[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89491-89496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29642]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5987-N-01]


Relief From HUD Requirements Available to Public Housing Agencies 
To Assist With Recovery and Relief Efforts on Behalf of Families 
Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding in Louisiana

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
Housing, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that HUD has established an 
expedited process for the review of requests for relief from HUD 
regulatory and/or administrative requirements (``HUD requirements'') 
for public housing agencies (PHAs) that are located in a parish of 
Louisiana that has been declared a federal disaster area due to severe 
storms and flooding. Specifically, these PHAs may request waivers of 
HUD requirements and receive expedited review of such requests.

DATES: Effective Date: December 12, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise M. Cotten, Office of Field 
Operations, Office of Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing 
and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW., Room 4112, Washington, 
DC 20410-5000, telephone number (202) 402-4313. Persons with hearing or 
speech impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the 
Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background Information

    From March 8 through April 8, 2016, more than 3 dozen parishes in 
Louisiana experienced severe storms and flooding. A Major Disaster 
Declaration covering these parishes \1\ was issued on March 13, 2016 
(MDD 4263). From August 11 through August 31, 2016, severe storms and 
flooding affected nearly 2 dozen parishes. A Major Disaster Declaration 
for these parishes \2\ was issued on August 14, 2016 (MDD 4277). Seven 
parishes were included in both the March and August Major Disaster 
Declarations.\3\ The notice covers Major Disaster Declarations (MDDs) 
4263 and 4277,\4\ issued on March 13, 2016, and August 14, 2016, 
respectively.
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    \1\ Allen, Ascension, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, 
Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, De Soto, East 
Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, Lafourche, La Salle, Lincoln, 
Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red 
River, Richland, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Union, 
Vernon, Washington, Webster, West Carroll, Winn.
    \2\ Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East 
Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, 
Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, St. 
Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, 
West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana.
    \3\ Ascension, Avoyelles, Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, 
Tangipahoa, Washington.
    \4\ Disaster Recovery numbers assigned by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency. See https://www.fema.gov/disasters/grid/state-tribal-government/4.
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    In order to provide relief from certain HUD requirements governing 
programs administered by the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) 
to PHAs that are located in areas covered by MDD(s) 4263 and/or 4277 
(MDD PHAs), HUD is publishing this notice. The notice describes a 
number of flexibilities that are available to such PHAs, lists HUD 
requirements that HUD is willing to waive upon request from a PHA, and 
provides for the expedited review of waiver requests. HUD is publishing 
this notice to assist MDD PHAs in responding to these major disaster 
declarations and in contributing to long-term recovery.
    The notice is organized as follows:
     Section II opens with a description of flexibilities that 
are available to MDD PHAs, where such flexibilities are built into 
statute and/or regulation. MDD PHAs may avail themselves of these 
flexibilities, following the process described in Section IV of the 
notice.
     Section III describes certain HUD requirements that, if 
waived, may facilitate an MDD PHA's ability to participate in relief 
and recovery efforts. An MDD PHA may request a waiver of a HUD 
requirement not listed in Section III and receive expedited review of 
the request if the MDD PHA demonstrates that the waiver is needed in 
order to assist in its relief and recovery efforts.

[[Page 89492]]

An MDD PHA may not adopt any requested waiver prior to receiving HUD 
approval.
     Section IV describes the process HUD has established for 
MDD PHAs to provide notice to and/or request approval from HUD 
regarding statutory or regulatory flexibilities and/or to request 
waivers of HUD requirements. Waiver requests will be handled on an 
expedited, case-by-case basis. Consistent with section 7(q) of the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535(q)), a 
regulated party that seeks a waiver of HUD regulations must request a 
waiver from HUD in writing. The waiver request must specify the need 
for the waiver. Typically, the request is submitted to the HUD field 
office, which reviews the request and submits its recommendation to HUD 
headquarters. HUD headquarters then responds to the regulated party in 
writing. Since the damage to property and the displacement of families 
and individuals in the disaster areas is massive, and the need for 
relief from HUD requirements may be necessary, HUD will expedite the 
processing of waiver requests from MDD PHAs, providing for concurrent 
review by the HUD field office and HUD headquarters.
    Waiver requests approved by HUD pursuant to this notice will be 
published in the Federal Register and will identify the MDD PHAs 
receiving such approvals.

