The Trainer

Complying with Change 3, Tenant Selection Plan Requirements

In this issue we discussed the changes to the multifamily occupancy handbook, and discussed how to write an effective tenant selection plan.

Your tenant selection plan should set forth clearly your site's policy of nondiscrimination and equal housing opportunity. It should be clear enough to guide your staff and inform residents, applicants, potential applicants, and program administrators of your pre-occupancy policies. And it must closely follow the requirements in Chapter 4 of Handbook 4350.3.

A well-written tenant selection plan will give you a first defense against charges that you are acting arbitrarily, illegally, or unfairly.

TRAINER'S QUIZ

INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the questions below has only one correct answer. On a separate sheet of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you have chosen—for example, (1) b, (2) a, and so on. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

Question #1

HUD does not have to approve your tenant selection plan before it can become effective unless you are seeking to adopt state, local, or residency preferences. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

Question #2

Fill in the blank: HUD __________ that your tenant selection plan address the eligibility of students.

1. recommends

2. requires

Question #3

When requested, you must make your tenant selection plan available to the public. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

Question #4

Fill in the blank: HUD minimum rent and income-targeting rules apply __________.

1. to all HUD project-based sites

2. only to Section 8-assisted project-based sites

3. only if I choose to apply them at my site

Question #5

You must use the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification Entitlements (SAVE) system to verify immigration status of all applicants and residents at your site. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

Question #6

When there are gross rent changes, residents always need to sign and date the Form 50059-A. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

Question #7

Fill in the blank: Under normal circumstances, a live-in aide __________ qualify for continued occupancy as a remaining family member.

1. may

2. may not

Question #8

Mr. Hayes's brother is probably income-eligible to live in the subsidized site that Mr. Hayes manages. Because his brother is a family member, can Mr. Hayes ignore the site's written tenant selection policies and let his brother have the next unit that opens up?

1. Yes.

2. No.

Question #9

Fill in the blank: Reviewing an applicant's credit history is an __________ screening criterion.

1. acceptable

2. unacceptable

Question #10

I haven't decided where to get criminal background information or how much it's going to cost. Can I write a tenant selection plan without this section?

1. Yes.

2. No.

Question #11

Do I have to put my site's security deposit amount in the tenant selection plan?

1. Yes.

2. No.

Question #12

The new Handbook 4350.3 requires all owners to set reasonable house rules covering residents who operate incidental businesses in their units. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.