Implementation of the Tribal HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program, 63822-63830 [2015-26748]
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Cynthia F. Whittenburg,
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[FR Doc. 2015–26751 Filed 10–20–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111–14–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR 5889–N–01]
Implementation of the Tribal HUD–VA
Supportive Housing Program
Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This Notice sets forth the
policies and procedures for the
administration of a supportive housing
and rental demonstration program
called the Tribal HUD–VA Supportive
Housing program (Tribal HUD–VASH).
The program will provide rental
assistance and supportive services to
Native American veterans who are
Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness
living on or near a reservation or other
Indian areas. HUD is making available
$4 million in grant funding to Indian
tribes and tribally designated housing
entities (TDHEs) to fund this rental
assistance and associated administrative
fees. Indian tribes and TDHEs
participating in this program must
partner with the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) to provide healthcare
assistance to eligible Native American
veterans.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
Effective date: October 21, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Randall Akers, Office of Native
American Programs, Office of Public
and Indian Housing, Department of
Housing and Urban Development, 451
7th Street SW., Room 4126, Washington,
DC 20410, telephone number (202) 402–
7914. (This is not a toll-free number.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. Definitions
III. Program Requirements
IV. Allocation of Assistance
V. Application for Tribal HUD–VASH
Program
VI. Tribal HUD–VASH Program
Requirements, Waivers, and Alternative
Requirements
VII. Environmental Impact
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I. Background
Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, the
Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program
has provided rental assistance under a
supportive housing program for
Homeless veterans authorized by
section 8(o)(19) of the United States
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f(o)(19)). The initiative, known as
the HUD–VA Supportive Housing
(HUD–VASH) program, was initially
authorized by the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2008 (Pub. L. 110–
161, approved December 26, 2007).
The HUD–VASH program combines
HCV rental assistance for Homeless
veterans with Case Management and
clinical services provided by or through
the VA through Veterans
Administration Medical Centers
(VAMC). Historically, this program has
not reached Native American veterans
in tribal communities due to legal
impediments preventing tribes and
TDHEs from participating in the HUD–
VASH program.
In the Consolidated and Further
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015
(Pub. L. 113–235, approved December
16, 2014) (‘‘2015 Appropriations Act’’),
Congress authorized funding for a
demonstration program in order to
expand the HUD–VASH program into
Indian Country. The 2015
Appropriations Act directed HUD to
coordinate with Indian tribes, TDHEs,
and other appropriate tribal
organizations on the design of this
program, and to ensure the effective
delivery of housing assistance and
supportive services to Native American
veterans who are Homeless or At Risk
of Homelessness. It also authorized
HUD to make appropriate adjustments
to the HUD–VASH model, and to waive
or specify alternative requirements
(except for requirements related to fair
housing, nondiscrimination, labor
standards, and the environment) for any
provision of any statute or regulation
that it administers if it finds that they
are necessary for the effective delivery
and administration of rental assistance
under the program.
On January 26, 2015, HUD sent a
‘‘Dear Tribal Leader’’ letter to tribal
leaders, tribal organizations, and TDHE
directors soliciting comments on a
Tribal HUD–VASH demonstration
program (Tribal HUD–VASH). HUD also
held a national listening session at the
National American Indian Housing
Council’s Legislative Conference held
on February 2, 2015, followed by
regional listening sessions held at each
of the six Office of Native American
Programs (ONAP) field offices. HUD
also received a number of comments
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from tribes through letters and emails.
Generally, the comments were
supportive of the program. The
comments offered suggestions of how
the program should be structured to
address aspects such as rent and
geographic distribution. HUD
considered these comments when
developing this Notice.
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II. Definitions
Case Management—For purposes of
Tribal HUD VASH, Case Management is
a specialized component of healthcare
management, requiring highly skilled,
trained professionals. Case Management
emphasizes a collaborative process that
assesses, advocates, plans, implements,
coordinates, monitors, and evaluates
health care options and services so that
they meet the needs of the individual
patient.
Community Based Outpatient Clinic
(CBOC)—A Community Based
Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) is a VAoperated clinic or a VA-funded or
reimbursed health care facility or site
that is geographically distinct or
separate from the parent medical
facility.
Fair Market Rent (FMR)—Fair Market
Rent means the rent, as established by
HUD, for units of varying sizes (by
number of bedrooms), that must be paid
in the market area to rent privately
owned, existing, decent, safe and
sanitary rental housing of modest (nonluxury) nature with suitable amenities.
Homeless and At Risk of
Homelessness—For purposes of Tribal
HUD–VASH, HUD is adopting the
definitions of ‘‘Homeless’’ in Section
103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a)) and
‘‘At Risk of Homelessness’’ in Section
401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(1)).
However, the income provision at 42
U.S.C. 11360(1)(A) does not apply to the
Tribal HUD–VASH program. Instead,
HUD is adopting the low-income
eligibility requirements in Section 4(14)
of NAHASDA. Accordingly, a veteran
will be eligible for this program if he or
she otherwise meets the definition of
‘‘Homeless’’ or ‘‘At Risk of
Homelessness’’, and is a low-income
Indian, as defined in NAHASDA (i.e.
has an income that is no more than 80
percent of area median income for the
Indian area as determined by HUD).1
Project-Based Rental Assistance
(PBRA)—Rental housing assistance tied
to a specific housing unit or units. The
1 Wherever the phrase ‘‘Homeless veteran’’
appears in this Notice, it will also include veterans
who are At Risk of Homelessness unless explicitly
stated otherwise.
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housing assistance stays with the unit or
units and any household living in the
unit must meet program requirements. If
the household moves out of the
subsidized unit, they no longer receive
rental housing assistance.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
(TBRA)—Rental housing assistance tied
to a specific household. The eligible
applicant selects and rents a unit
(whether private or TDHE-owned) that
meets program requirements, and the
tribe or TDHE makes rent subsidy
payments on behalf of the household.
The assistance stays with the
household; if the household moves to a
different unit that meets program
qualifications, the tribe or TDHE makes
rental payments to the owner of the new
unit on the household’s behalf.
III. General Program Requirements
HUD is establishing the program
requirements of Tribal HUD–VASH with
the publication of this Notice. In
accordance with the 2015
Appropriations Act, this Notice also
makes appropriate adjustments to
program requirements through the
issuance of statutory and regulatory
waivers that HUD has deemed necessary
for the effective delivery and
administration of rental assistance
under the program. Generally, rental
assistance under this program will be
subject to all requirements of
NAHASDA that are applicable to rental
assistance funded under the Indian
Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program.
This includes the NAHASDA statute (25
U.S.C. 4101 et seq.), all IHBG program
regulations in 24 CFR part 1000, and all
other Federal laws and regulations
applicable to the IHBG program. To the
extent that program requirements in this
Notice differ from any provision in
NAHASDA and 24 CFR part 1000, and
any other statute or regulation that HUD
administers, the terms of this Notice
will govern.
Housing assistance under this
program will be made available by
grants to tribes and TDHEs that are
eligible to receive IHBG funding under
NAHASDA. Tribes will be able to
request Tenant-Based and/or ProjectBased Rental Assistance by the number
of bedrooms in a rental unit. Grants will
be awarded based on the number rental
units (Tenant-Based and Project-Based
Rental Assistance) approved by HUD.
Grants will include an additional
amount for administrative costs, which
will be described in more detail later in
this notice. Grant funding will be
awarded based on 12 months of
funding. Participating tribes/TDHEs will
draw down funds from the HUD Line of
Credit Control System (LOCCS) on a
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monthly basis to cover rental assistance
payments.
Eligible Homeless veterans will
receive case management services
through the Department of Veterans
Affairs. A tribe/TDHE should work with
the local VAMC to determine how Case
Management will be delivered to Native
American veterans. VA may provide
these services directly through the local
VAMC, or through a Community-Based
Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Alternatively,
the VA may engage in a contractual
relationship with a tribal healthcare
provider or the Indian Health Service
(IHS) for service delivery. A tribe/TDHE
may partner with VA to provide office
space within the tribal area for the VA
caseworker to operate. Additionally,
VA, in coordination with the tribe/
TDHE may partner with IHS to provide
space for VA case management activities
at an IHS facility. Native American
veterans participating in this program
will be housed based on a Housing First
approach, where Homeless veterans are
provided housing assistance and then
offered the supportive services that may
be needed to foster long-term stability
and prevent a return to Homelessness.
This approach assumes that supportive
services are more effective when the
individual or household is housed, and
the daily stress of being Homeless is
relieved. Key components of the
Housing First model include a simple
application process for participating
veterans, a harm reduction approach
from VA, and no conditions of tenancy
beyond those included in the lease and
the requirements in this Notice. Housing
First specifically does not require
sobriety or testing for substance abuse to
obtain or sustain tenancy, and thus must
not be required in the lease. More
information on Housing First is
available at: https://usich.gov/usich_
resources/fact_sheets/the_housing_first_
checklist_a_practical_tool_for_
assessing_housing_first_in.
IV. Allocation of Assistance
The 2015 Appropriations Act
authorizes HUD to set aside an amount
from the HUD–VASH program for a
tribal demonstration program. HUD has
set aside $4 million for this purpose,
which HUD anticipates will provide
sufficient grant funding to support
approximately 600 rental housing units
and associated administrative fees for
Tribal HUD–VASH.
Pursuant to the 2015 Appropriations
Act, awards under this program must be
based on need, administrative capacity,
and other factors that HUD specifies in
this Notice after coordination with the
VA. The method of allocating assistance
under this program was developed
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through a collaborative effort among VA
and HUD’s Offices of Public and Indian
Housing, Policy Development and
Research, and Community Planning and
Development. HUD also considered all
comments and suggestions made by
Indian tribes during the tribal
consultation process. Responding to
tribal comments, HUD explored the
possibility of allocating funding through
a tribal competition. However, HUD
determined the best method for
allocation under this demonstration
program was to follow, as closely as
possible, the existing parameters for the
standard HUD–VASH program. HUD is
open to reconsidering a competitive
process at a later date, if additional
funding is received for a Tribal HUD–
VASH program. To identify potential
Tribal HUD–VASH sites, HUD used a
combination of VA data and data from
the American Community Survey
(ACS). First, HUD and VA identified
VAMCs serving high populations of
Homeless Native American veterans. To
ensure geographic distribution, HUD
selected the top two VAMCs with the
highest Homeless Native American
population in each of the six ONAP
regions. HUD then identified the tribes
within these VAMC ‘‘catchment’’ or
operating areas. Using VA data showing
the number of Native American veterans
by tribal areas, HUD then prioritized
tribes based on the presence of the
greatest number of veterans and cross
referenced this list with ACS data. In
some instances, tribes with large
populations of Native American
veterans were outside of the VAMC
catchment area. When this occurred,
HUD added the tribe (and local VAMC)
for consideration in that ONAP region.
VA has allocated funding for the
equivalent of up to 30 professional, fulltime Tribal HUD–VASH case managers,
which may be used to directly hire VA
staff or enter into a contractual
relationship with a tribe or IHS facility.
Each case manager has the capacity to
serve between 15–25 Native American
veterans. Case managers will be
assigned to VAMCs based on the overall
level of need and capacity in each
ONAP region.
Tribes/TDHEs selected in each ONAP
region will be invited to apply for Tribal
HUD–VASH shortly after publication of
this Notice. To receive a grant, tribes/
TDHES will be required to submit a
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Tribal HUD–VASH application,
described below in Section V of this
Notice. If a tribe or TDHE declines to
participate or does not need its full
allocation, HUD will invite the next
highest tribe within an ONAP region
ranked by need and capacity. A tribe/
TDHE that participates in the Tribal
HUD–VASH program must partner with
its VAMC.
In general, tribes will be awarded
grants equal to an amount that can fund
rental assistance payments for between
15–25 rental housing units, which is
equal to the capacity of one Tribal
HUD–VASH case manager. If there are
other tribes in the area with eligible
veterans who can be served by the same
case manager, the tribe invited to apply
may either sub-grant to another entity or
directly serve Tribal HUD–VASH
recipients from the other tribe. Should
the tribe sub-grant to another entity,
HUD strongly encourages the tribe
invited to ensure that the sub-grantee
has sufficient capacity and is in good
standing with HUD. The lead tribe
would only be eligible for one grant
award, not to exceed 25 units of
assistance. If there are situations where
a tribe/TDHE has a need to serve fewer
than 15 Native American veterans, and
VA determines there is the capacity
within its existing HUD VASH staff to
assist Native American veterans, the
tribe/TDHE may be awarded fewer than
15 units of assistance.
The grant award will be based on the
number of units requested by a tribe/
THDE, the rents established by the tribe,
and a per-unit administrative fee. Once
an allocation has been awarded, a tribe/
TDHE may provide assistance to
additional Native American veterans if
there are funds remaining from the
initial grant, and the VA is able to
provide Case Management support at no
additional cost.
V. Application and Submission
Information
A. Application Receipt Deadline
Applicants should submit electronic
applications to: tribalHUDVASH@
hud.gov. Electronic applications must
be received by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern
Time on the date the application is due.
Specific application due date
information will be included in the
invitation letter. Alternatively,
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applicants may mail one original and
one copy of their application to Randy
Akers, Office of Native American
Programs, Department of Housing and
Urban Development, 451 7th St. SW.,
Room 4126, Washington, DC 20410.
Mailed applications must be
postmarked no later than the date the
application is due. Hand-carried or
faxed applications will not be accepted.
B. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are Indian tribes as
defined in section 4(13) of NAHASDA
or TDHEs authorized by one or more
tribes pursuant to section 4(22) of
NAHASDA and 24 CFR 1000.206 and
invited by HUD to apply for Tribal
HUD–VASH per the allocation method
described under Section IV of this
notice.
C. Content of Application, Forms, and
Required Elements
The applicant must submit all forms
required in this section, along with
other information listed below.
1. Contact Information: Tribe/TDHE
and point of contact; mailing address;
phone number; and email address;
including name, title, and signature of
person authorized to submit the
application.
2. Other Identifying Information:
Employer/taxpayer identification
number (EIN/TIN) and organizational
DUNS number.
1. System for Award Management
(SAM): Evidence of registration with
SAM.
2. Units of Assistance Requested:
Provide the estimated total number of
rental housing units that the Indian tribe
or TDHE plans to provide to Native
American veterans with assistance
under this program, and whether the
assistance will be Tenant-Based Rental
Assistance, Project-Based Rental
Assistance, or a combination of both.
Provide a table detailing the estimated
number of units requested by the
number of bedrooms and the
corresponding rent, as well as a written
justification for the rent structure (see
Section VI. H. Rent). If the applicant
seeks both Tenant-Based and ProjectBased Assistance, provide separate
tables. Fair Market Rents can be found
at www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/
fmr.html.
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RENTAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTED BY NUMBER OF BEDROOMS: (total number)
0–BR
1–BR
2–BR
3–BR
4–BR
5–BR
6–BR
Total #
6–BR
Total $
Type of Assistance: (Tenant-Based or Project-Based Rental Assistance)
..................................
Estimated Rent for Area by Number of Bedrooms
0–BR
1–BR
2–BR
3–BR
4–BR
5–BR
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..................................
3. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance vs.
Project-Based Rental Assistance
In the Tribal HUD–VASH application,
the tribe/TDHE must determine if the
rental housing assistance provided
under the program will be Tenant-Based
Rental Assistance and/or Project-Based
Rental Assistance. After receiving the
grant, a tribe/TDHE may make a
determination to convert from one type
of rental assistance to the other for any
unutilized grant funds. If the switch is
from Tenant-Based to Project-Based
Rental Assistance, then the tribe/TDHE
must comply with paragraph C.5.b
below, and submit the Project-Based
Rental Assistance information requested
below in paragraph C.6 for HUD
approval prior to the actual switch.
a. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance: A
tribe/THDE may apply for a grant under
this program to provide Tenant-Based
Rental Assistance to Native American
veterans. The tribe/TDHE will either
assist the Native American veteran in
locating privately- owned housing and
enter into a contract with the owner of
the housing, or provide housing in a
unit that is owned or operated by the
tribe/TDHE. Tenant-Based Rental
Assistance will be subject to
requirements further described in this
Notice.
b. Project-Based Rental Assistance: A
tribe/THDE may apply for a grant under
this program to provide Project-Based
Rental Assistance to Native American
veterans. To be considered for ProjectBased Rental Assistance, a tribe/TDHE’s
IHBG LOCCS balance cannot exceed
three times its most current FY grant,
unless the tribe received an IHBG that
was less than $75,000 in that year.
The tribe/TDHE will provide a
monthly rental assistance payment for a
specific housing unit in which an
eligible Native American veteran will
reside. The housing unit will be
specifically designated as a unit that is
available for Native American veterans
eligible under this program. ProjectBased Rental Assistance may be
provided to privately owned housing
with a contract with the owner of the
housing, or a unit that is owned or
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operated by the tribe/TDHE. ProjectBased Rental Assistance will be subject
to requirements further described in this
Notice.
6. Project-Based Rental Assistance
Submission: If requesting funds for
Project-Based Rental Assistance, also
provide the following information:
a. The number of units and the type
of structure to which the assistance
units will be attached.
b. The ownership of the project and
evidence of site control.
c. If a tribe/TDHE proposes to use its
grant to provide rental assistance
payments for rental housing units not
yet constructed or rehabilitated,
provide:
i. A project timeline, including the
length of time the Tribal HUD–VASH
assistance would not be used while
waiting for the units to be completed
(projects with timeframes longer than 2
years until completion will not be
approved);
ii. A detailed budget for the project
including all sources and uses of
funding; and
iii. Evidence showing experience of
the tribe/TDHE in developing new
housing.
7. Tribal Resolution: If an application
is submitted by a TDHE on behalf of an
Indian tribe(s), a tribal resolution(s)
must be submitted authorizing the
TDHE to submit the application under
this program.
8. Mitigation Plan: Per the 2015
Appropriations Act, HUD must consider
administrative capacity before making
awards. HUD will examine a range of
capacity indicators, including
outstanding financial audits; unresolved
HUD monitoring findings, OIG findings
or audit findings; high unexpended
grant balances; and overall
administrative capacity to administer a
new program. If the invitation requires
an applicant to submit a mitigation plan
as a precondition to receiving an award
due to capacity concerns identified by
HUD, the applicant must submit the
mitigation plan with the application.
The mitigation plan must be approved
by HUD before funds will be awarded.
