
(7) A single person who is not an elderly or displaced person, or a
person with disabilities, or the remaining member of a tenant family.
Live-in aide means a person who resides with one or more elderly
persons, or near-elderly persons, or persons with disabilities, and who:
(1) Is determined to be essential to the care and well-being of the
persons;
(2) Is not obligated for the support of the persons; and
(3) Would not be living in the unit except to provide the necessary
supportive services.
Near-elderly family means a family whose head, spouse, or sole
member is a person who is at least 50 years of age but below the age of
62; or two or more persons, who are at least 50 years of age but below
the age of 62, living together; or one or more persons who are at least
50 years of age but below the age of 62 living with one or more live-in
aides.
Person with disabilities:
(1) Means a person who:
(i) Has a disability, as defined in 42 U.S.C. 423;
(ii) Is determined, pursuant to HUD regulations, to have a physical,
mental, or emotional impairment that:
(A) Is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration;
(B) Substantially impedes his or her ability to live independently,
and
(C) Is of such a nature that the ability to live independently could
be improved by more suitable housing conditions; or
(iii) Has a developmental disability as defined in 42 U.S.C. 6001.
[[Page 45]]
(2) Does not exclude persons who have the disease of acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome or any conditions arising from the etiologic
agent for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome;
(3) For purposes of qualifying for low-income housing, does not
include a person whose disability is based solely on any drug or alcohol
dependence; and
(4) Means ``individual with handicaps'', as defined in Sec. 8.3 of
this title, for purposes of reasonable accommodation and program
accessibility for persons with disabilities.
[61 FR 5665, Feb. 13, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 23853, Apr. 30, 1998; 65
FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16715, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.403 was
amended by removing paragraph (a), by removing the introductory text of
paragraph (b) along with the paragraph designation, by revising the
definitions of ``disabled family'' and ``elderly family'', and by adding
the definition of ``person with disabilities'', effective Apr. 28, 2000.
For the convenience of the user, the superseded text is set forth as
follows:
Sec. 5.403 Definitions.
* * * * *
Disabled family means a family whose head, spouse, or sole member is
a person with disabilities; or two or more persons with disabilities
living together; or one or more persons with disabilities living with
one or more live-in aides.
* * * * *
Elderly family means a family whose head, spouse, or sole member is
a person who is at least 62 years of age; or two or more persons who are
at least 62 years of age living together; or one or more persons who are
at least 62 years of age living with one or more live-in aides.
* * * * *
Sec. 5.405 Basic eligibility; preference over single persons; and housing assistance limitation for single persons.
(a) Basic eligibility. An applicant must meet all of the eligibility
requirements of the housing assistance for which an application is made
in order to obtain the housing assistance. At a minimum, the applicant
must be a family, and must be income-eligible. Eligible applicants
include single persons who are not elderly persons, or displaced
persons, or persons with disabilities.
(b) Preference over single persons. An applicant that is a one- or
two-person elderly, disabled or displaced family, must be given a
preference over an applicant that is a single person who is not an
elderly or displaced person, or a person with disabilities, regardless
of the applicant's Federal or local preferences.
(c) Housing assistance limitation for single persons. A single
person who is not an elderly or displaced person, or a person with
disabilities, or the remaining member of a tenant family may not be
provided:
(1) For public housing and other project-based assistance, a housing
unit with two or more bedrooms; or
(2) For tenant-based assistance, housing assistance for which the
family unit size as determined by the HA subsidy standard exceeds the
one bedroom level.
(d) This section shall not apply to the Section 8 Moderate
Rehabilitation Program for Single Room Occupancy Dwellings for Homeless
Individuals set forth at 24 CFR part 882, subpart H.
[61 FR 5665, Feb. 13, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 13616, Mar. 27, 1996]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.405 was
removed, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.410 Selection preferences.
(a) Applicability. The selection preferences that are described in
this part are applicable to public housing and housing assisted under
the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments program. (Corresponding
provisions applicable to the Indian housing program are found in 24 CFR
part 950.) These preferences are administered by the entity responsible
for admission functions in the programs covered (``responsible
entity''), i.e., the public housing agency (``HA'') in the public
housing and Section 8 Certificate/Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation
programs and the owner in all other Section 8 programs.
(b) Types of preference. There are three types of admission
preferences:
(1) ``Federal preferences'' are admission preferences for three
categories of
[[Page 46]]
families, as prescribed in 42 U.S.C. 1437d(c)(4)(A), 1437f(d)(1)(A),
1437f(o)(3), and 1437f note. Federal preference is given for selection
of families that are:
(i) Involuntarily displaced;
(ii) Living in substandard housing (including families that are
homeless or living in a shelter for the homeless); or
(iii) Paying more than 50 percent of family income for rent.
(2) ``Ranking preferences'' are preferences that may be established
by the responsible entity to use in selecting among applicants that
qualify for federal preferences.
(3) ``Local preferences'' are preferences for use in selecting among
applicants without regard to their federal preference status. (See 42
U.S.C. 1437d(c)(4)(A), 1437f(d)(1)(A), 1437f(o)(3), and 1437f note.)
(c) System. In the Section 8 programs other than the Certificate/
Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation programs, the owner must establish a
system for selection of applicants from the waiting list that includes
the following:
(1) How the federal preferences will be used;
(2) How any ranking preferences will be used;
(3) How any local preferences will be used; and
(4) How any residency preference will be used.
(d) Use of preference in selection process--(1) Factors other than
federal and local preferences--(i) Characteristics of the unit. For
developments administered under the Section 8 programs and for public
housing, the responsible entity may, in selecting a family for a
particular unit, match other characteristics of the applicant family
with the type of unit available, e.g., number of bedrooms. In selection
of a family for a unit that has special accessibility features, the
responsible entity must give preference to families that include persons
with disabilities who can benefit from those features of the unit (see
24 CFR 8.27 and 24 CFR 100.202(c)(3)). Also, in selection of a family
for a unit in a mixed population project, the responsible entity will
give preference to elderly families and disabled families (see subpart D
of part 960 or Sec. 880.612a or Sec. 881.612a of this title).
(ii) Singles preference. See Sec. 5.405.
(2) Local preference admissions. (i) Local preferences may be
adopted or amended by an HA to respond to local housing needs and
priorities after the HA has conducted a public hearing.
(ii) For Section 8 programs other than the Section 8 Certificate/
Voucher, Project-Based Certificate, and Moderate Rehabilitation programs
operated under 24 CFR part 982, 983, and 882, respectively, if the owner
wants to use preferences to select among applicants without regard to
their federal preference status, it must use the local preference system
adopted for use in the Section 8 Certificate/Voucher programs by the
housing agency for the jurisdiction. If there is more than one HA for
the jurisdiction, the owner shall use the local preference system of the
HA for the lowest level of government that has jurisdiction where the
project is located. For the public housing program, the HA may use a
local preference system it adopts for that program.
(iii) In the Section 8 programs other than the Certificate/Voucher,
Project-Based Certificate, and Moderate Rehabilitation programs operated
under 24 CFR parts 982, 983 and 882, respectively, before an owner
implements the HA's local preferences, the owner must receive approval
from the HUD Field Office. HUD shall review these preferences to ensure
that they are applicable to any tenant eligibility limitations for the
subject housing and that they are consistent with HUD requirements
pertaining to nondiscrimination and the Affirmative Fair Housing
Marketing objectives. If HUD determines that the local preferences are
in violation of those requirements, the owner will not be permitted to
admit applicants on the basis of any local preferences.
(iv) In any year, the number of families given preference in
admission pursuant to a local preference over families with a federal
preference may not exceed the local preference limit. ``Local preference
limit'' means the following:
(A) For an HA's Section 8 Certificate/Voucher program operated under
24 CFR part 982, ten percent of annual waiting list admissions;
[[Page 47]]
(B) For an HA's public housing program, fifty percent of annual
admissions;
(C) For an HA's Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation program, thirty
percent of annual admissions;
(D) For Section 8 New Construction, Substantial Rehabilitation, and
Loan Management/Property Disposition projects, thirty percent of annual
admissions to each project; and
(E) For the Section 8 Project-Based Certificate program, thirty
percent of total annual waiting list admissions to the HA's Project-
Based Certificate program (including admissions pursuant to 24 CFR
983.203(c)(3)).
(3) Prohibition of preference if applicant was evicted for drug-
related criminal activity. With respect to the Section 8 Certificate,
Voucher, Loan Management, and Property Disposition programs and the
public housing program, the HA may not give a preference (federal
preference, local preference, or ranking preference) to an applicant if
any member of the family is a person who was evicted during the past
three years from housing assisted under a 1937 Housing Act program
because of drug-related criminal activity. However, the HA may give an
admission preference in any of the following cases:
(i) If the HA determines that the evicted person has successfully
completed a rehabilitation program approved by the HA;
(ii) If the HA determines that the evicted person clearly did not
participate in or know about the drug-related criminal activity; or
(iii) If the HA determines that the evicted person no longer
participates in any drug-related criminal activity.
(4) Retention of federal preference status. With respect to
determining the preference status of an applicant for the Section 8
Certificate/Voucher programs, an applicant who is receiving tenant-based
assistance under the HOME program (24 CFR part 92) and an applicant who
resides in public or Indian housing of the same HA (and was on the
tenant-based program waiting list when admitted to the HA's public or
Indian housing on or after April 26, 1993), the HA determines whether
the applicant qualifies for federal preference based on the situation of
the applicant at the time the applicant began to receive tenant-based
assistance under the HOME program or was admitted to the HA's public or
Indian housing program (beginning of initial public or Indian housing
lease).
(e) Income-based admission. (1) In public housing, the HA may only
give preference to select a relatively higher income family for
admission if the preference is pursuant to a ``local preference''
admission. (For other income-related restrictions on selection, see 24
CFR 913.105.)
(2) In Section 8 programs, the responsible entity may not select a
family for admission in an order different from the order on the waiting
list for the purpose of selecting a relatively higher income family for
admission.
(f) Informing applicants about admission preferences. (1) The
responsible entity must inform all applicants about available
preferences and must give applicants an opportunity to show that they
qualify for available preferences (federal preference, ranking
preference, or local preference).
(2) If the responsible entity determines that the notification to
all applicants on a waiting list required by paragraph (f)(1) of this
section is impracticable because of the length of the list, the
responsible entity may provide this notification to fewer than all
applicants on the list at any given time. The responsible entity must,
however, have notified a sufficient number of applicants at any given
time that, on the basis of the entity's determination of the number of
applicants on the waiting list who already claim a federal preference
and the anticipated number of project admissions:
(i) There is an adequate pool of applicants who are likely to
qualify for a federal preference; and
(ii) It is unlikely that, on the basis of the responsible entity's
framework for applying the preferences under paragraph (c) of this
section and the federal preferences claimed by those already on the
waiting list, any applicant who has not been so notified would receive
assistance before those who have received notification.
(g) Notice and opportunity for a meeting where preference is denied.
(1) If the
[[Page 48]]
responsible entity determines that an applicant does not qualify for a
federal preference, ranking preference, or local preference claimed by
the applicant, the responsible entity must promptly give the applicant
written notice of the determination. The notice must contain a brief
statement of the reasons for the determination, and state that the
applicant has the right to meet with a representative of the responsible
entity to review the determination. The meeting may be conducted by any
person or persons designated by the responsible entity, who may be an
officer or employee of the responsible entity, including the person who
made or reviewed the determination or a subordinate employee.
(2) The applicant may exercise other rights if the applicant
believes that the applicant has been discriminated against on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or
familial status.
(h) Residency preferences. A ``residency preference'' is a
preference for admission of families that reside anywhere in a specified
``residency preference area.'' A residency preference may be used as a
ranking or local preference.
(1) Section 8 programs other than Certificate/Voucher and Project-
Based Certificate. In these developments, local residency requirements
are prohibited.
(2) Section 8 Certificate/Voucher and Project-Based Certificate
programs. Any residency preference must be approved by HUD.
(i) A county or municipality may be used as a residency preference
area.
(ii) An area smaller than a county or municipality may not be used
as a residency preference area.
(3) All projects. With respect to any residency preference,
applicants who are working or who have been notified that they are hired
to work in the residency preference area shall be treated as residents
of the residency preference area. A residency preference may not be
based on how long the applicant has resided in or worked in the
residency preference area.
(i) Nondiscrimination. (1) Any selection preferences must be
established and administered in accordance with the following
authorities:
(i) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) and
the implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 1;
(ii) The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601-3619) and the implementing
regulations at 24 CFR parts 100, 108, 109, and 110;
(iii) Executive Order 11063 on Equal Opportunity in Housing and the
implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 107;
(iv) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794)
and the implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 8;
(v) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101-6107) and the
implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 146; and
(vi) The Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101-12213) to
the extent applicable.
(2) Such preferences also must be consistent with HUD's affirmative
fair housing objectives and (where applicable) the owner's HUD-approved
affirmative fair housing marketing plan.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control
numbers 2577-0105 and 2502-0372)
[61 FR 9041, Mar. 6, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 27125, May 16, 1997]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.410 was
removed, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.415 Federal preferences: General.
(a) Definitions. The definitions of these preference categories
stated in Secs. 5.420, 5.425, and 5.430 must be used by the responsible
entity, except that an HA may use its own alternative definitions if
they have been approved by HUD.
(b) Ranking preferences: selection among federal preference holders.
The responsible entity's system of administering the federal preferences
(its admission policy, in the case of the Section 8 Certificate/Voucher
programs) may provide for use of ranking preference for selecting among
applicants who qualify for federal preference.
(1) The responsible entity may give preference to working families--
so long as the prohibition of Sec. 5.410 against selection based on
income and the nondiscrimination provisions that protect against
discrimination on the basis of age or disability are not violated. (If a
[[Page 49]]
responsible entity adopts such a preference, it may not give greater
weight to an applicant based on the amount of employment income, and an
applicant household shall be given the benefit of the preference if the
head and spouse, or sole member, are age 62 or older or are receiving
social security disability, supplemental security income disability
benefits, or any other payments based on an individual's inability to
work.) A responsible entity may give preference to graduates of, as well
as active participants in, educational and training programs that are
designed to prepare individuals for the job market. The responsible
entity also may use the housing agency's ``local preferences'' for the
Section 8 Certificate and Voucher programs to rank federal preference
holders.
(2) The ranking preferences may give different weight to the federal
preferences, through such means as:
(i) Aggregating the federal preferences (e.g., provide that two
federal preferences outweigh one);
(ii) Giving greater weight to holders of a particular category of
federal preference; or
(iii) Giving greater weight to a federal preference holder who fits
a particular category of federal preference.
(c) Qualifying for a federal preference--(1) Certification of
preference. An applicant may claim qualification for a federal
preference by certifying to the responsible entity that the family
qualifies for federal preference. The responsible entity must accept
this certification, unless the responsible entity verifies that the
applicant is not qualified for federal preference.
(2) Verification of preference. (i) Before admitting an applicant on
the basis of a federal preference, the responsible entity must require
the applicant to provide information needed by the responsible entity to
verify that the applicant qualifies for a federal preference because of
the applicant's current status. The applicant's current status must be
determined without regard to whether there has been a change in the
applicant's qualification for a federal preference between the time of
application and selection for admission, including a change from one
federal preference category to another.
(ii) In the case of Section 8 programs other than the Section 8
Certificate/Voucher, Project-Based Certificate, and Moderate
Rehabilitation programs, the owner must use the verification procedures
specified in Sec. 5.420(c) (involuntary displacement); Sec. 5.425(c)
(substandard housing); and Sec. 5.430(b) (rent burden). In the case of
the Section 8 Certificate/Voucher, Project-Based Certificate, and
Moderate Rehabilitation programs and the public housing program, the HA
may adopt its own verification procedure.
(iii) Once the responsible entity has verified an applicant's
qualification for a federal preference, the responsible entity need not
require the applicant to provide information needed by the responsible
entity to verify such qualification again unless:
(A) The responsible entity determines reverification is desirable
because a long time has passed since verification; or
(B) The responsible entity has reasonable grounds to believe that
the applicant no longer qualifies for a federal preference.
(3) Effect of current residence in assisted housing. No applicant is
to be denied a federal preference for which the family otherwise
qualifies on the basis that the applicant already resides in assisted
housing; for example, the actual condition of the housing unit must be
considered, or the possibility of involuntary displacement resulting
from domestic violence must be evaluated.
(d) Approval of special conditions satisfying preference
definitions. With respect to Section 8 programs other than the Section 8
Certificate/Voucher, Project-Based Certificate and Moderate
Rehabilitation programs, HUD may specify additional conditions under
which the federal preferences, as described in Secs. 5.420, 5.425, and
5.430, can be satisfied. In such cases, appropriate certification of
qualification must be provided. (See HUD Handbook 4350.3, which is
available at HUD field offices.)
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control
number 2502-0372 and 2577-0105)
[61 FR 9043, Mar. 6, 1996]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.415 was
removed, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
[[Page 50]]
Sec. 5.420 Federal preference: Involuntary displacement.
(a) How applicant qualifies for displacement preference. (See
Sec. 5.415(a)(2) and (c)(2)(ii) for applicability of this section to the
Section 8 Certificate/Voucher, Project-Based Certificate, and Moderate
Rehabilitation programs and the public housing program.)
(1) An applicant qualifies for a federal preference on the basis of
involuntary displacement if either of the following apply:
(i) The applicant has been involuntarily displaced and is not living
in standard, permanent replacement housing; or
(ii) The applicant will be involuntarily displaced within no more
than six months from the date of preference status certification by the
family or verification by the responsible entity.
(2)(i) ``Standard, permanent replacement housing'' is housing:
(A) That is decent, safe, and sanitary;
(B) That is adequate for the family size; and
(C) That the family is occupying pursuant to a lease or occupancy
agreement.
(ii) ``Standard, permanent replacement housing'' does not include:
(A) Transient facilities, such as motels, hotels, or temporary
shelters for victims of domestic violence or homeless families; or
(B) In the case of domestic violence, the housing unit in which the
applicant and the applicant's spouse or other member of the household
who engages in such violence live.
(b) Meaning of involuntary displacement. An applicant is or will be
involuntarily displaced if the applicant has vacated or will have to
vacate the unit where the applicant lives because of one or more of the
following:
(1) Displacement by disaster. An applicant's unit is uninhabitable
because of a disaster, such as a fire or flood.
(2) Displacement by government action. Activity carried on by an
agency of the United States or by any State or local governmental body
or agency in connection with code enforcement or a public improvement or
development program.
(3) Displacement by action of housing owner. (i) Action by a housing
owner forces the applicant to vacate its unit.
(ii) An applicant does not qualify as involuntarily displaced
because action by a housing owner forces the applicant to vacate its
unit unless:
(A) The applicant cannot control or prevent the owner's action;
(B) The owner action occurs although the applicant met all
previously imposed conditions of occupancy; and
(C) The action taken by the owner is other than a rent increase.
(iii) To qualify as involuntarily displaced because action by a
housing owner forces the applicant to vacate its unit, reasons for an
applicant's having to vacate a housing unit include, but are not limited
to, conversion of an applicant's housing unit to non-rental or non-
residential use; closing of an applicant's housing unit for
rehabilitation or for any other reason; notice to an applicant that the
applicant must vacate a unit because the owner wants the unit for the
owner's personal or family use or occupancy; sale of a housing unit in
which an applicant resides under an agreement that the unit must be
vacant when possession is transferred; or any other legally authorized
act that results or will result in the withdrawal by the owner of the
unit or structure from the rental market.
(iv) Such reasons do not include the vacating of a unit by a tenant
as a result of actions taken by the owner because the tenant refuses:
(A) To comply with HUD program policies and procedures for the
occupancy of under-occupied or overcrowded units; or
(B) To accept a transfer to another housing unit in accordance with
a court decree or in accordance with policies and procedures under a
HUD-approved desegregation plan.
(4) Displacement by domestic violence. (i) An applicant is
involuntarily displaced if:
(A) The applicant has vacated a housing unit because of domestic
violence; or
(B) The applicant lives in a housing unit with a person who engages
in domestic violence.
[[Page 51]]
(ii) ``Domestic violence'' means actual or threatened physical
violence directed against one or more members of the applicant family by
a spouse or other member of the applicant's household.
(iii) To qualify as involuntarily displaced because of domestic
violence:
(A) The responsible entity must determine, in accordance with HUD's
administrative instructions, that the domestic violence occurred
recently or is of a continuing nature; and
(B) The applicant must certify that the person who engaged in such
violence will not reside with the applicant family unless the
responsible entity has given advance written approval. If the family is
admitted, the responsible entity may deny or terminate assistance to the
family for breach of this certification.
(5) Displacement to avoid reprisals. (i) An applicant family is
involuntarily displaced if:
(A) Family members provided information on criminal activities to a
law enforcement agency; and
(B) Based on a threat assessment, a law enforcement agency
recommends rehousing the family to avoid or minimize a risk of violence
against family members as a reprisal for providing such information.
(ii) The responsible entity may establish appropriate safeguards to
conceal the identity of families requiring protection against such
reprisals.
(6) Displacement by hate crimes. (i) An applicant is involuntarily
displaced if:
(A) One or more members of the applicant's family have been the
victim of one or more hate crimes; and
(B) The applicant has vacated a housing unit because of such crime,
or the fear associated with such crime has destroyed the applicant's
peaceful enjoyment of the unit.
(ii) ``Hate crime'' means actual or threatened physical violence or
intimidation that is directed against a person or his or her property
and that is based on the person's race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, handicap, or familial status.
(iii) The responsible entity must determine, in accordance with
HUD's administrative instructions, that the hate crime involved occurred
recently or is of a continuing nature.
(7) Displacement by inaccessibility of unit. An applicant is
involuntarily displaced if:
(i) A member of the family has a mobility or other impairment that
makes the person unable to use critical elements of the unit; and
(ii) The owner is not legally obligated to make the changes to the
unit that would make critical elements accessible to the disabled person
as a reasonable accommodation.
(8) Displacement because of HUD disposition of multifamily project.
Involuntary displacement includes displacement because of disposition of
a multifamily rental housing project by HUD under section 203 of the
Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978.
(c) Involuntary displacement preference: Verification. A private
owner's verification of an applicant's involuntary displacement is
established by the following documentation:
(1) Displacement by disaster. Certification, in a form prescribed by
the Secretary, from a unit or agency of government that an applicant has
been or will be displaced as a result of a disaster that results in the
uninhabitability of an applicant's unit.
(2) Displacement by government action. Certification, in a form
prescribed by the Secretary, from a unit or agency of government that an
applicant has been or will be displaced by activity carried on by an
agency of the United States or by any State or local governmental body
or agency in connection with code enforcement or a public improvement or
development program.
(3) Displacement by owner action. Certification, in a form
prescribed by the Secretary, from an owner or owner's agent that an
applicant had to or will have to vacate a unit by a date certain because
of owner action.
(4) Displacement because of domestic violence. Certification, in a
form prescribed by the Secretary, of displacement because of domestic
violence from the local police department, social services agency, or
court of competent jurisdiction, or a clergyman, physician, or public or
private facility
[[Page 52]]
that provides shelter or counseling to the victims of domestic violence.
(5) Displacement to avoid reprisals. A threat assessment by a law
enforcement agency.
(6) Displacement by hate crime. Certification by a law enforcement
agency or other reliable information.
(7) Displacement by inaccessibility of unit. Certification by a
health care professional that a family member has a mobility or other
impairment that makes critical elements of the current unit
inaccessible, and statement by the owner that it is unable to make
necessary changes to the unit to make it accessible.
(8) Displacement by HUD disposition of multifamily project.
Certification by HUD with respect to the disposition.
[61 FR 9044, Mar. 6, 1996]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.420 was
removed, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.425 Federal preference: Substandard housing.
(a) When unit is substandard. (See Sec. 5.415(a)(2) and (c)(2)(ii)
for applicability of this section to the Section 8 Certificate/Voucher,
Project-Based Certificate, Moderate Rehabilitation programs and the
public housing program.) A unit is substandard if it:
(1) Is dilapidated;
(2) Does not have operable indoor plumbing;
(3) Does not have a usable flush toilet inside the unit for the
exclusive use of a family;
(4) Does not have a usable bathtub or shower inside the unit for the
exclusive use of a family;
(5) Does not have electricity, or has inadequate or unsafe
electrical service;
(6) Does not have a safe or adequate source of heat;
(7) Should, but does not, have a kitchen; or
(8) Has been declared unfit for habitation by an agency or unit of
government.
(b) Other definitions--(1) Dilapidated unit. A housing unit is
dilapidated if:
(i) The unit does not provide safe and adequate shelter, and in its
present condition endangers the health, safety, or well-being of a
family; or
(ii) The unit has one or more critical defects, or a combination of
intermediate defects in sufficient number or extent to require
considerable repair or rebuilding. The defects may involve original
construction, or they may result from continued neglect or lack of
repair or from serious damage to the structure.
(2) Homeless family. (i) An applicant that is a ``homeless family''
is considered to be living in substandard housing.
(ii) A ``homeless family'' includes:
(A) Any person or family that lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate
nighttime residence; and
(B) Any person or family that has a primary nighttime residence that
is:
(1) A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to
provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels,
congregate shelters, and transitional housing);
(2) An institution that provides a temporary residence for
individuals intended to be institutionalized; or
(3) A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used
as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
(iii) A ``homeless family'' does not include any person imprisoned
or otherwise detained pursuant to an Act of Congress or a State law.
(3) Status of SRO housing. In determining whether an individual
living in single room occupancy (SRO) housing qualifies for federal
preference, SRO housing is not considered substandard solely because it
does not contain sanitary or food preparation facilities.
(c) Substandard housing preference: verification. The following
provisions are applicable to private owners:
(1) Verification that an applicant is living in substandard housing
consists of certification, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, from a
unit or agency of government or from an applicant's present landlord
that the applicant's unit is ``substandard housing'' (as described in
this section).
(2) In the case of a ``homeless family'' (as described in this
section), verification consists of certification, in a form prescribed
by the Secretary, of
[[Page 53]]
this status from a public or private facility that provides shelter for
such individuals, or from the local police department or social services
agency.
[61 FR 9045, Mar. 6, 1996]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.425 was
removed, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.430 Federal preference: Rent burden.
(a) Rent burden preference: how determined. (See Sec. 5.415(a)(2)
and (c)(2)(ii) for applicability of this section to the Section 8
Certificate/Voucher, Project-Based Certificate, and Moderate
Rehabilitation programs and the public housing program.)
(1) ``Rent burden preference'' means the federal preference for
admission of applicants that pay more than 50 percent of family income
for rent.
(2) For purposes of determining whether an applicant qualifies for
the rent burden preference:
(i) ``Family income'' means Monthly Income, as defined in 24 CFR
813.102.
(ii) ``Rent'' means:
(A) The actual monthly amount due under a lease or occupancy
agreement between a family and the family's current landlord; and
(B) For utilities purchased directly by tenants from utility
providers:
(1) The utility allowance for family-purchased utilities and
services that is used in the HA tenant-based program; or
(2) If the family chooses, the average monthly payments that the
family actually made for these utilities and services for the most
recent 12-month period or, if information is not obtainable for the
entire period, for an appropriate recent period.
(iii) Amounts paid to or on behalf of a family under any energy
assistance program must be subtracted from the otherwise applicable
rental amount, to the extent that they are not included in the family's
income.
(iv) For purposes of the Section 8 Certificate/Voucher programs,
rent for an applicant who owns a manufactured home, but rents the space
upon which it is located, includes the monthly payment to amortize the
purchase price of the home, calculated in accordance with HUD's
requirements. In addition, for this program, rent for members of a
cooperative means the charges under the occupancy agreement between the
members and the cooperative.
(3) An applicant does not qualify for a rent burden preference if
either of the following is applicable:
(i) The applicant has been paying more than 50 percent of income for
rent for less than 90 days.
(ii) The applicant is paying more than 50 percent of family income
to rent a unit because the applicant's housing assistance for occupancy
of the unit under any of the following programs has been terminated
because of the applicant's refusal to comply with applicable program
policies and procedures on the occupancy of underoccupied and
overcrowded units:
(A) The Section 8 programs or public and Indian housing programs
under the United States Housing Act of 1937;
(B) The rent supplement program under section 101 of the Housing and
Urban Development Act of 1965; or
(C) Rental assistance payments under section 236(f)(2) of the
National Housing Act.
(b) Rent burden preference: verification of income and rent. The
owner must verify that an applicant is paying more than 50 percent of
family income for rent, as follows:
(1) How to verify income. The owner must verify a family's income by
using the standards and procedures that it uses to verify family income
under 24 CFR part 813.
(2) How to verify rent. The owner must verify the amount due to the
family's landlord (or cooperative) under the lease or occupancy
agreement:
(i) By requiring the family to furnish copies of its most recent
rental (or cooperative charges) receipts (which may include canceled
checks or money order receipts) or a copy of the family's current lease
or occupancy agreement; or
(ii) By contacting the landlord (or cooperative) or its agent
directly.
(3) Utilities. To verify the actual amount that a family paid for
utilities and other housing services, the owner must require the family
to provide copies of the appropriate bills or receipts,
[[Page 54]]
or must obtain the information directly from the utility or service
supplier.
[61 FR 9045, Mar. 6, 1996]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.430 was
removed, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Subpart E--Restrictions on Assistance to Noncitizens
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1436a and 3535(d).
Sec. 5.500 Applicability.
(a) Covered programs/assistance. This subpart E implements Section
214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, as amended (42
U.S.C. 1436a). Section 214 prohibits HUD from making financial
assistance available to persons who are not in eligible status with
respect to citizenship or noncitizen immigration status. This subpart E
is applicable to financial assistance provided under:
(1) Section 235 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z) (the
Section 235 Program);
(2) Section 236 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1)
(tenants paying below market rent only) (the Section 236 Program);
(3) Section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (12
U.S.C. 1701s) (the Rent Supplement Program); and
(4) The United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S. C. 1437 et seq.)
which covers:
(i) HUD's Public Housing Programs;
(ii) The Section 8 Housing Assistance Programs; and
(iii) The Housing Development Grant Programs (with respect to low
income units only).
(b) Covered individuals and entities--(1) Covered individuals/
persons and families. The provisions of this subpart E apply to both
applicants for assistance and persons already receiving assistance
covered under this subpart E.
(2) Covered entities. The provisions of this subpart E apply to
Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), project (or housing) owners, and
mortgagees under the Section 235 Program. The term ``responsible
entity'' is used in this subpart E to refer collectively to these
entities, and is further defined in Sec. 5.504.
Sec. 5.502 Requirements concerning documents.
For any notice or document (decision, declaration, consent form,
etc.) that this subpart E requires the responsible entity to provide to
an individual, or requires the responsible entity to obtain the
signature of an individual, the responsible entity, where feasible, must
arrange for the notice or document to be provided to the individual in a
language that is understood by the individual if the individual is not
proficient in English. (See 24 CFR 8.6 of HUD's regulations for
requirements concerning communications with persons with disabilities.)
Sec. 5.504 Definitions.
(a) The definitions 1937 Act, HUD, Public Housing Agency (PHA), and
Section 8 are defined in subpart A of this part.
(b) As used in this subpart E:
Child means a member of the family other than the family head or
spouse who is under 18 years of age.
Citizen means a citizen or national of the United States.
Evidence of citizenship or eligible status means the documents which
must be submitted to evidence citizenship or eligible immigration
status. (See Sec. 5.508(b).)
Family has the same meaning as provided in the program regulations
of the relevant Section 214 covered program.
Head of household means the adult member of the family who is the
head of the household for purposes of determining income eligibility and
rent.
Housing covered programs means the following programs administered
by the Assistant Secretary for Housing:
(1) Section 235 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z) (the
Section 235 Program);
(2) Section 236 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1)
(tenants paying below market rent only) (the Section 236 Program); and
(3) Section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (12
U.S.C. 1701s) (the Rent Supplement Program).
[[Page 55]]
INS means the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Mixed family means a family whose members include those with
citizenship or eligible immigration status, and those without
citizenship or eligible immigration status.
National means a person who owes permanent allegiance to the United
States, for example, as a result of birth in a United States territory
or possession.
Noncitizen means a person who is neither a citizen nor national of
the United States.
Project owner means the person or entity that owns the housing
project containing the assisted dwelling unit.
Public Housing covered programs means the public housing programs
administered by the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing
under title I of the 1937 Act. This definition does not encompass HUD's
Indian Housing programs administered under title II of the 1937 Act.
Further, this term does not include those programs providing assistance
under section 8 of the 1937 Act. (See definition of ``Section 8 Covered
Programs'' in this section.)
Responsible entity means the person or entity responsible for
administering the restrictions on providing assistance to noncitizens
with ineligible immigrations status. The entity responsible for
administering the restrictions on providing assistance to noncitizens
with ineligible immigration status under the various covered programs is
as follows:
(1) For the Section 235 Program, the mortgagee.
(2) For Public Housing, the Section 8 Rental Certificate, the
Section 8 Rental Voucher, and the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation
programs, the PHA administering the program under an ACC with HUD.
(3) For all other Section 8 programs, the Section 236 Program, and
the Rent Supplement Program, the owner.
Section 8 covered programs means all HUD programs which assist
housing under Section 8 of the 1937 Act, including Section 8-assisted
housing for which loans are made under section 202 of the Housing Act of
1959.
Section 214 means section 214 of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1436a).
Section 214 covered programs is the collective term for the HUD
programs to which the restrictions imposed by Section 214 apply. These
programs are set forth in Sec. 5.500.
Tenant means an individual or a family renting or occupying an
assisted dwelling unit. For purposes of this subpart E, the term tenant
will also be used to include a homebuyer, where appropriate.
Sec. 5.506 General provisions.
(a) Restrictions on assistance. Financial assistance under a Section
214 covered program is restricted to:
(1) Citizens; or
(2) Noncitizens who have eligible immigration status under one of
the categories set forth in Section 214 (see 42 U.S.C. 1436a(a)).
(b) Family eligibility for assistance. (1) A family shall not be
eligible for assistance unless every member of the family residing in
the unit is determined to have eligible status, as described in
paragraph (a) of this section, or unless the family meets the conditions
set forth in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(2) Despite the ineligibility of one or more family members, a mixed
family may be eligible for one of the three types of assistance provided
in Secs. 5.516 and 5.518. A family without any eligible members and
receiving assistance on June 19, 1995 may be eligible for temporary
deferral of termination of assistance as provided in Secs. 5.516 and
5.518.
Sec. 5.508 Submission of evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status.
(a) General. Eligibility for assistance or continued assistance
under a Section 214 covered program is contingent upon a family's
submission to the responsible entity of the documents described in
paragraph (b) of this section for each family member. If one or more
family members do not have citizenship or eligible immigration status,
the
[[Page 56]]
family members may exercise the election not to contend to have eligible
immigration status as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, and the
provisions of Secs. 5.516 and 5.518 shall apply.
(b) Evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status. Each
family member, regardless of age, must submit the following evidence to
the responsible entity.
(1) For U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, the evidence consists of a
signed declaration of U.S. citizenship or U.S. nationality. The
responsible entity may request verification of the declaration by
requiring presentation of a United States passport or other appropriate
documentation, as specified in HUD guidance.
(2) For noncitizens who are 62 years of age or older or who will be
62 years of age or older and receiving assistance under a Section 214
covered program on September 30, 1996 or applying for assistance on or
after that date, the evidence consists of:
(i) A signed declaration of eligible immigration status; and
(ii) Proof of age document.
(3) For all other noncitizens, the evidence consists of:
(i) A signed declaration of eligible immigration status;
(ii) One of the INS documents referred to in Sec. 5.510; and
(iii) A signed verification consent form.
(c) Declaration. (1) For each family member who contends that he or
she is a U.S. citizen or a noncitizen with eligible immigration status,
the family must submit to the responsible entity a written declaration,
signed under penalty of perjury, by which the family member declares
whether he or she is a U.S. citizen or a noncitizen with eligible
immigration status.
(i) For each adult, the declaration must be signed by the adult.
(ii) For each child, the declaration must be signed by an adult
residing in the assisted dwelling unit who is responsible for the child.
(2) For Housing covered programs: The written declaration may be
incorporated as part of the application for housing assistance or may
constitute a separate document.
(d) Verification consent form--(1) Who signs. Each noncitizen who
declares eligible immigration status (except certain noncitizens who are
62 years of age or older as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this
section) must sign a verification consent form as follows.
(i) For each adult, the form must be signed by the adult.
(ii) For each child, the form must be signed by an adult residing in
the assisted dwelling unit who is responsible for the child.
(2) Notice of release of evidence by responsible entity. The
verification consent form shall provide that evidence of eligible
immigration status may be released by the responsible entity without
responsibility for the further use or transmission of the evidence by
the entity receiving it, to:
(i) HUD, as required by HUD; and
(ii) The INS for purposes of verification of the immigration status
of the individual.
(3) Notice of release of evidence by HUD. The verification consent
form also shall notify the individual of the possible release of
evidence of eligible immigration status by HUD. Evidence of eligible
immigration status shall only be released to the INS for purposes of
establishing eligibility for financial assistance and not for any other
purpose. HUD is not responsible for the further use or transmission of
the evidence or other information by the INS.
(e) Individuals who do not contend that they have eligible status.
If one or more members of a family elect not to contend that they have
eligible immigration status, and other members of the family establish
their citizenship or eligible immigration status, the family may be
eligible for assistance under Secs. 5.516 and 5.518, or Sec. 5.520,
despite the fact that no declaration or documentation of eligible status
is submitted for one or more members of the family. The family, however,
must identify in writing to the responsible entity, the family member
(or members) who will elect not to contend that he or she has eligible
immigration status.
(f) Notification of requirements of Section 214--(1) When notice is
to be issued. Notification of the requirement to submit evidence of
citizenship or eligible
[[Page 57]]
immigration status, as required by this section, or to elect not to
contend that one has eligible status as provided by paragraph (e) of
this section, shall be given by the responsible entity as follows:
(i) Applicant's notice. The notification described in paragraph
(f)(1) of this section shall be given to each applicant at the time of
application for assistance. Applicants whose applications are pending on
June 19, 1995, shall be notified of the requirement to submit evidence
of eligible status as soon as possible after June 19, 1995.
(ii) Notice to tenants. The notification described in paragraph
(f)(1) of this section shall be given to each tenant at the time of, and
together with, the responsible entity's notice of regular reexamination
of income, but not later than one year following June 19, 1995.
(iii) Timing of mortgagor's notice. A mortgagor receiving Section
235 assistance must be provided the notification described in paragraph
(f)(1) of this section and any additional requirements imposed under the
Section 235 Program.
(2) Form and content of notice. The notice shall:
(i) State that financial assistance is contingent upon the
submission and verification, as appropriate, of evidence of citizenship
or eligible immigration status as required by paragraph (a) of this
section;
(ii) Describe the type of evidence that must be submitted, and state
the time period in which that evidence must be submitted (see paragraph
(g) of this section concerning when evidence must be submitted); and
(iii) State that assistance will be prorated, denied or terminated,
as appropriate, upon a final determination of ineligibility after all
appeals have been exhausted (see Sec. 5.514 concerning INS appeal, and
informal hearing process) or, if appeals are not pursued, at a time to
be specified in accordance with HUD requirements. Tenants also shall be
informed of how to obtain assistance under the preservation of families
provisions of Secs. 5.516 and 5.518.
(g) When evidence of eligible status is required to be submitted.
The responsible entity shall require evidence of eligible status to be
submitted at the times specified in paragraph (g) of this section,
subject to any extension granted in accordance with paragraph (h) of
this section.
(1) Applicants. For applicants, responsible entities must ensure
that evidence of eligible status is submitted not later than the date
the responsible entity anticipates or has knowledge that verification of
other aspects of eligibility for assistance will occur (see
Sec. 5.512(a)).
(2) Tenants. For tenants, evidence of eligible status is required to
be submitted as follows:
(i) For financial assistance under a Section 214 covered program,
with the exception of Section 235 assistance payments, the required
evidence shall be submitted at the first regular reexamination after
June 19, 1995, in accordance with program requirements.
(ii) For financial assistance in the form of Section 235 assistance
payments, the mortgagor shall submit the required evidence in accordance
with requirements imposed under the Section 235 Program.
(3) New occupants of assisted units. For any new occupant of an
assisted unit (e.g., a new family member comes to reside in the assisted
unit), the required evidence shall be submitted at the first interim or
regular reexamination following the person's occupancy.
(4) Changing participation in a HUD program. Whenever a family
applies for admission to a Section 214 covered program, evidence of
eligible status is required to be submitted in accordance with the
requirements of this subpart unless the family already has submitted the
evidence to the responsible entity for a Section 214 covered program.
(5) One-time evidence requirement for continuous occupancy. For each
family member, the family is required to submit evidence of eligible
status only one time during continuously assisted occupancy under any
Section 214 covered program.
(h) Extensions of time to submit evidence of eligible status--(1)
When extension must be granted. The responsible entity shall extend the
time, provided in paragraph (g) of this section, to submit evidence of
eligible immigration status if the family member:
[[Page 58]]
(i) Submits the declaration required under Sec. 5.508(a) certifying
that any person for whom required evidence has not been submitted is a
noncitizen with eligible immigration status; and
(ii) Certifies that the evidence needed to support a claim of
eligible immigration status is temporarily unavailable, additional time
is needed to obtain and submit the evidence, and prompt and diligent
efforts will be undertaken to obtain the evidence.
(2) Thirty-day extension period. Any extension of time, if granted,
shall not exceed thirty (30) days. The additional time provided should
be sufficient to allow the individual the time to obtain the evidence
needed. The responsible entity's determination of the length of the
extension needed shall be based on the circumstances of the individual
case.
(3) Grant or denial of extension to be in writing. The responsible
entity's decision to grant or deny an extension as provided in paragraph
(h)(1) of this section shall be issued to the family by written notice.
If the extension is granted, the notice shall specify the extension
period granted (which shall not exceed thirty (30) days). If the
extension is denied, the notice shall explain the reasons for denial of
the extension.
(i) Failure to submit evidence or to establish eligible status. If
the family fails to submit required evidence of eligible immigration
status within the time period specified in the notice, or any extension
granted in accordance with paragraph (h) of this section, or if the
evidence is timely submitted but fails to establish eligible immigration
status, the responsible entity shall proceed to deny, prorate or
terminate assistance, or provide continued assistance or temporary
deferral of termination of assistance, as appropriate, in accordance
with the provisions of Secs. 5.514, 5.516, and 5.518.
(ii) [Reserved]
[61 FR 13616, Mar. 27, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 60538, Nov. 29, 1996;
64 FR 25731, May 12, 1999]
Sec. 5.510 Documents of eligible immigration status.
(a) General. A responsible entity shall request and review original
documents of eligible immigration status. The responsible entity shall
retain photocopies of the documents for its own records and return the
original documents to the family.
(b) Acceptable evidence of eligible immigration status. Acceptable
evidence of eligible immigration status shall be the original of a
document designated by INS as acceptable evidence of immigration status
in one of the six categories mentioned in Sec. 5.506(a) for the specific
immigration status claimed by the individual.
[61 FR 13616, Mar. 27, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 60539, Nov. 29, 1996;
64 FR 25731, May 12, 1999]
Sec. 5.512 Verification of eligible immigration status.
(a) General. Except as described in paragraph (b) of this section
and Sec. 5.514, no individual or family applying for assistance may
receive such assistance prior to the verification of the eligibility of
at least the individual or one family member. Verification of
eligibility consistent with Sec. 5.514 occurs when the individual or
family members have submitted documentation to the responsible entity in
accordance with Sec. 5.508.
(b) PHA election to provide assistance before verification. A PHA
that is a responsible entity under this subpart may elect to provide
assistance to a family before the verification of the eligibility of the
individual or one family member.
(c) Primary verification--(1) Automated verification system. Primary
verification of the immigration status of the person is conducted by the
responsible entity through the INS automated system (INS Systematic
Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE)). The INS SAVE system
provides access to names, file numbers and admission numbers of
noncitizens.
(2) Failure of primary verification to confirm eligible immigration
status. If the INS SAVE system does not verify eligible immigration
status, secondary verification must be performed.
(d) Secondary verification--(1) Manual search of INS records.
Secondary verification is a manual search by the
[[Page 59]]
INS of its records to determine an individual's immigration status. The
responsible entity must request secondary verification, within 10 days
of receiving the results of the primary verification, if the primary
verification system does not confirm eligible immigration status, or if
the primary verification system verifies immigration status that is
ineligible for assistance under a Section 214 covered program.
(2) Secondary verification initiated by responsible entity.
Secondary verification is initiated by the responsible entity forwarding
photocopies of the original INS documents required for the immigration
status declared (front and back), attached to the INS document
verification request form G-845S (Document Verification Request), or
such other form specified by the INS to a designated INS office for
review. (Form G-845S is available from the local INS Office.)
(3) Failure of secondary verification to confirm eligible
immigration status. If the secondary verification does not confirm
eligible immigration status, the responsible entity shall issue to the
family the notice described in Sec. 5.514(d), which includes
notification of the right to appeal to the INS of the INS finding on
immigration status (see Sec. 5.514(d)(4)).
(e) Exemption from liability for INS verification. The responsible
entity shall not be liable for any action, delay, or failure of the INS
in conducting the automated or manual verification.
[61 FR 13616, Mar. 27, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 60539, Nov. 29, 1996;
64 FR 25731, May 12, 1999]
Sec. 5.514 Delay, denial, reduction or termination of assistance.
(a) General. Assistance to a family may not be delayed, denied,
reduced or terminated because of the immigration status of a family
member except as provided in this section.
(b) Restrictions on delay, denial, reduction or termination of
assistance. (1) Restrictions on reduction, denial or termination of
assistance for applicants and tenants. Assistance to an applicant or
tenant shall not be delayed, denied, reduced, or terminated, on the
basis of ineligible immigration status of a family member if:
(i) The primary and secondary verification of any immigration
documents that were timely submitted has not been completed;
(ii) The family member for whom required evidence has not been
submitted has moved from the assisted dwelling unit;
(iii) The family member who is determined not to be in an eligible
immigration status following INS verification has moved from the
assisted dwelling unit;
(iv) The INS appeals process under Sec. 5.514(e) has not been
concluded;
(v) Assistance is prorated in accordance with Sec. 5.520; or
(vi) Assistance for a mixed family is continued in accordance with
Secs. 5.516 and 5.518; or
(vii) Deferral of termination of assistance is granted in accordance
with Secs. 5.516 and 5.518.
(2) Restrictions on delay, denial, reduction or termination of
assistance pending fair hearing for tenants. In addition to the factors
listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, assistance to a tenant
cannot be delayed, denied, reduced or terminated until the completion of
the informal hearing described in paragraph (f) of this section.
(c) Events causing denial or termination of assistance. (1) General.
Assistance to an applicant shall be denied, and a tenant's assistance
shall be terminated, in accordance with the procedures of this section,
upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) Evidence of citizenship (i.e., the declaration) and eligible
immigration status is not submitted by the date specified in
Sec. 5.508(g) or by the expiration of any extension granted in
accordance with Sec. 5.508(h);
(ii) Evidence of citizenship and eligible immigration status is
timely submitted, but INS primary and secondary verification does not
verify eligible immigration status of a family member; and
(A) The family does not pursue INS appeal or informal hearing rights
as provided in this section; or
(B) INS appeal and informal hearing rights are pursued, but the
final appeal
[[Page 60]]
or hearing decisions are decided against the family member; or
(iii) The responsible entity determines that a family member has
knowingly permitted another individual who is not eligible for
assistance to reside (on a permanent basis) in the public or assisted
housing unit of the family member. Such termination shall be for a
period of not less than 24 months. This provision does not apply to a
family if the ineligibility of the ineligible individual was considered
in calculating any proration of assistance provided for the family.
(2) Termination of assisted occupancy. For termination of assisted
occupancy, see paragraph (i) of this section.
(d) Notice of denial or termination of assistance. The notice of
denial or termination of assistance shall advise the family:
(1) That financial assistance will be denied or terminated, and
provide a brief explanation of the reasons for the proposed denial or
termination of assistance;
(2) That the family may be eligible for proration of assistance as
provided under Sec. 5.520;
(3) In the case of a tenant, the criteria and procedures for
obtaining relief under the provisions for preservation of families in
Secs. 5.514 and 5.518;
(4) That the family has a right to request an appeal to the INS of
the results of secondary verification of immigration status and to
submit additional documentation or a written explanation in support of
the appeal in accordance with the procedures of paragraph (e) of this
section;
(5) That the family has a right to request an informal hearing with
the responsible entity either upon completion of the INS appeal or in
lieu of the INS appeal as provided in paragraph (f) of this section;
(6) For applicants, the notice shall advise that assistance may not
be delayed until the conclusion of the INS appeal process, but
assistance may be delayed during the pendency of the informal hearing
process.
(e) Appeal to the INS. (1) Submission of request for appeal. Upon
receipt of notification by the responsible entity that INS secondary
verification failed to confirm eligible immigration status, the
responsible entity shall notify the family of the results of the INS
verification, and the family shall have 30 days from the date of the
responsible entity's notification, to request an appeal of the INS
results. The request for appeal shall be made by the family
communicating that request in writing directly to the INS. The family
must provide the responsible entity with a copy of the written request
for appeal and proof of mailing.
(2) Documentation to be submitted as part of appeal to INS. The
family shall forward to the designated INS office any additional
documentation or written explanation in support of the appeal. This
material must include a copy of the INS document verification request
form G-845S (used to process the secondary verification request) or such
other form specified by the INS, and a cover letter indicating that the
family is requesting an appeal of the INS immigration status
verification results.
(3) Decision by INS--(i) When decision will be issued. The INS will
issue to the family, with a copy to the responsible entity, a decision
within 30 days of its receipt of documentation concerning the family's
appeal of the verification of immigration status. If, for any reason,
the INS is unable to issue a decision within the 30 day time period, the
INS will inform the family and responsible entity of the reasons for the
delay.
(ii) Notification of INS decision and of informal hearing
procedures. When the responsible entity receives a copy of the INS
decision, the responsible entity shall notify the family of its right to
request an informal hearing on the responsible entity's ineligibility
determination in accordance with the procedures of paragraph (f) of this
section.
(4) No delay, denial, reduction, or termination of assistance until
completion of INS appeal process; direct appeal to INS. Pending the
completion of the INS appeal under this section, assistance may not be
delayed, denied, reduced or terminated on the basis of immigration
status.
(f) Informal hearing. (1) When request for hearing is to be made.
After notification of the INS decision on appeal, or in lieu of request
of appeal to the INS,
[[Page 61]]
the family may request that the responsible entity provide a hearing.
This request must be made either within 30 days of receipt of the notice
described in paragraph (d) of this section, or within 30 days of receipt
of the INS appeal decision issued in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this section.
(2) Informal hearing procedures--(i) Tenants assisted under a
Section 8 covered program: For tenants assisted under a Section 8
covered program, the procedures for the hearing before the responsible
entity are set forth in:
(A) For Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation assistance: 24 CFR part
882;
(B) For Section 8 tenant-based assistance: 24 CFR part 982; or
(C) For Section 8 project-based certificate program: 24 CFR part
983.
(ii) Tenants assisted under any other Section 8 covered program or a
Public Housing covered program: For tenants assisted under a Section 8
covered program not listed in paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this section or a
Public Housing covered program, the procedures for the hearing before
the responsible entity are set forth in 24 CFR part 966.
(iii) Families under Housing covered programs and applicants for
assistance under all covered programs. For all families under Housing
covered programs (applicants as well as tenants already receiving
assistance) and for applicants for assistance under all covered
programs, the procedures for the informal hearing before the responsible
entity are as follows:
(A) Hearing before an impartial individual. The family shall be
provided a hearing before any person(s) designated by the responsible
entity (including an officer or employee of the responsible entity),
other than a person who made or approved the decision under review, and
other than a person who is a subordinate of the person who made or
approved the decision;
(B) Examination of evidence. The family shall be provided the
opportunity to examine and copy at the individual's expense, at a
reasonable time in advance of the hearing, any documents in the
possession of the responsible entity pertaining to the family's
eligibility status, or in the possession of the INS (as permitted by INS
requirements), including any records and regulations that may be
relevant to the hearing;
(C) Presentation of evidence and arguments in support of eligible
status. The family shall be provided the opportunity to present evidence
and arguments in support of eligible status. Evidence may be considered
without regard to admissibility under the rules of evidence applicable
to judicial proceedings;
(D) Controverting evidence of the responsible entity. The family
shall be provided the opportunity to controvert evidence relied upon by
the responsible entity and to confront and cross-examine all witnesses
on whose testimony or information the responsible entity relies;
(E) Representation. The family shall be entitled to be represented
by an attorney, or other designee, at the family's expense, and to have
such person make statements on the family's behalf;
(F) Interpretive services. The family shall be entitled to arrange
for an interpreter to attend the hearing, at the expense of the family,
or responsible entity, as may be agreed upon by the two parties to the
proceeding; and
(G) Hearing to be recorded. The family shall be entitled to have the
hearing recorded by audiotape (a transcript of the hearing may, but is
not required to, be provided by the responsible entity).
(3) Hearing decision. The responsible entity shall provide the
family with a written final decision, based solely on the facts
presented at the hearing, within 14 days of the date of the informal
hearing. The decision shall state the basis for the decision.
(g) Judicial relief. A decision against a family member, issued in
accordance with paragraphs (e) or (f) of this section, does not preclude
the family from exercising the right, that may otherwise be available,
to seek redress directly through judicial procedures.
(h) Retention of documents. The responsible entity shall retain for
a minimum of 5 years the following documents that may have been
submitted to the responsible entity by the family, or provided to the
responsible entity as part of the INS appeal or the informal hearing
process:
[[Page 62]]
(1) The application for financial assistance;
(2) The form completed by the family for income reexamination;
(3) Photocopies of any original documents (front and back),
including original INS documents;
(4) The signed verification consent form;
(5) The INS verification results;
(6) The request for an INS appeal;
(7) The final INS determination;
(8) The request for an informal hearing; and
(9) The final informal hearing decision.
(i) Termination of assisted occupancy. (1) Under Housing covered
programs, and in the Section 8 covered programs other than the Section 8
Rental Certificate, Rental Voucher, and Moderate Rehabilitation
programs, assisted occupancy is terminated by:
(i) If permitted under the lease, the responsible entity notifying
the tenant that because of the termination of assisted occupancy the
tenant is required to pay the HUD-approved market rent for the dwelling
unit.
(ii) The responsible entity and tenant entering into a new lease
without financial assistance.
(iii) The responsible entity evicting the tenant. While the tenant
continues in occupancy of the unit, the responsible entity may continue
to receive assistance payments if action to terminate the tenancy under
an assisted lease is promptly initiated and diligently pursued, in
accordance with the terms of the lease, and if eviction of the tenant is
undertaken by judicial action pursuant to State and local law. Action by
the responsible entity to terminate the tenancy and to evict the tenant
must be in accordance with applicable HUD regulations and other HUD
requirements. For any jurisdiction, HUD may prescribe a maximum period
during which assistance payments may be continued during eviction
proceedings and may prescribe other standards of reasonable diligence
for the prosecution of eviction proceedings.
(2) In the Section 8 Rental Certificate, Rental Voucher, and
Moderate Rehabilitation programs, assisted occupancy is terminated by
terminating assistance payments. (See provisions of this section
concerning termination of assistance.) The PHA shall not make any
additional assistance payments to the owner after the required
procedures specified in this section have been completed. In addition,
the PHA shall not approve a lease, enter into an assistance contract, or
process a portability move for the family after those procedures have
been completed.
[61 FR 13616, Mar. 27, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 60539, Nov. 29, 1996;
64 FR 25731, May 12, 1999]
Sec. 5.516 Availability of preservation assistance to mixed families and other families.
(a) Assistance available for tenant mixed families--(1) General.
Preservation assistance is available to tenant mixed families, following
completion of the appeals and informal hearing procedures provided in
Sec. 5.514. There are three types of preservation assistance:
(i) Continued assistance (see paragraph (a) of Sec. 5.518);
(ii) Temporary deferral of termination of assistance (see paragraph
(b) of Sec. 5.518); or
(iii) Prorated assistance (see Sec. 5.520, a mixed family must be
provided prorated assistance if the family so requests).
(2) Availability of assistance--(i) For Housing covered programs:
One of the three types of assistance described is available to tenant
mixed families assisted under a National Housing Act or 1965 HUD Act
covered program, depending upon the family's eligibility for such
assistance. Continued assistance must be provided to a mixed family that
meets the conditions for eligibility for continued assistance.
(ii) For Section 8 or Public Housing covered programs. One of the
three types of assistance described may be available to tenant mixed
families assisted under a Section 8 or Public Housing covered program.
(b) Assistance available for applicant mixed families. Prorated
assistance is also available for mixed families applying for assistance
as provided in Sec. 5.520.
(c) Assistance available to other families in occupancy. Temporary
deferral of termination of assistance may be
[[Page 63]]
available to families receiving assistance under a Section 214 covered
program on June 19, 1995, and who have no members with eligible
immigration status, as set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this
section.
(1) For Housing covered programs: Temporary deferral of termination
of assistance is available to families assisted under a Housing covered
program.
(2) For Section 8 or Public Housing covered programs: The
responsible entity may make temporary deferral of termination of
assistance to families assisted under a Section 8 or Public Housing
covered program.
(d) Section 8 covered programs: Discretion afforded to provide
certain family preservation assistance--(1) Project owners. With respect
to assistance under a Section 8 Act covered program administered by a
project owner, HUD has the discretion to determine under what
circumstances families are to be provided one of the two statutory forms
of assistance for preservation of the family (continued assistance or
temporary deferral of assistance). HUD is exercising its discretion by
specifying the standards in this section under which a project owner
must provide one of these two types of assistance to a family. However,
project owners and PHAs must offer prorated assistance to eligible mixed
families.
(2) PHAs. The PHA, rather than HUD, has the discretion to determine
the circumstances under which a family will be offered one of the two
statutory forms of assistance (continued assistance or temporary
deferral of termination of assistance). The PHA must establish its own
policy and criteria to follow in making its decision. In establishing
the criteria for granting continued assistance or temporary deferral of
termination of assistance, the PHA must incorporate the statutory
criteria, which are set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Sec. 5.518.
However, the PHA must offer prorated assistance to eligible families.
[61 FR 13616, Mar. 27, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 60539, Nov. 29, 1996;
64 FR 25732, May 12, 1999]
Sec. 5.518 Types of preservation assistance available to mixed families and other families.
(a) Continued assistance. (1) General. A mixed family may receive
continued housing assistance if all of the following conditions are met
(a mixed family assisted under a Housing covered program must be
provided continued assistance if the family meets the following
conditions):
(i) The family was receiving assistance under a Section 214 covered
program on June 19, 1995;
(ii) The family's head of household or spouse has eligible
immigration status as described in Sec. 5.506; and
(iii) The family does not include any person (who does not have
eligible immigration status) other than the head of household, any
spouse of the head of household, any parents of the head of household,
any parents of the spouse, or any children of the head of household or
spouse.
(2) Proration of continued assistance. A family entitled to
continued assistance before November 29, 1996 is entitled to continued
assistance as described in paragraph (a) of this section. A family
entitled to continued assistance after November 29, 1996 shall receive
prorated assistance as described in Sec. 5.520.
(b) Temporary deferral of termination of assistance--(1) Eligibility
for this type of assistance. If a mixed family qualifies for prorated
assistance (and does not qualify for continued assistance), but decides
not to accept prorated assistance, or if a family has no members with
eligible immigration status, the family may be eligible for temporary
deferral of termination of assistance if necessary to permit the family
additional time for the orderly transition of those family members with
ineligible status, and any other family members involved, to other
affordable housing. Other affordable housing is used in the context of
transition of an ineligible family from a rent level that reflects HUD
assistance to a rent level that is unassisted; the term refers to
housing that is not substandard, that is of appropriate size for the
family and that can be rented for an amount not exceeding the amount
that the family pays for rent, including utilities, plus 25 percent.
[[Page 64]]
(2) Housing covered programs: Conditions for granting temporary
deferral of termination of assistance. The responsible entity shall
grant a temporary deferral of termination of assistance to a mixed
family if the family is assisted under a Housing covered program and one
of the following conditions is met:
(i) The family demonstrates that reasonable efforts to find other
affordable housing of appropriate size have been unsuccessful (for
purposes of this section, reasonable efforts include seeking information
from, and pursuing leads obtained from the State housing agency, the
city government, local newspapers, rental agencies and the owner);
(ii) The vacancy rate for affordable housing of appropriate size is
below five percent in the housing market for the area in which the
project is located; or
(iii) The consolidated plan, as described in 24 CFR part 91 and if
applicable to the covered program, indicates that the local
jurisdiction's housing market lacks sufficient affordable housing
opportunities for households having a size and income similar to the
family seeking the deferral.
(3) Time limit on deferral period. If temporary deferral of
termination of assistance is granted, the deferral period shall be for
an initial period not to exceed six months. The initial period may be
renewed for additional periods of six months, but the aggregate deferral
period for deferrals provided after November 29, 1996 shall not exceed a
period of eighteen months. The aggregate deferral period for deferrals
granted prior to November 29, 1996 shall not exceed 3 years. These time
periods do not apply to a family which includes a refugee under section
207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act or an individual seeking
asylum under section 208 of that Act.
(4) Notification requirements for beginning of each deferral period.
At the beginning of each deferral period, the responsible entity must
inform the family of its ineligibility for financial assistance and
offer the family information concerning, and referrals to assist in
finding, other affordable housing.
(5) Determination of availability of affordable housing at end of
each deferral period. (i) Before the end of each deferral period, the
responsible entity must satisfy the applicable requirements of either
paragraph (b)(5)(i)(A) or (B) of this section. Specifically, the
responsible entity must:
(A) For Housing covered programs: Make a determination that one of
the two conditions specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section
continues to be met (note: affordable housing will be determined to be
available if the vacancy rate is five percent or greater), the owner's
knowledge and the tenant's evidence indicate that other affordable
housing is available; or
(B) For Section 8 or Public Housing covered programs: Make a
determination of the availability of affordable housing of appropriate
size based on evidence of conditions which when taken together will
demonstrate an inadequate supply of affordable housing for the area in
which the project is located, the consolidated plan (if applicable, as
described in 24 CFR part 91), the responsible entity's own knowledge of
the availability of affordable housing, and on evidence of the tenant
family's efforts to locate such housing.
(ii) The responsible entity must also:
(A) Notify the tenant family in writing, at least 60 days in advance
of the expiration of the deferral period, that termination will be
deferred again (provided that the granting of another deferral will not
result in aggregate deferral periods that exceeds the maximum deferral
period). This time period does not apply to a family which includes a
refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act or an
individual seeking asylum under section 208 of that Act, and a
determination was made that other affordable housing is not available;
or
(B) Notify the tenant family in writing, at least 60 days in advance
of the expiration of the deferral period, that termination of financial
assistance will not be deferred because either granting another deferral
will result in aggregate deferral periods that exceed the maximum
deferral period (unless the family includes a refugee under section 207
of the Immigration and Nationality Act or an individual seeking asylum
under section 208 of that Act), or a determination has been made that
other affordable housing is available.
[[Page 65]]
(c) Option to select proration of assistance at end of deferral
period. A family who is eligible for, and receives temporary deferral of
termination of assistance, may request, and the responsible entity shall
provide proration of assistance at the end of the deferral period if the
family has made a good faith effort during the deferral period to locate
other affordable housing.
(d) Notification of decision on family preservation assistance. A
responsible entity shall notify the family of its decision concerning
the family's qualification for family preservation assistance. If the
family is ineligible for family preservation assistance, the
notification shall state the reasons, which must be based on relevant
factors. For tenant families, the notice also shall inform the family of
any applicable appeal rights.
[61 FR 13616, Mar. 27, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 60539, Nov. 29, 1996;
64 FR 25732, May 12, 1999]
Sec. 5.520 Proration of assistance.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to a mixed family other than
a family receiving continued assistance, or other than a family who is
eligible for and requests and receives temporary deferral of termination
of assistance. An eligible mixed family who requests prorated assistance
must be provided prorated assistance.
(b) Method of prorating assistance for Housing covered programs--(1)
Proration under Rent Supplement Program. If the household participates
in the Rent Supplement Program, the rent supplement paid on the
household's behalf shall be the rent supplement the household would
otherwise be entitled to, multiplied by a fraction, the denominator of
which is the number of people in the household and the numerator of
which is the number of eligible persons in the household;
(2) Proration under Section 235 Program. If the household
participates in the Section 235 Program, the interest reduction payments
paid on the household's behalf shall be the payments the household would
otherwise be entitled to, multiplied by a fraction the denominator of
which is the number of people in the household and the numerator of
which is the number of eligible persons in the household;
(3) Proration under Section 236 Program without the benefit of
additional assistance. If the household participates in the Section 236
Program without the benefit of any additional assistance, the
household's rent shall be increased above the rent the household would
otherwise pay by an amount equal to the difference between the market
rate rent for the unit and the rent the household would otherwise pay
multiplied by a fraction the denominator of which is the number of
people in the household and the numerator of which is the number of
ineligible persons in the household;
(4) Proration under Section 236 Program with the benefit of
additional assistance. If the household participates in the Section 236
Program with the benefit of additional assistance under the rent
supplement, rental assistance payment or Section 8 programs, the
household's rent shall be increased above the rent the household would
otherwise pay by:
(i) An amount equal to the difference between the market rate rent
for the unit and the basic rent for the unit multiplied by a fraction,
the denominator of which is the number of people in the household, and
the numerator of which is the number of ineligible persons in the
household, plus;
(ii) An amount equal to the rent supplement, housing assistance
payment or rental assistance payment the household would otherwise be
entitled to multiplied by a fraction, the denominator of which is the
number of people in the household and the numerator of which is the
number of ineligible persons in the household.
(c) Method of prorating assistance for Section 8 covered programs--
(1) Section 8 assistance other than assistance provided for a tenancy
under the Section 8 Rental Voucher Program or for an over-FMR tenancy in
the Section 8 Rental Certificate Program. For Section 8 assistance other
than assistance for a tenancy under the voucher program or an over-FMR
tenancy under the certificate program, the PHA must prorate the family's
assistance as follows:
(i) Step 1. Determine gross rent for the unit. (Gross rent is
contract rent
[[Page 66]]
plus any allowance for tenant paid utilities).
(ii) Step 2. Determine total tenant payment in accordance with
section 5.613(a). (Annual income includes income of all family members,
including any family member who has not established eligible immigration
status.)
(iii) Step 3. Subtract amount determined in paragraph (c)(1)(ii),
(Step 2), from amount determined in paragraph (c)(1)(i), (Step 1).
(iv) Step 4. Multiply the amount determined in paragraph
(c)(1)(iii), (Step 3) by a fraction for which:
(A) The numerator is the number of family members who have
established eligible immigration status; and
(B) The denominator is the total number of family members.
(v) Prorated housing assistance. The amount determined in paragraph
(c)(1)(iv), (Step 4) is the prorated housing assistance payment for a
mixed family.
(vi) No effect on contract rent. Proration of the housing assistance
payment does not affect contract rent to the owner. The family must pay
as rent the portion of contract rent not covered by the prorated housing
assistance payment.
(2) Assistance for a Section 8 voucher tenancy or over-FMR tenancy.
For a tenancy under the voucher program or for an over-FMR tenancy under
the certificate program, the PHA must prorate the family's assistance as
follows:
(i) Step 1. Determine the amount of the pre-proration housing
assistance payment. (Annual income includes income of all family
members, including any family member who has not established eligible
immigration status.)
(ii) Step 2. Multiply the amount determined in paragraph (c)(2)(i),
(Step 1) by a fraction for which:
(A) The numerator is the number of family members who have
established eligible immigration status; and
(B) The denominator is the total number of family members.
(iii) Prorated housing assistance. The amount determined in
paragraph (c)(2)(ii), (Step 2) is the prorated housing assistance
payment for a mixed family.
(iv) No effect on rent to owner. Proration of the housing assistance
payment does not affect rent to owner. The family must pay the portion
of rent to owner not covered by the prorated housing assistance payment.
(d) Method of prorating assistance for Public Housing covered
programs. The PHA shall prorate the family's assistance by:
(1) Step 1. Determining total tenant payment in accordance with 24
CFR 913.107(a). (Annual income includes income of all family members,
including any family member who has not established eligible immigration
status.)
(2) Step 2. Subtracting the total tenant payment from a HUD-supplied
``public housing maximum rent'' applicable to the unit or the PHA. (This
``maximum rent'' shall be determined by HUD using the 95th percentile
rent for the PHA.) The result is the maximum subsidy for which the
family could qualify if all members were eligible (``family maximum
subsidy'').
(3) Step 3. Dividing the family maximum subsidy by the number of
persons in the family (all persons) to determine the maximum subsidy per
each family member who has citizenship or eligible immigration status
(``eligible family member''). The subsidy per eligible family member is
the ``member maximum subsidy''.
(4) Step 4. Multiplying the member maximum subsidy by the number of
family members who have citizenship or eligible immigration status
(``eligible family members'').
(5) Step 5. The product of steps 1 through 4, as set forth in
paragraph (d)(2) of this section is the amount of subsidy for which the
family is eligible (``eligible subsidy''). The family's rent is the
``public housing maximum rent'' minus the amount of the eligible
subsidy.
[61 FR 5202, Feb. 9, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 23853, Apr. 30, 1998; 64
FR 13056, Mar. 16, 1999]
Sec. 5.522 Prohibition of assistance to noncitizen students.
(a) General. The provisions of Secs. 5.516 and 5.518 permitting
continued assistance or temporary deferral of termination of assistance
for certain families do not apply to any person who is determined to be
a noncitizen student as in paragraph (c)(2)(A) of Section 214 (42 U.S.C.
