Income eligibility for public housing
Income mix within projects
A public housing agency may establish and utilize income-mix criteria for the selection of residents for dwelling units in public housing projects, subject to the requirements of this section.
PHA income mix
11 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted. Targeting .—
Prohibition of concentration of low-income families
Prohibition
A public housing agency may not, in complying with the requirements under paragraph (2), concentrate very low-income families (or other families with relatively low incomes) in public housing dwelling units in certain public housing projects or certain buildings within projects. The Secretary shall review the income and occupancy characteristics of the public housing projects and the buildings of such projects of such agencies to ensure compliance with the provisions of this paragraph and paragraph (2).
Deconcentration
In general
section 1437c–1 of this titleA public housing agency shall submit with its annual public housing agency plan under an admissions policy designed to provide for deconcentration of poverty and income-mixing by bringing higher income tenants into lower income projects and lower income tenants into higher income projects. This clause may not be construed to impose or require any specific income or racial quotas for any project or projects.
Incentives
In implementing the policy under clause (i), a public housing agency may offer incentives for eligible families having higher incomes to occupy dwelling unit in projects predominantly occupied by eligible families having lower incomes, and provide for occupancy of eligible families having lower incomes in projects predominantly occupied by eligible families having higher incomes.
Family choice
2
Fungibility with tenant-based assistance
Authority
Except as provided under subparagraph (D), the number of public housing dwelling units that a public housing agency shall otherwise make available in accordance with paragraph (2)(A) to comply with the percentage requirement under such paragraph for a fiscal year shall be reduced by the credit number for the agency under subparagraph (B).
Credit for exceeding tenant-based assistance targeting requirement
Limitations on credit number
Fungibility floor
Notwithstanding any authority under subparagraph (A), of the public housing dwelling units of a public housing agency made available for occupancy in any fiscal year by eligible families, not less than 30 percent shall be occupied by families whose incomes at the time of commencement of occupancy do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families.
Qualified family
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “qualified family” means a family having an income described in subsection (b)(1).
Limitations on tenancy for over-income families
Limitations
Notice
In the case of any family residing in a dwelling unit of public housing whose income for a year has exceeded the applicable income limitation under subparagraph (C), upon the conclusion of such year the public housing agency shall provide written notice to such family of the requirements under subparagraph (A).
Income limitation
The income limitation under this subparagraph shall be 120 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families, except that the Secretary may establish income limitations higher or lower than 120 percent of such median income on the basis of the Secretary’s findings that such variations are necessary because of prevailing levels of construction costs, or unusually high or low family incomes, vacancy rates, or rental costs.
Exception
section 1437a(a) of this titleSubparagraph (A) shall not apply to a family occupying a dwelling unit in public housing pursuant to paragraph (5) of .
Reports on over-income families and waiting lists
Income eligibility for tenant-based section 1437f assistance
In general
section 1437f of this titleOf the families initially provided tenant-based assistance under by a public housing agency in any fiscal year, not less than 75 percent shall be extremely low-income families.
Jurisdictions served by multiple PHAs
section 1437f of this titleIn the case of any 2 or more public housing agencies that administer tenant-based assistance under with respect solely to identical geographical areas, such agencies shall be treated as a single public housing agency for purposes of paragraph (1).
Income eligibility for project-based section 1437f assistance
Pre-1981 act projects
42 U.S.C. 1437fNot more than 25 percent of the dwelling units that were available for occupancy under section 8 [] housing assistance payments contracts under this chapter before , and which will be leased on or after , shall be available for leasing by low-income families other than very low-income families.
Post-1981 act projects
42 U.S.C. 1437fNot more than 15 percent of the dwelling units which become available for occupancy under section 8 [] housing assistance payments contracts under this chapter on or after , shall be available for leasing by low-income families other than very low-income families.
Targeting
For each project assisted under a contract for project-based assistance, of the dwelling units that become available for occupancy in any fiscal year that are assisted under the contract, not less than 40 percent shall be available for leasing only by extremely low-income families.
Prohibition of skipping
In developing admission procedures implementing paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the Secretary shall prohibit project owners from selecting families for residence in an order different from the order on the waiting list for the purpose of selecting relatively higher income families for residence. Nothing in this paragraph or this subsection may be construed to prevent an owner of housing assisted under a contract for project-based assistance from establishing a preference for occupancy in such housing for families containing a member who is employed.