II. Flexibilities That Are Available to MDD PHAs

    HUD is exercising discretionary authority to provide relief from 
the requirements described in this section. Upon notification to HUD or 
upon HUD approval, as noted below, relief is granted to MDD PHAs. 
Relief from the requirements must benefit families affected by the 
disasters, for example by enabling MDD PHA staff to focus on relief and 
recovery efforts. Section IV of this notice describes the process an 
MDD PHA must follow to provide notification to and/or to request 
approval from HUD. Such notification and/or request must be made by 
January 26, 2017.
    A. 24 CFR 905.306 (Extension of deadline for obligation and 
expenditure of Capital Funds). Section 9(j)(1) of the Act requires PHAs 
to obligate capital funds not later than 24 months after the date on 
which the funds became available, or the date on which the PHA 
accumulates adequate funds to undertake modernization, substantial 
rehabilitation, or new construction of units, plus the period of any 
extension approved under section 9(j)(2) of the Act. Section 9(j)(5)(A) 
of the Act requires a PHA to expend capital funds not later than 4 
years after the date on which the funds become available for 
obligation, plus the period of any extension approved under section 
9(j)(2). Section 9(j)(2) of the Act authorizes the Secretary to extend 
the time period for the obligation of capital funds for such period as 
the Secretary determines necessary if the Secretary determines that the 
failure of the agency to obligate assistance in a timely manner is 
attributable to an event beyond the control of the PHA. The severe 
storms and flooding in Louisiana were beyond the control of MDD PHAs 
and caused such massive and widespread destruction and displacement 
that HUD is willing to extend the obligation deadline under section 
9(j)(1) of the 1937 Act pursuant to section 9(j)(2)(A)(v) of the Act 
for an additional 12 months, upon the request of an MDD PHA. The 
extension of the section 9(j) obligation and extension deadlines made 
in this notice also applies to the implementing regulation at 24 CFR 
905.306.
    B. 24 CFR 984.105(d) (Family Self-Sufficiency minimum program 
size). 24 CFR 984.105(d) defines the circumstances under which a PHA 
may, upon HUD approval, operate a program that is smaller than the 
required program size. HUD has determined that an MDD PHA's ability to 
operate a program that meets the minimum program size requirements may 
be infeasible due to circumstances related to MDD(s) 4263 and/or 4277. 
Upon the submission to HUD of a certification (as defined in 24 CFR 
984.103), an MDD PHA will be exempt from the minimum program size 
requirement for a period of 24 months from the effective date of this 
notice.
    C. 24 CFR 990.145(b) (Public housing dwelling units with approved 
vacancies). Section 990.145 lists the categories of vacant public 
housing units that are eligible to receive operating subsidy and are 
therefore considered to be ``approved vacancies.'' Under Section 
990.145(b), a PHA shall receive operating subsidy for units that are 
vacant due to a declared disaster, subject to prior HUD approval, on a 
project-by-project basis. If an MDD PHA has a unit that has been 
vacated due to severe storms and flooding, then the MDD PHA, with HUD 
approval, may treat the unit as an ``approved vacancy.'' Upon the 
request of an MDD PHA and HUD approval, on a case-by-case basis, such 
units may be considered approved vacancies for a period not to exceed 
12 months from the date of HUD approval.