1436a(c)(2)(A)). The family of
[[Page 67]]
a noncitizen student may be eligible for prorated assistance, as
provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(b) Family of noncitizen students. (1) The prohibition on providing
assistance to a noncitizen student as described in paragraph (a) of this
section extends to the noncitizen spouse of the noncitizen student and
minor children accompanying the student or following to join the
student.
(2) The prohibition on providing assistance to a noncitizen student
does not extend to the citizen spouse of the noncitizen student and the
children of the citizen spouse and noncitizen student.
Sec. 5.524 Compliance with nondiscrimination requirements.
The responsible entity shall administer the restrictions on use of
assisted housing by noncitizens with ineligible immigration status
imposed by this part in conformity with all applicable nondiscrimination
and equal opportunity requirements, including, but not limited to, title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-2000d-5) and the
implementing regulations in 24 CFR part 1, section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and the implementing
regulations in 24 CFR part 8, the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601-3619)
and the implementing regulations in 24 CFR part 100.
Sec. 5.526 Protection from liability for responsible entities and State and local government agencies and officials.
(a) Protection from liability for responsible entities. Responsible
entities are protected from liability as set forth in Section 214(e) (42
U.S.C 1436a(e)).
(b) Protection from liability for State and local government
agencies and officials. State and local government agencies and
officials shall not be liable for the design or implementation of the
verification system described in Sec. 5.512, as long as the
implementation by the State and local government agency or official is
in accordance with prescribed HUD rules and requirements.
[64 FR 25732, May 12, 1999]
Sec. 5.528 Liability of ineligible tenants for reimbursement of benefits.
Where a tenant has received the benefit of HUD financial assistance
to which the tenant was not entitled because the tenant intentionally
misrepresented eligible status, the ineligible tenant is responsible for
reimbursing HUD for the assistance improperly paid. If the amount of the
assistance is substantial, the responsible entity is encouraged to refer
the case to the HUD Inspector General's office for further
investigation. Possible criminal prosecution may follow based on the
False Statements Act (18 U.S.C. 1001 and 1010).
Subpart F--Section 8 and Public Housing: Family Income and Family
Payment; Occupancy Requirements for Section 8 Project-Based Assistance
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1437a, 1437c, 1437d, 1437f, 1437n, and 3535(d).
Source: 61 FR 54498, Oct. 18, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 5.601 Purpose and applicability.
This subpart states HUD requirements on these subjects:
(a) Determining annual and adjusted income of families who apply for
or receive assistance in the Section 8 and public housing programs;
(b) Determining payments by and utility reimbursements to families
assisted in these programs;
(c) Additional occupancy requirements that apply to the Section 8
project-based assistance programs. These additional requirements
concern:
(1) Income-eligibility and income-targeting when a Section 8 owner
admits families to a Section 8 project or unit;
(2) Owner selection preferences;
(3) Owner reexamination of family income and composition.
[65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.601 was
revised, effective Apr. 28, 2000. For the convenience of the user, the
superseded text is set forth as follows:
[[Page 68]]
Sec. 5.601 Purpose and applicability.
(a) This subpart establishes definitions and requirements concerning
income limits for admission, annual income, adjusted income, total
tenant payment, utility allowances and reimbursements, and reexamination
of income and family composition for:
(1) HUD's public housing programs, including its public housing
homeownership programs.
(2) Housing assisted under section 8 of the United States Housing
Act of 1937 (the 1937 Act) (42 U.S.C. 1437f).
(i) Section 5.613 (Total tenant payment) and the definitions of
``tenant rent'' and ``total tenant payment'' found in Sec. 5.603 do not
apply to the Section 8 Rental Voucher Program.
(ii) Section 5.615 (Utility reimbursement) and the definition of
utility reimbursement found in Sec. 5.603 also do not apply to the
Section 8 Rental Voucher Program. For the Voucher Program, in cases
where the amount of the HAP payment exceeds the rent to owner, the
excess will be paid to the family.
(iii) Section 5.607 (Income limits for admission) does not apply to
the Section 8 Rental Voucher and Rental Certificate Programs.
(3) Applicants and tenants assisted under sections 10(c) and 23 of
the 1937 Act as in effect before amendment by the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1410 and 1421b (1970 ed.)).
(b) This subpart does not apply to HUD's Indian housing programs.
The analogous rule that applies to Indian housing is located at 24 CFR
part 950.
Sec. 5.603 Definitions.
As used in this subpart:
(a) Terms found elsewhere in part 5--(1) Subpart A. The terms 1937
Act, elderly person, public housing, public housing agency (PHA), and
Section 8 are defined in Sec. 5.100.
(2) Subpart D. The terms ``disabled family'', ``elderly family'',
``family'', ``live-in aide'', and ``person with disabilities'' are
defined in Sec. 5.403.
(b) The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Adjusted income. See Sec. 5.611.
Annual income. See Sec. 5.609.
Child care expenses. Amounts anticipated to be paid by the family
for the care of children under 13 years of age during the period for
which annual income is computed, but only where such care is necessary
to enable a family member to actively seek employment, be gainfully
employed, or to further his or her education and only to the extent such
amounts are not reimbursed. The amount deducted shall reflect reasonable
charges for child care. In the case of child care necessary to permit
employment, the amount deducted shall not exceed the amount of
employment income that is included in annual income.
Dependent. A member of the family (except foster children and foster
adults) other than the family head or spouse, who is under 18 years of
age, or is a person with a disability, or is a full-time student.
Disability assistance expenses. Reasonable expenses that are
anticipated, during the period for which annual income is computed, for
attendant care and auxiliary apparatus for a disabled family member and
that are necessary to enable a family member (including the disabled
member) to be employed, provided that the expenses are neither paid to a
member of the family nor reimbursed by an outside source.
Economic self-sufficiency program. Any program designed to
encourage, assist, train, or facilitate the economic independence of
HUD-assisted families or to provide work for such families. These
programs include programs for job training, employment counseling, work
placement, basic skills training, education, English proficiency,
workfare, financial or household management, apprenticeship, and any
program necessary to ready a participant for work (including a substance
abuse or mental health treatment program), or other work activities.
Extremely low income family. A family whose annual income does not
exceed 30 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by
HUD, with adjustments for smaller and larger families, except that HUD
may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 30 percent of the
median income for the area if HUD finds that such variations are
necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes.
Full-time student. A person who is attending school or vocational
training on a full-time basis.
Imputed welfare income. See Sec. 5.615.
Low income family. A family whose annual income does not exceed 80
percent of the median income for the area,
[[Page 69]]
as determined by HUD with adjustments for smaller and larger families,
except that HUD may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 80
percent of the median income for the area on the basis of HUD's findings
that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low
family incomes.
Medical expenses. Medical expenses, including medical insurance
premiums, that are anticipated during the period for which annual income
is computed, and that are not covered by insurance.
Monthly adjusted income. One twelfth of adjusted income.
Monthly income. One twelfth of annual income.
Net family assets. (1) Net cash value after deducting reasonable
costs that would be incurred in disposing of real property, savings,
stocks, bonds, and other forms of capital investment, excluding
interests in Indian trust land and excluding equity accounts in HUD
homeownership programs. The value of necessary items of personal
property such as furniture and automobiles shall be excluded.
(2) In cases where a trust fund has been established and the trust
is not revocable by, or under the control of, any member of the family
or household, the value of the trust fund will not be considered an
asset so long as the fund continues to be held in trust. Any income
distributed from the trust fund shall be counted when determining annual
income under Sec. 5.609.
(3) In determining net family assets, PHAs or owners, as applicable,
shall include the value of any business or family assets disposed of by
an applicant or tenant for less than fair market value (including a
disposition in trust, but not in a foreclosure or bankruptcy sale)
during the two years preceding the date of application for the program
or reexamination, as applicable, in excess of the consideration received
therefor. In the case of a disposition as part of a separation or
divorce settlement, the disposition will not be considered to be for
less than fair market value if the applicant or tenant receives
important consideration not measurable in dollar terms.
Owner has the meaning provided in the relevant program regulations.
As used in this subpart, where appropriate, the term ``owner'' shall
also include a ``borrower'' as defined in part 891 of this title.
Tenant rent. The amount payable monthly by the family as rent to the
unit owner (Section 8 owner or PHA in public housing). (This term is not
used in the Section 8 voucher program.)
Total tenant payment. See Sec. 5.613.
Utility allowance. If the cost of utilities (except telephone) and
other housing services for an assisted unit is not included in the
tenant rent but is the responsibility of the family occupying the unit,
an amount equal to the estimate made or approved by a PHA or HUD of the
monthly cost of a reasonable consumption of such utilities and other
services for the unit by an energy-conservative household of modest
circumstances consistent with the requirements of a safe, sanitary, and
healthful living environment.
Utility reimbursement. The amount, if any, by which the utility
allowance for a unit, if applicable, exceeds the total tenant payment
for the family occupying the unit. (This definition is not used in the
Section 8 voucher program, or for a public housing family that is paying
a flat rent.)
Very low income family. A family whose annual income does not exceed
50 percent of the median family income for the area, as determined by
HUD with adjustments for smaller and larger families, except that HUD
may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 50 percent of the
median income for the area if HUD finds that such variations are
necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes.
Welfare assistance. Welfare or other payments to families or
individuals, based on need, that are made under programs funded,
separately or jointly, by Federal, State or local governments.
Work activities. See definition at section 407(d) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 607(d)).
[61 FR 54498, Oct. 18, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.603 was
amended by revising paragraph (a), by removing paragraphs (b) and (c),
and by redesignating paragraph (d) as paragraph (b); newly designated
paragraph (b) was amended by revising the definitions
[[Page 70]]
of ``full-time student'', ``tenant rent'', and ``utility
reimbursement'', and by adding definitions of ``economic self-
sufficiency program'', ``extremely low income family'', ``imputed
welfare income'', ``low income family'', ``very low income family'', and
``work activities'', and in the definition of ``owner'', by removing the
phrase ``24 CFR part 885'' and replacing it with ``part 891 of this
title'', effective Apr. 28, 2000. For the convenience of the user, the
superseded text is set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.603 Definitions.
* * * * *
(a) The terms elderly person, low-income family, person with
disabilities, State, and very low-income family are defined in section
3(b) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)).
(b) The terms 1937 Act and public housing agency (PHA) are defined
in Sec. 5.100.
(c) The terms disabled family, elderly family, family, and live-in
aide are defined in Sec. 5.403.
* * * * *
Full-time student. A person who is carrying a subject load that is
considered full-time for day students under the standards and practices
of the educational institution attended. An educational institution
includes a vocational school with a diploma or certificate program, as
well as an institution offering a college degree.
* * * * *
Tenant rent. The amount payable monthly by the family as rent to the
PHA or owner, as applicable. Where all utilities (except telephone) and
other essential housing services are supplied by the PHA or owner,
tenant rent equals total tenant payment. Where some or all utilities
(except telephone) and other essential housing services are supplied by
the PHA or owner and the cost thereof is not included in the amount paid
as rent, tenant rent equals total tenant payment less the utility
allowance.
* * * * *
Utility reimbursement. The amount, if any, by which the utility
allowance for the unit, if applicable, exceeds the total tenant payment
for the family occupying the unit.
Sec. 5.605 Overall income eligibility for assistance.
No family other than a low-income family shall be eligible for
admission to a program covered by this part.
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.605 was
removed, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.607 Income limits for admission.
(a) General--(1) Admission to units available before October 1,
1981. Not more than 25 percent of the dwelling units that were available
for occupancy under Annual Contributions Contracts (ACC) and Section 8
Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts taking effect before October
1, 1981 and that are leased on or after that date shall be available for
leasing by low-income families other than very low-income families. HUD
reserves the right to limit the admission of low-income families other
than very low-income families to these units.
(2) Admission to units available on or after October 1, 1981. Not
more than 15 percent of the dwelling units that initially become
available for occupancy under Annual Contributions Contracts (ACC) and
Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts on or after
October 1, 1981 shall be available for leasing by low-income families
other than very low-income families. Except with the prior approval of
HUD under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, no low-income family,
other than a very low-income family shall be admitted to these units.
(b) Request for exception. A request by a PHA or owner for approval
of admission of low-income families other than very low-income families
to units described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section must state the
basis for requesting the exception and provide supporting data. Bases
for exceptions that may be considered include the following:
(1) For Section 8 Programs. (i) Low-income families that would
otherwise be displaced from Section 8 Substantial Rehabilitation or
Moderate Rehabilitation projects;
(ii) Low-income families that are displaced as a result of Rental
Rehabilitation or Development activities assisted under section 17 of
the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437o), or as a result of activities under the
Rental Rehabilitation Demonstration Program;
(iii) Need for admission of a broader range of tenants to preserve
the financial or management viability of a
[[Page 71]]
project because there is an insufficient number of potential applicants
who are very low-income families;
(iv) Commitment of an owner to attaining occupancy by families with
a broad range of incomes, as evidenced in the application for
development. An application citing this basis should be supported by
evidence that the owner is pursuing this goal throughout its assisted
projects in the community; and
(v) Project supervision by a State Housing Finance Agency having a
policy of occupancy by families with a broad range of incomes, supported
by evidence that the Agency is pursuing this goal throughout its
assisted projects in the community, or a project with financing through
Section 11(b) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437i) or under Section 103 of
the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 103).
(2) For public housing only. (i) Need for admission of a broader
range of tenants to obtain full occupancy;
(ii) Local commitment to attaining occupancy by families with a
broad range of incomes. An application citing this basis should be
supported by evidence that the PHA is pursuing this goal throughout its
housing program in the community;
(iii) Need for higher incomes to sustain homeownership eligibility
in a homeownership project; and
(iv) Need to avoid displacing low-income families from a project
acquired by the PHA for rehabilitation.
(c) Action on request for exception. Whether to grant any request
for exception is a matter committed by law to HUD's sole discretion, and
no implication is intended to be created that HUD will seek to grant
approvals up to the maximum limits permitted by statute, nor is any
presumption of an entitlement to an exception created by the
specification of certain grounds for exception that HUD may consider.
HUD will review exceptions granted to owners and PHAs at regular
intervals. HUD may withdraw permission to exercise those exceptions for
program applicants at any time that exceptions are not being used or
after a periodic review, based on the findings of the review.
(d) Reporting. PHAs and owners shall comply with HUD-prescribed
reporting requirements that will permit HUD to maintain the reasonably
current data necessary to monitor compliance with the income eligibility
restrictions described in paragraph (a) of this section.
(e) Inapplicability to certain scattered site housing. The income
eligibility restrictions described in paragraph (a) of this section do
not apply to scattered site public housing dwelling units sold or
intended to be sold to public housing tenants under section 5(h) of the
1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437c(h)).
(f) Inapplicability to the Section 8 Rental Voucher and Rental
Certificate Programs. The provisions of this section do not apply to the
Section 8 Rental Voucher and Section 8 Rental Certificate Programs.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control number
2502-0204.)
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.607 was
removed, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Family Income
Sec. 5.609 Annual income.
(a) Annual income means all amounts, monetary or not, which:
(1) Go to, or on behalf of, the family head or spouse (even if
temporarily absent) or to any other family member; or
(2) Are anticipated to be received from a source outside the family
during the 12-month period following admission or annual reexamination
effective date; and
(3) Which are not specifically excluded in paragraph (c) of this
section.
(4) Annual income also means amounts derived (during the 12-month
period) from assets to which any member of the family has access.
(b) Annual income includes, but is not limited to:
(1) The full amount, before any payroll deductions, of wages and
salaries, overtime pay, commissions, fees, tips and bonuses, and other
compensation for personal services;
(2) The net income from the operation of a business or profession.
Expenditures for business expansion or amortization of capital
indebtedness shall not be used as deductions in determining net income.
An allowance for depreciation of assets used in a
[[Page 72]]
business or profession may be deducted, based on straight line
depreciation, as provided in Internal Revenue Service regulations. Any
withdrawal of cash or assets from the operation of a business or
profession will be included in income, except to the extent the
withdrawal is reimbursement of cash or assets invested in the operation
by the family;
(3) Interest, dividends, and other net income of any kind from real
or personal property. Expenditures for amortization of capital
indebtedness shall not be used as deductions in determining net income.
An allowance for depreciation is permitted only as authorized in
paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Any withdrawal of cash or assets from
an investment will be included in income, except to the extent the
withdrawal is reimbursement of cash or assets invested by the family.
Where the family has net family assets in excess of $5,000, annual
income shall include the greater of the actual income derived from all
net family assets or a percentage of the value of such assets based on
the current passbook savings rate, as determined by HUD;
(4) The full amount of periodic amounts received from Social
Security, annuities, insurance policies, retirement funds, pensions,
disability or death benefits, and other similar types of periodic
receipts, including a lump-sum amount or prospective monthly amounts for
the delayed start of a periodic amount (except as provided in paragraph
(c)(14) of this section);
(5) Payments in lieu of earnings, such as unemployment and
disability compensation, worker's compensation and severance pay (except
as provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section);
(6) Welfare assistance. If the welfare assistance payment includes
an amount specifically designated for shelter and utilities that is
subject to adjustment by the welfare assistance agency in accordance
with the actual cost of shelter and utilities, the amount of welfare
assistance income to be included as income shall consist of:
(i) The amount of the allowance or grant exclusive of the amount
specifically designated for shelter or utilities; plus
(ii) The maximum amount that the welfare assistance agency could in
fact allow the family for shelter and utilities. If the family's welfare
assistance is ratably reduced from the standard of need by applying a
percentage, the amount calculated under this paragraph (b)(6)(ii) shall
be the amount resulting from one application of the percentage;
(7) Periodic and determinable allowances, such as alimony and child
support payments, and regular contributions or gifts received from
organizations or from persons not residing in the dwelling;
(8) All regular pay, special pay and allowances of a member of the
Armed Forces (except as provided in paragraph (c)(7) of this section).
(c) Annual income does not include the following:
(1) Income from employment of children (including foster children)
under the age of 18 years;
(2) Payments received for the care of foster children or foster
adults (usually persons with disabilities, unrelated to the tenant
family, who are unable to live alone);
(3) Lump-sum additions to family assets, such as inheritances,
insurance payments (including payments under health and accident
insurance and worker's compensation), capital gains and settlement for
personal or property losses (except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of
this section);
(4) Amounts received by the family that are specifically for, or in
reimbursement of, the cost of medical expenses for any family member;
(5) Income of a live-in aide, as defined in Sec. 5.403;
(6) The full amount of student financial assistance paid directly to
the student or to the educational institution;
(7) The special pay to a family member serving in the Armed Forces
who is exposed to hostile fire;
(8)(i) Amounts received under training programs funded by HUD;
(ii) Amounts received by a person with a disability that are
disregarded for a limited time for purposes of Supplemental Security
Income eligibility and benefits because they are set aside for use under
a Plan to Attain Self-Sufficiency (PASS);
[[Page 73]]
(iii) Amounts received by a participant in other publicly assisted
programs which are specifically for or in reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses incurred (special equipment, clothing, transportation, child
care, etc.) and which are made solely to allow participation in a
specific program;
(iv) Amounts received under a resident service stipend. A resident
service stipend is a modest amount (not to exceed $200 per month)
received by a resident for performing a service for the PHA or owner, on
a part-time basis, that enhances the quality of life in the development.
Such services may include, but are not limited to, fire patrol, hall
monitoring, lawn maintenance, resident initiatives coordination, and
serving as a member of the PHA's governing board. No resident may
receive more than one such stipend during the same period of time;
(v) Incremental earnings and benefits resulting to any family member
from participation in qualifying State or local employment training
programs (including training programs not affiliated with a local
government) and training of a family member as resident management
staff. Amounts excluded by this provision must be received under
employment training programs with clearly defined goals and objectives,
and are excluded only for the period during which the family member
participates in the employment training program;
(9) Temporary, nonrecurring or sporadic income (including gifts);
(10) Reparation payments paid by a foreign government pursuant to
claims filed under the laws of that government by persons who were
persecuted during the Nazi era;
(11) Earnings in excess of $480 for each full-time student 18 years
old or older (excluding the head of household and spouse);
(12) Adoption assistance payments in excess of $480 per adopted
child;
(13) For public housing only: (i) The earnings and benefits to any
family member resulting from the participation in a program providing
employment training and supportive services in accordance with the
Family Support Act of 1988, section 22 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C.
1437t), or any comparable Federal, State, or local law during the
exclusion period.
(ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions
apply:
(A) Comparable Federal, State or local law means a program providing
employment training and supportive services that--
(1) Is authorized by a Federal, State or local law;
(2) Is funded by the Federal, State or local government;
(3) Is operated or administered by a public agency; and
(4) Has as its objective to assist participants in acquiring
employment skills.
(B) Exclusion period means the period during which the family member
participates in a program described in this section, plus 18 months from
the date the family member begins the first job acquired by the family
member after completion of such program that is not funded by public
housing assistance under the 1937 Act. If the family member is
terminated from employment with good cause, the exclusion period shall
end.
(C) Earnings and benefits means the incremental earnings and
benefits resulting from a qualifying employment training program or
subsequent job;
(14) Deferred periodic amounts from supplemental security income and
social security benefits that are received in a lump sum amount or in
prospective monthly amounts.
(15) Amounts received by the family in the form of refunds or
rebates under State or local law for property taxes paid on the dwelling
unit;
(16) Amounts paid by a State agency to a family with a member who
has a developmental disability and is living at home to offset the cost
of services and equipment needed to keep the developmentally disabled
family member at home; or
(17) Amounts specifically excluded by any other Federal statute from
consideration as income for purposes of determining eligibility or
benefits under a category of assistance programs that includes
assistance under any program to which the exclusions set forth in 24 CFR
5.609(c) apply. A notice will be published in the Federal Register
[[Page 74]]
and distributed to PHAs and housing owners identifying the benefits that
qualify for this exclusion. Updates will be published and distributed
when necessary.
(d) Annualization of income. If it is not feasible to anticipate a
level of income over a 12-month period (e.g., seasonal or cyclic
income), or the PHA believes that past income is the best available
indicator of expected future income, the PHA may annualize the income
anticipated for a shorter period, subject to a redetermination at the
end of the shorter period.
(e) If it is not feasible to anticipate a level of income over a 12-
month period, the income anticipated for a shorter period may be
annualized, subject to a redetermination at the end of the shorter
period.
[61 FR 54498, Oct, 18, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16716, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.609 was
amended by removing and reserving paragraph (c)(13), by revising
paragraphs (c)(8)(iv) and (d), and by removing paragraph (e), effective
Apr. 28, 2000. For the convenience of the user, the superseded text is
set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.609 Annual income.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(8) * * *
(iv) Amounts received under a resident service stipend. A resident
service stipend is a modest amount (not to exceed $200 per month)
received by a resident for performing a service for the PHA or owner, on
a part-time basis, that enhances the quality of life in the development.
Such services may include, but are not limited to, fire patrol, hall
monitoring, lawn maintenance, and resident initiatives coordination. No
resident may receive more than one such stipend during the same period
of time;
* * * * *
(d) For public housing only. In addition to the exclusions from
annual income covered in paragraph (c) of this section, a PHA may adopt
additional exclusions for earned income pursuant to an established
written policy.
(1) In establishing such a policy, a PHA must adopt one or more of
the following types of earned income exclusions, including variations
thereof:
(i) Exclude all or part of the family's earned income;
(ii) Apply the exclusion only to new sources of earned income or
only to increases in earned income;
(iii) Apply the exclusion to the earned income of the head, the
spouse, or any other family member age 18 or older;
(iv) Apply the exclusion only to the earned income of persons other
than the primary earner;
(v) Apply the exclusion to applicants, newly admitted families,
existing tenants, or persons joining the family;
(vi) Make the exclusion temporary or permanent, for the PHA, the
family, or the affected family member;
(vii) Make the exclusion graduated, so that more earned income is
excluded at first and less earned income is excluded after a period of
time;
(viii) Exclude any or all of the costs that are incurred in order to
go to work but are not compensated, such as the cost of special tools,
equipment, or clothing;
(ix) Exclude any or all of the costs that result from earning
income, such as social security taxes or other items that are withheld
in payroll deductions;
(x) Exclude any portion of the earned income that is not available
to meet the family's own needs, such as amounts that are paid to someone
outside the family for alimony or child support; and
(xi) Exclude any portion of the earned income that is necessary to
replace benefits lost because a family member becomes employed, such as
amounts that the family pays for medical costs or to obtain medical
insurance.
(2) Any amounts that are excluded from annual income under this
paragraph (d) may not also be deducted in determining adjusted income,
as defined in Sec. 5.611.
(3) Housing agencies do not need HUD approval to adopt optional
earned income exclusions.
(4) In the calculation of Performance Funding System operating
subsidy eligibility, housing agencies will have to absorb any loss in
rental income that results from the adoption of any of the optional
earned income exclusions discussed in paragraph (d)(1) of this section,
including any variations of the listed options.
* * * * *
Sec. 5.611 Adjusted income.
Adjusted income means annual income (as determined by the
responsible entity) of the members of the family residing or intending
to reside in the dwelling unit, after making the following deductions:
[[Page 75]]
(a) Mandatory deductions. In determining adjusted income, the
responsible entity must deduct the following amounts from annual income:
(1) $480 for each dependent;
(2) $400 for any elderly family or disabled family;
(3) The sum of the following, to the extent the sum exceeds three
percent of annual income:
(i) Unreimbursed medical expenses of any elderly family or disabled
family; and
(ii) Unreimbursed reasonable attendant care and auxiliary apparatus
expenses for each member of the family who is a person with
disabilities, to the extent necessary to enable any member of the family
(including the member who is a person with disabilities) to be employed,
but this allowance may not exceed the earned income received by family
members who are 18 years of age or older who are able to work because of
such attendant care or auxiliary apparatus; and
(4) Any reasonable child care expenses necessary to enable a member
of the family to be employed or to further his or her education.
(b) Permissive deductions--for public housing only. For public
housing only, a PHA may adopt additional deductions from annual income.
The PHA must establish a written policy for such deductions.
[65 FR 16717, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16717, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.611 was
revised, effective Apr. 28, 2000. For the convenience of the user, the
superseded text is set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.611 Adjusted income.
Adjusted income means annual income less the following deductions:
(a) $480 for each dependent;
(b) $400 for any elderly family or disabled family;
(c) For any family that is not an elderly family or disabled family
but has a member (other than the head of household or spouse) who is a
person with a disability, disability assistance expenses in excess of
three percent of annual income, but this allowance may not exceed the
employment income received by family members who are 18 years of age or
older as a result of the assistance to the person with disabilities;
(d) For any elderly family or disabled family:
(1) That has no disability assistance expenses, an allowance for
medical expenses equal to the amount by which the medical expenses
exceed three percent of annual income;
(2) That has disability assistance expenses greater than or equal to
three percent of annual income, an allowance for disability assistance
expenses computed in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section, plus
an allowance for medical expenses that is equal to the family's medical
expenses;
(3) That has disability assistance expenses that are less than three
percent of annual income, an allowance for combined disability
assistance expenses and medical expenses that is equal to the amount by
which the sum of these expenses exceeds three percent of annual income;
and
(e) Child care expenses.
Sec. 5.613 Public housing program and Section 8 tenant-based assistance program: PHA cooperation with welfare agency.
(a) This section applies to the public housing program and the
Section 8 tenant-based assistance program.
(b) The PHA must make best efforts to enter into cooperation
agreements with welfare agencies under which such agencies agree:
(1) To target public assistance, benefits and services to families
receiving assistance in the public housing program and the Section 8
tenant-based assistance program to achieve self-sufficiency;
(2) To provide written verification to the PHA concerning welfare
benefits for families applying for or receiving assistance in these
housing assistance programs.
[65 FR 16717, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16717, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.613 was
revised, effective Apr. 28, 2000. For the convenience of the user, the
superseded text is set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.613 Total tenant payment.
(a) Total tenant payment for families whose initial lease is
effective on or after August 1, 1982. (1) Total tenant payment is the
amount calculated under section 3(a)(1) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C.
1437a(a)(1)). If the family's welfare assistance is ratably reduced from
the standard of need by applying a percentage, the amount calculated
under paragraph (C) of section 3(a)(1) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C.
1437a(a)(1)(C)) shall be the amount resulting from one application of
the percentage.
[[Page 76]]
(2) For public housing only. Total tenant payment for families
residing in public housing does not include charges for excess utility
consumption or other miscellaneous charges (see Sec. 966.4 of this
chapter).
(b) Total tenant payment for families residing in public housing
whose initial lease was effective before August 1, 1982. Paragraphs (b)
and (c) of 24 CFR 913.107, as it existed immediately before November 18,
1996 (contained in the April 1, 1995 edition of 24 CFR, parts 900 to
1699), will continue to govern the total tenant payment of families,
under a public housing program, whose initial lease was effective before
August 1, 1982.
(c) Inapplicability to the Section 8 Rental Voucher Program. The
provisions of this section do not apply to the Section 8 Rental Voucher
Program.
Sec. 5.615 Public housing program and Section 8 tenant-based assistance program: How welfare benefit reduction affects family income.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to covered families who
reside in public housing (part 960 of this title) or receive Section 8
tenant-based assistance (part 982 of this title).
(b) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of
this section:
Covered families. Families who receive welfare assistance or other
public assistance benefits (``welfare benefits'') from a State or other
public agency (``welfare agency'') under a program for which Federal,
State, or local law requires that a member of the family must
participate in an economic self-sufficiency program as a condition for
such assistance.
Economic self-sufficiency program. See definition at Sec. 5.603.
Imputed welfare income. The amount of annual income not actually
received by a family, as a result of a specified welfare benefit
reduction, that is nonetheless included in the family's annual income
for purposes of determining rent.
Specified welfare benefit reduction.
(1) A reduction of welfare benefits by the welfare agency, in whole
or in part, for a family member, as determined by the welfare agency,
because of fraud by a family member in connection with the welfare
program; or because of welfare agency sanction against a family member
for noncompliance with a welfare agency requirement to participate in an
economic self-sufficiency program.
(2) ``Specified welfare benefit reduction'' does not include a
reduction or termination of welfare benefits by the welfare agency:
(i) at expiration of a lifetime or other time limit on the payment
of welfare benefits;
(ii) because a family member is not able to obtain employment, even
though the family member has complied with welfare agency economic self-
sufficiency or work activities requirements; or
(iii) because a family member has not complied with other welfare
agency requirements.
(c) Imputed welfare income.
(1) A family's annual income includes the amount of imputed welfare
income (because of a specified welfare benefits reduction, as specified
in notice to the PHA by the welfare agency), plus the total amount of
other annual income as determined in accordance with Sec. 5.609.
(2) At the request of the PHA, the welfare agency will inform the
PHA in writing of the amount and term of any specified welfare benefit
reduction for a family member, and the reason for such reduction, and
will also inform the PHA of any subsequent changes in the term or amount
of such specified welfare benefit reduction. The PHA will use this
information to determine the amount of imputed welfare income for a
family.
(3) A family's annual income includes imputed welfare income in
family annual income, as determined at the PHA's interim or regular
reexamination of family income and composition, during the term of the
welfare benefits reduction (as specified in information provided to the
PHA by the welfare agency).
(4) The amount of the imputed welfare income is offset by the amount
of additional income a family receives that commences after the time the
sanction was imposed. When such additional income from other sources is
at least equal to the imputed welfare income, the imputed welfare income
is reduced to zero.
(5) The PHA may not include imputed welfare income in annual income
if the family was not an assisted resident at the time of sanction.
[[Page 77]]
(d) Review of PHA decision. (1) Public housing. If a public housing
tenant claims that the PHA has not correctly calculated the amount of
imputed welfare income in accordance with HUD requirements, and if the
PHA denies the family's request to modify such amount, the PHA shall
give the tenant written notice of such denial, with a brief explanation
of the basis for the PHA determination of the amount of imputed welfare
income. The PHA notice shall also state that if the tenant does not
agree with the PHA determination, the tenant may request a grievance
hearing in accordance with part 966, subpart B of this title to review
the PHA determination. The tenant is not required to pay an escrow
deposit pursuant to Sec. 966.55(e) for the portion of tenant rent
attributable to the imputed welfare income in order to obtain a
grievance hearing on the PHA determination.
(2) Section 8 participant. A participant in the Section 8 tenant-
based assistance program may request an informal hearing, in accordance
with Sec. 982.555 of this title, to review the PHA determination of the
amount of imputed welfare income that must be included in the family's
annual income in accordance with this section. If the family claims that
such amount is not correctly calculated in accordance with HUD
requirements, and if the PHA denies the family's request to modify such
amount, the PHA shall give the family written notice of such denial,
with a brief explanation of the basis for the PHA determination of the
amount of imputed welfare income. Such notice shall also state that if
the family does not agree with the PHA determination, the family may
request an informal hearing on the determination under the PHA hearing
procedure.
(e) PHA relation with welfare agency. (1) The PHA must ask welfare
agencies to inform the PHA of any specified welfare benefits reduction
for a family member, the reason for such reduction, the term of any such
reduction, and any subsequent welfare agency determination affecting the
amount or term of a specified welfare benefits reduction. If the welfare
agency determines a specified welfare benefits reduction for a family
member, and gives the PHA written notice of such reduction, the family's
annual incomes shall include the imputed welfare income because of the
specified welfare benefits reduction.
(2) The PHA is responsible for determining the amount of imputed
welfare income that is included in the family's annual income as a
result of a specified welfare benefits reduction as determined by the
welfare agency, and specified in the notice by the welfare agency to the
PHA. However, the PHA is not responsible for determining whether a
reduction of welfare benefits by the welfare agency was correctly
determined by the welfare agency in accordance with welfare program
requirements and procedures, nor for providing the opportunity for
review or hearing on such welfare agency determinations.
(3) Such welfare agency determinations are the responsibility of the
welfare agency, and the family may seek appeal of such determinations
through the welfare agency's normal due process procedures. The PHA
shall be entitled to rely on the welfare agency notice to the PHA of the
welfare agency's determination of a specified welfare benefits
reduction.
[65 FR 16717, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16717, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.615 was
revised, effective Apr. 28, 2000. For the convenience of the user, the
superseded text is set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.615 Utility reimbursements.
(a) General. Where applicable, the utility reimbursement shall be
paid to the family in the manner provided in the pertinent program
regulations. If the family and the utility company consent, a PHA or
owner may pay the utility reimbursement jointly to the family and the
utility company, or directly to the utility company.
(b) Inapplicability to the Section 8 Rental Voucher Program. The
provisions of this section do not apply to the Section 8 Rental Voucher
Program. For the Voucher Program, in cases where the amount of the HAP
payment exceeds the rent to owner, the excess will be paid to the
family.
Sec. 5.617 Reexamination and verification.
