The Trainer

The Trainer — March 2014

February 16, 2014    
Ensuring Prompt Payment of Vacancy Claims; Calculating Medical Expense Deductions In this month’s feature, we discussed how to file vacancy loss claims with HUD. Once a household has moved out of an assisted site and the unit is ready for reoccupancy, you can ask HUD to pay part of the...
Feature

How to Handle Interest on Security Deposits

January 21, 2014    
As an assisted site owner or manager, you must collect security deposits from all households when they move in. The security deposit is a dollar amount that’s intended to protect you by covering damage to the premises beyond normal wear and tear, and by cushioning the financial blow if a...
Dealing with Households

Cut Risk of CO Poisoning by Giving Residents Safety Tips

January 21, 2014    
Along with the cold weather comes the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that kills an estimated 1,000 people each year, according to the National Safety Council.
In the News

HUD Releases EIV System Update 9.6

January 21, 2014    
EIV system update 9.6 was released on Dec. 8, 2013. Some of the changes are applicable only to HUD internal users. The ones applicable to owners and managers are the following: Property ID (Search Option): EIV has added the ability to obtain data by utilizing a Property ID search option along with...
In the News

HUD Announces Multifamily 30-Day Filing Extension

January 21, 2014    
The Office of Housing has authorized a global 30-day extension to all owners with fiscal years that ended Dec. 31, 2013. This extension is being offered to allow owners and auditors additional time to adapt to the requirements of Housing Notice H 2013-23, and the Financial Assessment Subsystem (...
In the News

HUD Outlines Section 236 Prepayment Procedures, Tenant Notice Requirements

January 21, 2014    
In Section 236 multifamily housing, HUD subsidizes the interest on an owner’s mortgage. In exchange, HUD sets a basic rent, and the tenant must pay either the basic rent or 30 percent of his income, whichever is higher. A Section 236 site may also receive other forms of rent subsidy under the...
In the News

HUD Awards $16.3 Million to PHAs to Promote Family Self-Sufficiency

January 21, 2014    
HUD recently awarded nearly $16.3 million in grants to help public housing residents gain access to education, job training, and employment. “This is a modest investment that can make a world of difference for families looking to find their path to self-sufficiency,” said HUD Secretary...
Recent Court Rulings

Resident Can't Sue PHA for Injuries

January 21, 2014    
Facts: A resident in a public housing complex operated by the local PHA slipped and fell in a puddle of water that had leaked from a broken washing machine in a nearby laundry room as she was walking to her unit through a common hallway of her building. The fall resulted in injuries to her foot and...
Recent Court Rulings

PHA May Be Liable for Playground Injury

January 21, 2014    
Facts: A resident’s daughter tripped and fell in a playground owned, operated, and maintained by the local PHA. The daughter was playing with a soccer ball in the playground. At one point, the ball traveled into a nearby planter. The daughter went into the planter to retrieve the ball and, in...
Recent Court Rulings

PHA May Be Liable for Slip-and-Fall Accident

January 21, 2014    
Facts: A resident sued her local PHA after she slipped and fell on exterior steps covered in snow and ice. The steps connected the plaza outside her building to a park area that leads to an adjacent public roadway. At trial, the PHA didn’t dispute that it had constructive notice of the...