WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is considering a new rule when it comes to a recipient’s income.
According to the government, more than 1.1 million families utilize the program.
To qualify for public housing, a family must prove they make below a set level of income.
As of now, no law requires the eviction of a resident once their annual income exceeds that number.
“Given the urgent need for affordable rental housing in many communities, HUD is considering ways to possibly limit public housing residency to those households that actually require housing assistance,” the government said.
Public input is needed on the following issues:
1.How should HUD define income that “significantly” exceeds the income limit for public housing residency? Should such higher amount be determined by dollar amount, by a percentage, or as a function of the current income limit, and what should the amount be?
2.Should area cost of living and family finances be taken into consideration when determining whether an individual or family no longer needs public housing assistance? Are there limits to the circumstances in which said data should be requested and applied in a determination?
3.What period of time in which an individual or family has had income that significantly exceeds the income limits should be determined as indicative that the individual or family no longer needs public housing assistance?
4.How should local housing market conditions or housing authority wait list data be considered?
5.What period of time should be allowed for an individual or family to find alternative housing?
6.Are there exceptions to eviction or termination of tenancy that HUD should consider beyond those listed in HUD’s regulation?
7.Should HUD allow over-income individuals or families to remain in public housing, while paying unsubsidized or fair market, rent? How would such a provision impact PHA operations and finances?
8.Should HUD require a local appeals process for individuals or families deemed over- income?
9.Where over-income policies have been implemented, what were the results to public housing residents and PHAs? What were the specific positive and negative impacts?
10.What financial impact would over-income policies have on PHA operations, and how can any negative impacts be mitigated?
11.What are the potential costs and benefits to public housing residents and PHAs that could result from the forcible eviction of public housing tenants?
12.What evidence currently exists in favor of or against the adoption of this type of policy?
Interested persons may submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal here.