(a) Responsibility for initial determination and reexamination. The
PHA or owner, as applicable, must conduct a reexamination of family
income and
[[Page 78]]
composition at least annually. The ``effective date'' of an examination
or reexamination refers to:
(1) In the case of an examination for admission, the effective date
of the lease; and
(2) In the case of a reexamination of an existing participant, the
effective date of the redetermined housing assistance payment with
respect to the Rental Voucher program and the effective date of the
redetermined total tenant payment in all other cases.
(b) Verification. (1) As a condition of admission to, or continued
occupancy of, any assisted unit, the PHA or owner, as applicable, shall
require the family head and other such family members as it designates
to execute a HUD-approved release and consent form (including any
release and consent as required under 24 CFR part 760) authorizing any
depository or private source of income, or any Federal, State or local
agency, to furnish or release to the PHA or owner, as applicable, and to
HUD such information as the HA or owner, as applicable, and HUD
determines to be necessary.
(2) The PHA or owner shall also require the family to submit
directly documentation determined to be necessary. Information or
documentation shall be considered necessary if it is required for
purposes of determining or auditing a family's eligibility to receive
housing assistance, for determining the family's annual income, adjusted
income or total tenant payment.
(3) The use or disclosure of information obtained from a family or
from another source pursuant to this release and consent shall be
limited to purposes directly connected with administration of this
subpart or applying for assistance.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers
2502-0204 and 2577-0083.)
[61 FR 54498, Oct. 18, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 27125, May 16, 1997]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16718, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.617 was
removed, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Family Payment
Sec. 5.628 Total tenant payment.
(a) Determining total tenant payment (TTP). Total tenant payment is
the highest of the following amounts, rounded to the nearest dollar:
(1) 30 percent of the family's monthly adjusted income;
(2) 10 percent of the family's monthly income;
(3) If the family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from
a public agency and a part of those payments, adjusted in accordance
with the family's actual housing costs, is specifically designated by
such agency to meet the family's housing costs, the portion of those
payments which is so designated; or
(4) The minimum rent, as determined in accordance with Sec. 5.630.
(b) Determining TTP if family's welfare assistance is ratably
reduced. If the family's welfare assistance is ratably reduced from the
standard of need by applying a percentage, the amount calculated under
paragraph (a)(3) of this section is the amount resulting from one
application of the percentage.
[65 FR 16718, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16718, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.628 was
added, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.630 Minimum rent.
(a) Minimum rent. (1) The PHA must charge a family no less than a
minimum monthly rent established by the responsible entity, except as
described in paragraph (b) of this section.
(2) For the public housing program and the section 8 moderate
rehabilitation, and certificate or voucher programs, the PHA may
establish a minimum rent of up to $50.
(3) For other section 8 programs, the minimum rent is $25.
(b) Financial hardship exemption from minimum rent. (1) When is
family exempt from minimum rent? The responsible entity must grant an
exemption from payment of minimum rent if the family is unable to pay
the minimum rent
[[Page 79]]
because of financial hardship, as described in the responsible entity's
written policies. Financial hardship includes these situations:
(i) When the family has lost eligibility for or is awaiting an
eligibility determination for a Federal, State, or local assistance
program, including a family that includes a member who is a noncitizen
lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and
Nationality Act who would be entitled to public benefits but for title
IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996;
(ii) When the family would be evicted because it is unable to pay
the minimum rent;
(iii) When the income of the family has decreased because of changed
circumstances, including loss of employment;
(iv) When a death has occurred in the family; and
(v) Other circumstances determined by the responsible entity or HUD.
(2) What happens if family requests a hardship exemption? (i) Public
housing. (A) If a family requests a financial hardship exemption, the
PHA must suspend the minimum rent requirement beginning the month
following the family's request for a hardship exemption, and continuing
until the PHA determines whether there is a qualifying financial
hardship and whether it is temporary or long term.
(B) The PHA must promptly determine whether a qualifying hardship
exists and whether it is temporary or long term.
(C) The PHA may not evict the family for nonpayment of minimum rent
during the 90-day period beginning the month following the family's
request for a hardship exemption.
(D) If the PHA determines that a qualifying financial hardship is
temporary, the PHA must reinstate the minimum rent from the beginning of
the suspension of the minimum rent. The PHA must offer the family a
reasonable repayment agreement, on terms and conditions established by
the PHA, for the amount of back minimum rent owed by the family.
(ii) All section 8 programs. (A) If a family requests a financial
hardship exemption, the responsible entity must suspend the minimum rent
requirement beginning the month following the family's request for a
hardship exemption until the responsible entity determines whether there
is a qualifying financial hardship, and whether such hardship is
temporary or long term.
(B) The responsible entity must promptly determine whether a
qualifying hardship exists and whether it is temporary or long term.
(C) If the responsible entity determines that a qualifying financial
hardship is temporary, the PHA must not impose the minimum rent during
the 90-day period beginning the month following the date of the family's
request for a hardship exemption. At the end of the 90-day suspension
period, the responsible entity must reinstate the minimum rent from the
beginning of the suspension. The family must be offered a reasonable
repayment agreement, on terms and conditions established by the
responsible entity, for the amount of back rent owed by the family.
(iii) All programs. (A) If the responsible entity determines there
is no qualifying financial hardship exemption, the responsible entity
must reinstate the minimum rent, including back rent owed from the
beginning of the suspension. The family must pay the back rent on terms
and conditions established by the responsible entity.
(B) If the responsible entity determines a qualifying financial
hardship is long term, the responsible entity must exempt the family
from the minimum rent requirements so long as such hardship continues.
Such exemption shall apply from the beginning of the month following the
family's request for a hardship exemption until the end of the
qualifying financial hardship.
(C) The financial hardship exemption only applies to payment of the
minimum rent (as determined pursuant to Sec. 5.628(a)(4) and
Sec. 5.630), and not to the other elements used to calculate the total
tenant payment (as determined pursuant to Sec. 5.628(a)(1), (a)(2) and
(a)(3)).
(3) Public housing: Grievance hearing concerning PHA denial of
request for hardship exemption. If a public housing
[[Page 80]]
family requests a hearing under the PHA grievance procedure, to review
the PHA's determination denying or limiting the family's claim to a
financial hardship exemption, the family is not required to pay any
escrow deposit in order to obtain a grievance hearing on such issues.
[65 FR 16718, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16718, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.630 was
added, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.632 Utility reimbursements.
(a) Applicability. This section is applicable to:
(1) The Section 8 programs other than the Section 8 voucher program
(for distribution of a voucher housing assistance payment that exceeds
rent to owner, see Sec. 982.514(b) of this title);
(2) A public housing family paying an income-based rent (see
Sec. 960.253 of this title). (Utility reimbursement is not paid for a
public housing family that is paying a flat rent.)
(b) Payment of utility reimbursement. (1) The responsible entity
pays a utility reimbursement if the utility allowance (for tenant-paid
utilities) exceeds the amount of the total tenant payment.
(2) In the public housing program (where the family is paying an
income-based rent), the Section 8 moderate rehabilitation program and
the Section 8 certificate or voucher program, the PHA may pay the
utility reimbursement either to the family or directly to the utility
supplier to pay the utility bill on behalf of the family. If the PHA
elects to pay the utility supplier, the PHA must notify the family of
the amount paid to the utility supplier.
(3) In the other Section 8 programs, the owner must pay the utility
reimbursement either:
(i) To the family, or
(ii) With consent of the family, to the utility supplier to pay the
utility bill on behalf of the family.
[65 FR 16719, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16719, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.632 was
added, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.634 Tenant rent.
(a) Section 8 programs. For Section 8 programs other than the
Section 8 voucher program, tenant rent is total tenant payment minus any
utility allowance.
(b) Public housing. See Sec. 960.253 of this title for the
determination of tenant rent.
[65 FR 16719, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16719, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.634 was
added, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Section 8 Project-Based Assistance: Occupancy Requirements
Sec. 5.653 Section 8 project-based assistance programs: Admission--Income-eligibility and income-targeting.
(a) Applicability. This section describes requirements concerning
income-eligibility and income-targeting that apply to the Section 8
project-based assistance programs, except for the moderate
rehabilitation and the project-based certificate or voucher programs.
(b) Who is eligible?
(1) Basic eligibility. An applicant must meet all eligibility
requirements in order to receive housing assistance. At a minimum, the
applicant must be a family, as defined in Sec. 5.403, and must be
income-eligible, as described in this section. Such eligible applicants
include single persons.
(2) Low income limit. No family other than a low income family is
eligible for admission to the Section 8 project-based assistance
programs. (This paragraph (b) does not apply to the Section 8 project-
based voucher program under part 983 of this title.)
(c) Targeting to extremely low income families. For each project
assisted under a contract for project-based assistance, of the dwelling
units that become available for occupancy in any fiscal year that are
assisted under the contract, not less than 40 percent shall be available
for leasing only by families that are extremely low income families at
the time of admission.
(d) Limitation on admission of non-very low income families.
(1) Admission to units available before October 1, 1981. Not more
than 25 percent of the Section 8 project-based
[[Page 81]]
dwelling units that were available for occupancy under Section 8 Housing
Assistance Payments Contracts effective before October 1, 1981 and that
are leased on or after that date shall be available for leasing by low
income families other than very low income families. HUD reserves the
right to limit the admission of low income families other than very low
income families to these units.
(2) Admission to units available on or after October 1, 1981. Not
more than 15 percent of the Section 8 project-based dwelling units that
initially become available for occupancy under Section 8 Housing
Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts on or after October 1, 1981 shall be
available for leasing by low income families other than families that
are very low income families at the time of admission to the Section 8
program. Except with the prior approval of HUD under paragraphs (d)(3)
and (d)(4) of this section, the owner may only lease such units to very
low income families.
(3) Request for exception. A request by an owner for approval of
admission of low income families other than very low income families to
section 8 project-based units must state the basis for requesting the
exception and provide supporting data. Bases for exceptions that may be
considered include the following:
(i) Need for admission of a broader range of tenants to preserve the
financial or management viability of a project because there is an
insufficient number of potential applicants who are very low income
families;
(ii) Commitment of an owner to attaining occupancy by families with
a broad range of incomes;
(iii) Project supervision by a State Housing Finance Agency having a
policy of occupancy by families with a broad range of incomes supported
by evidence that the Agency is pursuing this goal throughout its
assisted projects in the community, or a project with financing through
Section 11(b) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437i) or under Section 103 of
the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 103); and
(iv) Low-income families that otherwise would be displaced from a
Section 8 project.
(4) Action on request for exception. Whether to grant any request
for exception is a matter committed by law to HUD's discretion, and no
implication is intended to be created that HUD will seek to grant
approvals up to the maximum limits permitted by statute, nor is any
presumption of an entitlement to an exception created by the
specification of certain grounds for exception that HUD may consider.
HUD will review exceptions granted to owners at regular intervals. HUD
may withdraw permission to exercise those exceptions for program
applicants at any time that exceptions are not being used or after a
periodic review, based on the findings of the review.
(e) Income used for eligibility and targeting. Family annual income
(see Sec. 5.609) is used both for determination of income-eligibility
and for income-targeting under this section.
(f) Reporting. The Section 8 owner must comply with HUD-prescribed
reporting requirements, including income reporting requirements that
will permit HUD to maintain the data necessary to monitor compliance
with income-eligibility and income-targeting requirements.
[65 FR 16719, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16719, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.653 was
added, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.655 Section 8 project-based assistance programs: Owner preferences in selection for a project or unit.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to the section 8 project-
based assistance programs. The section describes requirements concerning
the Section 8 owner's selection of residents to occupy a project or
unit, except for the moderate rehabilitation and the project-based
certificate or voucher programs.
(b) Selection. (1) Selection for owner's project or unit. Selection
for occupancy of a project or unit is the function of the Section 8
owner. However, selection is subject to the income-eligibility and
income-targeting requirements in Sec. 5.653.
(2) Tenant selection plan. The owner must adopt a written tenant
selection plan in accordance with HUD requirements.
[[Page 82]]
(3) Amount of income. The owner may not select a family for
occupancy of a project or unit in an order different from the order on
the owner's waiting list for the purpose of selecting a relatively
higher income family. However, an owner may select a family for
occupancy of a project or unit based on its income in order to satisfy
the targeting requirements of Sec. 5.653(c).
(4) Selection for particular unit. In selecting a family to occupy a
particular unit, the owner may match family characteristics with the
type of unit available, for example, number of bedrooms. If a unit has
special accessibility features for persons with disabilities, the owner
must first offer the unit to families which include persons with
disabilities who require such features (see Secs. 8.27 and 100.202 of
this title).
(5) Housing assistance limitation for single persons. A single
person who is not an elderly or displaced person, a person with
disabilities, or the remaining member of a resident family may not be
provided a housing unit with two or more bedrooms.
(c) Particular owner preferences. The owner must inform all
applicants about available preferences and must give applicants an
opportunity to show that they qualify for available preferences.
(1) Residency requirements or preferences. (i) Residency
requirements are prohibited. Although the owner is not prohibited from
adopting a residency preference, the owner may only adopt or implement
residency preferences in accordance with non-discrimination and equal
opportunity requirements listed at Sec. 5.105(a).
(ii) A residency preference is a preference for admission of persons
who reside in a specified geographic area (``residency preference
area'').
(iii) An owner's residency preference must be approved by HUD in one
of the following methods:
(A) Prior approval of the housing market area in the Affirmative
Fair Housing Marketing plan (in accordance with Sec. 108.25 of this
title) as a residency preference area;
(B) Prior approval of the residency preference area in the PHA plan
of the jurisdiction in which the project is located;
(C) Modification of the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, in
accordance with Sec. 108.25 of this title,
(iv) Use of a residency preference may not have the purpose or
effect of delaying or otherwise denying admission to a project or unit
based on the race, color, ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability,
or age of any member of an applicant family.
(v) A residency preference must not be based on how long an
applicant has resided or worked in a residency preference area.
(vi) Applicants who are working or who have been notified that they
are hired to work in a residency preference area must be treated as
residents of the residency preference area. The owner may treat
graduates of, or active participants in, education and training programs
in a residency preference area as residents of the residency preference
area if the education or training program is designed to prepare
individuals for the job market.
(2) Preference for working families. (i) The owner may adopt a
preference for admission of working families (families where the head,
spouse or sole member is employed). However, an applicant shall be given
the benefit of the working family preference if the head and spouse, or
sole member, is age 62 or older, or is a person with disabilities.
(ii) If the owner adopts a preference for admission of working
families, the owner must not give a preference based on the amount of
earned income.
(3) Preference for person with disabilities. The owner may adopt a
preference for admission of families that include a person with
disabilities. However, the owner may not adopt a preference for
admission of persons with a specific disability.
(4) Preference for victims of domestic violence. The owner should
consider whether to adopt a preference for admission of families that
include victims of domestic violence.
(5) Preference for single persons who are elderly, displaced,
homeless or persons with disabilities over other single persons. The
owner may adopt a preference for admission of single persons who are age
[[Page 83]]
62 or older, displaced, homeless, or persons with disabilities over
other single persons.
[65 FR 16720, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16720, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.655 was
added, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.657 Section 8 project-based assistance programs: Reexamination of family income and composition.
(a) Applicability. This section states requirements for
reexamination of family income and composition in the Section 8 project-
based assistance programs, except for the moderate rehabilitation and
the project-based certificate or voucher programs.
(b) Regular reexamination. The owner must conduct a reexamination
and redetermination of family income and composition at least annually.
(c) Interim reexaminations. A family may request an interim
reexamination of family income because of any changes since the last
examination. The owner must make the interim reexamination within a
reasonable time after the family request. The owner may adopt policies
prescribing when and under what conditions the family must report a
change in family income or composition.
[65 FR 16720, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16720, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.657 was
added, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
Sec. 5.659 Family information and verification.
(a) Applicability. This section states requirements for
reexamination of family income and composition in the Section 8 project-
based assistance programs, except for the moderate rehabilitation
program and the project-based certificate or voucher programs.
(b) Family obligation to supply information. (1) The family must
supply any information that HUD or the owner determines is necessary in
administration of the Section 8 program, including submission of
required evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status (as
provided by part 5, subpart E of this title). ``Information'' includes
any requested certification, release or other documentation.
(2) The family must supply any information requested by the owner or
HUD for use in a regularly scheduled reexamination or an interim
reexamination of family income and composition in accordance with HUD
requirements.
(3) For requirements concerning the following, see part 5, subpart B
of this title:
(i) Family verification and disclosure of social security numbers;
(ii) Family execution and submission of consent forms for obtaining
wage and claim information from State Wage Information Collection
Agencies (SWICAs).
(4) Any information supplied by the family must be true and
complete.
(c) Family release and consent. (1) As a condition of admission to
or continued occupancy of a unit with Section 8 assistance, the owner
must require the family head, and such other family members as the owner
designates, to execute a HUD-approved release and consent form
(including any release and consent as required under Sec. 5.230 of this
title) authorizing any depository or private source of income, or any
Federal, State or local agency, to furnish or release to the owner or
HUD such information as the owner or HUD determines to be necessary.
(2) The use or disclosure of information obtained from a family or
from another source pursuant to this release and consent shall be
limited to purposes directly connected with administration of the
Section 8 program.
(d) Owner responsibility for verification. The owner must obtain and
document in the family file third party verification of the following
factors, or must document in the file why third party verification was
not available:
(1) Reported family annual income;
(2) The value of assets;
(3) Expenses related to deductions from annual income; and
(4) Other factors that affect the determination of adjusted income.
[65 FR 16721, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16721, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.659 was
added, effective Apr. 28, 2000.
[[Page 84]]
Sec. 5.661 Section 8 project-based assistance programs: Approval for police or other security personnel to live in project.
(a) Applicability. This section describes when a Section 8 owner may
lease a Section 8 unit to police or other security personnel with
continued Section 8 assistance for the unit. This section applies to the
Section 8 project-based assistance programs.
(b) Terms. (1) Security personnel means:
(i) A police officer, or
(ii) A qualified security professional, with adequate training and
experience to provide security services for project residents.
(2) Police officer means a person employed on a full-time basis as a
duly licensed professional police officer by a Federal, State or local
government or by any agency of these governments.
(3) Security includes the protection of project residents, including
resident project management from criminal or other activity that is a
threat to person or property, or that arouses fears of such threat.
(c) Owner application. (1) The owner may submit a written
application to the contract administrator (PHA or HUD) for approval to
lease an available unit in a Section 8 project to security personnel who
would not otherwise be eligible for Section 8 assistance, for the
purpose of increasing security for Section 8 families residing in the
project. (2) The owner's application must include the following
information:
(i) A description of criminal activities in the project and the
surrounding community, and the effect of criminal activity on the
security of project residents.
(ii) Qualifications of security personnel who will reside in the
project, and the period of residence by such personnel. How owner
proposes to check backgrounds and qualifications of any security
personnel who will reside in the project.
(iii) Full disclosure of any family relationship between the owner
and any security personnel. For this purpose, ``owner'' includes a
principal or other interested party.
(iv) How residence by security personnel in a project unit will
increase security for Section 8 assisted families residing in the
project.
(v) The amount payable monthly as rent to the unit owner by security
personnel residing in the project (including a description of how this
amount is determined), and the amount of any other compensation by the
owner to such resident security personnel.
(vi) The terms of occupancy by such security personnel. The lease by
owner to the approved security personnel may provide that occupancy of
the unit is authorized only while the security personnel is
satisfactorily performing any agreed responsibilities and functions for
project security.
(vii) Other information as requested by the contract administrator.
(d) Action by contract administrator. (1) The contract administrator
shall have discretion to approve or disapprove owner's application, and
to impose conditions for approval of occupancy by security personnel in
a section 8 project unit.
(2) Notice of approval by the contract administrator shall specify
the term of such approved occupancy. Such approval may be withdrawn at
the discretion of the contract administrator, for example, if the
contract administrator determines that such occupancy is not providing
adequate security benefits as proposed in the owner's application; or
that security benefits from such occupancy are not a sufficient return
for program costs.
(e) Housing assistance payment and rent. (1) During approved
occupancy by security personnel as provided in this section, the amount
of the monthly housing assistance payment to the owner shall be equal to
the contract rent (as determined in accordance with the HAP contract and
HUD requirements) minus the amount (as approved by the contract
administrator) of rent payable monthly as rent to the unit owner by such
security personnel. The owner shall bear the risk of collecting such
rent from such security personnel, and the amount of the housing
assistance payment shall not be increased because of non-payment by such
security personnel. The owner shall not be entitled to receive any
vacancy payment for the period following occupancy by such security
personnel.
[[Page 85]]
(2) In approving the amount of monthly rent payable by security
personnel for occupancy of a contract unit, the contract administrator
may consider whether security services to be performed are an adequate
return for housing assistance payments on the unit, or whether the cost
of security services should be borne by the owner from other project
income.
[65 FR 16721, Mar. 29, 2000]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16721, Mar. 29, 2000, Sec. 5.661 was
added. This section contains information collection and recordkeeping
requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given
by the Office of Management and Budget.
Subpart G--Physical Condition Standards and Inspection Requirements
Source: 63 FR 46577, Sept. 1, 1998, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 5.701 Applicability.
(a) This subpart applies to housing assisted by HUD under the
following programs:
(1) All Section 8 project-based assistance. ``Project-based
assistance'' means Section 8 assistance that is attached to the
structure (see Sec. 982.1(b)(1) of this title regarding the distinction
between ``project-based'' and ``tenant-based'' assistance);
(2) Section 202 Program of Supportive Housing for the Elderly;
(3) Section 811 Program of Supportive Housing for Persons with
Disabilities;
(4) Section 202 loan program for projects for the elderly and
handicapped (including 202/8 projects and 202/162 projects).
(b) This subpart also applies to housing with mortgages insured or
held by HUD, or housing that is receiving assistance from HUD, under the
following authorities:
(1) Section 207 of the National Housing Act (NHA) (12 U.S.C. 1701 et
seq.) (Rental Housing Insurance);
(2) Section 213 of the NHA (Cooperative Housing Insurance);
(3) Section 220 of the NHA (Rehabilitation and Neighborhood
Conservation Housing Insurance);
(4) Section 221(d)(3) and (5) of the NHA (Housing for Moderate
Income and Displaced Families);
(5) Section 221(d)(4) of the NHA (Housing for Moderate Income and
Displaced Families);
(6) Section 231 of the NHA (Housing for Elderly Persons);
(7) Section 232 of the NHA (Mortgage Insurance for Nursing Homes,
Intermediate Care Facilities, Board and Care Homes);
(8) Section 234(d) of the NHA (Rental) (Mortgage Insurance for
Condominiums);
(9) Section 236 of the NHA (Rental and Cooperative Housing for Lower
Income Families);
(10) Section 241 of the NHA (Supplemental Loans for Multifamily
Projects); and
(11) Section 542(c) of the Housing and Community Development Act of
1992 (12 U.S.C. 1707 note) (Housing Finance Agency Risk Sharing
Program).
(c) This subpart also applies to Public Housing (housing receiving
assistance under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, other than under section
8 of the Act).
(d) For purposes of this subpart, the term ``HUD housing'' means the
types of housing listed in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section.
Sec. 5.703 Physical condition standards for HUD housing that is decent, safe, sanitary and in good repair (DSS/GR).
HUD housing must be decent, safe, sanitary and in good repair.
Owners of housing described in Sec. 5.701(a), mortgagors of housing
described in Sec. 5.701(b), and PHAs and other entities approved by HUD
owning housing described in Sec. 5.701(c), must maintain such housing in
a manner that meets the physical condition standards set forth in this
section in order to be considered decent, safe, sanitary and in good
repair. These standards address the major areas of the HUD housing: the
site; the building exterior; the building systems; the dwelling units;
the common areas; and health and safety considerations.
(a) Site. The site components, such as fencing and retaining walls,
grounds, lighting, mailboxes/project signs, parking lots/driveways, play
areas and equipment, refuse disposal, roads,
[[Page 86]]
storm drainage and walkways must be free of health and safety hazards
and be in good repair. The site must not be subject to material adverse
conditions, such as abandoned vehicles, dangerous walks or steps, poor
drainage, septic tank back-ups, sewer hazards, excess accumulations of
trash, vermin or rodent infestation or fire hazards.
(b) Building exterior. Each building on the site must be
structurally sound, secure, habitable, and in good repair. Each
building's doors, fire escapes, foundations, lighting, roofs, walls, and
windows, where applicable, must be free of health and safety hazards,
operable, and in good repair.
(c) Building systems. Each building's domestic water, electrical
system, elevators, emergency power, fire protection, HVAC, and sanitary
system must be free of health and safety hazards, functionally adequate,
operable, and in good repair.
(d) Dwelling units. (1) Each dwelling unit within a building must be
structurally sound, habitable, and in good repair. All areas and aspects
of the dwelling unit (for example, the unit's bathroom, call-for-aid (if
applicable), ceiling, doors, electrical systems, floors, hot water
heater, HVAC (where individual units are provided), kitchen, lighting,
outlets/switches, patio/porch/balcony, smoke detectors, stairs, walls,
and windows) must be free of health and safety hazards, functionally
adequate, operable, and in good repair.
(2) Where applicable, the dwelling unit must have hot and cold
running water, including an adequate source of potable water (note for
example that single room occupancy units need not contain water
facilities).
(3) If the dwelling unit includes its own sanitary facility, it must
be in proper operating condition, usable in privacy, and adequate for
personal hygiene and the disposal of human waste.
(4) The dwelling unit must include at least one battery-operated or
hard-wired smoke detector, in proper working condition, on each level of
the unit.
(e) Common areas. The common areas must be structurally sound,
secure, and functionally adequate for the purposes intended. The
basement/garage/carport, restrooms, closets, utility, mechanical,
community rooms, day care, halls/corridors, stairs, kitchens, laundry
rooms, office, porch, patio, balcony, and trash collection areas, if
applicable, must be free of health and safety hazards, operable, and in
good repair. All common area ceilings, doors, floors, HVAC, lighting,
outlets/switches, smoke detectors, stairs, walls, and windows, to the
extent applicable, must be free of health and safety hazards, operable,
and in good repair. These standards for common areas apply, to a varying
extent, to all HUD housing, but will be particularly relevant to
congregate housing, independent group homes/residences, and single room
occupancy units, in which the individual dwelling units (sleeping areas)
do not contain kitchen and/or bathroom facilities.
(f) Health and safety concerns. All areas and components of the
housing must be free of health and safety hazards. These areas include,
but are not limited to, air quality, electrical hazards, elevators,
emergency/fire exits, flammable materials, garbage and debris, handrail
hazards, infestation, and lead-based paint. For example, the buildings
must have fire exits that are not blocked and have hand rails that are
undamaged and have no other observable deficiencies. The housing must
have no evidence of infestation by rats, mice, or other vermin, or of
garbage and debris. The housing must have no evidence of electrical
hazards, natural hazards, or fire hazards. The dwelling units and common
areas must have proper ventilation and be free of mold, odor (e.g.,
propane, natural gas, methane gas), or other observable deficiencies.
The housing must comply with all requirements related to the evaluation
and reduction of lead-based paint hazards and have available proper
certifications of such (see 24 CFR part 35).
(g) Compliance with State and local codes. The physical condition
standards in this section do not supersede or preempt State and local
codes for building and maintenance with which HUD housing must comply.
HUD housing must continue to adhere to these codes.
[[Page 87]]
Sec. 5.705 Uniform physical inspection requirements.
(a) Any entity responsible for conducting a physical inspection of
HUD housing, to determine compliance with this subpart, must inspect
such HUD housing annually (unless otherwise specifically notified by
HUD), in accordance with HUD-prescribed physical inspection procedures.
For Public Housing, PHAs have the option to inspect Public Housing units
using the procedures prescribed in accordance with this section.
(b) Inspections in accordance with the physical inspection
procedures identified in paragraph (a) of this section shall not be
required until HUD has issued the inspection software and accompanying
guidebook. When the software and guidebook have been issued, HUD will
publish a notice in the Federal Register to inform the public when the
software and guidebook are available. The notice will provide 30 days
within which covered entities must prepare to conduct inspections in
accordance with this subpart. Until the date that is 30 days after HUD
publishes such notice, any entity responsible for conducting a physical
inspection of HUD housing, to determine compliance with this subpart,
must continue to comply with inspection requirements in effect
immediately prior to that date.
Subpart H--Uniform Financial Reporting Standards
Sec. 5.801 Uniform financial reporting standards.
(a) Applicability. This subpart H implements uniform financial
reporting standards for:
(1) Public housing agencies (PHAs) receiving assistance under
sections 5, 9, or 14 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437c, 1437g, and 1437l)
(Public Housing);
(2) PHAs as contract administrators for any Section 8 project-based
or tenant-based housing assistance payments program, which includes
assistance under the following programs:
(i) Section 8 project-based housing assistance payments programs,
including, but not limited to, the Section 8 New Construction,
Substantial Rehabilitation, Loan Management Set-Aside, Property
Disposition, and Moderate Rehabilitation (including the Single Room
Occupancy program for homeless individuals);
(ii) Section 8 Project-Based Certificate programs;
(iii) Any program providing Section 8 project-based renewal
contracts; and
(iv) Section 8 tenant-based assistance under the Section 8
Certificate and Voucher program.
(3) Owners of housing assisted under any Section 8 project-based
housing assistance payments program:
(i) Including, but not limited to, the Section 8 New Construction,
Substantial Rehabilitation, Loan Management Set-Aside, and Property
Disposition programs;
(ii) Excluding the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program (which
includes the Single Room Occupancy program for homeless individuals) and
the Section 8 Project-Based Certificate Program;
(4) Owners of multifamily projects receiving direct or indirect
assistance from HUD, or with mortgages insured, coinsured, or held by
HUD, including but not limited to housing under the following HUD
programs:
(i) Section 202 Program of Supportive Housing for the Elderly;
(ii) Section 811 Program of Supportive Housing for Persons with
Disabilities;
(iii) Section 202 loan program for projects for the elderly and
handicapped (including 202/8 projects and 202/162 projects);
(iv) Section 207 of the National Housing Act (NHA) (12 U.S.C. 1701
et seq.) (Rental Housing Insurance);
(v) Section 213 of the NHA (Cooperative Housing Insurance);
(vi) Section 220 of the NHA (Rehabilitation and Neighborhood
Conservation Housing Insurance);
(vii) Section 221(d) (3) and (5) of the NHA (Housing for Moderate
Income and Displaced Families);
(viii) Section 221(d)(4) of the NHA (Housing for Moderate Income and
Displaced Families);
(ix) Section 231 of the NHA (Housing for Elderly Persons);
[[Page 88]]
(x) Section 232 of the NHA (Mortgage Insurance for Nursing Homes,
Intermediate Care Facilities, Board and Care Homes);
(xi) Section 234(d) of the NHA (Rental) (Mortgage Insurance for
Condominiums);
(xii) Section 236 of the NHA (Rental and Cooperative Housing for
Lower Income Families);
(xiii) Section 241 of the NHA (Supplemental Loans for Multifamily
Projects); and
(xiv) Section 542(c) of the Housing and Community Development Act of
1992 (12 U.S.C. 1707 note) (Housing Finance Agency Risk-Sharing
Program).
(b) Submission of financial information. Entities (or individuals)
to which this subpart is applicable must provide to HUD, on an annual
basis, such financial information as required by HUD. This financial
information must be:
(1) Prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles as further defined by HUD in supplementary guidance;
(2) Submitted electronically to HUD through the internet, or in such
other electronic format designated by HUD, or in such non-electronic
format as HUD may allow if the burden or cost of electronic reporting is
determined by HUD to be excessive; and
(3) Submitted in such form and substance as prescribed by HUD.
(c) Annual financial report filing dates. (1) For entities listed in
paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, the financial information to
be submitted to HUD in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section,
must be submitted to HUD annually, no later than 60 days after the end
of the fiscal year of the reporting period, and as otherwise provided by
law (for public housing agencies, see also 24 CFR 903.33).
(2) For entities listed in paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this
section, the financial information to be submitted to HUD in accordance
with paragraph (b) of this section, must be submitted to HUD annually,
no later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year of the reporting
period, and as otherwise provided by law.
(d) Reporting compliance dates. Entities (or individuals) that are
subject to the reporting requirements in this section must commence
compliance with these requirements as follows:
(1) For PHAs listed in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section,
the requirements of this section will begin with those PHAs with fiscal
years ending September 30, 1999 and later. Unaudited financial
statements will be required 60 days after the PHA's fiscal year end, and
audited financial statements will then be required no later than 9
months after the PHA's fiscal year end, in accordance with the Single
Audit Act and OMB Circular A-133 (See 24 CFR 84.26). A PHA with a fiscal
year ending September 30, 1999 that elects to submit its unaudited
financial report earlier than the due date of November 30, 1999 must
submit its report as required in this section. On or after September 30,
1998, but prior to November 30, 1999 (except for a PHA with its fiscal
year ending September 30, 1999), PHAs may submit their financial reports
in accordance with this section.
(2) For entities listed in paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4) of this
section, the requirements of this section will begin with those entities
with fiscal years ending December 31, 1998 and later. Entities listed in
paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4) of this section with fiscal years ending
December 31, 1998 that elect to submit their reports earlier than the
due date must submit their financial reports as required in this
section. On or after September 30, 1998 but prior to January 1, 1999,
these entities may submit their financial reports in accordance with
this section.
(e) Limitation on changing fiscal years. To allow for a period of
consistent assessment of the financial reports submitted to HUD under
this subpart part, PHAs listed in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this
section will not be allowed to change their fiscal years for their first
three full fiscal years following October 1, 1998.
(f) Responsibility for submission of financial report. The
responsibility for submission of the financial report due to HUD under
this section rests with the individuals and entities listed in paragraph
(a) of this section.
[63 FR 46591, Sept. 1, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 1505, Jan. 11, 1999; 64
FR 33755, June 24, 1999; 65 FR 16295, Mar. 27, 2000]
[[Page 89]]
Effective Date Note: At 65 FR 16295, Mar. 27, 2000, Sec. 5.801,
paragraph (a)(4)(xiv) was removed and paragraph (c) was revised,
effective Apr. 26, 2000. For the convenience of the user, the superseded
text is set forth as follows:
Sec. 5.801 Uniform financial reporting standards.
* * * * *
(c) Annual financial report filing dates. (1) The financial
information to be submitted to HUD in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this section, must be submitted to HUD annually, no later than 60 days
after the end of the fiscal year of the reporting period, and as
otherwise provided by law.
(2) For entities listed in paragraphs (a) (3) and (4) of this
section, the first annual financial report shall be due on the date
provided in this paragraph (2), or at such later date that HUD may
provide through notice. This delayed submission date is only for the
first year of compliance with the requirements of this section:
(i) For entities with fiscal years ending December 31, 1998, the
first annual financial report shall be due August 31, 1999;
(ii) For entities with fiscal years ending in January through April
1999, the first annual financial report shall be due August 31, 1999;
(iii) For entities with fiscal years ending in May through November
1999, the first annual financial report shall be due 120 days after the
end of the applicable fiscal year end date.
* * * * *
PART 6--NONDISCRIMINATION IN PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES RECEIVING ASSISTANCE UNDER TITLE I OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974--Table of Contents
Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec.
