NAHP Affordable Housing Programs & Regulations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes 'inclusionary zoning'?
- A federal requirement to include accessible units in all new construction
- A local land use policy requiring or incentivizing developers to include affordable units in market-rate developments (Correct answer)
- A HUD rule mandating mixed-income occupancy in all Section 8 projects
- A state law prohibiting rent control in new construction
Correct answer: A local land use policy requiring or incentivizing developers to include affordable units in market-rate developments
Inclusionary zoning is a local policy tool that requires or encourages private market-rate developers to include a percentage of affordable units in new residential developments.
Question 2: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act, 'adaptable' design features in housing refer to:
- Units that are fully wheelchair accessible from the start
- Features that are easily added or removed to accommodate a person with a disability without major structural work (Correct answer)
- Special zoning variances for disabled residents
- Tax credits available for making accessibility modifications
Correct answer: Features that are easily added or removed to accommodate a person with a disability without major structural work
Adaptable features (e.g., blocking in walls for grab bars, removable base cabinets) can be easily modified to meet a resident's disability needs without extensive renovation.
Question 3: The federal Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program provides capital advances for housing development targeted to residents who are at minimum how old?
- 55 years old
- 60 years old
- 62 years old (Correct answer)
- 65 years old
Correct answer: 62 years old
Section 202 housing is designed for very low-income elderly persons aged 62 or older, providing both capital financing and project rental assistance.
Question 4: What is a 'payment standard' in the Housing Choice Voucher program?
- The minimum wage required for tenants receiving vouchers
- The maximum amount a public housing authority will pay toward rent and utilities for a voucher holder (Correct answer)
- The HUD-determined fair market rent for a metropolitan area
- The income limit for voucher eligibility
Correct answer: The maximum amount a public housing authority will pay toward rent and utilities for a voucher holder
The payment standard is the maximum subsidy the PHA will pay, set between 90% and 110% of HUD's published Fair Market Rents for the area.
Question 5: Which program provides grants to states and localities specifically to address homelessness through a continuum of care model?
- HOME Investment Partnerships
- Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG)
- McKinney-Vento Continuum of Care Program (Correct answer)
- Public Housing Capital Fund
Correct answer: McKinney-Vento Continuum of Care Program
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act established the Continuum of Care program, which funds a community-wide system of housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.
Question 6: A housing authority administering public housing is subject to which HUD performance assessment system that scores management and financial operations?
- Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
- Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) (Correct answer)
- Annual Performance Plan (APP)
- Continuum of Care Performance Metrics
Correct answer: Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS)
PHAS scores PHAs on physical condition, financial condition, management operations, and capital fund timeliness to assess overall housing authority performance.
Question 7: In the LIHTC program, a 'set-aside' election by the developer establishes minimum requirements. Which of the following is a valid minimum set-aside option?
- 10% of units at 40% AMI
- 20% of units at 50% AMI (Correct answer)
- 25% of units at 60% AMI
- 30% of units at 80% AMI
Correct answer: 20% of units at 50% AMI
The two standard minimum set-aside tests are: 20% of units at 50% AMI, or 40% of units at 60% AMI; the 20-50 test is one valid federal election.
NAHP Affordable Housing Programs & Regulations 4
Which of the following best describes 'inclusionary zoning'?