III. HUD Requirements That May be Waived

    For an MDD PHA, HUD will review requests for waivers of HUD 
requirements on an expedited basis. This section lists requirements for 
which HUD anticipates receiving such requests. An MDD PHA may also 
request a waiver of a HUD requirement not listed in this section and 
receive expedited review of the request if the MDD PHA documents that 
the waiver is needed for relief and recovery purposes.
    HUD expects that any waiver granted pursuant to this notice will 
benefit families affected by the disasters, for example by enabling MDD 
PHA staff to focus on relief and recovery efforts.
    An MDD PHA seeking a waiver of a HUD requirement listed below or of 
any other HUD requirement needed to assist the MDD PHA in its relief 
and recover efforts must submit a waiver request pursuant to the 
process outlined in Section IV of this notice. HUD will not approve an 
MDD PHA's or other recipient's request to waive a fair housing, civil 
rights, labor standards, or environmental requirement. The request must 
be submitted to HUD not later than January 26, 2017.
    A. 24 CFR 5.512(d) (Verification of eligible immigration status; 
Secondary verification). Section 5.512 describes the process by which 
verification of eligible immigration status must be undertaken for 
families seeking assistance under certain HUD programs. In 
circumstances under which secondary verification must be requested, 
Section 5.512(d) provides a PHA with 10 calendar days from the date of 
receipt of the results of the primary verification to request secondary 
verification from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). To 
initiate secondary verification, 24 CFR 5.512(d)(2) requires that the 
PHA provide ICE with ``photocopies of the original [ICE] documents 
required for the immigration status declared (front and back), attached 
to the [ICE] document verification request form G-845S (Document 
Verification Request), or such other form specified by the [ICE].'' HUD 
is willing to consider a request from an MDD PHA to extend the 
timeframe for secondary verification requests to ICE to 90 calendar 
days, for any primary verification result received after the effective 
date of this notice where a secondary request is required, for a period 
not to exceed 12 months from the date of HUD approval.
    B. 24 CFR 5.801(c) and 5.801(d)(1) (Uniform financial reporting 
standards; Filing of financial reports; Reporting compliance dates). 
Section 5.801 establishes uniform financial reporting

[[Page 89493]]