6.1 Purpose.
6.2 Applicability.
6.3 Definitions.
6.4 Discrimination prohibited.
6.5 Discrimination prohibited--employment.
6.6 Records to be maintained.
Subpart B--Enforcement
6.10 Compliance information.
6.11 Conduct of investigations.
6.12 Procedure for effecting compliance.
6.13 Hearings and appeals.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d) 42 U.S.C. 5309.
Source: 64 FR 3797, Jan. 25, 1999, unless otherwise noted.
Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec. 6.1 Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to implement the provisions of section
109 of title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974
(Title I) (42 U.S.C. 5309). Section 109 provides that no person in the
United States shall, on the ground of race, color, national origin,
religion, or sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or
activity funded in whole or in part with Federal financial assistance.
Section 109 does not directly prohibit discrimination on the bases of
age or disability, and the regulations in this part 6 do not apply to
age or disability discrimination in Title I programs. Instead, section
109 directs that the prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of
age under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101-6107) (Age
Discrimination Act) and the prohibitions against discrimination on the
basis of disability under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(29 U.S.C. 794) (Section 504) apply to programs or activities funded in
whole or in part with Federal financial assistance. Thus, the
regulations of 24 CFR part 8, which implement Section 504 for HUD
programs, and the regulations of 24 CFR part 146, which implement the
Age Discrimination Act for HUD programs, apply to disability and age
discrimination in Title I programs.
Sec. 6.2 Applicability.
(a) This part applies to any program or activity funded in whole or
in part with funds under title I of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, including Community Development Block Grants--
Entitlement, State and HUD-Administered Small Cities, and Section 108
Loan Guarantees; Urban Development Action Grants; Economic Development
Initiative Grants; and Special Purpose Grants.
(b) The provisions of this part and sections 104(b)(2) and 109 of
Title I that
[[Page 90]]
relate to discrimination on the basis of race shall not apply to the
provision of Federal financial assistance by grantees under this title
to the Hawaiian Homelands (42 U.S.C. 5309).
(c) The provisions of this part and sections 104(b)(2) and 109 of
Title I that relate to discrimination on the basis of race and national
origin shall not apply to the provision of Federal financial assistance
to grant recipients under the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 4101). See also, 24 CFR 1003.601(a).
Sec. 6.3 Definitions.
The terms Department, HUD, and Secretary are defined in 24 CFR part
5. Other terms used in this part 6 are defined as follows:
Act means the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 5301-5320).
Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing
and Equal Opportunity.
Award Official means the HUD official who has been delegated the
Secretary's authority to implement a Title I funded program and to make
grants under that program.
Complete complaint means a written statement that contains the
complainant's name and address, identifies the Recipient against which
the complaint is made, and describes the Recipient's alleged
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform HUD of the nature
and date of the alleged violation of section 109. It shall be signed by
the complainant or by someone authorized to do so on his or her behalf.
Complaints filed on behalf of classes or third parties shall describe or
identify (by name, if possible) the alleged victims of discrimination.
Federal financial assistance means: (1) Any assistance made
available under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of
1974, as amended, and includes income generated from such assistance,
and any grant, loan, contract, or any other arrangement, in the form of:
(i) Funds;
(ii) Services of Federal personnel; or
(iii) Real or personal property or any interest in or use of such
property, including:
(A) Transfers or leases of the property for less than fair market
value or for reduced consideration; and
(B) Proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of the property if
the Federal share of its fair market value is not returned to the
Federal Government.
(2) Any assistance in the form of proceeds from loans guaranteed
under section 108 of the Act, but does not include assistance made
available through direct Federal procurement contracts or any other
contract of insurance or guaranty.
Program or activity (funded in whole or in part) means all of the
operations of--
(1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other
instrumentality of a State or local government; or
(ii) The entity of a State or local government that distributes
Federal financial assistance, and each department or agency (and each
State or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended,
in the case of assistance to a State or local government;
(2)(i) A college, university, or other post-secondary institution,
or a public system of higher education; or
(ii) A local educational agency (as defined in section 198(a)(10) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965), system of
vocational education or other school system;
(3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private
organization, or an entire sole proprietorship--
(A) If assistance is extended to the corporation, partnership,
private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
(B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing
education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and
recreation; or
(ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate
facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case
of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole
proprietorship; or
[[Page 91]]
(4) Any other entity that is described in paragraphs (1), (2), or
(3) of this definition, any part of which is extended Federal financial
assistance.
Recipient means any State, political subdivision of any State, or
instrumentality of any State or political subdivision; any public or
private agency, institution, organization, or other entity; or any
individual, in any State, to whom Federal financial assistance is
extended, directly or through another Recipient, for any program or
activity, or who otherwise participates in carrying out such program or
activity, including any successor, assign, or transferee thereof.
Recipient does not include any ultimate beneficiary under any program or
activity.
Responsible Official means the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing
and Equal Opportunity or his or her designee.
Section 109 means section 109 of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, as amended.
Title I means title I of the Housing and Community Development Act
of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301-5321).
Sec. 6.4 Discrimination prohibited.
(a) Section 109 requires that no person in the United States shall
be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in
whole or in part with Federal financial assistance, on the grounds of
race, color, national origin, religion, or sex.
(1) A Recipient under any program or activity to which this part
applies may not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other
arrangements, take any of the following actions on the grounds of race,
color, national origin, religion, or sex:
(i) Deny any individual any facilities, services, financial aid, or
other benefits provided under the program or activity;
(ii) Provide any facilities, services, financial aid, or other
benefits that are different, or are provided in a different form, from
that provided to others under the program or activity;
(iii) Subject an individual to segregated or separate treatment in
any facility, or in any matter of process related to the receipt of any
service or benefit under the program or activity;
(iv) Restrict an individual's access to, or enjoyment of, any
advantage or privilege enjoyed by others in connection with facilities,
services, financial aid or other benefits under the program or activity;
(v) Treat an individual differently from others in determining
whether the individual satisfies any admission, enrollment, eligibility,
membership, or other requirements or conditions that the individual must
meet in order to be provided any facilities, services, or other benefit
provided under the program or activity;
(vi) Deny an individual an opportunity to participate in a program
or activity as an employee;
(vii) Aid or otherwise perpetuate discrimination against an
individual by providing Federal financial assistance to an agency,
organization, or person that discriminates in providing any housing,
aid, benefit, or service;
(viii) Otherwise limit an individual in the enjoyment of any right,
privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by other individuals
receiving the housing, aid, benefit, or service;
(ix) Use criteria or methods of administration that have the effect
of subjecting persons to discrimination or have the effect of defeating
or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the
program or activity with respect to persons of a particular race, color,
national origin, religion, or sex; or
(x) Deny a person the opportunity to participate as a member of
planning or advisory boards.
(2) In determining the site or location of housing, accommodations,
or facilities, a Recipient may not make selections that have the effect
of excluding persons from, denying them the benefits of, or subjecting
them to discrimination on the ground of race, color, national origin,
religion, or sex. The Recipient may not make selections that have the
purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing the
accomplishment of the objectives of section 109 and of this part 6.
(3)(i) In administering a program or activity in which the Recipient
has discriminated on the grounds of race,
[[Page 92]]
color, national origin, religion or sex, the Recipient must take any
necessary steps to overcome the effects of prior discrimination.
(ii) In the absence of discrimination, a Recipient, in administering
a program or activity, may take any steps necessary to overcome the
effects of conditions that resulted in limiting participation by persons
of a particular race, color, national origin, religion, or sex.
(iii) After a finding of noncompliance, or after a Recipient has
reasonable cause to believe that discrimination has occurred, a
Recipient shall not be prohibited by this section from taking any action
eligible under subpart C of 24 CFR part 570 to ameliorate an imbalance
in benefits, services or facilities provided to any geographic area or
specific group of persons within its jurisdiction, where the purpose of
such action is to remedy discriminatory practices or usage.
(iv)(A) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this part,
nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit any
Recipient from maintaining or constructing separate living facilities or
restroom facilities for the different sexes in order to protect personal
privacy or modesty concerns. Furthermore, selectivity on the basis of
sex is not prohibited when institutional or custodial services can, in
the interest of personal privacy or modesty, only be performed by a
member of the same sex as those receiving the services.
(B) Section 109 of the Act does not directly prohibit discrimination
on the basis of age or disability, but directs that the prohibitions
against discrimination on the basis of age under the Age Discrimination
Act and the prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of
disability under Section 504 apply to Title I programs and activities.
Accordingly, for programs or activities receiving Federal financial
assistance, the regulations in this part 6 apply to discrimination on
the bases of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex; the
regulations at 24 CFR part 8 apply to discrimination on the basis of
disability; and the regulations at 24 CFR part 146 apply to
discrimination on the basis of age.
(b) [Reserved]
Sec. 6.5 Discrimination prohibited--employment.
(a) General. A Recipient may not, under any program or activity
funded in whole or in part with Federal financial assistance, directly
or through contractual agents or other arrangements including contracts
and consultants, subject a person to discrimination in the terms and
conditions of employment. Terms and conditions of employment include
advertising, interviewing, selection, promotion, demotion, transfer,
recruitment and advertising, layoff or termination, pay or other
compensation, including benefits, and selection for training.
(b) Determination of compliance status. The Assistant Secretary will
follow the procedures set forth in this part and 29 CFR part 1691 and
look to the substantive guidelines and policy of the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission when reviewing employment practices under Section
109.
Sec. 6.6 Records to be maintained.
(a) General. Recipients shall maintain records and data as required
by 24 CFR 91.105, 91.115, 570.490, and 570.506.
(b) Employment. Recipients shall maintain records and data as
required by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at 29 CFR part
1600.
(c) Recipients shall make available such records and any supporting
documentation upon request of the Responsible Official.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers
2506-0117 and 2506-0077.)
Subpart B--Enforcement
Sec. 6.10 Compliance information.
(a) Cooperation and assistance. The Responsible Official and the
Award Official will provide assistance and guidance to Recipients to
help them comply voluntarily with this part.
(b) Access to data and other sources of information. Each Recipient
shall permit access by authorized representatives of HUD to its
facilities, books, records, accounts, minutes and audio tapes of
meetings, personnel, computer disks and tapes, and other sources of
[[Page 93]]
information as may be pertinent to a determination of whether the
Recipient is complying with this part. Where information required of a
Recipient is in the exclusive possession of any other agency,
institution, or person, and that agency, institution, or person fails or
refuses to furnish this information, the Recipient shall so certify in
any requested report and shall set forth what efforts it has made to
obtain the information. Failure or refusal to furnish pertinent
information (whether maintained by the Recipient or some other agency,
institution, or person) without a credible reason for the failure or
refusal will be considered to be noncompliance under this part.
(c) Compliance data. Each Recipient shall keep records and submit to
the Responsible Official, timely, complete, and accurate data at such
times and in such form as the Responsible Official may determine to be
necessary to ascertain whether the Recipient has complied or is
complying with this part.
(d) Notification to employees, beneficiaries, and participants. Each
Recipient shall make available to employees, participants,
beneficiaries, and other interested persons information regarding the
provisions of this part and its applicability to the program or activity
under which the Recipient receives Federal financial assistance and make
such information available to them in such manner as the Responsible
Official finds necessary to apprise such persons of the protections
against discrimination assured them by Section 109 and this part.
Sec. 6.11 Conduct of investigations.
(a) Filing a complaint--(1) Who may file. Any person who believes
that he or she has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by this
part may file, or may have an authorized representative file on his or
her behalf, a complaint with the Responsible Official. Any person who
believes that any specific class of persons has been subjected to
discrimination prohibited by this part and who is a member of that class
or who is the authorized representative of a member of that class may
file a complaint with the Responsible Official.
(2) Confidentiality. Generally, the Responsible Official shall hold
in confidence the identity of any person submitting a complaint, unless
the person submits written authorization otherwise. However, an
exception to maintaining confidentiality of the identity of the person
may be required to carry out the purposes of this part, including the
conduct of any investigation, hearing, or proceeding under this part.
(3) When to file. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the
alleged act of discrimination, unless the Responsible Official waives
this time limit for good cause. For purposes of determining when a
complaint is filed under this part, a complaint mailed to the
Responsible Official via the U.S. Postal Service will be deemed filed on
the date it is postmarked. A complaint delivered to the Responsible
Official in any other manner will be deemed filed on the date it is
received by the Responsible Official.
(4) Where to file complaints. Complaints must be in writing, signed,
addressed to the Responsible Official, and filed with (mailed to or
otherwise delivered to) the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
at any HUD Office.
(5) Content of complaints. Each complaint should contain the
complainant's name, address, and phone number; a description or name, if
available, of the Recipient alleged to have violated this part; an
address where the violation occurred; and a description of the
Recipient's alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform
the Responsible Official of the nature and date of the alleged violation
of this part.
(6) Amendments to complaints. Amendments to complaints, such as
clarification and amplification of allegations in a complaint or the
addition of other Recipients, may be made by the complainant or the
complainant's authorized representative at any time while the complaint
is being considered, and any amendment shall be deemed to be made as of
the original filing date.
(7) Notification. To the extent practicable, the Responsible
Official will notify the complainant and the Recipient of the
Responsible Official's receipt of a complaint within 10 calendar days
[[Page 94]]
of receipt of a complete complaint. If the Responsible Official receives
a complaint that is not complete, the Responsible Official will notify
the complainant and specify the additional information that is needed to
make the complaint complete. If the complainant fails to complete the
complaint, the Responsible Official will close the complaint without
prejudice and notify the complainant. When a complete complaint has been
received, the Responsible Official, or his or her designee, will assess
the complaint for acceptance, rejection, or referral to an appropriate
Federal agency within 20 calendar days.
(8) Resolution of complaints. After the acceptance of a complete
complaint, the Responsible Official will investigate the complaint,
attempt informal resolution, and, if resolution is not achieved, the
Responsible Official will notify the Recipient and complainant, to the
extent practicable within 180 days of the receipt of the complete
complaint, of the results of the investigation in a letter of findings
sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, containing the
following:
(i) Findings of fact and a finding of compliance or noncompliance;
(ii) A description of an appropriate remedy for each violation
believed to exist; and
(iii) A notice of the right of the Recipient and the complainant to
request a review of the letter of findings by the Responsible Official.
A copy of the final investigative report will be made available upon
request.
(b) Compliance reviews--(1) Periodic compliance reviews. The
Responsible Official may periodically review the practices of Recipients
to determine whether they are complying with this part and may conduct
on-site reviews. The Responsible Official will initiate an on-site
review by sending to the Recipient a letter advising the Recipient of
the practices to be reviewed; the programs affected by the review; and
the opportunity, at any time before a final determination, to submit
information that explains, validates, or otherwise addresses the
practices under review. In addition, the Award Official will include, in
normal program compliance reviews and monitoring procedures, appropriate
actions to review and monitor compliance with general or specific
program requirements designed to implement the requirements of this
part.
(2) Time period of the review. (i) For the Entitlement program,
compliance reviews will cover the three years before the date of the
review.
(ii) For the Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) program, the
compliance review is applicable only to UDAG loan repayments or other
payments or revenues classified as program income. UDAG repayments or
other payments or revenues classified as miscellaneous revenue are not
subject to compliance review under this part. (See 24 CFR 570.500(a).)
The compliance review will cover the time period that program income is
being repaid.
(iii) For the State and HUD-Administered Small Cities programs, the
compliance review will cover the four years before the date of the
review.
(iv) For all other programs, the time period covered by the review
will be four years before the date of the review.
(v) On a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the Responsible
Official, the above time frames for review can be expanded where facts
or allegations warrant further investigation.
(3) Early compliance resolution. On the last day of the on-site
visit, after the compliance review, the Recipient will be given an
opportunity to supplement the record. Additionally, a prefinding
conference may be held and a summary of the proposed findings may be
presented to the Recipient. In those instances where the issue(s) cannot
be resolved at a prefinding conference or with the supplemental
information, a meeting will be scheduled to attempt a voluntary
settlement.
(4) Notification of findings. (i) The Assistant Secretary will
notify the Recipient of Federal financial assistance of the results of
the compliance review in a letter of findings sent by certified mail,
return receipt requested.
(ii) Letter of findings. The letter of findings will include the
findings of fact and the conclusions of law; a description of a remedy
for each violation found; and a notice that a copy of
[[Page 95]]
HUD's final report concerning its compliance review will be made
available, upon request, to the Recipient.
(c) Right to a review of the letter of findings. (1) Within 30 days
of receipt of the letter of findings, any party may request that a
review be made of the letter of findings, by mailing or delivering to
the Responsible Official, Room 5100, Office of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity, HUD, Washington, DC 20410, a written statement of the
reasons why the letter of findings should be modified.
(2) The Responsible Official will send by certified mail, return
receipt requested, a copy of the request for review to all parties.
Parties other than the party requesting review and HUD shall have 20
days from receipt to respond to the request for review.
(3) The Responsible Official will either sustain or modify the
letter of findings or require that further investigation be conducted,
within 60 days of the request for review. The Responsible Official's
decision shall constitute the formal determination of compliance or
noncompliance.
(4) If no party requests that the letter of findings be reviewed,
the Responsible Official, within 14 calendar days of the expiration of
the time period in paragraph (a)(9)(i) of this section, will send a
formal written determination of compliance or noncompliance to all
parties.
(d) Voluntary compliance time limits. The Recipient will have 10
calendar days from receipt of the letter of findings of noncompliance,
or such other reasonable time as specified in the letter, within which
to agree, in writing, to come into voluntary compliance or to contact
the Responsible Official for settlement discussions. If the Recipient
fails to meet this deadline, HUD will proceed in accordance with
Secs. 6.12 and 6.13.
(e) Informal resolution/voluntary compliance--(1) General. It is the
policy of HUD to encourage the informal resolution of matters. A
complaint or a compliance review may be resolved by informal means at
any time. If a letter of findings is issued, and the letter makes a
finding of noncompliance, the Responsible Official will attempt to
resolve the matter through a voluntary compliance agreement.
(2) Objectives of informal resolution/voluntary compliance. In
attempting informal resolution, the Responsible Official will attempt to
achieve a just resolution of the matter and to obtain assurances, where
appropriate, that the Recipient will satisfactorily remedy any
violations of the rights of any complainant, and will take such action
as will assure the elimination of any violation of this part or the
prevention of the occurrence of such violation in the future. If a
finding of noncompliance has been made, the terms of such an informal
resolution shall be reduced to a written voluntary compliance agreement,
signed by the Recipient and the Responsible Official, and be made part
of the file. Such voluntary compliance agreements shall seek to protect
the interests of the complainant (if any), other persons similarly
situated, and the public.
(3) Right to file a private civil action. At any time in the
process, the complainant has the right to file a private civil action.
If the complainant does so, the Responsible Official has the discretion
to administratively close the investigation or continue the
investigation, if he or she decides that it is in the best interests of
the Department to do so. If the Responsible Official makes a finding of
noncompliance and an agreement to voluntarily comply is not obtained
from the Recipient, the procedures at Secs. 6.12 and 6.13 for effecting
compliance shall be followed.
(f) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No Recipient or
other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against
any person for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege
secured by this part, or because he or she has made a complaint,
testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation,
compliance review, proceeding, or hearing under this part.
Sec. 6.12 Procedure for effecting compliance.
(a) Whenever the Assistant Secretary determines that a Recipient of
Federal financial assistance has failed to comply with Section 109(a) or
this part and voluntary compliance efforts have
[[Page 96]]
failed, the Secretary will notify the Governor of the State or the Chief
Executive Officer of the unit of general local government of the
findings of noncompliance and will request that the Governor or the
Chief Executive Officer secure compliance. If within a reasonable period
of time, not to exceed 60 days, the Governor or the Chief Executive
Officer fails or refuses to secure compliance, the Secretary will:
(1) Refer the matter to the Attorney General with a recommendation
that an appropriate civil action be instituted;
(2) Exercise the powers and functions provided by Title VI;
(3) Terminate or reduce payments under Title I, or limit the
availability of payments under Title I to programs or activities not
affected by the failure to comply; or
(4) Take such other actions as may be provided by law, including but
not limited to, the initiation of proceedings under 24 CFR part 24 or
any applicable proceeding under State or local law.
(b) Termination, reduction, or limitation of the availability of
Title I payments. No order terminating, reducing, or limiting the
availability of Title I payments under this part shall become effective
until:
(1) The Secretary has notified the Governor of the State or the
Chief Executive Officer of the unit of general local government of the
Recipient's failure to comply in accordance with paragraph (a) of this
section and of the termination, reduction or limitation of the
availability of Title I payments to be taken;
(2) The Secretary has determined that compliance cannot be secured
by voluntary means;
(3) The Recipient has been extended an opportunity for a hearing in
accordance with Sec. 6.13(a); and
(4) A final agency notice or decision has been rendered in
accordance with paragraph (c) of this section or 24 CFR part 180.
(c) If a Recipient does not respond to the notice of opportunity for
a hearing or does not elect to proceed with a hearing within 20 days of
the issuance of the Secretary's actions listed in paragraphs (b)(1), (2)
and (3) of this section, then the Secretary's approval of the
termination, reduction or limitation of the availability of Title I
payments is considered a final agency notice and the Recipient may seek
judicial review in accordance with section 111(c) of the Act.
Sec. 6.13 Hearings and appeals.
(a) When a Recipient requests an opportunity for a hearing, in
accordance with Sec. 6.12(b)(3), the General Counsel will follow the
notification procedures set forth in 24 CFR 180.415. The hearing, and
any petition for review, will be conducted in accordance with the
procedures set forth in 24 CFR part 180.
(b) After a hearing is held and a final agency decision is rendered
under 24 CFR part 180, the Recipient may seek judicial review in
accordance with section 111(c) of the Act.
PART 7--EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY; POLICY AND PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
Subpart A--Equal Employment Opportunity Without Regard to Race, Color,
Religion, Sex, National Origin, Age, or Disability
General Provisions
Sec.
7.1 Policy.
7.2 Definitions.
7.3 Designations.
7.4 Affirmative employment programs.
Responsibilities
7.10 Responsibilities of the Director and Deputy Director of EEO.
7.11 Responsibilities of the EEO Officers.
7.12 Responsibilities of the EEO Counselors.
7.13 Responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for Administration.
7.14 Responsibilities of Human Resources Officers.
7.15 Responsibilities of managers and supervisors.
7.16 Responsibilities of employees.
Precomplaint Processing
7.25 Precomplaint processing.
Complaints
7.30 Presentation of complaint.
7.31 Who may file a complaint, with whom filed, and time limits.
7.32 Contents.
7.33 Acceptability.
7.34 Processing.
7.35 Hearing.
7.36 Decision by Director of EEO.
[[Page 97]]
7.37 Rights of appeal.
7.38 Relationship to other HUD appellate procedures.
Subpart B [Reserved]
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d); E.O. 11478, 3 CFR, 1969 Comp. p. 306;
42 U.S.C. 2000e note.
Source: 61 FR 14228, Mar. 29, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
Subpart A--Equal Employment Opportunity Without Regard to Race, Color,
Religion, Sex, National Origin, Age, or Disability
General Provisions
Sec. 7.1 Policy.
In conformity with the policy expressed in Executive Order 11478 (34
FR 12985, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 803) and with implementing
regulations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, codified
under 29 CFR part 1614, it is the policy and the intent of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide equality of
opportunity in employment in the Department for all persons; to prohibit
discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age or disability in all aspects of its personnel policies, program,
practices, and operations and in all its working conditions and
relationships with employees and applicants for employment; and to
promote the full realization of equal opportunity in employment through
continuing programs of affirmative employment at every management level
within the Department.
Sec. 7.2 Definitions.
For purposes of this subpart A--
AE means Affirmative Employment.
EEO means Equal Employment Opportunity.
Organizational unit means the jurisdictional area of the Office of
the Secretary, the Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for Field
Management, each Assistant Secretary, the General Counsel, the Inspector
General, the President of the Government National Mortgage Association,
the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Lead-Based Paint Abatement
and Poisoning Prevention, and the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise
Oversight.
Person with a disability means the same as handicap under EEOC's
regulations at 29 CFR part 1614.
Sec. 7.3 Designations.
(a) Director of Equal Employment Opportunity. The Director of the
Office of Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity is designated the
Director of EEO, except that with respect to complaints naming the
Director and/or Deputy Director of Departmental EEO as the alleged
discriminating official(s) and complaints arising in the Office of
Departmental EEO, the Chief of Staff shall be Director of EEO.
(b) Deputy Director of Equal Employment Opportunity. The Deputy
Director of the Office of Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity is
designated as the Deputy Director of Equal Employment Opportunity and
acts for the Director of EEO.
(c) Equal Employment Opportunity Officers. The Director of Equal
Employment Opportunity shall designate appropriate HUD officials to be
Equal Employment Opportunity Officers for their respective
organizational units.
Sec. 7.4 Affirmative employment programs.
The Office of the Secretary, the Assistant to the Deputy Secretary
for Field Management, each Assistant Secretary, the General Counsel, the
Inspector General, the President of the Government National Mortgage
Association, the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Lead-Based
Paint Abatement and Poisoning Prevention, and the Director, Office of
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight shall establish, maintain and carry
out a plan of affirmative employment to promote equal opportunity in
every aspect of employment policy and practice. Each plan shall identify
instances of under-representation of minorities, women and persons with
disabilities, recognize situations or barriers that impede equality of
opportunity, and include objectives and action items targeted to
eliminate any employment, training, advancement, and retention issues
which adversely affect minorities, women and persons with disabilities.
[[Page 98]]
Each plan must be consistent with 29 CFR part 1614 and the governing
Management Directive issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, and is subject to approval by the Director of Equal
Employment Opportunity and shall be developed within the framework of
Departmentwide guidelines published by the Director of EEO.
Responsibilities
Sec. 7.10 Responsibilities of the Director and Deputy Director of EEO.
The Director and Deputy Director of EEO are assigned the functions
of:
(a) Advising the Secretary with respect to the preparation of plans,
procedures, regulations, reports, and other matters pertaining to the
Government's equal employment opportunity policy and the Department's
EEO/AE programs;
(b) In coordination with other officials, developing and maintaining
plans, procedures, and regulations necessary to carry out the
Department's EEO programs, including a Departmentwide program of
affirmative employment developed in coordination with other officials;
approving programs of affirmative employment established throughout the
Department;
(c) Evaluating from time to time the sufficiency of the Department's
EEO/AE programs and reporting thereon to the Secretary with
recommendations as to any improvement or correction needed, including
remedial or disciplinary action with respect to managerial or
supervisory employees who have failed in their responsibility;
(d) Appraising the Department's personnel operations at regular
intervals to insure their conformity with the policy of the Government
and the Department's equal employment opportunity program;
(e) Making changes in programs and procedures designed to eliminate
discriminatory practices and improve the Department's EEO/AE programs;
(f) Selecting EEO Counselors;
(g) Providing for counseling by an EEO Counselor of an aggrieved
employee or applicant for employment who believes that he or she has
been discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age or disability and for attempting to resolve on an
informal basis or through a formal alternative dispute resolution
process, the matter raised by the employee or applicant before a
complaint of discrimination may be filed under Sec. 7.31;
(h) Providing for the prompt, fair and impartial processing of
individual complaints involving issues of discrimination within the
Department subject to 29 CFR part 1614;
(i) Making the final decision on discrimination complaints and
ordering such corrective measures as may be necessary, including
disciplinary action as is warranted by the circumstances when an
employee has been found to have engaged in a discriminatory practice;
and
(j) Executing settlement agreements to resolve EEO complaints.
Sec. 7.11 Responsibilities of the EEO Officers.
Each EEO Officer shall:
(a) Advise the Director of EEO on all matters affecting the
implementation of the Department's EEO/AE policies and programs in the
organizational unit;
(b) Develop and maintain a program of affirmative employment for the
organizational unit and insure that it is carried out in an exemplary
manner;
(c) Publicize to all employees of the organizational unit the name
and address of the Director of EEO, the EEO Officer, and the EEO
Counselor(s), the EEO Discrimination Complaint Manager, the Affirmative
Employment Program (AEP) Manager, the Diversity Program Manager, and the
EEO complaint procedures;
(d) Inform all supervisors in the organizational unit of the
responsibilities and objectives of the EEO Counselors and the EEO
complaint process and the importance of cooperating with the Counselors
to informally find solutions to problems brought to the officer's
attention by employees and applicants;
(e) Evaluate the performance by the managers and supervisors in the
organizational unit in carrying out their responsibilities under this
subpart and taking appropriate action;
(f) Seek a resolution of EEO matters alleging discrimination within
their
[[Page 99]]
organization brought to their attention;
(g) Designate a high level Affirmative Employment Program (AEP)
Manager in Headquarters responsible for the preparation of the AEP plan;
the management of the plan; providing advice and guidance to managers
and supervisors in removing barriers to EEO/AE and in implementing all
their EEO/AE responsibilities; and reviewing all recruitment and
personnel actions taken by managers and supervisors to ensure the
achievement of AEP objectives;
(h) Designate a senior level EEO Discrimination Complaint Manager in
Headquarters to manage and direct the organization's EEO
responsibilities; and
(i) Designate a senior level Diversity Program Manager in
Headquarters to manage and direct the organization's Diversity Program
and provide resources for Diversity activities for its employees.
Sec. 7.12 Responsibilities of the EEO Counselors.
The EEO Counselors are responsible for counseling and attempting
resolution of matters brought to the counselor's attention pursuant to
Sec. 7.26 and 29 CFR part 1614 by any employee or applicant for
employment who believes that he or she has been discriminated against
because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or
disability.
Sec. 7.13 Responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for Administration.
The Assistant Secretary for Administration shall:
(a) Provide leadership in developing and maintaining personnel
management policies, programs, automated systems and procedures which
will promote continuing affirmative employment to insure equal
opportunity in the recruitment, selection, placement, training, awards,
recognition and promotion of employees, including an applicant flow
tracking system;
(b) Provide positive assistance and guidance to organizational units
and personnel offices to insure the effective implementation of the
personnel management policies, programs, automated systems, and
procedures on equal employment opportunity;
(c) Participate at the national level with other Government
departments and agencies, other employers, and other public and private
groups, in cooperative action to improve employment opportunities and
community conditions which effect employability;
(d) Prepare and implement plans for recruitment and reports in
accordance with the Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program and
the Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Program;
(e) Make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental
limitations of qualified applicants and employees with disabilities
unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation
of the agency's program; and
(f) Designate a senior level Disability Program Manager to promote
EEO/AE for persons with disabilities; to assure the accessibility of all
HUD facilities and programs; and to manage the resources for providing
reasonable accommodation.
Sec. 7.14 Responsibilities of Human Resources Officers.
In conformity with guidelines issued by the Assistant Secretary for
Administration, Human Resources Officers shall:
(a) Appraise job structure and employment practices to insure
genuine equality of opportunity for all employees to participate fully
on the basis of merit in all occupations and levels of responsibility;
(b) Communicate the Department's equal employment opportunity policy
and program and its employment needs to all sources of job candidates
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
disability or age and solicit their recruitment assistance on a
continuing basis;
(c) As appropriate, provide personnel information to EEO counselors
and others who are involved in the decision on a discrimination
complaint;
(d) Evaluate hiring methods and practices to insure impartial
consideration for all job applicants;
(e) Ensure that new employee orientation programs contain
appropriate
[[Page 100]]
references to the Department's EEO/AE policies and programs;
(f) Participate in the preparation and distribution of such
educational materials as may be necessary to inform adequately all
employees of their rights and responsibilities as described in this
part, including the Department's directives issued to carry out the
Equal Employment Opportunity Program;
(g) In coordination with the Director of the Training Academy,
develop an on-going training program for various levels of
administration and supervision, to ensure understanding of the
Departmental EEO/AE programs, policy and requirements which fosters
effective teamwork and high morale, and provide communication with
employees on any matter related to equal employment opportunity;
(h) Decide all personnel actions on merit principles in a manner
which will demonstrative affirmative equal employment opportunity for
the organization;
(i) Ensure the greatest possible utilization and development of the
skills and potential ability of all employees;
(j) Track applicant flow and promptly take or recommend appropriate
action to overcome any impediment to the achievement of the objectives
of the EEO/AE programs; and
(k) Provide recognition to employees, supervisors, managers and
units demonstrating superior accomplishment in equal employment
opportunity.
Sec. 7.15 Responsibilities of managers and supervisors.
All managers and supervisors of the Department are responsible for:
(a) Removing barriers to EEO and ensuring that Affirmative
Employment objectives are accomplished in their areas of responsibility;
(b) Evaluating subordinate managers and supervisors on their
performance of EEO/AE responsibilities;
(c) Encouraging and taking positive steps to ensure respect for and
acceptance of minorities, women and persons with disabilities, veterans
and others of diverse characteristics in the work force;
(d) Providing for the non-discriminatory treatment of all employees
and for providing full and fair opportunity for all employees in
obtaining employment and career advancement, including support for
F.A.I.R., the Upward Mobility Program, the Mentoring Program and the
Individual Development Plan;
(e) Encouraging and authorizing staff participation in the various
Diversity Program observances;
(f) Being proactive in addressing EEO/AE issues, and for work
environments that encourage and support complaint avoidance through
sound management and personnel practices;
(g) Resolving complaints of discrimination early in the EEO process
either independently, or through the use of alternate dispute resolution
techniques, when it is the right thing to do and when it represents a
sound business decision; and
(h) Making reasonable accommodation to the religious and disability
needs of applicants and employees when those accommodations can be made
without undue hardship on the business of the agency.
Sec. 7.16 Responsibilities of employees.
All employees of the Department are responsible for:
(a) Being informed as to the Department's EEO/AE programs;
(b) Adopting an attitude of full acceptance of minority, female and
disabled group associates, and support of F.A.I.R.;
(c) Providing equality of treatment of, and service to, all citizens
with whom they come in contact in carrying out their job
responsibilities; and
(d) Providing assistance to supervisors and managers in carrying out
their responsibilities in the EEO/AE programs.
Precomplaint Processing
Sec. 7.25 Precomplaint processing.
The regulations in 29 CFR 1614.105, concerning precomplaint
processing shall apply.
Complaints
Sec. 7.30 Presentation of complaint.
At any stage in the presentation of a complaint, including the
counseling stage, the Complainant shall be free
[[Page 101]]
from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal and
shall have the right to be accompanied, represented, and advised by a
representative of the Complainant's own choosing, except as limited by
29 CFR 1614.605. If the Complainant is an employee of the Department,
the employee shall have a reasonable amount of official time to present
the complaint if the employee is otherwise in an active duty status. If
the Complainant is an employee of the Department and designates another
employee of the Department as Complainant's representative, the
representative shall be free from restraint, interference, coercion,
discrimination, or reprisal, and shall have a reasonable amount of
official time, if the representative is otherwise in an active duty
status, to present the complaint.
Sec. 7.31 Who may file a complaint, with whom filed, and time limits.
