The Trainer

SETTING PREFERENCES; SCHEDULING REAC INSPECTIONS

In this month's feature, we discussed what you need to know about complying with HUD regulations on giving preference on admissions to certain categories of applicants. We pointed out that HUD views the process of assigning preferences to applicants who meet certain criteria as an effective way to provide housing opportunities to those with the greatest needs. Remember, under these HUD regulations, you do not have to establish any admissions preferences at all—it's entirely up to you. But keep in mind that using any admissions preference is separate from HUD's requirement that you give priority to “extremely low-income” households, which are defined as those making 30 percent or less of your area's median income.

In our article on new guidelines for scheduling REAC inspections, we told you about the revised set of standards issued by the REAC Reverse Auction Program (RAP) in October 2010 for inspections of multifamily and public housing sites. We discussed how REAC inspections get started, restrictions on scheduling, and other very important matters. In addition, remember that there are only two exceptions to the RAP program—Puerto Rico and New York Housing Authorities, which are governed by their own special protocols.

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

Preferences affect only the order of applicants on the waiting list and cannot make anyone eligible who is not. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

QUESTION #2

Owners of Section 221(d)(4), 221(d)(3), and 221(d)(3) BMIR sites must give preference to applicants who have been displaced by government action or:

1. A bedbug infestation.

2. A disaster declared by the president.

3. Unruly neighbors.

QUESTION #3

Some states require owners to provide housing preferences to:

1. Older residents.

2. Minors.

3. Military veterans.

QUESTION #4

You can use a residency preference under any circumstances. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

QUESTION #5

The REAC contractor/inspector has only 10 calendar days from the date the inspection is awarded in which to schedule a REAC inspection. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

QUESTION #6

The REAC contractor/inspector must agree on a mutually convenient date with the:

1. Authorized site representative.

2. Local police department.

3. Contract administrator.

QUESTION #7

There are times when a REAC inspection is canceled by:

1. Intermittent rain.

2. Light snow.

3. HUD.

QUESTION #8

It is not necessary to give the REAC inspector your cell phone number. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.