standards (UFRS) for PHAs (and other entities). Section 5.801(c) 
requires that PHAs submit financial information in accordance with 24 
CFR 5.801(b) annually, not later than 60 days after the end of the 
fiscal year of the reporting period. Section 5.801(d)(1) requires that 
PHAs submit their unaudited financial statements not later than 60 
calendar days after the end of their fiscal year and that PHAs submit 
their audited financial statements not later than 9 months after the 
end of their fiscal year. HUD is willing to consider requests to extend 
these reporting deadlines. Specifically, for MDD PHAs with fiscal years 
ending September 30, 2016, December 31, 2016, and March 31, 2017, the 
deadline for submission of financial information in accordance with 24 
CFR 5.801(b) and unaudited financial statements may be extended to 180 
calendar days, and the deadline for submission of audited financial 
statements may be extended to 13 months.
    C. 24 CFR 902 (Public Housing Assessment System). Part 902 sets out 
the indicators by which HUD measures the performance of a PHA. The 
indicators measure a PHA's physical condition, financial condition, 
management operations, capital fund obligation, and occupancy. For an 
MDD PHA that has a fiscal year end of June 30, 2016, September 30, 
2016, December 31, 2016, or March 31, 2017, HUD is willing to consider 
a request to waive the inspection and scoring of public housing 
projects, as required under 24 CFR 902.
    D. 24 CFR 905.322(b) (Fiscal closeout). Section 905.322(b) 
establishes deadlines for the submission of an Actual Development Cost 
Certificate (ADCC) and an Actual Modernization Cost Certificate (AMCC). 
Specifically, the ADCC must be submitted 12 months from the date of 
completion/termination of a modernization activity, and the AMCC must 
be submitted not later than 12 months from the activity's expenditure 
deadline. Upon request from an MDD PHA, HUD is willing to extend these 
deadlines by 12 months.
    E. 24 CFR 905.314(b)-(c) (Cost and other limitations; Maximum 
project cost; TDC limit). Section 905.314(b)-(c) establishes the 
calculation of maximum project cost and the calculation of total 
development cost. In order to facilitate the use of Capital Funds for 
repairs and construction for needed housing in the disaster areas, HUD 
is willing to waive the total development cost (TDC) and housing cost 
cap limits for all work funded by the Capital Grant (Capital Grant 
Funds with undisbursed balances and HOPE VI funds) until issuance of 
2017 TDC levels. MDD PHAs that request to waive this provision and 
receive approval to do so must strive to keep housing costs reasonable 
given local market conditions, based upon the provisions outlined in 2 
CFR part 200.
    F. 24 CFR 905.314(j) (Cost and other limitations; Types of labor). 
This section establishes that non-high performer PHAs may use force 
account labor for modernization activities only when the use of force 
account labor for such activities has been included in a Board-approved 
Capital Fund Program 5-Year Action Plan. HUD is willing to waive this 
requirement to allow for the use of force account labor for 
modernization activities even if this activity has not been included in 
the non-high performer MDD PHA's 5-Year Action Plan. This waiver will 
be in effect for a period not to exceed 12 months from the date of HUD 
approval.
    G. 24 CFR 905.400(i)(5) (Capital Fund Formula; Limitation of 
Replacement Housing Funds to New Development). Section 905.400 
describes the Capital Fund formula. Section 905.400(i)(5) limits the 
use of replacement housing funds to the development of new public 
housing. To help address housing needs as a result of the displacement 
caused by the severe storms and flooding, HUD is willing to waive 
905.400(i)(5) to allow all Capital Fund Replacement Housing Factor 
Grants with undisbursed balances to be used for public housing 
modernization. This waiver will be in effect for funds obligated within 
12 months from the date of HUD approval.
    H. 24 CFR 960.202(c) (Tenant selection policies) and 982.54(a) 
(Administrative plan). Section 960.202(c) provides that public housing 
tenant selection policies must be duly adopted and implemented. Section 
982.54(d) provides that a PHA's Section 8 administrative plan must be 
formally adopted by the PHA Board of Commissioners or other authorized 
PHA officials. For temporary revisions to an MDD PHA's public housing 
tenant selection policies or Section 8 administrative plan that an MDD 
PHA wishes to put into place to address circumstances unique to relief 
and recovery efforts, HUD is willing to consider requests to waive the 
requirements for formal approval. Any waiver request must include 
documentation that an MDD PHA's Board of Commissioners or an authorized 
MDD PHA official supports the waiver request and must identify the 
temporary revisions, which shall be effective for a period not to 
exceed 12 months from the date of HUD's approval. Additionally, any 
waiver request is limited to revisions that do not constitute a 
significant amendment or modification to the MDD PHA plan; pursuant to 
Section 5(A)(g) of the 1937 Act, HUD cannot waive the approval by the 
board or other authorized PHA officials if the proposed revision would 
constitute a significant amendment or modification to the PHA plan. 
Finally, HUD cannot waive any terms within a PHA's own plan or state 
law requiring the approval of the board or authorized PHA officials.
    I. 24 CFR 965.302 (Requirements for energy audits). This section 
establishes the requirement that all PHAs complete an energy audit for 
each PHA-owned project under management, not less than once every 5 
years. HUD is willing to consider a request for an additional 12 months 
after December 31, 2016, to complete such an audit.
    J. 24 CFR 982.206(a)(2) (Waiting List; Opening and closing; Public 
notice). This section describes where a PHA must provide public notice 
when it opens its waiting list for tenant-based assistance. HUD is 
willing to consider a request from an MDD PHA that wishes, in lieu of 
the requirement to provide notice in a local newspaper of general 
circulation, to provide public notice via its Web site, at any of its 
offices, and/or in a voice-mail message, for any opening of the waiting 
list for tenant-based assistance that occurs within a period not to 
exceed 12 months from the date of HUD approval. MDD PHAs that request a 
waiver of this requirement and receive HUD approval must consider the 
fair housing implications of the means by which they choose to provide 
public notice. For example, an MDD PHA that chooses to provide public 
notice at its offices must consider the impact on persons with 
disabilities, who may have difficulty visiting the office in-person. 
Similarly, an MDD PHA that chooses to provide public notice via voice-
mail message must consider how it will reach persons with hearing 
impairments and persons with limited English proficiency. HUD maintains 
the requirement that an MDD PHA must also provide the public notice in 
minority media. Any notice must comply with HUD fair housing 
requirements.
    K. 24 CFR 982.503(c) (HUD approval of exception payment standard 
amount). 24 CFR 982.503(c) authorizes HUD to approve an exception 
payment standard amount that is higher than 110 percent of the 
published fair market rent (FMR). Typically, a PHA must provide data 
about the local market to substantiate the need for an exception 
payment standard. In a natural disaster situation, however, the typical 
data sources fail to capture conditions on the

[[Page 89494]]

ground. In these cases, HUD takes into account the most recently 
available data on the rental market, prior to the disaster, then 
estimates the number of households seeking housing units in the wake of 
the disaster to arrive at an emergency exception payment standard 
amount. For Louisiana, American Community Survey data at the parish 
level show that, within the state of Louisiana, only 52,209 vacant-for-
rent units were available as of 2014. As part of its response to the 
severe storms and flooding that occurred in 2016, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency had issued 63,307 rental vouchers as of late 
September 2016, pushing the effective rental vacancy rate in Louisiana 
to zero. HUD has decided, based on this data, that exception payment 
standard amounts up to 150 percent of the FMR are justified and that an 
MDD PHA may therefore request a waiver to establish an exception 
payment standard up to 150 percent of the FMR without providing 
supporting data. Upon approval by HUD, an exception payment standard 
adopted pursuant to this notice may be adopted for any Housing 
Assistance Payment (HAP) contract entered into as of the effective date 
of this notice. HUD intends for these exception payment standards to 
remain in effect until such time as HUD implements changes to the FMRs 
in the affected areas. MDD PHAs are reminded that increased per-family 
costs resulting from the use of exception payment standards may result 
in a reduction in the number of families assisted or may require other 
cost-saving measures in order for an MDD PHA to stay within its funding 
limitations.
    L. 24 CFR 982.401(d) (Housing quality standards; Space and 
security). This section establishes a standard for adequate space for 
an HCV-assisted family. Specifically, it requires that each dwelling 
unit have at least 1 bedroom or living/sleeping room for each 2 
persons. HUD is willing to consider a request from an MDD PHA that 
wishes to waive this requirement in order to house families displaced 
due to the severe storms and flooding. The waiver will be in effect 
only for HAPs entered into during the 12-month period following the 
date of HUD approval, and then only with the written consent of the 
family. For any family occupying a unit pursuant to this waiver, the 
waiver will be in effect for the initial lease term.
    M. 24 CFR 982.633(a) (Occupancy of home). This section establishes 
the requirement that PHAs may make HAP for homeownership assistance 
only while a family resides in their home and must stop HAP no later 
than the month after a family moves out. HUD is willing to consider a 
request from an MDD PHA wishing to waive this requirement to allow 
families displaced from their homes located in areas affected by MDD(s) 
4263 and/or 4277 to comply with mortgage terms or make necessary 
repairs. A PHA requesting a waiver of this type must show good cause by 
demonstrating that the family is not already receiving assistance from 
another source. Note: An MDD PHA that wishes in addition to request a 
waiver of the requirement at 982.312 that a family be terminated from 
the program if they have been absent from their home for 180 
consecutive calendar days must do so separately.
    N. 24 CFR 984.303(d) (Contract of participation; contract 
extension). Part 984 establishes the requirements for the Section 8 and 
Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. Section 
984.303(d) authorizes a PHA to extend a family's contract of 
participation for a period not to exceed 2 years, upon a finding of 
good cause, for any family that requests such an extension in writing. 
HUD is willing to consider a request from an MDD PHA that wishes to 
extend family contracts for up to 3 years, if such extensions are 
merited based on circumstances deriving from MDD(s) 4263 and/or 4277. 
Any waiver granted pursuant to this request will be in effect for 
requests made to the MDD PHA during a period not to exceed 12 months 
from the date of HUD approval.
    O. 24 CFR part 985 (Section 8 Management Assessment Program 
(SEMAP)). Part 985 sets out the requirements by which section 8 tenant-
based assistance programs are assessed. For an MDD PHA that has a 
fiscal year end of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2016, or March 31, 
2017, HUD is willing to consider a request to carry forward the SEMAP 
score from the previous year.
    P. Notice PIH 2012-10, Section 8(c) (Verification of the Social 
Security Number (SSN)). PHAs are required to transmit form HUD-50058 
not later than 30 calendar days following receipt of an applicant's or 
participant's SSN documentation. HUD is willing to consider a request 
to extend this requirement to 90 calendar days, for a period not to 
exceed 12 months from the date of HUD approval.