Any aggrieved person (hereafter referred to as the Complainant) who
has observed the provisions of Sec. 7.25 may file a complaint if the
matter of discrimination was not resolved to the complainant's
satisfaction. The complaint must be filed with the Director of EEO
within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the Notice of Right to File a
Complaint issued by the EEO Counselor. The Department may accept a
complaint only if the Complainant has met the appropriate requirements
contained in 29 CFR 1614.605.
Sec. 7.32 Contents.
(a) The complaint filed should include the following information:
(1) The specific action or personnel matter which is alleged to be
discriminatory;
(2) The date the act or matter occurred;
(3) The protected basis or bases on which the alleged discrimination
occurred;
(4) Facts and other pertinent information to support the allegation
of discrimination; and
(5) The relief desired.
(b) To expedite the processing of complaints of discrimination, the
Complainant should use HUD EEO-1 form to file the complaint.
Sec. 7.33 Acceptability.
The Director of EEO shall determine whether the complaint comes
within the purview of the EEO regulations at 29 CFR part 1614 and shall
advise the Complainant and Complainant's representative in writing of
the acceptance or dismissal of the allegation(s) of the complaint.
Should the Director of EEO dismiss the complaint or any allegations
contained in the complaint, the written decision to the Complainant
shall inform Complainant of the complainant's right to appeal the
decision and of the time limit applicable to the right of appeal, if
Complainant believes the dismissal improper.
Sec. 7.34 Processing.
(a) The Director of EEO will process complaints filed under 29 CFR
part 1614 for the Department. The Director or the Director's designee
has jurisdiction of any case.
(b) The Director of EEO shall provide for the development of a
complete and impartial record on which to decide the merits of the
allegations accepted for investigation.
(1) The person assigned to develop the factual record for the
complaint shall occupy a position in the Department which is not,
directly or indirectly, under the jurisdiction of the head of the part
of the Department in which the complaint arose, or the person shall
develop the record under a contract with the Department.
(2) The Department will develop a complete and impartial factual
record, subject to the requirements of 29 CFR part 1614, upon which to
make findings on the matters raised in the complaint and accepted for
processing.
(3) The Director of EEO will provide the Complainant and the EEO
Officer a copy of the record developed.
Sec. 7.35 Hearing.
(a) The Director of EEO will notify the Complainant of the
Complainant's right to request an administrative hearing before the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or a Final Agency Decision from
the Department and the timeframes for executing the right to request an
administrative hearing.
[[Page 102]]
(b) The Director of EEO will notify the appropriate EEOC office of
Complainant's timely request for a hearing and request the appointment
of an administrative judge to conduct the hearing pursuant to 29 CFR
1614.109.
Sec. 7.36 Decision by Director of EEO.
Following consultation with the General Counsel and the Assistant
Secretary for Administration, the Director of EEO shall make the final
agency decision for the Department based on the record developed through
the processing of the complaint. The decision shall require the remedial
and corrective action necessary to ensure that the Department is in
compliance with the EEO statutes and to promote the Department's policy
of equal employment opportunity.
Sec. 7.37 Rights of appeal.
The provisions of 29 CFR part 1614, subpart D, shall govern rights
of appeal.
Sec. 7.38 Relationship to other HUD appellate procedures.
(a) An aggrieved individual covered by a collective bargaining
agreement that permits allegations of discrimination to be raised in a
negotiated grievance procedure can file a complaint under these
procedures or a negotiated grievance, but not both. An election to
proceed under this part is indicated only by filing of a written
complaint. An election to proceed under a negotiated grievance procedure
is indicated by the filing of a timely grievance.
(b) An aggrieved individual alleging discrimination on the basis of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability related
to or stemming from an action that can be appealed to the Merit Systems
Protection Board (MSPB) can file a complaint under these procedures, or
an appeal with the MSPB, but not both. Whichever is filed first, the
complaint or the appeal, is considered an election to proceed in that
forum.
Subpart B [Reserved]
PART 8--NONDISCRIMINATION BASED ON HANDICAP IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT--Table of Contents
Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec.
8.1 Purpose.
8.2 Applicability.
8.3 Definitions.
8.4 Discrimination prohibited.
8.5 [Reserved]
8.6 Communications.
Subpart B--Employment
8.10 General prohibitions against employment discrimination.
8.11 Reasonable accommodation.
8.12 Employment criteria.
8.13 Preemployment inquiries.
Subpart C--Program Accessibility
8.20 General requirement concerning program accessibility.
8.21 Non-housing facilities.
8.22 New construction--housing facilities.
8.23 Alterations of existing housing facilities.
8.24 Existing housing programs.
8.25 Public housing and multi-family Indian housing.
8.26 Distribution of accessible dwelling units.
8.27 Occupancy of accessible dwelling units.
8.28 Housing certificate and housing voucher programs.
8.29 Homeownership programs (sections 235(i) and 235(j), Turnkey III
and Indian housing mutual self-help programs).
8.30 Rental rehabilitation program.
8.31 Historic properties.
8.32 Accessibility standards.
8.33 Housing adjustments.
Subpart D--Enforcement
8.50 Assurances required.
8.51 Self-evaluation.
8.52 Remedial and affirmative action.
8.53 Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance
procedures.
8.54 Notice.
8.55 Compliance information.
8.56 Conduct of investigations.
8.57 Procedure for effecting compliance.
8.58 Hearings.
Authority: 29 U.S.C. 794; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d) and 5309.
Source: 53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988, unless otherwise noted.
[[Page 103]]
Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec. 8.1 Purpose.
(a) The purpose of this part is to effectuate section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C 794), to the end that
no otherwise qualified individual with handicaps in the United States
shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from the
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial
assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This
part also implements section 109 of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5309). This part does not
effectuate section 504 as it applies to any program or activity
conducted by the Department. Compliance with this part does not assure
compliance with requirements for accessibility by physically-handicapped
persons imposed under the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
4151-4157; 24 CFR part 40).
(b) The policies and standards for compliance established by this
part are established in contemplation of, and with a view to enforcement
through, the Department's administration of programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance and the administrative procedures
described in subparts D and E (including, without limitation, judicial
enforcement under Sec. 8.57(a)).
Sec. 8.2 Applicability.
This part applies to all applicants for, and recipients of, HUD
assistance in the operation of programs or activities receiving such
assistance. Such assistance includes, but is not limited to, that which
is listed in appendix A of this part.
Sec. 8.3 Definitions.
As used in this part:
Accessible, when used with respect to the design, construction, or
alteration of a facility or a portion of a facility other than an
individual dwelling unit, means that the facility or portion of the
facility when designed, constructed or altered, can be approached,
entered, and used by individuals with physical handicaps. The phrase
accessible to and usable by is synonomous with accessible.
Accessible, when used with respect to the design, construction, or
alteration of an individual dwelling unit, means that the unit is
located on an accessible route and when designed, constructed, altered
or adapted can be approached, entered, and used by individuals with
physical handicaps. A unit that is on an accessible route and is
adaptable and otherwise in compliance with the standards set forth in
Sec. 8.32 is accessible within the meaning of this paragraph. When a
unit in an existing facility which is being made accessible as a result
of alterations is intended for use by a specific qualified individual
with handicaps (e.g., a current occupant of such unit or of another unit
under the control of the same recipient, or an applicant on a waiting
list), the unit will be deemed accessible if it meets the requirements
of applicable standards that address the particular disability or
impairment of such person.
Accessible route means a continuous unobstructed path connecting
accessible elements and spaces in a building or facility that complies
with the space and reach requirements of applicable standards prescribed
by Sec. 8.32. An accessible route that serves only accessible units
occupied by persons with hearing or vision impairments need not comply
with those requirements intended to effect accessibility for persons
with mobility impairments.
Adaptability means the ability of certain elements of a dwelling
unit, such as kitchen counters, sinks, and grab bars, to be added to,
raised, lowered, or otherwise altered, to accommodate the needs of
persons with or without handicaps, or to accommodate the needs of
persons with different types or degrees of disability. For example, in a
unit adaptable for a hearing-impaired person, the wiring for visible
emergency alarms may be installed but the alarms need not be installed
until such time as the unit is made ready for occupancy by a hearing-
impaired person.
Alteration means any change in a facility or its permanent fixtures
or
[[Page 104]]
equipment. It includes, but is not limited to, remodeling, renovation,
rehabilitation, reconstruction, changes or rearrangements in structural
parts and extraordinary repairs. It does not include normal maintenance
or repairs, reroofing, interior decoration, or changes to mechanical
systems.
Applicant for assistance means one who submits an application,
request, plan, or statement required to be approved by a Department
official or by a primary recipient as a condition of eligibility for
Federal financial assistance. An application means such a request, plan
or statement.
Auxiliary aids means services or devices that enable persons with
impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills to have an equal
opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance. For example,
auxiliary aids for persons with impaired vision may include readers,
Brailled materials, audio recordings, and other similar services and
devices. Auxiliary aids for persons with impaired hearing may include
telephone handset amplifiers, telephones compatible with hearing aids,
telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TDD's), interpreters,
notetakers, written materials, and other similar services and devices.
Department or HUD means the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures,
equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, rolling stock or other real or
personal property or interest in the property.
Federal financial assistance means any assistance provided or
otherwise made available by the Department through any grant, loan,
contract or any other arrangement, in the form of:
(a) Funds;
(b) Services of Federal personnel; or
(c) Real or personal property or any interest in or use of such
property, including:
(1) Transfers or leases of the property for less than fair market
value or for reduced consideration; and
(2) Proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of the property if
the Federal share of its fair market value is not returned to the
Federal Government.
Federal financial assistance includes community development funds in
the form of proceeds from loans guaranteed under section 108 of the
Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, but does not
include assistance made available through direct Federal procurement
contracts or payments made under these contracts or any other contract
of insurance or guaranty.
Handicap means any condition or characteristic that renders a person
an individual with handicaps.
Historic preservation programs or activities means programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance that have preservation
of historic properties as a primary purpose.
Historic properties means those properties that are listed or are
eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or
such properties designated as historic under a statute of the
appropriate State or local government body.
Individual with handicaps means any person who has a physical or
mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life
activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having
such an impairment. For purposes of employment, this term does not
include: Any individual who is an alcoholic or drug abuser whose current
use of alcohol or drugs prevents the individual from performing the
duties of the job in question, or whose employment, by reason of current
alcohol or drug abuse, would constitute a direct threat to property or
the safety of others; or any individual who has a currently contagious
disease or infection and who, by reason of such disease or infection,
would constitute a direct threat to the health or safety of other
individuals or who, by reason of the currently contagious disease or
infection, is unable to perform the duties of the job. For purposes of
other programs and activities, the term does not include any individual
who is an alcoholic or drug abuser whose current use of alcohol or drugs
prevents the individual from participating in the program or activity in
question, or whose
[[Page 105]]
participation, by reason of such current alcohol or drug abuse, would
constitute a direct threat to property or the safety of others. As used
in this definition, the phrase:
(a) Physical or mental impairment includes:
(1) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement,
or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems:
Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory,
including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive;
genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or
(2) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental
retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and
specific learning disabilities. The term physical or mental impairment
includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditions as
orthopedic, visual, speech and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy,
autism, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart
disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, drug addiction
and alcoholism.
(b) Major life activities means functions such as caring for one's
self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking,
breathing, learning and working.
(c) Has a record of such an impairment means has a history of, or
has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities.
(d) Is regarded as having an impairment means:
(1) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially
limit one or more major life activities but that is treated by a
recipient as constituting such a limitation;
(2) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits
one or more major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of
others toward such impairment; or
(3) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (a) of this
section but is treated by a recipient as having such an impairment.
Multifamily housing project means a project containing five or more
dwelling units.
Primary recipient means a person, group, organization, State or
local unit of government that is authorized or required to extend
Federal financial assistance to another recipient for the purpose of
carrying out a program or activity.
Program or activity means all of the operations of:
(a)(1) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other
instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or
(2) The entity of such State or local government that distributes
such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State
or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the
case of assistance to a State or local government;
(b)(1) A college, university, or other post-secondary institution,
or a public system of higher education; or
(2) A local educational agency (as defined in section 198(a)(10) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965), system of
vocational education, or other school system;
(c)(1) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private
organization, or an entire sole proprietorship--
(i) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership,
private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
(ii) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing
education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and
recreation; or
(2) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate
facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case
of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole
proprietorship; or
(d) Any other entity which is established by two or more of the
entities described in paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this section;
any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance.
Project means the whole of one or more residential structures and
appurtenant structures, equipment, roads, walks, and parking lots which
are covered by a single contract for Federal financial assistance or
application for assistance, or are treated as a whole
[[Page 106]]
for processing purposes, whether or not located on a common site.
Qualified individual with handicaps means:
(a) With respect to employment, an individual with handicaps who,
with reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of
the job in question; and
(b) With respect to any non-employment program or activity which
requires a person to perform services or to achieve a level of
accomplishment, an individual with handicaps who meets the essential
eligibility requirements and who can achieve the purpose of the program
or activity without modifications in the program or activity that the
recipient can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in
its nature; or
(c) With respect to any other non-employment program or activity, an
individual with handicaps who meets the essential eligibility
requirements for participation in, or receipt of benefits from, that
program or activity. Essential eligibility requirements include stated
eligibility requirements such as income as well as other explicit or
implicit requirements inherent in the nature of the program or activity,
such as requirements that an occupant of multifamily housing be capable
of meeting the recipient's selection criteria and be capable of
complying with all obligations of occupancy with or without supportive
services provided by persons other than the recipient. For example, a
chronically metally ill person whose particular condition poses a
significant risk of substantial interference with the safety or
enjoyment of others or with his or her own health or safety in the
absence of necessary supportive services may be qualified for occupancy
in a project where such supportive services are provided by the
recipient as part of the assisted program. The person may not be
qualified for a project lacking such services.
Recipient means any State or its political subdivision, any
instrumentality of a State or its political subdivision, any public or
private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or any
person to which Federal financial assistance is extended for any program
or activity directly or through another recipient, including any
successor, assignee, or transferee of a recipient, but excluding the
ultimate beneficiary of the assistance. An entity or person receiving
housing assistance payments from a recipient on behalf of eligible
families under a housing assistance payments program or a voucher
program is not a recipient or subrecipient merely by virtue of receipt
of such payments.
Replacement cost of the completed facility means the current cost of
construction and equipment for a newly constructed housing facility of
the size and type being altered. Construction and equipment costs do not
include the cost of land, demolition, site improvements, non-dwelling
facilities and administrative costs for project development activities.
Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Section 504 means section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended, 29 U.S.C. 794, as it applies to programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance.
Substantial impairment means a significant loss of the integrity of
finished materials, design quality, or special character resulting from
a permanent alteration.
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988; 54 FR 8188, Feb. 27, 1989]
Sec. 8.4 Discrimination prohibited.
(a) No qualified individual with handicaps shall, solely on the
basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance from the
Department.
(b)(1) A recipient, in providing any housing, aid, benefit, or
service in a program or activity that receives Federal financial
assistance from the Department may not, directly or through contractual,
licensing, or other arrangements, solely on the basis of handicap:
(i) Deny a qualified individual with handicaps the opportunity to
participate in, or benefit from, the housing, aid, benefit, or service;
[[Page 107]]
(ii) Afford a qualified individual with handicaps an opportunity to
participate in, or benefit from, the housing, aid, benefit, or service
that is not equal to that afforded to others;
(iii) Provide a qualified individual with handicaps with any
housing, aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective in affording
the individual an equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain
the same benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement as that
provided to others;
(iv) Provide different or separate housing, aid, benefits, or
services to individuals with handicaps or to any class of individuals
with handicaps from that provided to others unless such action is
necessary to provide qualified individuals with handicaps with housing,
aid, benefits, or services that are as effective as those provided to
others.
(v) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against a qualified individual
with handicaps by providing significant assistance to an agency,
organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of handicap in
providing any housing, aid, benefit, or service to beneficiaries in the
recipient's federally assisted program or activity;
(vi) Deny a qualified individual with handicaps the opportunity to
participate as a member of planning or advisory boards;
(vii) Deny a dwelling to an otherwise qualified buyer or renter
because of a handicap of that buyer or renter or a person residing in or
intending and eligible to reside in that dwelling after it is sold,
rented or made available; or
(viii) Otherwise limit a qualified individual with handicaps in the
enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by
other qualified individuals receiving the housing, aid, benefit, or
service.
(2) For purposes of this part, housing, aids, benefits, and
services, to be equally effective, are not required to produce the
identical result or level of achievement for individuals with handicaps
and non-handicapped persons, but must afford individuals with handicaps
equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit,
or to reach the same level of achievement.
(3) A recipient may not deny a qualified individual with handicaps
the opportunity to participate in any federally assisted program or
activity that is not separate or different despite the existence of
permissibly separate or different programs or activities.
(4) In any program or activity receiving Federal financial
assistance from the Department, a recipient may not, directly or through
contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of
administration the purpose or effect of which would:
(i) Subject qualified individuals with handicaps to discrimination
solely on the basis of handicap;
(ii) Defeat or substantially impair the accomplishment of the
objectives of the recipient's federally assisted program or activity for
qualified individuals with a particular handicap involved in the program
or activity, unless the recipient can demonstrate that the criteria or
methods of administration are manifestly related to the accomplishment
of an objective of a program or activity; or
(iii) Perpetuate the discrimination of another recipient if both
recipients are subject to common administrative control or are agencies
of the same State.
(5) In determining the site or location of a federally assisted
facility, an applicant for assistance or a recipient may not make
selections the purpose or effect of which would:
(i) Exclude qualified individuals with handicaps from, deny them the
benefits of, or otherwise subject them to discrimination under, any
program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance from the
Department, or
(ii) Defeat or substantially impair the accomplishment of the
objectives of the program or activity with respect to qualified
individuals with handicaps.
(6) As used in this section, the housing, aid, benefit, or service
provided under a program or activity receiving Federal financial
assistance includes any housing, aid, benefit, or service provided in or
through a facility that has been constructed, altered, leased or rented,
or otherwise acquired, in whole or in part, with Federal financial
assistance.
[[Page 108]]
(c)(1) Non-handicapped persons may be excluded from the benefits of
a program if the program is limited by Federal statute or executive
order to individuals with handicaps. A specific class of individuals
with handicaps may be excluded from a program if the program is limited
by Federal statute or Executive order to a different class of
individuals.
(2) Certain Department programs operate under statutory definitions
of handicapped person that are more restrictive than the definition of
individual with handicaps contained in Sec. 8.3 (see appendix B). Those
definitions are not superseded or otherwise affected by this regulation.
(d) Recipients shall administer programs and activities receiving
Federal financial assistance in the most integrated setting appropriate
to the needs of qualified individuals with handicaps.
(e) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or
alleviated by any State or local law or other requirement that, based on
handicap, imposes inconsistent or contradictory prohibitions or limits
upon the eligibility of qualified individuals with handicaps to receive
services or to practice any occupation or profession.
(f) The enumeration of specific forms of prohibited discrimination
in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section does not limit the general
prohibition in paragraph (a) of this section.
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988; 53 FR 28115, July 26, 1988]
Sec. 8.5 [Reserved]
Sec. 8.6 Communications.
(a) The recipient shall take appropriate steps to ensure effective
communication with applicants, beneficiaries, and members of the public.
(1) The recipient shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids where
necessary to afford an individual with handicaps an equal opportunity to
participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a program or activity
receiving Federal financial assistance.
(i) In determining what auxiliary aids are necessary, the recipient
shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with
handicaps.
(ii) The recipient is not required to provide individually
prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices
of a personal nature.
(2) Where a recipient communicates with applicants and beneficiaries
by telephone, telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TDD's) or
equally effective communication systems shall be used.
(b) The recipient shall adopt and implement procedures to ensure
that interested persons (including persons with impaired vision or
hearing) can obtain information concerning the existence and location of
accessible services, activities, and facilities.
(c) This section does not require a recipient to take any action
that the recipient can demonstrate would result in a fundamental
alteration in the nature of a program or activity or in undue financial
and administrative burdens. If an action would result in such an
alteration or burdens, the recipient shall take any other action that
would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would
nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals
with handicaps receive the benefits and services of the program or
activity receiving HUD assistance.
Subpart B--Employment
Sec. 8.10 General prohibitions against employment discrimination.
(a) No qualified individual with handicaps shall, solely on the
basis of handicap, be subjected to discrimination in employment under
any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance from
the Department.
(b) A recipient may not limit, segregate, or classify applicants or
employees in any way that adversely affects their opportunities or
status because of handicap.
(c) The prohibition against discrimination in employment applies to
the following activities:
(1) Recruitment, advertising, and the processing of applications for
employment;
(2) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, award of tenure, demotion,
transfer, layoff, termination, right of return
[[Page 109]]
from layoff, injury or illness, and rehiring;
(3) Rates of pay or any other form of compensation and changes in
compensation;
(4) Job assignments, job classifications, organizational structures,
position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists;
(5) Leaves of absence, sick leave, or any other leave;
(6) Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or
not administered by the recipient;
(7) Selection and financial support for training, including
apprenticeship, professional meetings, conferences, and other related
activities, and selection for leaves of absence for training;
(8) Employer sponsored activities, including social or recreational
programs; and
(9) Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.
(d) A recipient may not participate in a contractual or other
relationship that has the effect of subjecting qualified applicants with
handicaps or employees with handicaps to discrimination prohibited by
this subpart. The relationships referred to in this paragraph (d)
include relationships with employment and referral agencies, labor
unions, organizations providing or administering fringe benefits to
employees of the recipient, and organizations providing training and
apprenticeship programs.
Sec. 8.11 Reasonable accommodation.
(a) A recipient shall make reasonable accommodation to the known
physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified applicant with
handicaps or employee with handicaps, unless the recipient can
demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the
operation of its program.
(b) Reasonable accommodation may include:
(1) Making facilities used by employees accessible to and usable by
individuals with handicaps and
(2) Job restructuring, job relocation, part-time or modified work
schedules, acquisitions or modification of equipment or devices, the
provision of readers or interpreters, and other similar actions.
(c) In determining, under paragraph (a) of this section, whether an
accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of a
recipient's program, factors to be considered include:
(1) The overall size of the recipient's program with respect to
number of employees, number and type of facilities, and size of budget;
(2) The type of the recipient's operation, including the composition
and structure of the recipient's workforce; and
(3) The nature and cost of the accommodation needed.
(d) A recipient may not deny any employment opportunity to a
qualified handicapped employee or applicant if the basis for the denial
is the need to make reasonable accommodation to the physical or mental
limitations of the employee or applicant.
Sec. 8.12 Employment criteria.
(a) A recipient may not use any employment test or other selection
criterion that screens out or tends to screen out individuals with
handicaps or any class of individuals with handicaps unless:
(1) The recipient demonstrates that the test score or other
selection criterion, as used by the recipient, is job-related for the
position in question; and
(2) The appropriate HUD official demonstrates that alternative job-
related tests or criteria that tend to screen out fewer individuals with
handicaps are unavailable.
(b) A recipient shall select and administer tests concerning
employment to ensure that, when administered to an applicant or employee
who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the
test results accurately reflect the applicant's or employee's job
skills, aptitude, or whatever other factor the test purports to measure,
rather than the applicant's or employee's impaired sensory, manual, or
speaking skills (except where those skills are the factors that the test
purports to measure).
[[Page 110]]
Sec. 8.13 Preemployment inquiries.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a
recipient may not make a preemployment inquiry or conduct a
preemployment medical examination of an applicant to determine whether
the applicant is an individual with handicaps or the nature or severity
of a handicap. A recipient may, however, make preemployment inquiry into
an applicant's ability to perform job-related functions.
(b) When a recipient is undertaking affirmative action efforts,
voluntary or otherwise, the recipient may invite applicants for
employment to indicate whether and to what extent they are handicapped,
if the following conditions are met:
(1) The recipient states clearly on any written questionnaire used
for this purpose, or makes clear orally if no written questionnaire is
used, that the information requested is intended for use solely in
connection with its remedial action obligations, or its voluntary or
affirmative action efforts; and
(2) The recipient states clearly that the information is being
requested on a voluntary basis, that it will be kept confidential (as
provided in paragraph (d) of this section), that refusal to provide the
information will not subject the applicant or employee to any adverse
treatment, and that the information will be used only in accordance with
this part.
(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a recipient from
conditioning an offer of employment on the results of a medical
examination conducted before the employee's entrance on duty if all
entering employees in that category of job classification must take such
an examination regardless of handicap, and the results of such
examination are used only in accordance with the requirements of this
part.
(d) Information obtained under this section concerning the medical
condition or history of the applicant is to be collected and maintained
on separate forms that are accorded confidentiality as medical records,
except that:
(1) Supervisors and managers may be informed of restrictions on the
work or duties of individuals with handicaps and informed of necessary
accommodations;
(2) First aid and safety personnel may be informed if the condition
might require emergency treatment; and
(3) Government officials investigating compliance with section 504
shall be provided relevant information upon request.
Subpart C--Program Accessibility
Sec. 8.20 General requirement concerning program accessibility.
Except as otherwise provided in Secs. 8.21(c)(1), 8.24(a), 8.25, and
8.31, no qualified individual with handicaps shall, because a
recipient's facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by individuals
with handicaps, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from
participation in, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance.
Sec. 8.21 Non-housing facilities.
(a) New construction. New non-housing facilities shall be designed
and constructed to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals
with handicaps.
(b) Alterations to facilities. Alterations to existing non-housing
facilities shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be made to be readily
accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps. For purposes of
this paragraph, the phrase to the maximum extent feasible shall not be
interpreted as requiring that a recipient make a non-housing facility,
or element thereof, accessible if doing so would impose undue financial
and administrative burdens on the operation of the recipient's program
or activity.
(c) Existing non-housing facilities--(1) General. A recipient shall
operate each non-housing program or activity receiving Federal financial
assistance so that the program or activity, when viewed in its entirety,
is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps. This
paragraph does not--
(i) Necessarily require a recipient to make each of its existing
non-housing facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with
handicaps;
(ii) In the case of historic preservation programs or activities,
require the recipient to take any action that would
[[Page 111]]
result in a substantial impairment of significant historic features of
an historic property; or
(iii) Require a recipient to take any action that it can demonstrate
would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program or
activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. If an action
would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the recipient shall
take any action that would not result in such an alteration or such
burdens but would nevertheless ensure that individuals with handicaps
receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.
(2) Methods--(i) General. A recipient may comply with the
requirements of this section in its programs and activities receiving
Federal financial assistance through such means as location of programs
or services to accessible facilities or accessible portions of
facilities, assignment of aides to beneficiaries, home visits, the
addition or redesign of equipment (e.g., appliances or furnishings)
changes in management policies or procedures, acquisition or
construction of additional facilities, or alterations to existing
facilities on a selective basis, or any other methods that result in
making its program or activity accessible to individuals with handicaps.
A recipient is not required to make structural changes in existing
facilities where other methods are effective in achieving compliance
with this section. In choosing among available methods for meeting the
requirements of this section, the recipient shall give priority to those
methods that offer programs and activities to qualified individuals with
handicaps in the most integrated setting appropriate.
(ii) Historic preservation programs or activities. In meeting the
requirements of Sec. 8.21(c) in historic preservation programs or
activities, a recipient shall give priority to methods that provide
physical access to individuals with handicaps. In cases where a physical
alteration to an historic property is not required because of
Sec. 8.21(c)(1)(ii) or (iii), alternative methods of achieving program
accessibility include using audio-visual materials and devices to depict
those portions of an historic property that cannot otherwise be made
accessible; assigning persons to guide individuals with handicaps into
or through portions of historic properties that cannot otherwise be made
accessible; or adopting other innovative methods.
(3) Time period for compliance. The recipient shall comply with the
obligations established under this section within sixty days of July 11,
1988, except that where structural changes in facilities are undertaken,
such changes shall be made within three years of July 11, 1988, but in
any event as expeditiously as possible.
(4) Transition plan. If structural changes to non-housing facilities
will be undertaken to achieve program accessibility, a recipient shall
develop, within six months of July 11, 1988, a transition plan setting
forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The plan shall be
developed with the assistance of interested persons, including
individuals with handicaps or organizations representing individuals
with handicaps. A copy of the transition plan shall be made available
for public inspection. The plan shall, at a minimum--
(i) Identify physical obstacles in the recipient's facilities that
limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to individuals
with handicaps;
(ii) Describe in details the methods that will be used to make the
facilities accessible;
(iii) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve
compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition
plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during
each year of the transition period;
(iv) Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the
plan; and
(v) Identify the persons or groups with whose assistance the plan
was prepared.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
2529-0034)
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988; 53 FR 28115, July 26, 1988, as amended at 54
FR 37645, Sept. 12, 1989]
Sec. 8.22 New construction--housing facilities.
(a) New multifamily housing projects (including public housing and
Indian
[[Page 112]]
housing projects as required by Sec. 8.25) shall be designed and
constructed to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with
handicaps.
(b) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, a minimum of five
percent of the total dwelling units or at least one unit in a
multifamily housing project, whichever is greater, shall be made
accessible for persons with mobility impairments. A unit that is on an
accessible route and is adaptable and otherwise in compliance with the
standards set forth in Sec. 8.32 is accessible for purposes of this
section. An additional two percent of the units (but not less than one
unit) in such a project shall be accessible for persons with hearing or
vision impairments.
(c) HUD may prescribe a higher percentage or number than that
prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section for any area upon request
therefor by any affected recipient or by any State or local government
or agency thereof based upon demonstration to the reasonable
satisfaction of HUD of a need for a higher percentage or number, based
on census data or other available current data (including a currently
effective Housing Assistance Plan or Comprehensive Homeless Assistance
Plan), or in response to evidence of a need for a higher percentage or
number received in any other manner. In reviewing such request or
otherwise assessing the existence of such needs, HUD shall take into
account the expected needs of eligible persons with and without
handicaps.
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 920, Jan. 9, 1991]
Sec. 8.23 Alterations of existing housing facilities.
(a) Substantial alteration. If alterations are undertaken to a
project (including a public housing project as required by
Sec. 8.25(a)(2)) that has 15 or more units and the cost of the
alterations is 75 percent or more of the replacement cost of the
completed facility, then the provisions of Sec. 8.22 shall apply.
(b) Other alterations. (1) Subject to paragraph (b)(2) of this
section, alterations to dwelling units in a multifamily housing project
(including public housing) shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be
made to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with
handicaps. If alterations of single elements or spaces of a dwelling
unit, when considered together, amount to an alteration of a dwelling
unit, the entire dwelling unit shall be made accessible. Once five
percent of the dwelling units in a project are readily accessible to and
usable by individuals with mobility impairments, then no additional
elements of dwelling units, or entire dwelling units, are required to be
accessible under this paragraph. Alterations to common areas or parts of
facilities that affect accessibility of existing housing facilities
shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be made to be accessible to and
usable by individuals with handicaps. For purposes of this paragraph,
the phrase to the maximum extent feasible shall not be interpreted as
requiring that a recipient (including a PHA) make a dwelling unit,
common area, facility or element thereof accessible if doing so would
impose undue financial and administrative burdens on the operation of
the multifamily housing project.
(2) HUD may prescribe a higher percentage or number than that
prescribed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section for any area upon request
therefor by any affected recipient or by any State or local government
or agency thereof based upon demonstration to the reasonable
satisfaction of HUD of a need for a higher percentage or number, based
on census data or other available current data (including a currently
effective Housing Assistance Plan or Comprehensive Homeless Assistance
Plan), or in response to evidence of a need for a higher percentage or
number received in any other manner. In reviewing such request or
otherwise assessing the existence of such needs, HUD shall take into
account the expected needs of eligible persons with and without
handicaps.
Sec. 8.24 Existing housing programs.
(a) General. A recipient shall operate each existing housing program
or activity receiving Federal financial assistance so that the program
or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is
[[Page 113]]
readily accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps. This
paragraph does not--
(1) Necessarily require a recipient to make each of its existing
facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps;
(2) Require a recipient to take any action that it can demonstrate
would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program or
activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. If an action
would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the recipient shall
take any action that would not result in such an alteration or such
burdens but would nevertheless ensure that individuals with handicaps
receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.
(b) Methods. A recipient may comply with the requirements of this
section through such means as reassignment of services to accessible
buildings, assignment of aides to beneficiaries, provision of housing or
related services at alternate accessible sites, alteration of existing
facilities and construction of new facilities, or any other methods that
result in making its programs or activities readily accessible to and
usable by individuals with handicaps. A recipient is not required to
make structural changes in existing housing facilities where other
methods are effective in achieving compliance with this section or to
provide supportive services that are not part of the program. In
choosing among available methods for meeting the requirements of this
section, the recipient shall give priority to those methods that offer
programs and activities to qualified individuals with handicaps in the
most integrated setting appropriate.
(c) Time period for compliance. The recipient shall comply with the
obligations established under this section within sixty days of July 11,
1988 except that--
(1) In a public housing program where structural changes in
facilities are undertaken, such changes shall be made within the
timeframes established in Sec. 8.25(c).
(2) In other housing programs, where structural changes in
facilities are undertaken, such changes shall be made within three years
of July 11, 1988, but in any event as expeditiously as possible.
(d) Transition plan and time period for structural changes. Except
as provided in Sec. 8.25(c), in the event that structural changes to
facilities will be undertaken to achieve program accessibility, a
recipient shall develop, within six months of July 11, 1988, a
transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete such
changes. The plan shall be developed with the assistance of interested
persons, including individuals with handicaps or organizations
representing individuals with handicaps. A copy of the transition plan
shall be made available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a
minimum--
(1) Identify physical obstacles in the recipient's facilities that
limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to individuals
with handicaps;
(2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the
facilities accessible;
(3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve
compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition
plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during
each year of the transition period;
(4) Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the
plan; and
(5) Identify the persons or groups with whose assistance the plan
was prepared.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
2529-0034)
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988; 53 FR 28115, July 26, 1988, as amended at 54
FR 37645, Sept. 12, 1989]
Sec. 8.25 Public housing and multi-family Indian housing.
(a) Development and alteration of public housing and multi-family
Indian housing. (1) The requirements of Sec. 8.22 shall apply to all
newly constructed public housing and multi-family Indian housing.
(2) The requirements of Sec. 8.23 shall apply to public housing and
multi-family Indian housing developed through rehabilitation and to the
alteration of public housing and multi-family Indian housing.
(3) In developing public housing and multi-family Indian housing
through
[[Page 114]]
the purchase of existing properties PHAs and IHAs shall give priority to
facilities which are readily accessible to and usable by individuals
with handicaps.
(b) Existing public housing and multi-family Indian housing--
general. The requirements of Sec. 8.24(a) shall apply to public housing
and multi-family Indian housing programs.
