Recent Court Rulings

Federal Judge Strikes Down HUD’s Disparate Impact Rule

November 19, 2014    
Facts: Two nonprofit insurance trade associations filed a lawsuit against HUD, challenging its final rule providing for liability based on disparate impact under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). HUD had recently finalized regulations that were intended to codify how a disparate impact claim is...
Recent Court Rulings

Resident's Past Eviction Requires Termination from Section 8 Program

November 19, 2014    
Facts: In 2010, a Section 8 resident fell behind in paying her portion of her unit’s subsidized rent. The owner started an eviction lawsuit. The court issued an “Order for Possession,” finding that the owner was entitled to possession of the resident’s unit.
In the News

Report Recommends Ways to Increase Voucher Mobility

November 19, 2014    
A report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) examines the extent to which the Housing Choice Voucher program helps families with children move to low-poverty neighborhoods. According to the report, nearly 4 million children live in families that receive federal rental assistance.
In the News

HUD Releases Initial Findings of 2013 American Housing Survey

November 19, 2014    
On Oct. 16, HUD and the Census Bureau released the first findings from the 2013 American Housing Survey (AHS). The AHS is the only comprehensive national survey focused on housing. Released every two years, the survey tracks the same units over time, in order to show changes to the housing stock....
In the News

New Passbook Rate to Be Effective Feb. 1, 2015

November 19, 2014    
On Oct. 31, 2014, HUD issued Housing Notice 2014-15, “Passbook Savings Rate Effective February 1, 2015 and Establishing Future Passbook Savings Rates.” Currently, the HUD passbook rate is 2 percent. Effective Feb. 1, 2015, the HUD passbook rate will be reduced to 0.06 percent.
In the News

SSA Announces 2015 COLA Increase of 1.7%

November 19, 2014    
On Oct. 22, 2014, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that the cost of living adjustment for 2015 benefits will be 1.7 percent. This means that recipients of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will see a 1.7 percent increase in their monthly benefit...
The Trainer

The Trainer — December 2014

November 19, 2014    
Getting HUD’s OK to House Over-Income Police Officers; Dealing with HCV Applicants In this month’s feature, we discussed how you may want to house a police or security officer in one of your site’s units if your site is having problems with criminal activity. But before you can...
Feature

How to Implement Limited English Proficiency Rules

October 17, 2014    
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) issued its final guidance on limited English proficiency (LEP) in 2007. The final guidance was based on an Executive Order signed by President Clinton in August 2000, later reaffirmed by President Bush with Executive Order 13166, and...
Compliance

What Extra Fees Are Allowed for Items or Services

October 17, 2014    
You may want to charge households extra fees for certain items or services, especially ones that cost you money. For instance, you may want to charge households a fee for paying rent late or for transferring to another unit. But HUD doesn’t let you charge households fees over and above their...
Dealing with Households

HUD Revises Appeal Process for Tenant Participation Complaints

October 17, 2014    
On Sept. 4, 2014, HUD issued Notice H 2014-12 (Implementation of Tenant Participation Requirements in accordance with 24 CFR Part 245). HUD regulations governing tenant participation in multifamily housing projects are found at 24 CFR Part 245 Subpart B. According to HUD, tenant participation is an...