May 2019
Property Matters
Keeping You Informed

The Project-Based Section 8 program is one of the largest housing resources for low-income individuals and families in Rhode Island. Thank you for your continued partnership in providing this critical resource to our residents.

As always, RIHousing is here to help. Our team of housing specialists works with owners and service providers to ensure quality housing. Please contact the Division of Leased Housing at 401-429-1409 with any questions or concerns.
Proposed Rule on Eligibility
On May 10, HUD released a proposed rule concerning immigration status eligibility and citizenship for recipients of housing assistance. This would prohibit HUD from making financial assistance available to persons other than U.S. citizens or certain categories of eligible noncitizens in HUD's public and specified assisted housing programs. The two major changes are:

  • Creating a mandate for all members of the household under the age of 62 to be verified through Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE), which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This will include current residents.
  • Disallowing those with an unverified immigration eligibility status to serve as a leaseholder

Click HERE to view the proposed rule.

Interested persons are invited to submit comments to the Office of the General Counsel, Rules Docket Clerk, Department of Housing and Urban Development: 451 Seventh Street SW, Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410–0001.

You may also submit comments electronically through the Federal Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov . HUD strongly encourages commenters to submit comments electronically.

Communications should refer to the above docket number and title and should contain the information specified in the ‘‘Request for Comments’’ section. Comment Due Date: July 9, 2019.

FAST Act
The FAST Act (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act) was put into effect on March 12, 2018. This Act provided three ways in which sites can streamline their recertifications for:
  • Households with assets under $5,000
  • Fixed income sources
  • Households with 90% fixed income

If management chooses to use these options please note the file so it is clear during an MOR file review.

Income Limits
On Wednesday, April 24th, 2019 HUD released the 2019 Income Limits. These are effective April 24, 2019. You can find the new figures HERE. These figures do not affect the eligibility of current residents but should be used to assess current and future applicants.
Reminders
  • Periodically check your certification in TRACs to ensure they match the certifications in your system
  • When adding a new repayment agreement to your voucher make sure you are sending your contract administrator (CA) a copy of the agreement
  • CAs will be collecting salary information per question 27b on the 9834. Sites may elect to email the information to the interviewer if they prefer.
  • During your MOR CAs will be collecting both the TRACs and EIV rules of behavior

Please contact your Contract Administrator if you have questions
- we're here to help!