(c) Existing public housing and multi-family Indian housing--needs
assessment and transition plan. As soon as possible, each PHA (for the
purpose of this paragraph, this includes an Indian Housing Authority)
shall assess, on a PHA-wide basis, the needs of current tenants and
applicants on its waiting list for accessible units and the extent to
which such needs have not been met or cannot reasonably be met within
four years through development, alterations otherwise contemplated, or
other programs administered by the PHA (e.g., Section 8 Moderate
Rehabilitation or Section 8 Existing Housing or Housing Vouchers). If
the PHA currently has no accessible units or if the PHA or HUD
determines that information regarding the availability of accessible
units has not been communicated sufficiently so that, as a result, the
number of eligible qualified individuals with handicaps on the waiting
list is not fairly representative of the number of such persons in the
area, the PHA's assessment shall include the needs of eligible qualified
individuals with handicaps in the area. If the PHA determines, on the
basis of such assessment, that there is no need for additional
accessible dwelling units or that the need is being or will be met
within four years through other means, such as new construction, Section
8 or alterations otherwise contemplated, no further action is required
by the PHA under this paragraph. If the PHA determines, on the basis of
its needs assessment, that alterations to make additional units
accessible must be made so that the needs of eligible qualified
individuals with handicaps may be accommodated proportionally to the
needs of non-handicapped individuals in the same categories, then the
PHA shall develop a transition plan to achieve program accessibility.
The PHA shall complete the needs assessment and transition plan, if one
is necessary, as expeditiously as possible, but in any event no later
than two years after July 11, 1988. The PHA shall complete structural
changes necessary to achieve program accessibility as soon as possible
but in any event no later than four years after July 11, 1988. The
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity and the
Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing may extend the four
year period for a period not to exceed two years, on a case-by-case
determination that compliance within that period would impose undue
financial and administrative burdens on the operation of the recipient's
public housing and multi-family Indian housing program. The Secretary or
the Undersecretary may further extend this time period in extraordinary
circumstances, for a period not to exceed one year. The plan shall be
developed with the assistance of interested persons including
individuals with handicaps or organizations representing individuals
with handicaps. A copy of the needs assessment and transition plan shall
be made available for public inspection. The transition plan shall, at a
minimum--
(1) Identify physical obstacles in the PHA's facilities (e.g.,
dwelling units and common areas) that limit the accessibility of its
programs or activities to individuals with handicaps;
(2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the
PHA's facilities accessible. A PHA may, if necessary, provide in its
plan that it will seek HUD approval, under 24 CFR part 968, of a
comprehensive modernization program to meet the needs of eligible
individuals with handicaps;
(3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve
compliance with this section and, if the time of the transition plan is
longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during each year
of the transition period;
(4) Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the
plan; and
[[Page 115]]
(5) Identify the persons or groups with whose assistance the plan
was prepared.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
2529-0034)
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 37645, Sept. 12, 1989;
56 FR 920, Jan. 9, 1991]
Sec. 8.26 Distribution of accessible dwelling units.
Accessible dwelling units required by Sec. 8.22, 8.23, 8.24 or 8.25
shall, to the maximum extent feasible and subject to reasonable health
and safety requirements, be distributed throughout projects and sites
and shall be available in a sufficient range of sizes and amenities so
that a qualified individual with handicaps' choice of living
arrangements is, as a whole, comparable to that of other persons
eligible for housing assistance under the same program. This provision
shall not be construed to require provision of an elevator in any
multifamily housing project solely for the purpose of permitting
location of accessible units above or below the accessible grade level.
Sec. 8.27 Occupancy of accessible dwelling units.
(a) Owners and managers of multifamily housing projects having
accessible units shall adopt suitable means to assure that information
regarding the availability of accessible units reaches eligible
individuals with handicaps, and shall take reasonable nondiscriminatory
steps to maximize the utilization of such units by eligible individuals
whose disability requires the accessibility features of the particular
unit. To this end, when an accessible unit becomes vacant, the owner or
manager before offering such units to a non-handicapped applicant shall
offer such unit:
(1) First, to a current occupant of another unit of the same
project, or comparable projects under common control, having handicaps
requiring the accessibility features of the vacant unit and occupying a
unit not having such features, or, if no such occupant exists, then
(2) Second, to an eligible qualified applicant on the waiting list
having a handicap requiring the accessibility features of the vacant
unit.
(b) When offering an accessible unit to an applicant not having
handicaps requiring the accessibility features of the unit, the owner or
manager may require the applicant to agree (and may incorporate this
agreement in the lease) to move to a non-accessible unit when available.
Sec. 8.28 Housing certificate and housing voucher programs.
(a) In carrying out the requirements of this subpart, a recipient
administering a Section 8 Existing Housing Certificate program or a
housing voucher program shall:
(1) In providing notice of the availability and nature of housing
assistance for low-income families under program requirements, adopt
suitable means to assure that the notice reaches eligible individuals
with handicaps;
(2) In its activities to encourage participation by owners, include
encouragement of participation by owners having accessible units;
(3) When issuing a Housing Certificate or Housing Voucher to a
family which includes an individual with handicaps include a current
listing of available accessible units known to the PHA and, if
necessary, otherwise assist the family in locating an available
accessible dwelling unit;
(4) Take into account the special problem of ability to locate an
accessible unit when considering requests by eligible individuals with
handicaps for extensions of Housing Certificates or Housing Vouchers;
and
(5) If necessary as a reasonable accommodation for a person with
disabilities, approve a family request for an exception rent under
Sec. 982.504(b)(2) for a regular tenancy under the Section 8 certificate
program so that the program is readily accessible to and usable by
persons with disabilities.
(b) In order to ensure that participating owners do not discriminate
in the recipient's federally assisted program, a recipient shall enter
into a
[[Page 116]]
HUD-approved contract with participating owners, which contract shall
include necessary assurances of nondiscrimination.
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 23853, Apr. 30, 1998]
Sec. 8.29 Homeownership programs (sections 235(i) and 235(j), Turnkey III and Indian housing mutual self-help programs).
Any housing units newly constructed or rehabilitated for purchase or
single family (including semi-attached and attached) units to be
constructed or rehabilitated in a program or activity receiving Federal
financial assistance shall be made accessible upon request of the
prospective buyer if the nature of the handicap of an expected occupant
so requires. In such case, the buyer shall consult with the seller or
builder/sponsor regarding the specific design features to be provided.
If accessibility features selected at the option of the homebuyer are
ones covered by the standards prescribed by Sec. 8.32, those features
shall comply with the standards prescribed in Sec. 8.32. The buyer shall
be permitted to depart from particular specifications of these standards
in order to accommodate his or her specific handicap. The cost of making
a facility accessible under this paragraph may be included in the
mortgage amount within the allowable mortgage limits, where applicable.
To the extent such costs exceed allowable mortgage limits, they may be
passed on to the prospective homebuyer, subject to maximum sales price
limitations (see 24 CFR 235.320.)
Sec. 8.30 Rental rehabilitation program.
Each grantee or state recipient in the rental rehabilitation program
shall, subject to the priority in 24 CFR 511.10(l) and in accordance
with other requirements in 24 CFR part 511, give priority to the
selection of projects that will result in dwelling units being made
readily accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps.
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988; 53 FR 28115, July 26, 1988]
Sec. 8.31 Historic properties.
If historic properties become subject to alterations to which this
part applies the requirements of Sec. 4.1.7 of the standards of
Sec. 8.32 of this part shall apply, except in the case of the Urban
Development Action Grant (UDAG) program. In the UDAG program the
requirements of 36 CFR part 801 shall apply. Accessibility to historic
properties subject to alterations need not be provided if such
accessibility would substantially impair the significant historic
features of the property or result in undue financial and administrative
burdens.
Sec. 8.32 Accessibility standards.
(a) Effective as of July 11, 1988, design, construction, or
alteration of buildings in conformance with sections 3-8 of the Uniform
Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) shall be deemed to comply with
the requirements of Secs. 8.21, 8.22, 8.23, and 8.25 with respect to
those buildings. Departures from particular technical and scoping
requirements of the UFAS by the use of other methods are permitted where
substantially equivalent or greater access to and usability of the
building is provided. The alteration of housing facilities shall also be
in conformance with additional scoping requirements contained in this
part. Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the UFAS are directed to
Sec. 40.7 of this title.
(b) For purposes of this section, section 4.1.6(1)(g) of UFAS shall
be interpreted to exempt from the requirements of UFAS only mechanical
rooms and other spaces that, because of their intended use, will not
require accessibility to the public or beneficiaries or result in the
employment or residence therein of individuals with physical handicaps.
(c) This section does not require recipients to make building
alterations that have little likelihood of being accomplished without
removing or altering a load-bearing structural member.
(d) For purposes of this section, section 4.1.4(11) of UFAS may not
be used to waive or lower the minimum of five percent accessible units
required by Sec. 8.22(b) or to apply the minimum only to projects of 15
or more dwelling units.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the provisions
of Secs. 8.21 (a) and (b), 8.22 (a) and (b), 8.23, 8.25(a)
[[Page 117]]
(1) and (2), and 8.29 shall apply to facilities that are designed,
constructed or altered after July 11, 1988. If the design of a facility
was commenced before July 11, 1988, the provisions shall be followed to
the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Department. For
purposes of this paragraph, the date a facility is constructed or
altered shall be deemed to be the date bids for the construction or
alteration of the facility are solicited. For purposes of the Urban
Development Action Grant (UDAG) program, the provisions shall apply to
the construction or alteration of facilities that are funded under
applications submitted after July 11, 1988. If the UDAG application was
submitted before July 11, 1988, the provisions shall apply, to the
maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Department.
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 5203, Feb. 9, 1996]
Sec. 8.33 Housing adjustments.
A recipient shall modify its housing policies and practices to
ensure that these policies and practices do not discriminate, on the
basis of handicap, against a qualified individual with handicaps. The
recipient may not impose upon individuals with handicaps other policies,
such as the prohibition of assistive devices, auxiliary alarms, or
guides in housing facilities, that have the effect of limiting the
participation of tenants with handicaps in the recipient's federally
assisted housing program or activity in violation of this part. Housing
policies that the recipient can demonstrate are essential to the housing
program or activity will not be regarded as discriminatory within the
meaning of this section if modifications to them would result in a
fundamental alteration in the nature of the program or activity or undue
financial and administrative burdens.
Subpart D--Enforcement
Sec. 8.50 Assurances required.
(a) Assurances. An applicant for Federal financial assistance for a
program or activity to which this part applies shall submit an assurance
to HUD, or in the case of a subrecipient to a primary recipient, on a
form specified by the responsible civil rights official, that the
program or activity will be operated in compliance with this part. An
applicant may incorporate these assurances by reference in subsequent
applications to the Department.
(b) Duration of obligation. (1) In the case of Federal financial
assistance extended in the form of real property or to provide real
property or structures on the property, the assurance will obligate the
recipient or, in the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for
the period during which the real property or structures are used for the
purpose for which Federal financial assistance is extended or for
another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits.
(2) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide
personal property, the assurance will obligate the recipient for the
period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property.
(3) In all other cases the assurance will obligate the recipient for
the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended.
(c) Covenants. (1) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in
the form of real property or interest in the property from the
Department, the instrument effecting or recording this transfer shall
contain a covenant running with the land to assure nondiscrimination for
the period during which the real property is used for a purpose for
which the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another
purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits.
(2) Where no transfer of property is involved but property is
purchased or improved with Federal financial assistance, the recipient
shall agree to include the covenant described in paragraph (b)(2) of
this section in the instrument effecting or recording any subsequent
transfer of the property.
(3) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of
real property or interest in the property from the Department, the
covenant shall also include a condition coupled
[[Page 118]]
with a right to be reserved by the Department to revert title to the
property in the event of a breach of the covenant. If a transferee of
real property proposes to mortgage or otherwise encumber the real
property as security for financing construction of new, or improvement
of existing, facilities on the property for the purposes for which the
property was transferred, the Secretary may, upon request of the
transferee and if necessary to accomplish such financing and upon such
conditions as he or she deems appropriate, agree to forbear the exercise
of such right to revert title for so long as the lien of such mortgage
or other encumbrance remains effective.
Sec. 8.51 Self-evaluation.
(a) Each recipient shall, within one year of July 11, 1988, and
after consultation with interested persons, including individuals with
handicaps or organizations representing individuals with handicaps:
(1) Evaluate its current policies and practices to determine
whether, in whole or in part, they do not or may not meet the
requirements of this part;
(2) Modify any policies and practices that do not meet the
requirements of this part; and
(3) Take appropriate corrective steps to remedy the discrimination
revealed by the self-evaluation.
(b) A recipient that employs fifteen or more persons shall, for at
least three years following completion of the evaluation required under
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, maintain on file, make available for
public inspection, and provide to the responsible civil rights official,
upon request: (1) A list of the interested persons consulted; (2) a
description of areas examined and any problems identified; and (3) a
description of any modifications made and of any remedial steps taken.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
2529-0034)
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 37645, Sept. 12, 1989]
Sec. 8.52 Remedial and affirmative action.
(a) Remedial action. (1) If the responsible civil rights official
finds that a recipient has discriminated against persons on the basis of
handicap in violation of section 504 or this part, the recipient shall
take such remedial action as the responsible civil rights official deems
necessary to overcome the effects of the discrimination.
(2) The responsible civil rights official may, where necessary to
overcome the effects of discrimination in violation of section 504 or
this part, require a recipient to take remedial action--
(i) With respect to individuals with handicaps who are no longer
participants in the program but who were participants in the program
when such discrimination occurred or
(ii) With respect to individuals with handicaps who would have been
participants in the program had the discrimination not occurred.
(b) Voluntary action. A recipient may take nondiscriminatory steps,
in addition to any action that is required by this part, to overcome the
effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation in the
recipient's program or activity by qualified individuals with handicaps.
Sec. 8.53 Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance procedures.
(a) Designation of responsible employee. A recipient that employs
fifteen or more persons shall designate at least one person to
coordinate its efforts to comply with this part.
(b) Adoption of grievance procedures. A recipient that employees
fifteen or more persons shall adopt grievance procedures that
incorporate appropriate due process standards and that provide for the
prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action
prohibited by this part. Such procedures need not be established with
respect to complaints from applicants for employment or from applicants
for admission to housing covered by this part.
Sec. 8.54 Notice.
(a) A recipient that employs fifteen or more persons shall take
appropriate initial and continuing steps to notify participants,
beneficiaries, applicants, and employees, including those with impaired
vision or hearing, and unions or professional organizations holding
[[Page 119]]
collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient that
it does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in violation of this
part. The notification shall state, where appropriate, that the
recipient does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment
or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities. The
notification shall also include an identification of the responsible
employee designated pursuant to Sec. 8.53. A recipient shall make the
initial notification required by this paragraph within 90 days of July
11, 1988. Methods of initial and continuing notification may include the
posting of notices, publication in newspapers and magazines, placement
of notices in recipients' publications, and distribution of memoranda or
other written communications.
(b) If a recipient publishes or uses recruitment materials or
publications containing general information that it makes available to
participants, beneficiaries, applicants, or employees, it shall include
in those materials or publications a statement of the policy described
in paragraph (a) of this section. A recipient may meet the requirement
of this paragraph either by including appropriate inserts in existing
materials and publications or by revising and reprinting the materials
and publications.
(c) The recipient shall ensure that members of the population
eligible to be served or likely to be affected directly by a federally
assisted program who have visual or hearing impairments are provided
with the information necessary to understand and participate in the
program. Methods for ensuring participation include, but are not limited
to, qualified sign language and oral interpreters, readers, or the use
of taped and Braille materials.
Sec. 8.55 Compliance information.
(a) Cooperation and assistance. The responsible civil rights
official and the award official shall, to the fullest extent
practicable, seek the cooperation of recipients in obtaining compliance
with this part and shall provide assistance and guidance to recipients
to help them comply voluntarily with this part.
(b) Compliance reports. Each recipient shall keep such records and
submit to the responsible civil rights official or his or her designee
timely, complete, and accurate compliance reports at such times, and in
such form and containing such information, as the responsible civil
rights official or his or her designee may determine to be necessary to
enable him or her to ascertain whether the recipient has complied or is
complying with this part. In general, recipients should have available
for the Department data showing the extent to which individuals with
handicaps are beneficiaries of federally assisted programs.
(c) Access to sources of information. Each recipient shall permit
access by the responsible civil rights official during normal business
hours to such of its books, records, accounts, and other sources of
information, and its facilities, as may be pertinent to ascertain
compliance with this part. Where any information required of a recipient
is in the exclusive possession of any other agency, institution, or
person and this agency, institution, or person shall fail or refuse to
furnish this information, the recipient shall so certify in its report
and shall set forth what efforts it has made to obtain the information.
(d) Information to beneficiaries and participants. Each recipient
shall make available to participants, beneficiaries, and other
interested persons such information regarding the provisions of this
part and its applicability to the program or activity under which the
recipient receives Federal financial assistance, and make such
information available to them in such manner as the responsible civil
rights official finds necessary to apprise such persons of the
protections against discrimination assured them by this part.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
2529-0034)
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 37645, Sept. 12, 1989]
Sec. 8.56 Conduct of investigations.
(a) Periodic compliance reviews. The responsible civil rights
official or designee may periodically review the practices of recipients
to determine whether they are complying with this part and where he or
she has a reasonable
[[Page 120]]
basis to do so may conduct on-site reviews. Such basis may include any
evidence that a problem exists or that programmatic matters exist that
justify on-site investigation in selected circumstances. The responsible
civil rights official shall initiate an on-site review by sending to the
recipient a letter advising the recipient of the practices to be
reviewed; the programs affected by the review; and the opportunity, at
any time prior to receipt of a final determination, to make a
documentary or other submission that explains, validates, or otherwise
addresses the practices under review. In addition, each award official
shall include in normal program compliance reviews and monitoring
procedures appropriate actions to review and monitor compliance with
general or specific program requirements designed to effectuate the
requirements of this part.
(b) Investigations. The responsible civil rights official shall make
a prompt investigation whenever a compliance review, report, complaint
or any other information indicates a possible failure to comply with
this part.
(c) Filing a complaint--(1) Who may file. Any person who believes
that he or she has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by this
part may by himself or herself or by his or her authorized
representative file a complaint with the responsible civil rights
official. Any person who believes that any specific class of persons has
been subjected to discrimination prohibited by this part and who is a
member of that class or who is the authorized representative of a member
of that class may file a complaint with the responsible civil rights
official.
(2) Confidentiality. The responsible civil rights official shall
hold in confidence the identity of any person submitting a complaint,
unless the person submits written authorization otherwise, and except to
the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, including
the conduct of any investigation, hearing, or proceeding under this
part.
(3) When to file. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the
alleged act of discrimination, unless the responsible civil rights
official waives this time limit for good cause shown. For purposes of
determining when a complaint is filed under this paragraph, a complaint
mailed to the Department shall be deemed filed on the date it is
postmarked. Any other complaint shall be deemed filed on the date it is
received by the Department.
(4) Where to file complaints. Complaints may be filed by mail with
the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, Washington, DC 20410, or any Regional or Field
Office of the Department.
(5) Contents of complaints. Each complaint should contain the
complainant's name and address, the name and address of the recipient
alleged to have violated this part, and a description of the recipient's
alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the
Department of the nature and date of the alleged violation of this part.
(6) Amendments of complaints. Complaints may be reasonably and
fairly amended at any time. Amendments to complaints such as
clarification and amplification of allegations in a complaint or the
addition of other recipients may be made at any time during the pendency
of the complaint and any amendment shall be deemed to be made as of the
original filing date.
(d) Notification. The responsible civil rights official will notify
the complainant and the recipient of the agency's receipt of the
complaint within ten (10) calendar days.
(e) Complaint processing procedures. After acknowledging receipt of
a complaint, the responsible civil rights official will immediately
initiate complaint processing procedures.
(1) Preliminary investigation.
(i) Within twenty (20) calendar days of acknowledgement of the
complaint, the responsible civil rights official will review the
complaint for acceptance, rejection, or referral to the appropriate
Federal agency.
[[Page 121]]
(ii) If the complaint is accepted, the responsible civil rights
official will notify the complainant and the award official. The
responsible civil righs official will also notify the applicant or
recipient complained against of the allegations and give the applicant
or recipient an opportunity to make a written submission responding to,
rebutting, or denying the allegations raised in the complaint.
(iii) The party complained against may send the responsible civil
rights official a response to the notice of complaint within thirty (30)
calendar days of receiving it. With leave of the responsible civil
rights official, an answer may be amended at any time. The responsible
civil rights official will permit answers to be amended for good cause
shown.
(2) Informal resolution. In accordance with paragraph (j) of this
section, the responsible civil rights official shall attempt to resolve
complaints informally whenever possible.
(f) Dismissal of complaint. If the investigation reveals no
violation of this part, the responsible civil rights offical will
dismiss the complaint and notify the complainant and recipient.
(g) Letter of findings. If an informal resolution of the complaint
is not reached the responsible civil rights official or his or her
designee shall, within 180 days of receipt of the complaint, notify the
recipient and the complainant (if any) of the results of the
investigation in a letter sent by certified mail, return receipt
requested, containing the following:
(1) Preliminary findings of fact and a preliminary finding of
compliance or noncompliance;
(2) A description of an appropriate remedy for each violation
believed to exist;
(3) A notice that a copy of the Final Investigative Report of the
Department will be made available, upon request, to the recipient and
the complainant (if any); and
(4) A notice of the right of the recipient and the complainant (if
any) to request a review of the letter of findings by the reviewing
civil rights official.
(h) Right to review of the letter of findings. (1) A complainant or
recipient may request that a complete review be made of the letter of
findings within 30 days of receipt, by mailing or delivering to the
reviewing civil rights official, Office of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity, Washington, DC 20410, a written statement of the reasons
why the letter of findings should be modified in light of supplementary
information.
(2) The reviewing civil rights official shall send by certified
mail, return receipt requested, a copy of the request for review to the
other party, if any. Such other party shall have 20 days to respond to
the request for review.
(3) The reviewing civil rights official shall either sustain or
modify the letter of findings within 60 days of the request for review.
The reviewing civil rights official's decision shall constitute the
formal determination.
(4) If neither party requests that the letter of findings be
reviewed, the responsibile civil rights official shall, within fourteen
(14) calendar days of the expiration of the time period in paragraph
(h)(1) of this section, send a formal written determination of
compliance or noncompliance to the recipient and copies to the award
official.
(i) Voluntary compliance time limits. The recipient will have ten
(10) calendar days from receipt of the formal determination of
noncompliance within which to come into voluntary compliance. If the
recipient fails to meet this deadline, HUD shall proceed under
Sec. 8.57.
(j) Informal resolution/voluntary compliance--(1) General. It is the
policy of the Department to encourage the informal resolution of
matters. The responsible civil rights official may attempt to resolve a
matter through informal means at any stage of processing. A matter may
be resolved by informal means at any time. If a letter of findings
making a preliminary finding of noncompliance is issued, the responsible
civil rights official shall attempt to resolve the matter by informal
means.
(2) Objectives of informal resolution/voluntary compliance. In
attempting informal resolution, the responsible civil rights official
shall attempt to achieve a just resolution of the matter and to obtain
assurances where appropriate, that the recipient will satisfactorily
[[Page 122]]
remedy any violations of the rights of any complainant and will take
such action as will assure the elimination of any violation of this part
or the prevention of the occurrence of such violation in the future. The
terms of such an informal resolution shall be reduced to a written
voluntary compliance agreement, signed by the recipient and the
responsible civil rights official, and be made part of the file for the
matter. Such voluntary compliance agreements shall seek to protect the
interests of the complainant (if any), other persons similary situated,
and the public interest.
(k) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No recipient or
other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against
any person for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege
secured by this part, or because he or she has made a complaint,
testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation,
proceeding, or hearing under this part. The identity of complainants
shall be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out
the purposes of this part, including the conduct of investigation,
hearing or judicial proceeding arising thereunder.
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988; 53 FR 28115, July 26, 1988; 53 FR 34634,
Sept. 7, 1988]
Sec. 8.57 Procedure for effecting compliance.
(a) General. If there appears to be a failure or threatened failure
to comply with this part and if the noncompliance or threatened
noncompliance cannot be corrected by informal means, compliance with
this part may be effected by the suspension or termination of or refusal
to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance, or by other means
authorized by law. Such other means may include, but are not limited to:
(1) A referral to the Department of Justice with a recommendation
that appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce any rights of the
United States under any law of the United States, or any assurance or
other contractual undertaking;
(2) The initiation of debarment proceedings pursuant to part 24 of
this title; and
(3) Any applicable proceeding under State or local law.
(b) Noncompliance with Sec. 8.50. If an applicant or a recipient of
assistance under a contract which is extended or amended on or after
July 11, 1988, fails or refuses to furnish an assurance required under
Sec. 8.50 or otherwise fails or refuses to comply with the requirements
imposed by that section, Federal financial assistance may be refused
under paragraph (c) of this section. The Department is not required to
provide assistance during the pendency of the administrative proceeding
under such paragraph (c), except where the assistance is due and payable
under a contract approved before July 11, 1988.
(c) Termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal
financial assistance. No order suspending, terminating, or refusing to
grant or continue Federal financial assistance shall become effective
until:
(1) The responsible civil rights official has advised the applicant
or recipient of its failure to comply and has determined that compliance
cannot be secured by voluntary means;
(2) There has been an express finding on the record, after
opportunity for hearing, of a failure by the applicant or recipient to
comply with a requirement imposed under this part;
(3) The action has been approved by the Secretary; and
(4) The expiration of 30 days after the Secretary has filed with the
committees of the House and Senate having legislative jurisdiction over
the program or activity involved a full written report of the
circumstances and the grounds for such action. Any action to suspend or
terminate, or to refuse to grant or to continue Federal financial
assistance shall be limited to the particular political entity, or part
thereof, or other applicant or recipient as to whom such a finding has
been made and shall be limited in its effect to the particular program,
or part thereof, in which such noncompliance has been so found.
(d) Notice to State or local government. Whenever the Secretary
determines that a State or unit of general local government which is a
recipient of Federal financial assistance under title
[[Page 123]]
I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42
U.S.C. 5301-5318) has failed to comply with a requirement of this part
with respect to a program or activity funded in whole or in part with
such assistance, the Secretary shall notify the Governor of the State or
the chief executive officer of the unit of general local government of
the noncompliance and shall request the Governor or the chief executive
officer to secure compliance. The notice shall be given at least sixty
days before:
(1) An order suspending, terminating, or refusing to grant or
continue Federal financial assistance becomes effective under paragraph
(c) of this section; or
(2) Any action to effect compliance by any other means authorized by
law is taken under paragraph (a) of this section.
(e) Other means authorized by law. No action to effect compliance by
any other means authorized by law shall be taken until:
(1) The responsible civil rights official has determined that
compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means;
(2) The recipient or other person has been notified of its failure
to comply and of the action to be taken to effect compliance; and
(3) At least 10 days have elapsed since the mailing of such notice
to the applicant or recipient. During this period, additional efforts
shall be made to persuade the applicant or recipient to comply with this
part and to take such corrective action as may be appropriate.
However, this paragraph shall not be construed to prevent an award
official from utilizing appropriate procedures and sanctions established
under the program to assure or secure compliance with a specific
requirement of the program designed to effectuate the objectives of this
part.
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988; 53 FR 28115, July 26, 1988]
Sec. 8.58 Hearings.
(a) Opportunity for hearing. Whenever an opportunity for a hearing
is required by Sec. 8.57(c), reasonable notice shall be given by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the affected
applicant or recipient. This notice shall advise the applicant or
recipient of the action proposed to be taken, the specific provision
under which the proposed action against it is to be taken, and the
matters of fact or law asserted as the basis for this action. The notice
shall:
(1) Fix a date not less than 20 days after the date of the notice
for the applicant or recipient to request the administrative law judge
to schedule a hearing, or
(2) Advise the applicant or recipient that the matter has been
scheduled for hearing at a stated time and place. The time and place so
fixed shall be reasonable and shall be subject to change for cause. The
complainant, if any, shall be advised of the time and place of the
hearing. An applicant or recipient may waive a hearing and submit
written information and argument for the record. The failure of an
applicant or recipient to request a hearing under this paragraph or to
appear at a hearing for which a date has been set is a waiver of the
right to a hearing under Sec. 8.57(c) and consent to the making of a
decision on the basis of available information.
(b) Hearing procedures. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance
with 24 CFR part 180.
[53 FR 20233, June 2, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 52218, Oct. 4, 1996]
PART 9--ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT--Table of Contents
Sec.
9.101 Purpose.
9.102 Applicability.
9.103 Definitions.
9.110 Self-evaluation.
9.111 Notice.
9.112--9.129 [Reserved]
9.130 General prohibitions against discrimination.
9.131 Direct threat.
9.132--9.139 [Reserved]
9.140 Employment.
9.141--9.148 [Reserved]
9.149 Program accessibility: discrimination prohibited.
[[Page 124]]
9.150 Program accessibility: existing facilities.
9.151 Program accessibility: new construction and alterations.
9.152 Program accessibility: alterations of Property Disposition
Program multifamily housing facilities.
9.153 Distribution of accessible dwelling units.
9.154 Occupancy of accessible dwelling units.
9.155 Housing adjustments.
9.160 Communications.
9.170 Compliance procedures.
Authority: 29 U.S.C. 794; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).
Source: 59 FR 31047, June 16, 1994, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 9.101 Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to effectuate section 119 of the
Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities
Amendments of 1978, which amended section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in
programs or activities conducted by Executive agencies or the United
States Postal Service.
Sec. 9.102 Applicability.
This part applies to all programs or activities conducted by the
agency, except for programs or activities conducted outside the United
States that do not involve individuals with disabilities in the United
States.
Sec. 9.103 Definitions.
For purposes of this part:
Accessible: (1) When used with respect to the design, construction,
or alteration of a facility or a portion of a facility other than an
individual dwelling unit, means that the facility or portion of the
facility when designed, constructed or altered, complies with applicable
accessibility standards and can be approached, entered, and used by
individuals with physical disabilities. The phrase ``accessible to and
usable by'' is synonymous with accessible.
(2) When used with respect to the design, construction, or
alteration of an individual dwelling unit, means that the unit is
located on an accessible route and, when designed, constructed, altered
or adapted, complies with applicable accessibility standards, and can be
approached, entered, and used by individuals with physical disabilities.
A unit that is on an accessible route and is adaptable and otherwise in
compliance with the standards set forth in Sec. 9.151 is ``accessible''
within the meaning of this definition. When a unit in an existing
facility which is being made accessible as a result of alterations is
intended for use by a specific qualified individual with disabilities
(e.g., a current occupant of such unit or of another unit under the
control of the same agency, or an applicant on a waiting list), the unit
will be deemed accessible if it meets the requirements of applicable
standards that address the particular disability or impairment of such
person.
Accessible route means a continuous unobstructed path connecting
accessible elements and spaces of a building or facility. Interior
accessible routes may include corridors, floors, ramps, elevators,
lifts, and clear floor space at fixtures. Exterior accessible routes may
include parking access aisles, curb ramps, crosswalks at vehicular ways,
walks, ramps and lifts.
ADA means the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12101 through 12213)
ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) means the Accessibility
Guidelines issued under the ADA, and which are codified in the Appendix
to 39 CFR part 1191.
Adaptability means the ability of certain building, spaces and
elements, such as kitchen counters, sinks, and grab bars, to be added or
altered, to accommodate the needs of persons with or without
disabilities, or to accommodate the needs of persons with different
types or degrees of disability. For example, in a unit adaptable for a
person with impaired hearing, the wiring for visible emergency alarms
may be installed but the alarms need not be installed until such time as
the unit is made ready for occupancy by a person with impaired hearing.
Agency means the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Alteration means a change to a building or facility or its permanent
fixtures or equipment that affects or
[[Page 125]]
could affect the usability of the building or facility or part thereof.
Alterations include, but are not limited to, remodeling, renovation,
rehabilitation, reconstruction, historic restoration, changes or
rearrangements of the structural parts and changes or rearrangements in
the plan configuration of walls and full-height partitions. Normal
maintenance, re-roofing, painting, or wallpapering or changes to
mechanical and electrical systems are not alterations unless they affect
the usability of the building or facility.
Assistant Attorney General means the Assistant Attorney General,
Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice.
Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
Auxiliary aids means services or devices that enable persons with
impaired sensory, manual, or communication skills to have an equal
opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or
activities conducted by the agency. For example, auxiliary aids useful
for persons with impaired vision include readers, Brailled materials,
audio recordings, and other similar services and devices. Auxiliary aids
useful for persons with impaired hearing include telephone handset
amplifiers, telephones compatible with hearing aids, telecommunication
devices for deaf persons (TDD's), interpreters, note takers, written
materials, and other similar services and devices.
Complete complaint means a written statement that contains the
complainant's name and address and describes the agency's alleged
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the agency of the
nature and date of the alleged violation of section 504. It shall be
signed by the complainant or by someone authorized to do so on his or
her behalf. Complaints filed on behalf of classes or third parties shall
describe or identify (by name, if possible) the alleged victims of
discrimination.
Current illegal use of drugs means illegal use of drugs that
occurred recently enough to justify a reasonable belief that a person's
drug use is current or that continuing use is a real and ongoing
problem.
Drug means a controlled substance, as defined in schedules I through
V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812).
Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures, site
improvements, complexes, equipment, roads, walks, passageways, parking
lots, rolling stock or other conveyances, or other real or personal
property located on a site.
Historic properties means those properties that are listed or are
eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or
such properties designated as historic under a statute of the
appropriate State or local government body.
Illegal use of drugs means the use of one or more drugs, the
possession or distribution of which is unlawful under the Controlled
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812). The term ``illegal use of drugs'' does
not include the use of a drug taken under supervision by a licensed
health care professional, or other uses authorized by the Controlled
Substances Act or other provisions of Federal law.
Individual with disabilities means any person who has a physical or
mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life
activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having
such an impairment. As used in this definition, the phrase:
(1) ``Physical or mental impairment'' includes:
(i) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement,
or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems:
Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory,
including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive;
genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or
(ii) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental
retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and
specific learning disabilities. The term ``physical or mental
impairment'' includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and
conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments,
cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy,
[[Page 126]]
multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Human
Immunodeficiency Virus disease (symptomatic or asymptomatic), mental
retardation, emotional illness, drug addiction and alcoholism.
(2) The term ``individual with disabilities'' does not include:
(i) An individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of
drugs, when the agency acts on the basis of such use. This exclusion,
however, does not exclude an individual with disabilities who--
(A) Has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation
program, and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs, or has
otherwise been rehabilitated successfully, and is no longer engaging in
such use;
(B) Is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program, and is
no longer engaging in such use; or
(C) Is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use, but is not
engaging in such use.
(ii) Except that it shall not violate this part for the agency to
adopt or administer reasonable policies and procedures, including but
not limited to drug testing, designed to ensure than an individual
described in paragraphs (2)(i) (A) and (B) of this definition is no
longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs.