IV. Notification and Expedited Waiver Process--Instructions

    HUD has developed a checklist (Attachment A to this notice) that an 
MDD PHA must complete and submit in order to take advantage of the 
provisions identified in this notice and the expedited review of waiver 
requests. Each provision on the checklist indicates the documentation 
that must accompany the MDD PHA's submission. Each request for a waiver 
(Section 3 of the checklist) must include a good-cause justification 
stating why the particular waiver is needed for the PHA's relief and 
recovery efforts.
    To complete the checklist, take the following steps:
    1. Download the checklist to your computer, saving the document 
with the following filename: FR-5987-N-01.Your Agency's HA Code (e.g., 
FR-5987-N-01.MI001).
    2. Complete the section titled Information about Requesting Agency. 
This section must be complete. An official of the MDD PHA must sign 
where indicated. If the information about the requesting agency is 
incomplete or the checklist has not been signed, then the checklist 
will be returned without review.
    3. Complete Sections 1, 2, and/or 3 of the checklist, as 
applicable, noting the documentation (if any) that accompanies each 
provision.
    4. Address an email to both [email protected] and 
your Field Office Public Housing Director. In the subject line, type 
``Louisiana Disaster Relief.''
    5. Attach the completed checklist to your email.
    6. Click ``Send.''
    Checklists and any supporting documentation or information must be 
submitted not later than January 26, 2017. Requests submitted after 
January 26, 2017 will not be considered, nor will HUD consider any 
waiver requests submitted to this email address that are unrelated to 
relief and recovery efforts.

IX. Finding of No Significant Impact

    A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the 
environment has been made in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 
part 50, which implement section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). The FONSI is 
available for public inspection between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays in 
the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 10276, 
Washington, DC 20410-0500. Due to security measures at the HUD 
Headquarters building, an advance appointment to review the docket file 
must be scheduled by Calling the Regulations Division at 202-708-3055 
(this is not a toll-free number). Hearing-or speech-impaired 
individuals may access this number through TTY by calling the Federal 
Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (this is a toll-free number).


[[Page 89495]]


    Dated: November 22, 2016.
Lourdes Castro Ramirez,
Principal Deputy Assistant, Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.

ATTACHMENT A

Relief from HUD Requirements Available to Public Housing Agencies to 
Assist with Recovery and Relief Efforts on Behalf of Families Affected 
by Severe Storms and Flooding in Louisiana

Federal Register Notice (FR-5987-N-01)

Information about Requesting Agency

NAME OF PHA:
PHA CODE:
Address:
City or Locality:
Parish:
Date of Submission: [may not be after January 26, 2017].

Signature of PHA Official:---------------------------------------------

Name/Title of PHA Official:
Phone number of PHA Official:

Section 1. Insert an ``X'' next to the applicable category (A, B, or 
C).

_Category A: My agency is located in one of the parishes that 
received a Major Disaster Declaration on March 13, 2016 [MDD 4263]. 
Allen, Ascension, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, 
Calcasieu, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, De Soto, East Carroll, 
Franklin, Grant, Jackson, Lafourche, La Salle, Lincoln, Livingston, 
Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, 
Richland, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Union, 
Vernon, Washington, Webster, West Carroll, Winn

_Category B: My agency is located in one of the parishes that 
received a Major Disaster Declaration on August 14, 2016 [MDD 4277]. 
Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, 
Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, 
Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, St. Landry, St. 
Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton 
Rouge, West Feliciana

_Category C: My agency is located in a parish that was designated a 
major disaster area under both MDD 4263 and 4277. Ascension, 
Avoyelles, Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, 
Washington

Section 2. Insert an ``X'' next to the applicable flexibilities.

An MDD PHA may adopt the flexibilities listed below.

_A. 42 U.S.C. 1437g(j)(1) and (j)(5)(A) (Extension of deadline for 
obligation and expenditure of Capital Funds.). (Office of Capital 
Improvements)

    My agency requests that HUD extend the deadline for the 
obligation and expenditure of Capital Funds for an additional 12 
months. We will maintain documentation substantiating the need for 
this extension.

_B. 24 CFR 984.105 (Family Self-Sufficiency minimum program size). 
(Housing Voucher Management and Operations; Public Housing 
Management and Occupancy)

    My agency submits the certification required by 24 CFR 984.103 
and will operate an FSS program that is smaller than the required 
program size for up to 24 months from December 12, 2016

_C. 24 CFR 990.145(b) (Public housing dwelling units with approved 
vacancies). (REAC--Public Housing Financial Management Division)

    My agency requests HUD approval to treat certain public housing 
units in our inventory as approved vacancies. I have attached a 
project-by-project listing of the units for which this approval is 
requested. I understand that any units that remain vacant shall be 
considered approved vacancies only for a period not to exceed 12 
months from the date of HUD approval.

Section 3. Insert an ``X'' next to the applicable waiver requests.

    An MDD PHA may request a waiver of a HUD requirement listed 
below or of any other HUD requirement and receive expedited review 
of the request, as long as the MDD PHA demonstrates that the waiver 
is needed for relief and recovery purposes. Each request must 
include a good-cause justification for the particular waiver, 
documenting why the waiver is needed for such purposes. No requested 
waiver may be implemented unless and until written approval from HUD 
has been obtained.

_A. 24 CFR 5.512(d) (Verification of eligible immigration status; 
Secondary verification). (Housing Voucher Management and Operations; 
Public Housing Management and Occupancy)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 5.512(d) to extend the 
timeframe for secondary verification requests to Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement from 30 to 90 days. I understand that, if 
approved, this waiver will be in effect for a period not to exceed 
12 months from the date of HUD approval.

_B. 24 CFR 5.801(c) and 5.801(d)(1) (Uniform financial reporting 
standards; Filing of financial reports; Reporting compliance dates). 
(REAC)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 5.801(c) to extend the 
deadline for reporting of financial information by 180 days and of 
24 CFR 5.801(d)(1) to extend the reporting deadlines for unaudited 
financial statements by 180 days and audited financial statements by 
4 months. My PHA has a fiscal year end of 9/30/16, 12/31/16, or 3/
31/17.

_C. 24 CFR 902 (Public Housing Assessment System). (REAC)

    My agency requests a waiver of the inspection and scoring of 
public housing projects, as required under 24 CFR 902. My agency has 
a fiscal year end of 6/30/16, 9/30/16, 12/13/16, or 3/31/17.

_D. 24 CFR 905.322(b) (Fiscal closeout) (Office of Capital 
Improvements)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 905.322(b) to extend the 
deadline for submission of the Actual Development Cost Certificate 
and the Actual Modernization Cost Certificate by 12 months.

_E. 24 CFR 905.314(b)-(c) (Cost and other limitations; Maximum 
project cost; TDC limit). (Office of Capital Improvements)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 905.314(b)-(c), which 
establish the calculation of maximum project cost and total 
development cost limits for the Capital Fund program. I understand 
that this waiver is in effect only until such time as 2017 TDC 
limits have been published.
_F. 24 CFR 905.314(j) (Cost and other limitations; Types of labor) 
(Office of Capital Improvements)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 904.314(j) to allow for 
the use of force account labor for modernization activities even if 
this activity has not been included in our agency's 5-Year Action 
Plan. I understand that this waiver will be in effect for a period 
not to exceed 12 months from the date of HUD approval.

_G. 24 CFR 905.400(i)(5) (Capital Fund Formula; Limitation of 
Replacement Housing Funds to New Development) (Office of Capital 
Improvements)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 905.400(i)(5) to allow for 
the use of Capital Fund Replacement Housing Factor grants with 
undisbursed balances for public housing modernization. I understand 
that this waiver will be in effect only for funds obligated within 
12 months from the date of HUD approval.

