RHIIP Listserv #358: Homelessness Assistance Resources

HUD is encouraging owners and agents to help end homelessness. The Homeless Assistance Resources website has been released by HUD, via RHIIP Listserv #358 to provide tools to owners and agents to help combat this epidemic.

The Homeless Assistance Resources website provides links to useful information regarding homelessness and includes guidance on how to request a homeless preference. An owner-adopted homeless preference would allow homeless applicant households to move to the top of the waiting list (assuming no other preferences exist at the property. If so, the preferences would have to be weighted in the Tenant Selection Plan and priorities assigned). Remember that preferences only affect the order of applicants on the waiting list – they do not make otherwise ineligible individuals eligible and does not indicate that applicants must meet the preference to move in (HUD Handbook 4350.3, Rev-1, Change 4, 4-6 A.1) Also, all owner adopted preferences must be approved by HUD prior to implementation. Once the preference is approved, the property’s Tenant Selection Plan must be updated to reflect the preference and the waiting list handled accordingly.

For questions, please email HUD at mfhp@hud.gov. Be sure to include your city and state in your email message.

Posted July 26, 2016