Exception
section 1437f of this titleThe limitations established in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall not apply to dwelling units made available under project-based contracts under for the purpose of preventing displacement, or ameliorating the effects of displacement.
Definition
Establishment of different standards
Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2) or (b)(1), if approved by the Secretary, a public housing agency may for good cause establish and implement, in accordance with the public housing agency plan, an admission standard other than the standard under such subsection.
Eligibility for assistance based on assets
Limitation on assets
Net family assets
In general
osection 1437f of this titleFor purposes of this subsection, the term “net family assets” means, for all members of the household, the net cash value of all assets after deducting reasonable costs that would be incurred in disposing of real property, savings, stocks, bonds, and other forms of capital investment. Such term does not include interests in Indian trust land, equity in property for which the family is receiving assistance under subsection (y) or ()(12) of , equity accounts in homeownership programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or Family Self Sufficiency accounts.
Exclusions
Trust funds
section 1437a(b) of this titleIn cases in which a trust fund has been established and the trust is not revocable by, or under the control of, any member of the family or household, the value of the trust fund shall not be considered an asset of a family if the fund continues to be held in trust. Any income distributed from the trust fund shall be considered income for purposes of and any calculations of annual family income, except in the case of medical expenses for a minor.
Self-certification
Net family assets
A public housing agency or owner may determine the net assets of a family, for purposes of this section, based on a certification by the family that the net assets of such family do not exceed $50,000, as such amount is adjusted annually by applying an inflationary factor as the Secretary considers appropriate.
No current real property ownership
A public housing agency or owner may determine compliance with paragraph (1)(B) based on a certification by the family that such family does not have any current ownership interest in any real property at the time the agency or owner reviews the family’s income.
Standardized forms
The Secretary may develop standardized forms for the certifications referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
Compliance for public housing dwelling units
section 1437c–1 of this titleWhen recertifying family income with respect to families residing in public housing dwelling units, a public housing agency may, in the discretion of the agency and only pursuant to a policy that is set forth in the public housing agency plan under for the agency, choose not to enforce the limitation under paragraph (1).
Enforcement
section 1437c–1 of this titleWhen recertifying the income of a family residing in a dwelling unit assisted under this chapter, a public housing agency or owner may choose not to enforce the limitation under paragraph (1) or may establish exceptions to such limitation based on eligibility criteria, but only pursuant to a policy that is set forth in the public housing agency plan under for the agency or under a policy adopted by the owner. Eligibility criteria for establishing exceptions may provide for separate treatment based on family type and may be based on different factors, such as age, disability, income, the ability of the family to find suitable alternative housing, and whether supportive services are being provided.
Authority to delay evictions
In the case of a family residing in a dwelling unit assisted under this chapter who does not comply with the limitation under paragraph (1), the public housing agency or project owner may delay eviction or termination of the family based on such noncompliance for a period of not more than 6 months.
Verifying income
Ineligibility of individuals convicted of manufacturing or producing methamphetamine on the premises
Sept. 1, 1937, ch. 896Pub. L. 97–35, title III, § 32395 Stat. 404Pub. L. 98–181, title I97 Stat. 1184Pub. L. 100–242, title I101 Stat. 1822Pub. L. 100–358, § 5102 Stat. 681Pub. L. 100–628, title X, § 1001(a)102 Stat. 3263Pub. L. 101–625, title V104 Stat. 4194Pub. L. 102–550, title I, § 105106 Stat. 3684Pub. L. 104–99, title IV, § 402(d)(6)(A)(v)110 Stat. 42Pub. L. 104–120, § 9(d)110 Stat. 837Pub. L. 104–330, title V, § 501(b)(7)110 Stat. 4042Pub. L. 105–276, title IV, § 428112 Stat. 2511Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 123112 Stat. 2681–546Pub. L. 106–74, title II, § 205113 Stat. 1069Pub. L. 113–76, div. L, title II, § 238(b)128 Stat. 635Pub. L. 114–201, title I130 Stat. 792(, title I, § 16, as added , , ; amended [title II, § 213], , ; , §§ 103, 112(b)(8), , , 1824; renumbered title I, , , ; , , ; , §§ 511, 572(1), , , 4236; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , title V, §§ 513(a), 576(d)(2), , , 2543, 2640; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 103, 104, , , 793.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 1437d(s) of this titlesection 1437d(r) of this titlePub. L. 105–276, title V112 Stat. 2568, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(B)(iii), probably should be a reference to . , §§ 525, 575(d), 576(d)(1)(B), , , 2637, 2640, amended section 1437d by adding a subsec. (s) relating to site-based waiting lists and a subsec. (t) relating to authority to require access to criminal records and then redesignated those subsecs. (s) and (t) as (r) and (s), respectively.
