CAM Regulatory Framework and Compliance 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Section 8 of the Housing Act (HCV program), the housing choice voucher payment standard is set by:
- The federal government uniformly nationwide
- The local Public Housing Authority (PHA) (Correct answer)
- HUD's fair market rent schedule only
- The property owner
Correct answer: The local Public Housing Authority (PHA)
Local PHAs set payment standards based on HUD's Fair Market Rents, typically between 90% and 110% of the FMR for their area.
Question 2: The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act requires sellers and landlords to provide buyers and renters with an EPA-approved pamphlet titled:
- Living Safely with Lead
- Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home (Correct answer)
- Lead Hazard Disclosure Notice
- EPA Lead Safety Guidelines
Correct answer: Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
The EPA-approved pamphlet 'Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home' must be provided to buyers and renters of pre-1978 housing.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of 'steering' under fair housing law?
- Refusing to rent to a family because of their ethnicity
- Directing prospective tenants of a certain race to specific buildings or neighborhoods (Correct answer)
- Charging a higher security deposit based on disability
- Advertising units as unavailable when they are available
Correct answer: Directing prospective tenants of a certain race to specific buildings or neighborhoods
Steering is directing or discouraging applicants toward or away from specific housing based on a protected class characteristic.
Question 4: A property manager suspects a resident is engaging in drug-related activity. Under federal law (Anti-Drug Abuse Act), HUD-assisted housing providers:
- Must immediately call law enforcement before taking any action
- May evict residents for drug-related criminal activity on or near the property (Correct answer)
- Can only issue a warning for first offenses
- Must wait for a criminal conviction before starting eviction
Correct answer: May evict residents for drug-related criminal activity on or near the property
The Anti-Drug Abuse Act gives public and assisted housing providers authority to evict residents for drug-related criminal activity without waiting for a criminal conviction.
Question 5: The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a disability as:
- Any physical limitation that prevents full-time employment
- A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (Correct answer)
- A condition requiring daily medication or medical care
- A permanent condition documented by a licensed physician
Correct answer: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such impairment.
Question 6: Under the Fair Housing Act, advertising that states 'perfect for young professionals' could be considered discriminatory because it:
- Violates income discrimination laws
- Implies a preference against families with children (familial status) (Correct answer)
- Discriminates based on age under the ADEA
- Constitutes illegal predatory marketing
Correct answer: Implies a preference against families with children (familial status)
Language suggesting a preference for people without children implies discrimination based on familial status, a protected class under the FHA.
Question 7: The Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) was developed by:
- HUD as mandatory federal housing law
- The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws as a model act (Correct answer)
- NAA as a best practice guideline
- The Department of Justice to address housing discrimination
Correct answer: The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws as a model act
URLTA was developed by the Uniform Law Commission (NCCUSL) as a model act that states can adopt; it is not federal law.
CAM Regulatory Framework and Compliance 4
Under Section 8 of the Housing Act (HCV program), the housing choice voucher payment standard is set by: