Section 8 Program Administration Flashcards

Under the HCV program, when must a PHA conduct an interim inspection of a unit between regular annual inspections?

Answer: When the PHA receives a HQS complaint, when a unit fails an inspection, or when required by the PHA's administrative plan

PHAs must conduct interim inspections when a complaint about unit conditions is received, when following up on failed inspections, or as required by their administrative plan.

What is the primary purpose of a 'rent reasonableness' determination in the HCV program?

Answer: To ensure that the gross rent for the assisted unit is not more than comparable unassisted units in the same area

Rent reasonableness ensures that the PHA does not pay inflated rents for Section 8 units by comparing the proposed rent to comparable unassisted units in the same market.

Under HCV program rules, an owner wants to increase the rent for a Section 8 assisted unit at lease renewal. What is the required process?

Answer: The owner must request approval from the PHA at least 60 days before the proposed increase; the PHA conducts a new rent reasonableness determination

Owners must request rent increases from the PHA in advance (typically 60 days before the new lease term). The PHA must conduct a new rent reasonableness determination before approving the increase.

A PHA terminates a HAP contract because an owner repeatedly failed to correct HQS deficiencies. What happens to the tenant?

Answer: The tenant retains the voucher and has the opportunity to search for another eligible unit

Termination of the HAP contract due to owner failure does not terminate the tenant's voucher. The tenant retains program eligibility and may search for another HCV-eligible unit.

Under the HCV program, what is the standard tenant contribution percentage toward rent?

Answer: 30% of adjusted monthly income

Under the HCV program, the standard tenant contribution is 30% of adjusted monthly income toward gross rent (rent plus utilities).

Under Section 8 program rules, which of the following is a prohibited basis for refusing to rent to a Housing Choice Voucher holder in jurisdictions with source-of-income protections?

Answer: The source of income being a housing voucher, in jurisdictions with source-of-income protection laws

Many states and localities have source-of-income (SOI) protection laws that prohibit landlords from refusing to rent to HCV holders solely because they use a voucher.