HUD announced today that it has issued Notice H09-15 on the Violence Against Women Act (VOWA). The new notice replaces HUD Notice H08-07. There is no difference in content between the two notices, but HUD has clarified that despite its name, VAWA is not gender specific (something NCHM has been pointing out in its UIV-Plus training programs).
HUD is also sharing the official word from the Social Security Administration that there will be no cost of living adjustments (COLA) for 2010.
HUD has announced the release of Notice H 2009-11 (September 9, 2009) on the subject of State Lifetime Sex Offender Registration.
The notice "reiterates current regulatory requirements whereby owners and management agents must perform necessary criminal history background checks to determine if an applicant, or a member of an applicant’s household, is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program."
The notice also encourages Owner/Agents to adopt a "zero tolerance" policy, including the following:
1. Ask households at each recertification whether any member is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program.
2. Use the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender website to confirm that applicants and federal housing assistance recipients are not lifetime registered sex offenders.
3. Aggressively termination of assistance or tenancy, as appropriate, for tenants subject to a State Lifetime Sex Offender registration requirement to the extent allowed by law.
The full notice can be accessed here:
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan has announced that the date for mandatory implementation of the Upfront Income Verification (UIV) Final Rule has been extended to January 31, 2010. The announcement was made in a notice appearing in today's Federal Register.
The stated reason for the additional extension from the implementation date of September 30, 2009 is that HUD wanted additional time to review comments submitted earlier this year so they could address issues of law or policy.
The notice also states that HUD remains committed to implementing Upfront Income Verification.
The Associated Press is reporting that there might not be any Cost of Living Adjustments for Social Security recipients for the next two years.
In an article entitled "Social Security Payments may shrink in 2010," Associated Press reporter Stephen Ohlemacher cites projections by trustees who oversee Social Security. His article notes that COLA's have been automatic since 1975.
The report, if true, could impact those assisted housing properties who include COLA's as a matter of routine for Annual Recertifications effective in January, February and March. EIV becomes mandatory on September 30th but past EIV notices have stated COLA information will not be available until the end of the year, by which point January-February-March AR's are already in process.
I am posting this for informational purposes only. As someone who lived and worked in the Washington, DC area for a decade I can attest that a lot can happen on sensitive and highly political issues such as Social Security and the well-being of senior citizens.
The deadline for the mandatory implementation of Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) and the Upfront Income Verifications (UIV) regulations is eight weeks away. In the hectic and constantly busy world of housing management this time will go by very quickly.
HUD has just issued an EIV brochure for residents, and the brochure can be accessed here:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/rhiip/eivbrochure.pdf
Additionally, HUD has posted updated Q&A's from their December 2008 EIV webcast. This can be accessed here:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/rhiip/eiv/eivhome.cfm
Among the many tasks that will need to be accomplished in the coming weeks, even for those Owners/Agents and Public Housing Authorities that have full EIV access, is the development of policies and procedures (HUD calls them "well written policies") associated with EIV and UIV.
I will be available in the coming weeks to offer consulting to Owners/Agents and PHA's, including reviewing policy/procedure drafts. If you're interested, please contact NCHM's Operations Division in Orange Park, Florida to obtain a quote and contract by emailing: service@nchm.org or calling 1-888-291-5562.
NCHM will be offering a 90 minute mini-webinar on the recently issued Change 3 to HUD Handbook 4350.3, Rev. 1 on July 27, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern time. Change 3 becomes effective on August 1st, so this is your chance to get detailed and specific training about the changes before the implementation date.
Change 3 makes some amendments to income, and clarifies several other issues, including live-in aides. Chapter 9 of the HUD Handbook 4350.3, Rev. 1 (Billing and Special Claims) has been thoroughly revised to reflect TRACS 202C.
The Change 3 mini-webinar is part of our "Spotlight On..." series. To register for the Change 3 mini-webinar visit NCHM's website at www.nchm.org and go to our registration form which includes the "Spotlight On..." option.
I'll be leading the session which will have several opportunities for Q&A. I hope to see you there.
HUD today announced the release of Change 3 to HUD Handbook 4350.3, Rev. 1. The change is dated June 23rd and will be effective on August 1st.
Change 3 consists of many clarifications throughout all chapters of the handbook, and a complete revision of Chapter 9 on Billing and Special Claims.
NCHM will, of course, be updating our COS program to reflect Change 3. Please also "stay tuned" to this blog and our website: www.nchm.org for additional information and training offerings tied to Change 3.
The following announced today via RHIIP Listserve: