HCV Essentials-Presentation

Presentation - HCV Essentials
Pdf Summary
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) provides comprehensive training on the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program aimed at new and current staff, supervisors, managers, and policy teams. The training covers essential aspects such as program goals, fair housing laws, application and eligibility processes, income calculations, voucher issuance, leasing, recertifications, compliance, and termination procedures.<br /><br />The HCV program assists low-income families, elderly, and disabled individuals by providing rental subsidies in the private market to promote affordable housing choice and inclusive communities. Key stakeholders include Congress, HUD, Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), program participants, and property owners, each with defined roles and responsibilities.<br /><br />Fundamental program components include family and owner obligations to maintain eligibility and compliance, adherence to federal regulations (Code of Federal Regulations, HUD notices, administrative plans), and upcoming policy changes under the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA).<br /><br />Fair housing laws and related protections are emphasized, including the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). PHAs must ensure non-discriminatory practices, reasonable accommodations, confidentiality, and emergency transfers for vulnerable populations.<br /><br />The training details application management, waiting list operations, eligibility criteria (including income limits, family definitions, ineligible student rules, and citizenship requirements), and verification methods using HUD’s hierarchy of verification. Income calculation modules cover earned and unearned income, asset evaluation, allowable deductions, and adjusted income determination critical for calculating rent contributions.<br /><br />Voucher issuance covers briefing sessions, voucher sizing, search periods, extensions, and tenancy approval via the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) process. Rent calculation integrates rent reasonableness, utility allowances, total tenant payment (TTP), payment standards, and unit affordability rules, including the “40% rule” limit on tenant rent burden.<br /><br />Continued occupancy involves annual and interim reexaminations, family moves (requested and required), proration for mixed families, and management of changes affecting assistance amounts. Compliance and termination protocols address mandatory and discretionary termination reasons, notices, informal hearings, and alternatives like repayment agreements.<br /><br />The training concludes with exam instructions and certification pathways through NAHRO, supporting housing professionals’ competency in administering the HCV program in alignment with HUD requirements.
Keywords
Housing Choice Voucher
NAHRO training
fair housing laws
HCV eligibility
income calculation
voucher issuance
lease compliance
HOTMA policy changes
PHA responsibilities
tenant rent calculation