(iii) Nothing in paragraph (2) of this definition shall be construed
to encourage, prohibit, restrict or authorize the conduct of testing for
illegal use of drugs.
(iv) The agency shall not deny health services provided under titles
I, II and III of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 through
777f) to an individual with disabilities on the basis of that
individual's current illegal use of drugs, if the individual is
otherwise entitled to such services.
(3) For purposes of employment, the term ``individual with
disabilities'' does not include:
(i) An individual who has a currently contagious disease or
infection and who, by reason of such disease or infection--
(A) Has been determined, in accordance with the provisions of
Sec. 9.131, to pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other
individuals, which threat cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable
accommodation, or
(B) Is unable to perform the essential duties of the job, with or
without reasonable accommodation; or
(ii) An individual who is an alcoholic and whose current use of
alcohol prevents him or her from performing the duties of the job in
question or whose employment would constitute a direct threat to the
property or the safety of others by reason of his or her current alcohol
abuse.
(4) ``Major life activities'' means functions such as caring for
one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking,
breathing, learning, and working.
(5) ``Has a record of such an impairment'' means has a history of,
or has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment
that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
(6) ``Is regarded as having an impairment'' means--
(i) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially
limit major life activities but is treated by the agency as constituting
such a limitation;
(ii) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits
major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward
such impairment; or
(iii) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (1) of this
definition but is treated by the agency as having such an impairment.
Multifamily housing project means a project containing five or more
dwelling units.
Official or Responsible Official means the Assistant Secretary of
HUD for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
PDP housing facility means a housing facility administered under
HUD's Property Disposition Program.
Project means the whole of one or more residential structures and
appurtenant structures, equipment, roads, walks, and parking lots which
are covered by a single mortgage or contract or otherwise treated as a
whole by the agency for processing purposes, whether or not located on a
common site.
[[Page 127]]
Property Disposition Program (PDP) means the HUD program which
administers the housing facilities that are either owned by the
Secretary or where, even though the Secretary has not obtained title,
the Secretary is mortgagee-in-possession. Such properties are deemed to
be in the possession or control of the agency.
Qualified individual with disabilities means:
(1) With respect to any agency non-employment program or activity
under which a person is required to perform services or to achieve a
level of accomplishment, an individual with disabilities who meets the
essential eligibility requirements and who can achieve the purpose of
the program or activity without modifications in the program or activity
that the agency can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration
in its nature; or
(2) With respect to any other agency non-employment program or
activity, an individual with disabilities who meets the essential
eligibility requirements for participation in, or receipt of benefits
from, that program or activity.
(3) ``Essential eligibility requirements'' include stated
eligibility requirements such as income, as well as other explicit or
implicit requirements inherent in the nature of the program or activity,
such as requirements that an occupant of a PDP multifamily housing
facility be capable of meeting selection criteria and be capable of
complying with all obligations of occupancy with or without supportive
services provided by persons other than the agency.
(4) ``Qualified person with disabilities'' as that term is defined
for purposes of employment in 29 CFR 1613.702(f), which is made
applicable to this part by Sec. 9.140.
Replacement cost of the completed facility means the current cost of
construction and equipment for a newly constructed housing facility of
the size and type being altered. Construction and equipment costs do not
include the cost of land, demolition, site improvements, non-dwelling
facilities and administrative costs for project development activities.
Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Section 504 means section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended (29 U.S.C. 794). As used in this part, section 504 applies only
to programs or activities conducted by the agency and not to federally
assisted programs.
Substantial impairment means a significant loss of the integrity of
finished materials, design quality, or special character resulting from
a permanent alteration.
UFAS means the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, which
implement the accessibility standards required by the Architectural
Barriers Act (42 U.S.C. 4151 through 4157), and which are established at
24 CFR part 40, Appendix A for residential structures, and 41 CFR 101-
19.600 through 101-19.607, and Appendix A to these sections, for non-
residential structures.
Sec. 9.110 Self-evaluation.
(a) The agency shall, within one year of the effective date of this
part, evaluate its current policies and practices, and the effects of
those policies and practices, including regulations, handbooks, notices
and other written guidance, that do not or may not meet the requirements
of this part. To the extent modification of any such policies is
required, the agency shall take the necessary corrective actions.
(b) The agency shall provide an opportunity to interested persons,
including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing
individuals with disabilities, to participate in the self-evaluation
process by submitting comments (both oral and written).
(c) The agency shall, for at least three years following the
completion of the self-evaluation, maintain on file and make available
for public inspection:
(1) A list of interested persons;
(2) A description of the areas examined and any problems identified;
and
(3) A description of any modifications made or to be made.
Sec. 9.111 Notice.
The agency shall make available to employees, applicants,
participants,
[[Page 128]]
beneficiaries, and other interested persons information regarding the
provisions of this part and its applicability to the programs or
activities conducted by the agency. The agency shall make such
information available to such persons in such manner as the Secretary
finds necessary to apprise them of the protections against
discrimination assured them by section 504 and this part. All
publications and recruitment materials distributed to participants,
beneficiaries, applicants or employees shall include a statement that
the agency does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The notice
shall include the name of the person or office responsible for the
implementation of section 504.
Secs. 9.112-9.129 [Reserved]
Sec. 9.130 General prohibitions against discrimination.
(a) No qualified individual with disabilities shall, on the basis of
disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits
of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or
activity conducted by the agency.
(b)(1) The agency, in providing any housing, aid, benefit, or
service, may not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other
arrangements, on the basis of disability--
(i) Deny a qualified individual with disabilities the opportunity to
participate in or benefit from the housing, aid, benefit, or service;
(ii) Afford a qualified individual with disabilities an opportunity
to participate in or benefit from the housing, aid, benefit, or service
that is not equal to that afforded others;
(iii) Provide a qualified individual with disabilities with any
housing, aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective in affording
equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit,
or to reach the same level of achievement as that provided to others;
(iv) Provide different or separate housing, aid, benefits, or
services to individuals with disabilities or to any class of individuals
with disabilities than is provided to others unless such action is
necessary to provide qualified individuals with disabilities with
housing, aid, benefits, or services that are as effective as those
provided to others;
(v) Deny a qualified individual with disabilities the opportunity to
participate as a member of planning or advisory boards;
(vi) Deny a dwelling to an otherwise qualified buyer or renter
because of a disability of that buyer or renter or a person residing in
or intending to reside in that dwelling after it is sold, rented or made
available; or
(vii) Otherwise limit a qualified individual with disabilities in
the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed
by others receiving the housing, aid, benefit, or service.
(2) For purposes of this part, housing, aids, benefits, and
services, to be equally effective, are not required to produce the
identical result or level of achievement for individuals with
disabilities and for persons without disabilities, but must afford
individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to obtain the same
result, to gain the same benefit, or to reach the same level of
achievement.
(3) The agency may not deny a qualified individual with disabilities
the opportunity to participate in programs or activities that are not
separate or different, despite the existence of programs or activities
that are permissibly separate or different for persons with
disabilities.
(4) The agency may not, directly or through contractual or other
arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration the purpose
or effect of which would:
(i) Subject qualified individuals with disabilities to
discrimination on the basis of disability; or
(ii) Defeat or substantially impair accomplishment of the objectives
of a program or activity with respect to individuals with disabilities.
(5) The agency may not, in determining the site or location of a
facility, make selections the purpose or effect of which would:
(i) Exclude individuals with disabilities from, deny them the
benefits of, or otherwise subject them to discrimination under any
program or activity conducted by the agency; or
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(ii) Defeat or substantially impair the accomplishment of the
objectives of a program or activity with respect to individuals with
disabilities.
(6) The agency, in the selection of procurement contractors, may not
use criteria that subject qualified individuals with disabilities to
discrimination on the basis of disability.
(7) The agency may not administer a licensing or certification
program in a manner that subjects qualified individuals with
disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability, nor may the
agency establish requirements for the programs or activities of
licensees or certified entities that subject qualified individuals with
disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability. However, the
programs or activities of entities that are licensed or certified by the
agency are not, themselves, covered by this part.
(c)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, persons
without disabilities may be excluded from the benefits of a program if
the program is limited by Federal statute or Executive order to
individuals with disabilities. A specific class of individuals with
disabilities may be excluded from a program if the program is limited by
Federal statute or Executive order to a different class of individuals.
(2) Certain agency programs operate under statutory definitions of
``persons with disabilities'' that are more restrictive than the
definition of ``individual with disabilities'' contained in Sec. 9.103.
Those definitions are not superseded or otherwise affected by this
regulation.
(d) The agency shall administer programs and activities in the most
integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals
with disabilities.
(e) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or
alleviated by any State or local law or other requirement that, based on
disability, imposes inconsistent or contradictory prohibitions or limits
upon the eligibility of qualified individuals with disabilities to
receive services or to practice any occupation or profession.
(f) The enumeration of specific forms of prohibited discrimination
in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section does not limit the general
prohibition in paragraph (a) of this section.
Sec. 9.131 Direct threat.
(a) This part does not require the agency to permit an individual to
participate in, or benefit from the goods, services, facilities,
privileges, advantages and accommodations of that agency when that
individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
(b) ``Direct threat'' means a significant risk to the health or
safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a modification of
policies, practices, or procedures, or by the provision of auxiliary
aids or services.
(c) In determining whether an individual poses a direct threat to
the health or safety of others, the agency must make an individualized
assessment, based on reasonable judgment that relies on current medical
knowledge or on the best available objective evidence to ascertain: the
nature, duration, and severity of the risk; the probability that the
potential injury will actually occur; and whether reasonable
modifications of policies, practices, or procedures will mitigate the
risk.
Secs. 9.132--9.139 [Reserved]
Sec. 9.140 Employment.
No qualified individual with disabilities shall, on the basis of
disability, be subjected to discrimination in employment under any
program or activity conducted by the agency. The definitions,
requirements, and procedures of section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 (29 U.S.C. 791), as established by the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission in 29 CFR part 1613 (subpart G), shall apply to employment in
federally conducted programs or activities.
Secs. 9.141--9.148 [Reserved]
Sec. 9.149 Program accessibility: discrimination prohibited.
Except as otherwise provided in Sec. 9.150, no qualified individual
with disabilities shall, because the agency's facilities are
inaccessible to or unusable by individuals with disabilities, be denied
the benefits of, be excluded from
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participation in, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity conducted by the agency.
Sec. 9.150 Program accessibility: existing facilities.
(a) General. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (e) of this
section, the agency shall operate each program or activity so that the
program or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible
to and usable by individuals with disabilities. This section does not--
(1) Necessarily require the agency to make each of its existing
facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities;
(2) In the case of historic properties, require the agency to take
any action that would result in a substantial impairment of significant
historic features of an historic property; or
(3) Require the agency to take any action that it can demonstrate
would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or
activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. In those
circumstances where agency personnel believe that the proposed action
would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in
undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency has the burden of
proving that compliance with Sec. 9.150(a) would result in such
alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such
alteration or burdens must be made by the Secretary or his or her
designee after considering all agency resources available for use in the
funding and operation of the conducted program or activity, and must be
accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that
conclusion. If an action would result in such an alteration or such
burdens, the agency shall take any other action that would not result in
such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that
individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the
program or activity.
(b) Methods. The agency may comply with the requirements of this
section through such means as redesign of equipment, reassignment of
services to accessible buildings, assignment of aides to beneficiaries,
home visits, delivery of services at alternate accessible sites,
alteration of existing facilities and construction of new facilities,
use of accessible rolling stock, or any other methods that result in
making its programs or activities readily accessible to and usable by
individuals with disabilities. The agency is not required to make
structural changes in existing facilities where other methods are
effective in achieving compliance with this section. The agency, in
making alterations to existing buildings, also shall meet accessibility
requirements to the extent compelled by the Architectural Barriers Act
of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4151 through 4157), and any regulations
implementing it. In choosing among available methods for meeting the
requirements of this section, the agency shall give priority to those
methods that offer programs and activities to qualified individuals with
disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate.
(c) Time period for compliance. The agency shall comply with the
obligations established under this section within sixty days of July 18,
1994 except that where structural changes in facilities are undertaken,
such changes shall be made within three years of July 18, 1994, but in
any event as expeditiously as possible.
(d) Transition plan. In the event that structural changes to
facilities will be undertaken to achieve program accessibility, the
agency shall develop, within six months of July 18, 1994, a transition
plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The
agency shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, including
individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals
with disabilities, to participate in the development of the transition
plan by submitting comments (both oral and written). A copy of the
transition plan shall be made available for public inspection. The plan
shall, at a minimum--
(1) Identify physical obstacles in the agency's facilities that
limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to individuals
with disabilities;
[[Page 131]]
(2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the
facilities accessible;
(3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve
compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition
plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during
each year of the transition period; and
(4) Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the
plan.
(e) The requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section
shall apply to the Property Disposition Programs. However, this section
does not require HUD to make alterations to existing facilities that are
part of the Property Disposition Programs unless such alterations are
necessary to meet the needs of a current or prospective tenant during
the time when HUD expects to retain legal possession of the facilities,
and there is no alternative method to meet the needs of that current or
prospective tenant. Nothing in this section shall be construed to
require alterations to make facilities accessible to persons with
disabilities who are expected to occupy the facilities only after HUD
relinquishes legal possession.
Sec. 9.151 Program accessibility: new construction and alterations.
Each building or part of a building that is constructed or altered
by, on behalf of, or for the use of the agency shall be designed,
constructed, or altered and provide emergency egress so as to be readily
accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The
definitions, requirements, and accessibility standards that apply to
buildings covered by this section are those contained in the UFAS,
except where the ADAAG provides for greater accessibility for the type
of construction or alteration being undertaken, and in this case, the
definitions, requirements and standards of the ADAAG shall apply.
Sec. 9.152 Program accessibility: alterations of Property Disposition Program multifamily housing facilities.
(a) Substantial alteration. If the agency undertakes alterations to
a PDP multifamily housing project that has 15 or more units and the cost
of the alterations is 75 percent or more of the replacement cost of the
completed facility, then the project shall be designed and altered to be
readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, a minimum of five percent of
the total dwelling units, or at least one unit, whichever is greater,
shall be made accessible for persons with mobility impairments. A unit
that is on an accessible route and is adaptable and otherwise in
compliance with the standards set forth in paragraph (d) of this section
is accessible for purposes of this section. An additional two percent of
the units (but not less that one unit) in such a project shall be
accessible for persons with hearing or vision impairments. If state or
local requirements for alterations require greater action than this
paragraph, those requirements shall prevail.
(b) Other alteration. (1) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section,
alterations to dwelling units in a PDP multifamily housing project
shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be made to be readily accessible
to and usable by individuals with disabilities. If alterations of single
elements or spaces of a dwelling unit, when considered together, amount
to an alteration of a dwelling unit, the entire dwelling unit shall be
made accessible. Once five percent of the dwelling units in a project
are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with mobility
impairments, then no additional elements of dwelling units, or entire
dwelling units, are required to be accessible under this paragraph. Once
two percent of the dwelling units in a project are readily accessible to
or usable by individuals with hearing or vision impairments, then no
additional elements of dwelling units, or entire dwelling units, are
required to be accessible under this paragraph.
(2) Alterations to common areas or parts of facilities that affect
accessibility of existing housing facilities, shall, to the maximum
extent feasible, be made to be accessible to and usable by individuals
with disabilities.
(c) The agency may establish a higher percentage or number of
accessible
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units than that prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section if
the agency determines that there is a need for a higher percentage or
number, based on census data or other available current data. In making
such a determination, HUD shall take into account the expected needs of
eligible persons with and without disabilities.
(d) The definitions, requirements, and accessibility standards that
apply to PDP multifamily housing projects covered by this section are
those contained in the UFAS, except where the ADAAG provides for greater
accessibility for the type of alteration being undertaken, and, in this
case, the definitions, requirements and standards of the ADAAG shall
apply.
(e) With respect to multifamily housing projects operated by HUD,
but in which HUD does not have an ownership interest, alterations under
this section need not be made if doing so would impose undue financial
and administrative burdens on the operation of the multifamily housing
project.
Sec. 9.153 Distribution of accessible dwelling units.
Accessible dwelling units required by Sec. 9.152 shall, to the
maximum extent feasible, be distributed throughout projects and sites
and shall be available in a sufficient range of sizes and amenities so
that a qualified individual with disabilities' choice of living
arrangements is, as a whole, comparable to that of other persons
eligible for housing assistance under the same agency conducted program.
This provision shall not be construed to require (but does allow) the
provision of an elevator in any multifamily housing project solely for
the purpose of permitting location of accessible units above or below
the accessible grade level.
Sec. 9.154 Occupancy of accessible dwelling units.
(a) The agency shall adopt suitable means to assure that information
regarding the availability of accessible units in PDP housing facilities
reaches eligible individuals with disabilities, and shall take
reasonable nondiscriminatory steps to maximize the utilization of such
units by eligible individuals whose disability requires the
accessibility features of the particular unit. To this end, when an
accessible unit becomes vacant, the agency (or its management agent)
before offering such units to an applicant without disabilities shall
offer such unit:
(1) First, to a current occupant of another unit of the same
project, or comparable projects under common control, having
disabilities requiring the accessibility features of the vacant unit and
occupying a unit not having such features, or, if no such occupant
exists, then
(2) Second, to an eligible qualified applicant on the waiting list
having a disability requiring the accessibility features of the vacant
unit.
(b) When offering an accessible unit to an applicant not having
disabilities requiring the accessibility features of the unit, the
agency may require the applicant to agree (and may incorporate this
agreement in the lease) to move to a non-accessible unit when available.
Sec. 9.155 Housing adjustments.
(a) The agency shall modify its housing policies and practices as
they relate to PDP housing facilities to ensure that these policies and
practices do not discriminate, on the basis of disability, against a
qualified individual with disabilities. The agency may not impose upon
individuals with disabilities other policies, such as the prohibition of
assistive devices, auxiliary aids, alarms, or guides in housing
facilities, that have the effect of limiting the participation of
tenants with disabilities in any agency conducted housing program or
activity in violation of this part. Housing policies that the agency can
demonstrate are essential to the housing program or activity will not be
regarded as discriminatory within the meaning of this section if
modifications would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of
the program or activity or undue financial and administrative burdens.
(b) The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or
burdens must be made by the Secretary or his or her designee after
considering all agency resources available for use in
[[Page 133]]
the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity, and must
be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that
conclusion. If an action required to comply with this section would
result in such an alteration or such burdens, the agency shall take any
other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens
but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible,
individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the
program or activity.
Sec. 9.160 Communications.
(a) The agency shall take appropriate steps to ensure effective
communication with applicants, participants, personnel of other Federal
entities, and members of the public.
(1) The agency shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids where
necessary to afford an individual with disabilities an equal opportunity
to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a program or activity
conducted by the agency.
(i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the
agency shall give primary consideration to the requests of the
individual with disabilities.
(ii) The agency need not provide individually prescribed devices,
readers for personal use or study, or other devices of a personal
nature.
(2) Where the agency communicates with applicants and beneficiaries
or members of the public by telephone, telecommunication devices for
deaf persons (TDD's) or equally effective telecommunication systems
shall be used to communicate with persons with impaired hearing.
(b) The agency shall ensure that interested persons, including
persons with impaired vision or hearing, can obtain information as to
the existence and location of accessible services, activities, and
facilities.
(c) The agency shall provide signage at a primary entrance to each
of its inaccessible facilities, directing users to a location at which
they can obtain information about accessible facilities. The
international symbol for accessibility shall be used at each primary
entrance of an accessible facility.
(d) This section does not require the agency to take any action that
it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the
nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative
burdens. In those circumstances where agency personnel believe that the
proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or
would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency
has the burden of proving that compliance with this section would result
in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result
in such alteration or burdens must be made by the Secretary or his or
her designee after considering all agency resources available for use in
the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity and must
be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that
conclusion. If an action required to comply with Sec. 9.160 would result
in such an alteration or such burdens, the agency shall take any other
action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but
would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible,
individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the
program or activity.
Sec. 9.170 Compliance procedures.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this
section applies to all allegations of discrimination on the basis of
disability in programs or activities conducted by the agency.
(b) The agency shall process complaints alleging violations of
section 504 with respect to employment according to the procedures
established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 29 CFR
part 1613 under section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
791).
(c) The Responsible Official shall coordinate implementation of this
section.
(d) Persons may submit complete complaints to the Assistant
Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, 451 Seventh St., SW.,
Washington, DC 20410, or to any HUD Area Office. The agency shall accept
and investigate all complete complaints for which the agency has
jurisdiction. All
[[Page 134]]
complete complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the alleged act of
discrimination. The agency may extend this time period for good cause.
For purposes of determining when a complaint is filed, a complaint
mailed to the agency shall be deemed filed on the date it is postmarked.
Any other complaint shall be deemed filed on the date it is received by
the agency. The agency shall acknowledge all complaints, in writing,
within ten (10) working days of receipt of the complaint.
(e) If the agency receives a complaint over which it does not have
jurisdiction, it shall promptly notify the complainant and shall make
reasonable efforts to refer the complaint to the appropriate Government
entity.
(f) The agency shall notify the Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board upon receipt of any complaint alleging that a
building or facility that is subject to the Architectural Barriers Act
of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4151 through 4157), is not readily
accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The agency
shall delete the identity of the complainant from the copy of the
complaint.
(g)(1) Within 180 days of the receipt of a complete complaint for
which it has jurisdiction, the Office of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity shall complete the investigation of the complaint, attempt
informal resolution, and if no informal resolution is achieved, issue a
letter of findings. If a complaint is filed against the Office of Fair
Housing and Equal Opportunity, the Secretary or a designee of the
Secretary shall investigate and resolve the complaint through informal
agreement or letter of findings.
(2) If a complaint is resolved informally, the terms of the
agreement shall be reduced to writing and made part of the complaint
file, with a copy of the agreement provided to the complainant and the
agency. The written agreement may include a finding on the issue of
discrimination and shall describe any corrective action to which the
complainant and the respondent have agreed.
(3) If a complaint is not resolved informally, the Office of Fair
Housing and Equal Opportunity or a person designated under this
paragraph shall notify the complainant of the results of the
investigation in a letter containing--
(i) Findings of fact and conclusions of law;
(ii) A description of a remedy for each violation found;
(iii) A notice of the right to appeal to the Secretary;
(h)(1) Appeals of the findings of fact and conclusions of law or
remedies must be filed by the complainant within 90 days of receipt from
the agency of the letter required by Sec. 9.170(g). The Assistant
Secretary or the person designated by the Secretary to decide an appeal
of a complaint filed against the Office of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity may extend this time for good cause.
(2) Timely appeals shall be accepted and processed by the Assistant
Secretary. Decisions on an appeal shall not be issued by the person who
made the initial determination.
(i) The Assistant Secretary or the person designated by the
Secretary to decide an appeal of a complaint filed against the Office of
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity shall notify the complainant of the
results of the appeal within 60 days of the receipt of the request. If
the agency determines that it needs additional information from the
complainant, it shall have 60 days from the date it receives the
additional information to make its determination on the appeal.
(j) The time limits cited in paragraphs (g) and (i) of this section
may be extended with the permission of the Assistant Attorney General.
(k) The agency may delegate its authority for conducting complaint
investigations to other Federal agencies, except that the authority for
making the final determination may not be delegated to another agency.
PART 10--RULEMAKING: POLICY AND PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
Subpart A--General
Sec.
10.1 Policy.
10.2 Definitions.
10.3 Applicability.
10.4 Rules docket.
[[Page 135]]
Subpart B--Procedures
10.6 Initiation of rulemaking.
10.7 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
10.8 Notice of proposed rulemaking.
10.10 Participation by interested persons.
10.12 Additional rulemaking proceedings.
10.14 Hearings.
10.16 Adoption of a final rule.
10.18 Petitions for reconsideration.
10.20 Petition for rulemaking.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).
Source: 44 FR 1606, Jan. 5, 1979, unless otherwise noted.
Subpart A--General
Sec. 10.1 Policy.
It is the policy of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
to provide for public participation in rulemaking with respect to all
HUD programs and functions, including matters that relate to public
property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts even though such matters
would not otherwise be subject to rulemaking by law or Executive policy.
The Department therefore publishes notices of proposed rulemaking in the
Federal Register and gives interested persons an opportunity to
participate in the rulemaking through submission of written data, views,
and arguments with or without opportunity for oral presentation. It is
the policy of the Department that its notices of proposed rulemaking are
to afford the public not less than sixty days for submission of
comments. For some rules the Secretary will employ additional methods of
inviting public participation. These methods include, but are not
limited to, publishing Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR),
conducting public surveys, and convening public forums or panels. An
ANPR will be used to solicit public comment early in the rulemaking
process for significant rules unless the Secretary grants an exception
based upon legitimate and pressing time constraints. Unless required by
statute, notice and public procedure will be omitted if the Department
determines in a particular case or class of cases that notice and public
procedure are impracticable, unnecessary or contrary to the public
interest. In a particular case, the reasons for the determination shall
be stated in the rulemaking document. Notice and public procedure may
also be omitted with respect to statements of policy, interpretative
rules, rules governing the Department's organization or its own internal
practices or procedures, or if a statute expressly so authorizes. A
final substantive rule will be published not less than 30 days before
its effective date, unless it grants or recognizes an exemption or
relieves a restriction or unless the rule itself states good cause for
taking effect upon publication or less than 30 days thereafter.
Statements of policy and interpretative rules will usually be made
effective on the date of publication.
[44 FR 1606, Jan. 5, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 56625, Dec. 20, 1982]
Sec. 10.2 Definitions.
(a) Rule or Regulation means all or part of any Departmental
statement of general or particular applicability and future effect
designed to: (1) Implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy, or
(2) describe the Department's organization, or its procedure or practice
requirements. The term regulation is sometimes applied to a rule which
has been published in the Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) Rulemaking means the Departmental process for considering and
formulating the issuance, modification, or repeal of a rule.
(c) Secretary means the Secretary or the Under Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development, or an official to whom the Secretary has
expressly delegated authority to issue rules.
Sec. 10.3 Applicability.
(a) This part prescribes general rulemaking procedures for the
issuance, amendment, or repeal of rules in which participation by
interested persons is required by 5 U.S.C. or by Department policy.
(b) The authority to issue rules, delegated by the Secretary, may
not be redelegated unless expressly permitted.
(c) This part is not applicable to a determination by HUD under 24
CFR part 966 (public housing) or 24 CFR part 950 (Indian housing) that
the law of a jurisdiction requires that, prior to eviction, a tenant be
given a hearing in court
[[Page 136]]
which provides the basic elements of due process (``due process
determination'').
[44 FR 1606, Jan. 5, 1979, as amended at 61 FR 13273, Mar. 26, 1996]
Sec. 10.4 Rules docket.
(a) All documents relating to rulemaking procedures including but
not limited to advance notices of proposed rulemaking, notices of
proposed rulemaking, written comments received in response to notices,
withdrawals or terminations of proposed rulemaking, petitions for
rulemaking, requests for oral argument in public participation cases,
requests for extension of time, grants or denials of petitions or
requests, transcripts or minutes of informal hearings, final rules and
general notices are maintained in the Rules Docket Room (Room 5218),
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20410. All public rulemaking comments should refer to the
docket number which appears in the heading of the rule and should be
addressed to the Rules Docket Clerk, Room 5218, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410.
(b) Documents relating to rulemaking proceedings are public records.
After a docket is established, any person may examine docketed material
at any time during regular business hours, and may obtain a copy of any
docketed material upon payment of the prescribed fee. (See part 15 of
this title).
Subpart B--Procedures
Sec. 10.6 Initiation of rulemaking.
Rulemaking proceedings may be initiated on the Secretary's motion,
or on the recommendation of a Federal, State, or local government or
government agency, or on the petition of any interested person.
Sec. 10.7 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
An Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in accordance with
Sec. 10.1 of this part is published in the Federal Register and briefly
outlines:
(a) The proposed new program or program changes, and why they are
needed;
(b) The major policy issues involved;
(c) A request for comments, both specific and general, as to the
need for the proposed rule and the provisions that the rule might
include;
(d) If appropriate, a list of questions about the proposal that will
elicit detailed comments;
(e) If known, an estimate of the reporting or recordkeeping
requirements, if any, that the rule would impose; and
(f) Where comments should be addressed and the time within which
they must be submitted.
Sec. 10.8 Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Each notice of proposed rulemaking required by statute or by
Sec. 10.1 is published in the Federal Register and includes:
(a) The substance or terms of the proposed rule or a description of
the subject matter and issues involved;
(b) A statement of how and to what extent interested persons may
participate in the proceeding;
(c) Where participation is limited to written comments, a statement
of the time within which such comments must be submitted;
(d) A reference to the legal authority under which the proposal is
issued; and
(e) In a proceeding which has provided Advance Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, an analysis of the principal issues and recommendations
raised by the comments, and the manner in which they have been addressed
in the proposed rulemaking.
Sec. 10.10 Participation by interested persons.
(a) Unless the notice otherwise provides, any interested person may
participate in rulemaking proceedings by submitting written data, views
or arguments within the comment time stated in the notice. In addition,
the Secretary may permit the filing of comments in response to original
comments.
(b) In appropriate cases, the Secretary may provide for oral
presentation of views in additional proceedings described in Sec. 10.12.
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Sec. 10.12 Additional rulemaking proceedings.
The Secretary may invite interested persons to present oral
arguments, appear at informal hearings, or participate in any other
procedure affording opportunity for oral presentation of views. The
transcript or minutes of such meetings, as appropriate, will be kept and
filed in the Rules Docket.
Sec. 10.14 Hearings.
(a) The provisions of 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557, which govern formal
hearings in adjudicatory proceedings, do not apply to informal rule
making proceedings described in this part. When opportunity is afforded
for oral presentation, such informal hearing is a nonadversary, fact-
finding proceeding. Any rule issued in a proceeding under this part in
which a hearing is held is not based exclusively on the record of such
hearing.
(b) When a hearing is provided, the Secretary will designate a
representative to conduct the hearing, and if the presence of a legal
officer is desirable, the General Counsel will designate a staff
attorney to serve as the officer.
Sec. 10.16 Adoption of a final rule.
All timely comments are considered in taking final action on a
proposed rule. Each preamble to a final rule will contain a short
analysis and evaluation of the relevant significant issues set forth in
the comments submitted, and a clear concise statement of the basis and
purpose of the rule.
Sec. 10.18 Petitions for reconsideration.
Petitions for reconsideration of a final rule will not be
considered. Such petitions, if filed, will be treated as peitions for
rulemaking in accordance with Sec. 10.20.
Sec. 10.20 Petition for rulemaking.
(a) Any interested person may petition the Secretary for the
issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule. Each petition shall:
(1) Be submitted to the Rules Docket Clerk, Room 5218, Department of
Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC 20410;
(2) Set forth the text of substance of the rule or amendment
proposed or specify the rule sought to be repealed;
(3) Explain the interest of the petitioner in the action sought; and
(4) Set forth all data and arguments available to the petitioner in
support of the action sought.
(b) No public procedures will be held directly on the petition
before its disposition. If the Secretary finds that the petition
contains adequate justification, a rulemaking proceeding will be
initiated or a final rule will be issued as appropriate. If the
Secretary finds that the petition does not contain adequate
justification, the petition will be denied by letter or other notice,
with a brief statement of the ground for denial. The Secretary may
consider new evidence at any time; however, repetitious petitions for
rulemaking will not be considered.
PART 13--USE OF PENALTY MAIL IN THE LOCATION AND RECOVERY OF MISSING CHILDREN--Table of Contents
Sec.
13.1 Purpose.
13.2 Procedures for obtaining and disseminating data.
13.3 Withdrawal of data.
13.4 Reports.
Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3220(a)(2); 5 U.S.C. 301.
Source: 51 FR 19830, June 3, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 13.1 Purpose.
To support the national effort to locate and recover missing
children, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joins
other executive departments and independent establishments of the
Government of the United States in using penalty mail to disseminate
photographs and biographical information on hundreds of missing
children.
[51 FR 19830, June 3, 1986; 51 FR 43608, Dec. 3, 1986]
Sec. 13.2 Procedures for obtaining and disseminating data.
(a) HUD shall insert, manually and via automated inserts, pictures
and biographical data related to missing children in domestic penalty
mail directed
[[Page 138]]
to members of the public in the United States, its territories and
possessions. These include:
(1) Standard letter-size envelopes (4\1/2\" X 9\1/2\");
(2) Document-size envelopes (9\1/2\" X 12", 9\1/2\" X 11\1/2\", 10"
X 13"); and
(3) Other envelopes (miscellaneous size).
(b) Missing children information shall not be placed on the Penalty
Indicia, OCR Read Area, Bar Code Read Area, and Return Address areas of
letter-size envelopes.
(c) Posters containing pictures and biographical data shall be
placed on bulletin boards in Headquarters and Field offices.
(d) HUD shall accept camera-ready and other photographic and
biographical materials solely from the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children (National Center). Photographs that were reasonably
current as of the time of the child's disappearance shall be the only
acceptable form of visual media or pictorial likeness used in penalty
mail or posters.
Sec. 13.3 Withdrawal of data.
HUD shall remove all printed penalty mail envelopes and other
materials from circulation or other use within a three month period from
the date the National Center receives information or notice that a
child, whose picture and biographical information have been made
available to HUD, has been recovered or that the parent or guardian's
permission to use the child's photograph and biographical information
has been withdrawn. The HUD contact person shall be notified immediately
and in writing by the National Center of the need to withdraw from
circulation penalty mail envelopes and other materials related to a
particular child.
Sec. 13.4 Reports.
HUD shall compile and submit to Office of Juvenile Justice and
Deliquency Prevention (OJJDP), by June 30, 1987, a consolidated report
on its experience in implementing S. 1195 Official Mail Use in the
Location and Recovery of Missing Children along with recommendations for
future Departmental action.
PART 14--IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS--Table of Contents
Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec.
14.50 Definitions.
14.100 Time computation.
14.105 Purpose of these rules.
14.110 When the Act applies.
14.115 Proceedings covered.
14.120 Eligibility of applicants.
14.125 Standards for awards.
14.130 Allowable fees and expenses.
14.135 Rulemaking on maximum rates for attorney fees.
14.140 Awards against other agencies.
Subpart B--Information Required From Applicants
14.200 Contents of application.
14.205 Net worth exhibit.
14.210 Documentation of fees and expenses.
14.215 When an application may be filed.
Subpart C--Procedures for Considering Applications
14.300 Jurisdiction of adjudicative officer.
14.305 Filing and service of documents.
14.310 Answer to application.
14.315 Comments by other parties.
14.320 Settlement.
14.325 Extensions of time and further proceedings.
14.330 Decision.
14.335 Departmental review.
14.340 Judicial review.
14.345 Payment of award.
Authority: Sec. 504(c)(1) of the Equal Access to Justice Act (5
U.S.C. 504(c)(1); sec. 7(d) of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535(d)).
Source: 52 FR 27126, July 17, 1987, unless otherwise noted.