_H. 24 CFR 960.202(c) (Tenant selection policies) and 24 CFR 
982.54(a) (Administrative plan). (Housing Voucher Management and 
Operations; Public Housing Management and Occupancy)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 960.202(c) and/or 24 CFR 
982.54(a) so that our public housing tenant selection policies and 
section 8 administrative plan may be revised on a temporary basis, 
without formal approval, to address circumstances unique to relief 
and recovery efforts. I have attached documentation that our Board 
of Commissioners or an authorized PHA official supports the waiver 
request. I have also attached documentation identifying the 
temporary revisions. The adoption of these revisions does not 
constitute a significant amendment to our PHA plan, nor does state 
law prevent us from adopting the revisions without formal approval. 
I understand that these revisions will be in effect for a period not 
to exceed 12 months from the date of HUD's approval.

_I. 24 CFR 965.302 (Requirements for energy audits). (Public Housing 
Management and Occupancy)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 965.302 to provide us with 
an additional 12 months after December 31, 2016, to complete our 
audits.

_J. 24 CFR 982.206(a)(2) (Waiting List; Opening and closing; Public 
notice). (Housing Voucher Management and Operations)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 982.206(a)(2) so that we 
can provide public notice of the opening of our waiting list via our 
Web site, at any of our offices, and/or in

[[Page 89496]]

a voice-mail message in lieu of providing notice in a local 
newspaper of general circulation. I understand that this waiver is 
in effect for a period not to exceed 12 months from the date of HUD 
approval.

_K. 24 CFR 982.503(c) (HUD approval of exception payment standard 
amount). (Housing Voucher Management and Operations)

    My agency requests to establish an exception payment standard 
amount that is higher than 110 percent of the published fair market 
rent (FMR). I have attached our proposed emergency exception payment 
standard schedule, which shows both the dollar amounts requested and 
those amounts as a percentage of the FMRs in effect at the time of 
the request. I understand that any approved exception payment 
standard will remain in effect until such time as HUD revises the 
FMRs for the area. I also understand that increased per-family costs 
resulting from the use of such exception payment standard may result 
in a reduction in the number of families assisted or may require my 
agency to adopt other cost-saving measures.

_L. 24 CFR 982.401(d) (Housing quality standards; Space and 
security). (Housing Voucher Management and Operations)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 982.401(d) so that we may 
allow families to occupy units that are smaller than our occupancy 
standards would otherwise dictate. I understand that this waiver is 
in effect only for HAPs entered into during the 12-month period 
following the date of HUD approval, and then only with the written 
consent of the family.

_M. 24 CFR 982.633(a) (Occupancy of home). (Housing Voucher 
Management and Operations)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 982.633(a) so that we may 
continue HAP for homeownership for families displaced from their 
homes if needed to comply with mortgage terms or make necessary 
repairs. We have determined that the family is not receiving 
assistance from another source. I understand that such payments must 
cease if the family remains absent from their home for more than 180 
consecutive calendar days.

_N. 24 CFR 984.303(d) (Contract of participation; contract 
extension). (Public Housing Management and Occupancy; Housing 
Voucher Management and Operations)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 984.303(d) so that a 
family's contract of participation may be extended for up to 3 
years. I understand that such extensions may be made only during the 
12-month period following the date of HUD approval.

_O. 24 CFR 985.101(a) (Section 8 Management Assessment Program 
(SEMAP)). (Housing Voucher Management and Operations)

    My agency requests a waiver of 24 CFR 985.101(a) so that our 
SEMAP score from the previous year may be carried over. My agency 
has a fiscal year end of 9/30/16, 12/31/16, or 3/31/17.

_P. Notice PIH 2012-10, Section 8(c) (Verification of the Social 
Security Number (SSN)) (REAC)

    My agency requests a waiver of section 8(c) of Notice PIH 2012-
10 to allow for the submission of Form HUD-50058 90 calendars days 
from receipt of an applicant's or participant's SSN documentation. I 
understand that this waiver will be in effect for a period not to 
exceed 12 months from the date of HUD approval.

_Q. Waivers not identified in FR-5987-N-01.

    My agency seeks waivers of the HUD requirements listed below. I 
have included documentation justifying the need for the waivers.


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          Regulation                          Description
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Example: 24 CFR 982.54.......  Example: A waiver of this regulation will
                                facilitate our agency's capacity to
                                participate in relief and recovery
                                efforts by. . .
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[FR Doc. 2016-29642 Filed 12-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P