section 503(a) of Pub. L. 105–276section 1437 of this titleSection 503(a) of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (c)(6)(B), (G), is , which is set out as an Effective Date of 1998 Amendment note under .
Pub. L. 100–242101 Stat. 1877section 4101 of Title 12The Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (c)(6)(F), is title II of , , , which is classified principally to chapter 42 (§ 4101 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 100–242101 Stat. 1877Pub. L. 101–625lsection 1715z–6 of Title 12Pub. L. 101–625section 1715z–15 of Title 12Pub. L. 100–242Pub. L. 102–550section 4101 of Title 12The Emergency Low Income Housing Preservation Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (c)(6)(F), is title II of , , , which, as amended by , is known as the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990. Subtitles A and B of title II, which were formerly set out as a note under section 1715 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and which amended , were amended generally by and are classified to subchapter I (§ 4101 et seq.) of chapter 42 of Title 12. Subtitles C and D of title II amended and sections 1437f, 1472, 1485, and 1487 of this title. Another subtitle C of title II of , as added by , is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 4141 et seq.) of chapter 42 of Title 12. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 95–63092 Stat. 3697section 3401 of Title 12The Right to Financial Privacy Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(7)(C)(i), probably means the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978, title XI of , , , which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§ 3401 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Codification
Pub. L. 97–3595 Stat. 384, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), (2), was in the original “the effective date of the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1981” and “such effective date”, meaning the effective date of subtitle A of title III of , , , which was generally effective . See Effective Date note below.
Amendments
Pub. L. 114–201, § 1032016—Subsec. (a)(5). , added par. (5).
Pub. L. 114–201, § 104Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e).
Pub. L. 113–76, § 238(b)(1)2014—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). , substituted “extremely low-income families” for “families whose incomes at the time of commencement of occupancy do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families; except that the Secretary may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 30 percent of the area median income on the basis of the Secretary’s findings that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes”.
Pub. L. 113–76, § 238(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “extremely low-income families” for “families whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families; except that the Secretary may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 30 percent of the area median income on the basis of the Secretary’s findings that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes”.
Pub. L. 113–76, § 238(b)(3)Subsec. (c)(3). , substituted “extremely low-income families” for “families whose incomes at the time of commencement of occupancy do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families; except that the Secretary may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 30 percent of the area median income on the basis of the Secretary’s findings that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes”.
Pub. L. 106–74, § 205(1)1999—Subsecs. (a)(2)(A), (c)(3). , inserted before the period at end “; except that the Secretary may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 30 percent of the area median income on the basis of the Secretary’s findings that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes”.
Pub. L. 105–276, § 513(a)Pub. L. 105–277, § 1231998—Subsecs. (a) to (d). , as amended by , added subsecs. (a) to (d) and struck out former subsecs. (a) to (d). Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) related to percentage availability under contracts prior to , subsec. (b) related to percentage availability under contracts on or after , subsec. (c) related to admission procedures implementing subsec. (b), and subsec. (d) related to applicability of admission procedures limitations.
Pub. L. 105–276, § 576(d)(2)Subsec. (e). , struck out heading and text of subsec. (e), which directed public housing agency to establish standards to prohibit occupancy by and terminate tenancy of any person illegally using controlled substance or whose use of controlled substance or abuse of alcohol might interfere with peaceful enjoyment of premises by other residents, and authorized agency to consider rehabilitation of person in making determination to deny occupancy.
Pub. L. 105–276, § 428Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f).
Pub. L. 104–120, § 9(d)(1)1996—, substituted “Eligibility” for “Income eligibility” in section catchline.
