HUD Announces New Actions to Help Communities Fight Extreme Heat

Jessica Mansfield Uncategorized

On April 24, 2024, HUD announced new actions helping support communities to increase resilience to extreme heat. For the first time in its history, HUD published a webpage on Extreme Heat that serves as a hub highlighting actions communities can take to prepare and respond to extreme heat events and available resources to help fund climate resilience projects. HUD also shared two new technical assistance products, an Extreme Heat Quick Guide, to help communities plan for extreme heat and identify mitigation strategies, and a webinar on Extreme Heat and Cold, focused on community resilience. In addition, HUD will hold a stakeholder briefing on extreme heat on May 23, 2024. 

HUD is partnering with over 20 Federal agencies to participate in the National Integrated Heat Health Information System to build awareness about the dangers of extreme heat and develop solutions to reduce the negative impacts of extreme heat on communities throughout the country.

Last week, HUD joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to announce a plan to map urban heat islands across 14 American communities. HUD also hosted a roundtable in Puerto Rico to highlight climate resilience funding opportunities in the region. Importantly, much of HUD’s work serving low-income families aligns with the Administration’s Justice40 Initiative ensuring historically marginalized communities benefit from Federal investment.

These actions represent only the first element of announcements to come on HUD’s actions to address extreme heat.

HUD Releases 2024 Income Limits

Jessica Mansfield Uncategorized

On April 1, 2024, HUD released the Fiscal Year 2024 Income Limits for Section 8 properties. The new income limits must be utilized when processing all Move In certifications effective April 1, 2024 and later. Please note that these limits do not affect the eligibility of households who are already receiving Section 8 assistance.

Please make sure you immediately update your TRACS software with the new limits. You can access the Income Limit documentation at:

HUD Income Limits

SW-AHMA Spring Meeting Has Returned!

Jessica Mansfield Uncategorized

The SW-AHMA 2024 Spring Meeting will be held April 25-26 at the Embassy Suites, in Downtown Fort Worth. The Spring Meeting is ideal for Owners, Agents, Executive Level Management, and Supervisors.

Special Session Presenters Include: US Department of HUD, SHCC, and TDHCA.

For more information and details on how to register, click HERE

HOTMA Update!

Jessica Mansfield Compliance

HOTMA Compliance Date Extended

HUD Extends HOTMA Compliance Date for TSP and EIV Policies & Procedures

On February 28, 2024, the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs published Housing Notice H 2024-04, extending the HOTMA compliance date for owners to update their Tenant Selection Plan (TSP) and Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) Policies and Procedures from March 31, 2024 to May 31, 2024.

For questions regarding this notice, please contact MFH_HOTMA@hud.gov.

HOTMA News

Jessica Mansfield Call Center, Compliance, Contract Renewals, Rent Adjustment, Special Claims, Training Opportunities

HUD Publishes Updated HOTMA Implementation Guidance

On February 2, 2024, HUD published an updated “Implementation Guidance: Sections 102 and 104 of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA)”

This replaces the previous Supplemental Notice issued on September 29, 2023. The notice provides updated guidance to PHAs and Multifamily Housing Owners on the implementation of the many program changes brought about by HOTMA sections 102 and 104.

Please note that HUD clarified in Attachment F, Section 5 that Multifamily Housing Owners should continue using the 0.06% Passbook Rate until their software is updated to the next TRACS Version (TRACS 203A). For additional information, visit the HOTMA Resources page.

Questions about HOTMA can be sent to HOTMAquestions@hud.gov

HUD Strong Families: Job Corps Webinar for Youth Residents

Jessica Mansfield Training Opportunities

Join HUD’s Strong Families initiative on Thursday, February 15, 2024, for a free Webinar on how to bring Job Corps — the Nation’s Largest Cost Free Career Training and Education Program to your Youth Residents.

During This Webinar You Will Learn:

  • Steps to partner with Job Corps Centers and how to assist residents with placement into the program
  • Sign up to schedule an on-site or virtual Job Corps presentation or event for residents
  • How you can change the lives of youth & young adults in your communities and connect them to job resources
  • The academic, career technical training, and wrap-around support services provided to participants

Reserve Your Spot Today!

For more information, click HERE

Free COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Jessica Mansfield Uncategorized

On December 11, 2023 HUD announced its expanded partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) Administration to provide no-cost COVID-19 antigen test kits to all properties receiving assistance through the Office of Multifamily Housing (MFH). Eligible properties include those assisted under the following programs: Section 8 project-based rental assistance (PBRA), 202/8, 202/162 PAC, 202/811 PRAC, 811 PRA, SPRAC, and non-insured 236 properties with IRP Use Agreements (236 IRP).

Property staff may register with HHS’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the Health Partner Ordering Portal (HPOP). Once the property’s registration is approved by HUD, property staff can proceed to order weekly shipments of COVID-19 test kits to be delivered to their properties for distribution. This registration site is now open for all MFH-assisted properties. Please visit HUD’s COVID Testing webpage and see HERE for additional information on registration, ordering, and test kit storage. Instructions on how to register in HPOP and order test kits are also included in this announcement.

HUD Provides Multifamily Disaster Preparedness Plan Template

Jessica Mansfield Uncategorized

On October 18, 2023, HUD provided a Multifamily Disaster Preparedness Plan Template as a resource to help HUD-assisted Multifamily Owners and PHAs produce property specific plan(s) to protect resident life and safety during a disaster. Drawing upon best practices for disaster and evacuation planning, this template provides resources for users to learn more while considering their property’s needs.

HUD designed the template to guide users through the process of gathering relevant information and resident input, drafting a plan, and educating both staff and residents about the plan. Multifamily owners and PHAs will be prompted to consider the specific climate hazards faced by the property, as well as resident needs. Worksheets for an evacuation plan that incorporates safe egress route(s), evacuating residents with special needs, and clear communication of the evacuation plan and safety resources for all residents are included in the plan template.

The tool is organized under four essential elements to disaster planning:

  1. Background, Staffing, and Coordination
  2. Resident Protection and Safety
  3. Building Protection
  4. Business Continuity

Who Should Use the Multifamily Disaster Plan Template?

HUD-assisted Multifamily Owners, including PHAs, in collaboration with staff and residents. Note: While some HUD Multifamily-assistance programs require owners to have a disaster preparedness plan, it is a best practice for ALL Multifamily properties to have a plan for disasters.

View the Multifamily Disaster Preparedness Plan Template Here

HUD Prepares to Implement DocuSign for Contract Renewals

Jessica Mansfield Uncategorized

HUD has announced that in the coming weeks, they will begin implementing DocuSign for contract renewals in Arkansas and Texas, becoming the 2nd region to roll out the DocuSign process. Once implemented, all documents for contract renewals will be sent and signed via DocuSign. It’s important to note that this implementation ONLY applies to contract renewals, and not rent adjustments.

What does this mean for Owners/Agents?

  • This implementation requires every Owner/Agent to have an email address as DocuSign emails cannot be forwarded.
  • During the renewal process, SHCC’s Contracts Department will verify individuals that need to review and sign documents.
  • Contracts Staff will also reach out and obtain necessary emails/contact information for review and execution of contract documents.

This new process aims to streamline the contract renewal process and make it more efficient and secure for all parties involved.