Pub. L. 104–99Subsec. (c). temporarily substituted “the written system of preferences for selection established by the public housing agency pursuant to section 1437d(c)(4)(A)” for “the system of preferences established by the agency pursuant to section 1437d(c)(4)(A)(ii)”. See Effective and Termination Dates of 1996 Amendments note below.
Pub. L. 104–330, § 501(b)(7)(A)section 1437c(h) of this titleSubsec. (d). , redesignated par. (1) as entire subsec. and struck out par. (2) which read as follows: “The limitations established in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to dwelling units assisted by Indian public housing agencies, to scattered site public housing dwelling units sold or intended to be sold to public housing tenants under ..”
Pub. L. 104–120, § 9(d)(2)Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e).
Pub. L. 104–330, § 501(b)(7)(B)Subsec. (e)(3). , struck out heading and text of par. (3). Text read as follows: “This subsection does not apply to any dwelling unit assisted by an Indian housing authority.”
Pub. L. 102–550, § 105(a)section 1437d(c)(4)(A)(ii) of this title1992—Subsec. (c). , substituted “very low-income families and shall” for “very low-income families, shall” and “. In developing such admission procedures, the Secretary shall” for “, and shall” and inserted “; except that such prohibition shall not apply with respect to families selected for occupancy in public housing under the system of preferences established by the agency pursuant to ” after “higher income families for residence”.
Pub. L. 102–550, § 105(b)section 1437c(h) of this titleSubsec. (d)(2). , inserted before period at end “, to scattered site public housing dwelling units sold or intended to be sold to public housing tenants under .”
Pub. L. 101–625, § 572(1)1990—Subsec. (a). , substituted “low-income families” for “lower income families”.
Pub. L. 101–625, § 572(1)Subsec. (b). , substituted “low-income families” for “lower income families” in par. (1).
Pub. L. 101–625, § 511, designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted “15 percent” for “5 per centum”, and added par. (2).
Pub. L. 101–625, § 572(1)Subsecs. (c), (d)(1). , substituted “low-income families” for “lower income families” wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 100–242, § 112(b)(8)1988—Subsec. (b). , struck out “annual” before “contributions”.
Pub. L. 100–628Subsec. (c). substituted “shall establish an appropriate specific percentage of lower income families other than very-low income families that may be assisted in each assisted housing program” for “and shall establish, as appropriate, differing percentage limitations on admission of lower income families in separate assisted housing programs” and inserted before period at end of first sentence “, and shall prohibit project owners from selecting families for residence in an order different from the order on the waiting list for the purpose of selecting relatively higher income families for residence”.
Pub. L. 100–242, § 103, added subsec. (c).
Pub. L. 100–242, § 103Subsec. (d). , added subsec. (d).
Pub. L. 98–1811983—Subsec. (a). increased to 25 from 10 the percentage of dwelling units available for leasing.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1998 Amendments
Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 123112 Stat. 2681–546section 123 of Pub. L. 105–277Pub. L. 105–276, , , provided that the amendment made by is effective upon enactment of .
Pub. L. 105–276section 503 of Pub. L. 105–276section 1437 of this titleAmendment by title V of effective and applicable beginning upon , except as otherwise provided, with provision that Secretary may implement amendment before such date, except to extent that such amendment provides otherwise, and with savings provision, see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 105–276, title V, § 513(b)112 Stat. 2547
Effective and Termination Dates of 1996 Amendments
Pub. L. 104–330section 107 of Pub. L. 104–330section 4101 of Title 25Amendment by effective , except as otherwise expressly provided, see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Indians.
Pub. L. 104–120Pub. L. 104–120section 13 of Pub. L. 104–120section 1437d of this titleAmendment by to be construed to have become effective , notwithstanding the effective date of any regulations issued by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to implement amendments by sections 9 and 10 of or any failure by Secretary to issue any such regulations, see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 104–99section 402(f) of Pub. L. 104–99section 514(f) of Pub. L. 105–276section 1437a of this titleAmendment by effective , only for fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998, and to cease to be effective , see , as amended, and , set out as notes under .
Effective Date
section 371 of Pub. L. 97–35section 3701 of Title 12Section effective , see , set out as a note under , Banks and Banking.