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9. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
(SFLLL): This form must be submitted
by State-recognized Indian tribes and
TDHEs established only under state law.
10. Code of Conduct: If the applicant’s
Code of Conduct (code) is not listed on
HUD’s Web site at https://www.hud.gov/
offices/adm/grants/codeofconduct/
cconduct.cfm or if the information on
the Web site has changed, a copy of the
code must be submitted with the
application.
11. Community Involvement: The
applicant is encouraged to involve the
community in developing and
implementing the Tribal HUD–VASH
program. Please include a description of
actions taken to allow for citizen
participation.
D. Application Review Procedures
HUD will review each application and
will respond to each application within
30 days of receipt. Upon HUD’s
approval of the application, a Tribal
HUD–VASH grant will be awarded to a
tribe/TDHE. HUD will issue a grant
agreement to be signed by the tribe/
TDHE, and will disburse funds through
the HUD LOCCS system.
VI. Tribal HUD–VASH Program
Requirements, Waivers, and
Alternative Requirements
The 2015 Appropriations Act requires
tribes and TDHEs that receive funding
under Tribal HUD–VASH to administer
the program in accordance with
NAHASDA and the IHBG regulations at
24 CFR part 1000, except as modified in
this Notice. The program requirements
for the HCV program found at 24 CFR
part 982 and the project-based voucher
(PBV) program requirements found at 24
CFR part 983 do not apply unless
specifically made applicable in this
Notice. The following notices also do
not apply to Tribal HUD–VASH: PIH
2015–11, PIH 2014–23, PIH 2011–50
PIH–2010–40, and 77 FR 17086.
In addition, the 2015 Appropriations
Act authorizes HUD, in coordination
with the VA, to waive, or specify
alternative requirements for, any
provision of any statute or regulation
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(except for requirements related to fair
housing, nondiscrimination, labor
standards, and the environment), that
HUD administers in connection with the
use of these funds, upon a finding by
HUD that any such waivers or
alternative requirements are necessary
for the effective delivery and
administration of assistance under this
program. This section of the Notice sets
forth requirements for Tribal HUD–
VASH that replace or augment those in
NAHASDA, and that HUD determined
are necessary for the effective delivery
and administration of Tribal HUD–
VASH. These waivers or alternative
requirements are exceptions to the
existing IHBG program requirements,
which would otherwise govern the
provision of Tribal HUD–VASH
assistance.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
A. Native American Veteran Selection
and Referral
Native American veterans first will be
screened by the VA in accordance with
VA screening procedures and by
applying the eligibility criteria in
paragraph B., below. Native American
veterans determined by the VA to be
eligible for the program will be referred
to the tribe/TDHE for additional
screening based on the eligibility
requirements also listed in paragraph B.,
below. Native American veterans
determined eligible for assistance under
this program will then be provided with
rental assistance. A tribe/TDHE may not
provide rental assistance under this
program unless it receives a referral
from the VA and the referred Native
American veteran meets the eligibility
criteria for housing assistance as
described in paragraph B., below.
B. Native American Veteran Eligibility
1. VA Screening: The VA determines
the initial eligibility of Native American
veterans in the Tribal HUD–VASH
program. VA screens for the following
program eligibility requirements:
a. Eligible for VA health care (based
on factors such as length of time in
active duty, service, and type of
discharge as noted on the Native
American veteran’s Certificate of
Release or Discharge from Active Duty
(DD–214)). More information on veteran
status and VA eligibility health care
eligibility criteria can be found at https://
www.va.gov/about_va/ (Benefits,
‘‘Applying for Benefits’’).
b. A determination of Homeless or At
Risk of Homelessness in accordance
with this Notice.
c. A clinical need for Case
Management services (a disabling
physical or mental condition, or
substance use that contributes
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significantly to the Native American
veteran’s housing status), as determined
by VA.
d. The Native American veteran’s
agreement to participate in VA Case
Management.
2. VA will prioritize eligible Native
American veterans based on their level
of need for Case Management. Those
veterans with the greatest need for Case
Management will be the first to be
referred to a participating tribe/TDHE
for rental assistance.
3. For the purposes of this program,
eligibility status for housing does not
extend to a deceased veteran’s family.
4. Tribe/TDHE Screening: The tribe/
TDHE must accept all VA referrals of
Native American veterans and their
families from its VA partner and screen
for the following eligibility
requirements:
a. A determination that the veteran is
‘‘Indian’’ as defined in section 4(10) of
NAHASDA.
b. A determination that the Native
American veteran is income-eligible. To
be eligible, a veteran household’s
annual income must be no more than 80
percent of area median income for the
Indian area. Tribes/TDHEs will be
subject to the same definition of
‘‘annual income’’ as in 24 CFR 1000.10.
Tribes may follow their existing IHBG
policies on calculating income in
compliance with 24 CFR 1000.10, or
they may establish new policies specific
to the Tribal HUD–VASH program.
Native American veterans may qualify
for assistance under this program if they
meet the income eligibility requirements
in this Notice at the time they enter the
Tribal HUD–VASH program. HUD is
adopting the definitions of Homeless
and At Risk of Homelessness that are in
the McKinney-Vento Act, but the
income requirements of McKinneyVento do not apply to this program.
Tribes and TDHEs may not provide
assistance under this program to any
over-income Native American veteran
that would otherwise be deemed eligible
under the over-income or essential
family categories in Sections 201(b)(2)
and (3) of NAHASDA, unless the
household met the income requirements
at the time that they entered the
program. To ensure that those Homeless
and At Risk of Homeless Native
American veterans with the greatest
housing need will be first served by this
program, HUD has found it necessary to
waive of Sections 201(b) (2) and (3) of
NAHASDA, and regulations at 24 CFR
1000.104–1000.110, to limit eligibility
to Native American veterans whose
income is no more than 80 percent of
area median income for the Indian area.
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c. A determination that the veteran is
not registered as a lifetime sex offender.
HUD is establishing the following
alternative requirements to section
207(b) of NAHASDA, and 24 CFR
1000.120 relating to tenant selection.
HUD is applying the screening
requirements similar to 24 CFR
982.553(a)(2) relating to registered
lifetime sex offenders. Tribes/TDHEs are
required to establish written standards
that prohibit admission if the veteran or
any member of the household is subject
to a lifetime registration requirement
(Tier III offense) under any State sex
offender registration program. As part of
the eligibility screening process, a tribe/
TDHE must perform a background check
to see if the referred veteran or any
household member is subject to a
lifetime sex offender registration
requirement in the State where the
housing is located and in other States
where the household members are
known to have resided. If a household
member other than the Homeless or At
Risk of Homelessness veteran (which
would result in denial of admission for
the household) is subject to lifetime
registration under a State sex offender
registration, the remaining household
members may be served if the veteran
agrees to remove the sex offender from
its household composition. This
requirement is necessary to ensure
consistent policy across HUD–VASH
programs relating to providing
assistance to registered sex-offenders.
5. Written documentation of all
referrals and eligibility screening must
be maintained in the veteran’s file by
the tribe/TDHE.
C. Awarding Housing Assistance to an
Eligible Veteran
Once the tribe/TDHE performs all the
activities listed above and the Native
American veteran is deemed eligible,
the tribe must offer rental housing
assistance provided by this program to
the participant. Tenant-Based Rental
Assistance must be provided with an
initial search term of 120 days from the
date such assistance is offered. ProjectBased Rental Assistance must be offered
in the form of the next available projectbased unit.
To ensure consistency with the
standard HUD–VASH program and to
serve the maximum number of Native
American veterans in need of housing
stability, tribes/TDHEs will not be
allowed to deny assistance to an
otherwise eligible Native American
veteran who has been referred by the
case manager on any grounds other than
preferences based on tribal membership
in accordance with the tribe/TDHE’s
written admissions and occupancy
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policies. Where a tribe/TDHE has
adopted a tribal preference policy on
admissions and occupancy that
provides that the tribe/TDHE will
provide assistance to a tribal member
before members of other Indian tribes,
the tribe/TDHE may prioritize assistance
under this program to tribal members. If
a tribe/TDHE has remaining grant funds
after serving its tribal members veterans,
it must serve other referred Native
American veterans that are members of
other Indian tribes until all grant funds
under this program have been fully
spent, and may not refuse to provide
such assistance. Tribes/TDHEs may
adopt a tribal preference policy
specifically for this program. Tribes/
TDHEs may not deny admission to a
referred and eligible Native American
veteran because of any factors or
reasons, other than tribal preference,
such as criminal history (aside from sex
offender status) or substance abuse.
D. Record Keeping at Initial Occupancy
In addition to maintaining records of
referral and eligibility determination as
required in paragraph B.5. above, a
tribe/TDHE must also collect, keep on
file, and report, additional household
demographic, personal (including social
security numbers), and rental
information using a HUD–50058 form
revised for the Tribal HUD–VASH
program. This information also is
required to be reported through an
electronic reporting system as
prescribed by HUD.
At initial occupancy, tribes/TDHEs
will need to collect Social Security
numbers (SSNs) for Homeless or At Risk
of Homelessness veterans and their
household members. This information
must be maintained in the veteran’s
physical file. An original document
issued by a federal, state, or tribal
government agency, which contains the
name of the individual and the SSN of
the individual along with other
identifying information, is acceptable in
accordance with the standards in 24
CFR 5.216(g). In the case of the
Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness
veteran, the tribe/TDHE must accept the
Certificate of Release or Discharge from
Active Duty (DD–214) or the VA-verified
Application for Health Benefits (10–
10EZ) as verification of SSN, and cannot
require the veteran to provide a SSN
card. These documents must also be
accepted for proof-of-age purposes in
lieu of birth certificates or other tribe/
TDHE-required documentation. Please
note that veterans are also issued photo
identification cards by the VA. If such
identification is required by the tribe/
TDHE, these cards must be accepted by
the tribe/TDHE in lieu of another type
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G. Ineligible Housing
H. Rent
Due to the limited availability of
housing stock on or near reservations or
in NAHASDA Indian Areas that is not
developed, or has been otherwise
assisted, with NAHASDA funding, HUD
has found it necessary to establish
alterative requirements regarding the
maximum rent for a unit assisted under
NAHASDA. These alternative
requirements affect sections 203(a) of
NAHASDA, and regulations at 24 CFR
1000.124, and 1000.130, which limit the
maximum rent that can be charged to 30
percent of a household’s adjusted
monthly income. The alternative
requirement allows a tribe/TDHE to
determine rents by bedroom size based
on the local FMR, market conditions
and/or unit operating costs. Tribes/
TDHEs must submit a justification as to
how rent is determined in their program
application. For both, housing units
owned or operated by the tribe/TDHE,
and privately owned units, rents may
not exceed 110 percent of FMR. If a
tribe/TDHE deems it necessary to charge
more than 110 percent of FMR (or to
place a veteran in a privately-owned
unit with a rent that exceeds 110
percent of FMR), it must obtain HUD’s
prior approval to do so. For example, a
tribe/TDHE may find it necessary to
request such approval in order to
address a request for a reasonable
accommodation or in instances where
rental market conditions render it
difficult to find rent at 110 percent of
FMR. HUD encourages tribes/TDHEs to
establish rents at a level that is less than
110 percent of the FMR, particularly in
housing that is owned or operated by
the tribe/TDHE, to allow more Native
American veterans to receive assistance.
These alternative requirements do not
apply to any other HUD-assisted
housing that may be subject to other
rent restrictions.
Under the 2015 Appropriations Act,
assistance under this program is limited
to Native American veterans that are
Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness
living on or near a reservation or other
Indian areas. Accordingly, tribes/TDHEs
participating in this program must
house Native American veterans either
on or near reservations, or within
NAHASDA-authorized Indian areas,
with the exception of units developed to
house Homeless veterans on the
grounds of a VA facility.
Assistance under this program may
not be provided to Native American
veterans who will be residing in a
housing unit that qualifies as Formula
Current Assisted Stock under the IHBG
program.
I. Tenant Rent Contribution Payment
Eligible Native American veterans and
their families will be required to make
a monthly tenant rent contribution
payment that is no more than 30 percent
of their monthly adjusted income (as
defined in NAHASDA and
implementing regulations). The tribe/
TDHE will pay the difference between
the rent and the tenant rent contribution
payment. Consistent with 24 CFR
1000.132, the tribe/TDHE may
determine if utilities are included in the
rent for the unit. The tribe/TDHE may
also make this determination when
negotiating rental assistance payment
contracts with private -owners of
housing. Tribes/TDHEs may establish a
tenant rent contribution payment
of government-issued photo
identification.
E. Case Management
As part of the VA Case Management
duties, the veteran’s case manager will
assist the veteran in locating appropriate
housing for the veteran. VA
responsibilities for Case Management
also include (1) providing appropriate
treatment, referrals, and supportive
services to the veteran prior to tribe/
TDHE issuance of rental assistance; (2)
identifying the social service and
medical concerns of the veteran and
providing, or ensuring the provision of,
regular ongoing Case Management,
outpatient health services, crisis
intervention, and other supportive
services as needed throughout the
veteran’s participation period; and (3)
maintaining records and providing
information for evaluation purposes, as
required by HUD and the VA.
As a condition of receiving rental
assistance under this program, an
eligible veteran must agree to receive
the Case Management services noted
above. If a Tribal HUD–VASH case
manager determines that a veteran fails
to participate without good cause in
Case Management, the participant’s
rental assistance may be terminated.
However, a determination by the case
manager that the participant veteran no
longer requires Case Management is not
grounds for termination of assistance.
F. Local Housing Codes and Quality
Standards
Once a unit is located or ready to be
occupied by a veteran, the tribe/TDHE
must make a determination that the unit
meets applicable local housing codes
and quality standards in accordance
with section 207(a)(2) of NAHASDA.
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amount for a Native American veteran
that is less than 30 percent of monthly
adjusted income. IHBG funds may be
used to cover any additional costs
related to housing Native American
veterans and their families under this
program.
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J. Rental Assistance Payment Contract
A tribe/TDHE must enter into a
contract with the owner of the privatelyowned rental housing units in which
the Native American veteran will reside.
The contract will govern rental
assistance provided under this program
to the owner by the tribe/TDHE.
Specific terms and conditions will be
required. HUD is currently developing
additional guidance on the required
contract contents.
K. Program Income
HUD has found it necessary to
establish alternative requirements to
section 104(a) of NAHASDA, and 24
CFR 1000.62–1000.64, relating to
program income received by the tribe/
TDHE under this program to ensure
program funds continue to be used to
provide affordable housing to lowincome Native American families.
Amounts paid to the tribe/TDHE to
cover the rental assistance payment of
Native American veterans and their
families in tribe/TDHE-owned or
operated housing; tenant rent
contribution payments collected under
this program; and any other income
earned from the disbursement of grant
funds, including income earned on
funds received from such payments;
will be considered program income, and
must be spent on affordable housing
activities, which will be subject to the
requirements of NAHASDA and any
other applicable Federal law.
Notwithstanding Section 104(a) of
NAHASDA, and 24 CFR 1000.62–
1000.64, such income may not be spent
on housing-related activities, as that
term is defined in 24 CFR 1000.10. HUD
strongly encourages tribes/TDHEs to use
this program income to further provide
affordable housing assistance to
Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness
Native American veterans eligible under
this program first, before providing
assistance to other low-income Native
American families. Additionally, all
such amounts must be tracked and
reported in the Federal Financial Report
(SF–425) to ensure compliance with this
requirement.
L. Affordability Periods and Binding
Commitments
To ensure the maximum level of
affordability and participation in this
demonstration program, HUD has found
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it necessary to establish alternative
requirements to section 205(a)(2) of
NAHASDA and 24 CFR 1000.141 and
1000.142 relating to minimum
affordability periods based on the useful
life of properties. The alternative
requirement will affect Project-Based
Rental Assistance (both privately owned
or tribally owned or operated) provided
under this program. Tribes/TDHEs must
ensure that such properties are subject
to binding commitments that ensure
that the units will remain affordable and
available to low-income Native
American veterans and their families for
a minimum period of 15 years from the
time of initial lease-up. Binding
commitments must run with the land
and remain in place regardless of
transfer of ownership, except in the
circumstances described in Section
205(a)(2)(A) and (B) of NAHASDA. If a
tribe/TDHE no longer has a need to
house Homeless or At Risk of
Homelessness Native American veterans
before the affordability period has
ended due to changed circumstances, a
tribe/TDHE must request HUD’s prior
approval to house low-income Indian
families in such units. HUD will
approve such requests if the tribe/TDHE
can demonstrate that there are no Native
American eligible Homeless veterans
that are eligible to occupy these units.
M. Environmental Review
In accordance with the environmental
requirements in 24 CFR 1000.20, the
tribe/TDHE may not enter into a projectbased rental assistance contract or lease
before completion of an environmental
review and either HUD approval of a
Request for Release of Funds under 24
CFR part 58 or HUD approval of the
property under 24 CFR part 50.
However, in accordance with 24 CFR
50.19(b)(11) and 24 CFR 58.35(b)(1),
tenant-based rental assistance is
excluded from environmental review.
N. Administrative Fee and Reserve
Accounts
HUD has found it necessary to
establish alternative requirements to
section 101(h) of NAHASDA, and 24
CFR 1000.236–1000.239 to ensure that
administrative fees received under this
program can pay for, and are limited to,
administrative and planning expenses
related to this program. Tribes/TDHEs
participating in the program will receive
a flat administrative fee of $1,020 per
unit, for a 12-month period, which can
also be used for start-up funding. These
funds will be included as part of the
grant issued under this program.
A tribe/TDHE may use up to this
amount for eligible administrative and
planning expenses related only to this
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Tribal HUD–VASH program. These
funds may not be used to pay for
administrative and planning expenses
related to the tribe/TDHE’s IHBG
program or any other program. If, after
covering all administrative Tribal HUD–
VASH expenses, there is a residual
administrative fee amount, these funds
may be used to provide additional rental
assistance to Native American veterans
and their families under Tribal HUD–
VASH.
Eligible administrative expenses
include but are not limited to: (1)
Eligibility determinations; (2) intake and
briefings; (3) owner outreach efforts; (4)
unit inspections; (5) rent negotiations;
(6) annual and interim reexaminations;
(7) tenant fraud investigations and
hearings; (8) processing subsequent
moves; (9) the costs associated with
making rental assistance payments to
owners; and (10) complying with
reporting requirements.
HUD is waiving section 202(9) of
NAHASDA and 24 CFR 1000.239
relating to reserve accounts established
to accumulate amounts for
administration and planning. Given the
need to ensure the timely expenditure of
funds under this program, and the
limited scope of this demonstration
program, tribes/TDHEs may not draw
down funds under this program and
deposit them in a reserve account to
accumulate amounts for administration
and planning.
O. Interim and Annual Reexaminations
HUD is establishing alternative
requirements to 24 CFR 1000.128(b)
relating to income reexamination
requirements. HUD has found it
necessary to require interim
reexaminations if a Native American
veteran’s household income decreases
so that the rental assistance payment
may increase to cover the cost of rent.
Further, if the program is given renewal
authority, it will be necessary to
conduct annual reexaminations to
capture annual fluctuations in income
and rent as well as track demographic
data necessary for the reporting
requirements of the program.
Tribes/TDHEs must conduct an
interim reexamination if the Native
American veteran’s income decreases
between annual certifications. If there
have been any changes in income, rent,
or household composition they must be
reported using the relevant sections of
the HUD–50058 Form. A paper copy of
this information must be kept in the
veteran’s file and be transmitted
electronically to HUD at the time of the
interim reexamination.
In the event of renewal funding for
the program, the tribes/TDHEs must
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conduct an annual reexamination of the
Native American veteran and the
household’s income to determine rental
assistance payments and tenant rent
contribution payments. Annual
reexaminations must also collect and
update household demographic,
personal and rental information
reported on the Tribal Family Report
(HUD–50058 form). A paper copy of this
information must be kept in the
veteran’s file and an electronic version
of this information must be sent to HUD.
Rental information reported during the
annual recertification will be used to
calculate renewal funding.
If, upon annual reexamination, a
Native American veteran or his/her
household is determined to be overincome, the tribe can continue to serve
the Native American veteran/household
and not have it count towards its 10
percent over-income cap under 24 CFR
1000.110(c). If the Native American
veteran/household’s adjusted rent
contribution payment, based on the
income increase, is equal to the rent for
the unit, then the Tribal HUD–VASH
rental assistance is no longer needed
and this assistance must be used on the
next eligible Native American veteran.
In this instance, the over-income Native
American veteran can continue to
receive Case Management services from
the VA for as long as the VA deems the
care necessary.
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P. Reporting Requirements
As required by Congress, tribes/
TDHEs must submit demographic and
financial information generated by the
Tribal HUD VASH program. Grant funds
received under this program must be
reported annually in a tribe/TDHE’s
Indian Housing Plan and Annual
Performance Report. Information on
grant funds and program income
received under this program also must
be reported quarterly on the Federal
Financial Report (SF–425). Tribes and
TDHEs must fill out relevant
demographic and rental information on
the HUD Form 50058, and keep a
physical record of this form.
Additionally tribes/TDHEs will be
required to transmit data from this form
electronically on a monthly, quarterly,
or annual basis via a method provided
by HUD. HUD encourages tribes to make
effective use of evidence in identifying
or selecting the practices and strategies
for implementing HUD VASH. All tribes
and TDHEs must agree to cooperate in
HUD-funded research and evaluation
studies.
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Q. Turnover of Tribal HUD–VASH
Assistance
In accordance with the 2015
Appropriations Act, if the Tribal HUD–
VASH rental assistance is no longer
needed by a Native American veteran,
this assistance must be issued to other
eligible Native American veterans as
identified by a case manager and as
described further in this Notice.
R. Termination of Assistance to Native
American Veterans
Participating tribes and TDHEs must
comply with requirements of section
207 of NAHASDA on termination of
assistance. In addition, before
determining whether to terminate
assistance, tribes and TDHEs must
contact the case manager to determine if
ongoing Case Management services
could mitigate the conditions that are
leading to a potential termination.
Participating tribes and TDHEs are
subject to Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act and HUD’s regulation
at 24 CFR part 8, which would include
providing reasonable accommodations
to individuals with disabilities
throughout the termination process.
S. Renewal Funding
HUD anticipates that grants under this
program will be subject to renewal on
an annual basis. However, renewal is
subject to the availability of future
appropriations. Tribal HUD–VASH
funding will be renewed on an annual
basis based on the amount of rental
assistance payments reported
electronically using the HUD–50058
form. When calculating the annual grant
award, HUD may subtract any funds
from the previous year’s grant that were
not used for administrative costs or
rental assistance payments. If funding is
not available, tribes/TDHEs should use
their best efforts to allocate IHBG funds
to support Homeless or At Risk of
Homelessness Native American veterans
and their families that are currently
being assisted through Tribal HUD–
VASH.
T. Investment of Grant Funds
HUD is waiving section 204(b) of
NAHASDA and 24 CFR 1000.58 relating
to the investment of grant funds. Given
the need to ensure the timely
expenditure of funds under this
program, and the limited scope of this
demonstration program, tribes/TDHEs
may not draw down funds under this
program to invest in securities or other
obligations.
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U. Reduction and Termination of HUD–
VASH Grant Funds, Appeal of HUD
Determinations, and Reallocation of
Grant Funds
Because of the urgent housing needs
of Native American veterans and their
families, the relatively limited amount
of funding under this program, the
limited scope of this demonstration
program, and the need to ensure the
timely expenditure of funding, HUD
finds it necessary for the effective
delivery and administration of
assistance under this program to waive
Title IV of NAHASDA, and all
implementing regulations at 24 CFR part
1000 as they relate to termination,
reduction and limitation of assistance,
and reallocation of such assistance to
other tribes/TDHEs under this program.
HUD is establishing alternative
requirements to Title IV of NAHASDA,
and relevant implementing regulations
24 CFR part 1000.
To ensure compliance with program
requirements, HUD will conduct remote
and on-site monitoring, as appropriate.
After HUD has provided sufficient
warning and time to cure, HUD may
find it necessary to terminate, reduce, or
limit the availability of the grant to a
tribe/TDHE for poor performance or
substantial noncompliance with
program requirements. Poor
performance, as determined by HUD
may include actions outside of the tribe/
TDHE’s responsibility such as lack of
adequate referrals or poor quality of
supportive services provided by a
contracted case management entity, or
other reasons. Poor performance also
includes an inadequate voucher
utilization rate by the tribe or TDHE.
Substantial noncompliance with
program requirements is noncompliance
that HUD determines: (1) Has a material
effect on the tribe/TDHE’s Tribal HUD–
VASH program; (2) represents a material
pattern or practice of activities
constituting willful noncompliance with
program requirements, even if a single
instance of noncompliance would not
be substantial; or (3) places the tribe/
TDHE’s Tribal HUD–VASH program at
substantial risk of fraud, waste, or
abuse. HUD may also terminate or
reduce grant funds in situations where
a tribe/TDHE is not carrying out
activities due to a lack of Homeless
Native veterans who need housing, or
the recipient’s failure to comply with its
mitigation plan.
If HUD determines that a tribe/TDHE
lacks Homeless Native veterans who
need housing, is performing poorly, or
is in substantial noncompliance with
program requirements, HUD will
provide written notice to the tribe/
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TDHE informing it of HUD’s decision to
terminate, reduce, or limit the
availability of the grant. If the tribe/
TDHE disagrees with HUD’s
determination, it may appeal that
decision in writing to HUD within 30
days of receipt of HUD’s written notice.
In such appeal, the tribe/TDHE must
demonstrate to HUD’s satisfaction good
cause to maintain its grant under this
program, including and, as applicable,
demonstrate how it will cure its
noncompliance or improve its poor
performance, within a time period
deemed acceptable by HUD. In
situations where HUD determines a
tribe/TDHE is not carrying out activities
due to a lack of Homeless Native
veterans, the tribe/TDHE must
demonstrate to HUD’s satisfaction the
level of Homeless Native veteran
housing need corresponds to the
assistance the tribe/TDHE is currently
receiving. If HUD denies the tribe/
TDHE’s appeal, the tribe/TDHE will
have 30 days from the date of receipt of
HUD’s written notice of denial to submit
a written request for reconsideration to
HUD setting forth justification for
reconsideration. HUD will reconsider
the tribe/TDHE’s submission and either
affirm or reverse its initial decision in
writing, and will set forth HUD’s
reasons for the decision. If HUD affirms
its initial decision on reconsideration,
HUD’s decision will constitute final
agency action.
If, after receiving notice informing it
of HUD’s decision to terminate, reduce,
or limit the availability of assistance, the
tribe/TDHE fails to submit a timely
appeal or request for reconsideration,
fails to demonstrate to HUD’s
satisfaction good cause to maintain its
grant funds under this program, or fails
to cure its noncompliance or poor
performance within the time specified
by HUD, HUD is authorized to
terminate, reduce, or limit the
availability of the tribe/TDHE’s grant
funds under this program. HUD may use
its discretion to reallocate the grant
funds resulting from such reduction or
termination, to any other tribe/TDHE
that is in compliance with program
requirements and is not deemed to be a
poor performer, and that still has a need
to house Homeless Native veterans.
Grant funds may be reallocated among
tribe/TDHEs within the same ONAP
region, or among tribes/TDHEs in
different ONAP regions, based on
administrative capacity, the utilization
of previously awarded Tribal HUD–
VASH assistance, and current
geographic need as determined by the
VA and HUD.
To the extent that any provision of
Title VI of NAHASDA or any
VerDate Sep<11>2014
22:39 Oct 20, 2015
Jkt 238001
implementing regulation at 24 CFR part
1000 conflicts with the appeal process
described above including, but not
limited to, the opportunity for an
administrative hearing, the provisions of
this Notice will apply.
V. Nondiscrimination Requirements
Tribes/TDHEs shall be subject to all
nondiscrimination requirements that are
applicable under NAHASDA and the
IHBG regulations at 24 CFR part 1000
and in particular 24 CFR 1000.12
W. Electronic Submission Requirement
HUD is waiving the requirement to
submit applications for grant funding
through www.grants.gov, as required in
24 CFR 5.1005. Considering the
statutory deadline to publish this Notice
and begin the process of awarding
funding, and the limited amount of
available funds under this program,
HUD has determined that allowing the
submission of paper applications will be
less burdensome, and will allow HUD to
make awards in a timelier manner.
Electronic applications may still be
submitted to the inbox described in this
Notice.
VII. Environmental Impact
A Finding of No Significant Impact
with respect to the environment has
been made in accordance with HUD
regulations at 24 CFR part 50, which
implement section 102(2)(C) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). The
Finding of No Significant Impact is
available for public inspection during
regular business hours in the
Regulations Division, Office of General
Counsel, Department of Housing and
Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW.,
Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410–
0500. Due to security measures at the
HUD Headquarters building, please
schedule an appointment to review the
Finding by calling the Regulations
Division at (202) 402–3055 (this is not
a toll-free number). Individuals with
speech or hearing impairments may
access this number via TTY by calling
the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–
8339.
Dated: October 15, 2015.
Lourdes Castro Ramirez,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Public and Indian Housing.
[FR Doc. 2015–26748 Filed 10–20–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
PO 00000
Frm 00094
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R1–ES–2015–0151;
FXES11120100000–156–FF01E00000]
Draft Habitat Conservation Plan and
Draft Environmental Assessment;
Kaufman Properties, Thurston County,
Washington
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
for comments.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), have received
an application from Kaufman Real
Estate LLC, Kaufman Holdings Inc., and
Liberty Leasing & Construction, Inc.
(applicants), for an incidental take
permit (ITP) pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA).
The applicants request a 20-year ITP
that would authorize ‘‘take’’ of five
listed species incidental to otherwise
lawful land development and habitat
conservation activities on parcels they
own in Thurston County, Washington.
The application includes a draft habitat
conservation plan (HCP), which
describes the actions the applicants will
take to minimize and mitigate the
impacts of the take on covered species.
The Service also announces the
availability of a draft environmental
assessment (EA) addressing the draft
HCP and proposed permit. We invite
comments from all interested parties
regarding the permit application,
including the draft HCP and EA.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please
submit written comments by November
20, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may view or download
copies of the draft HCP and draft EA
and obtain additional information on
the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/
wafwo/. To request further information
or submit written comments, please use
one of the following methods, and note
that your information request or
comments are in reference to the
‘‘Kaufman HCP/EA’’:
• Electronic: www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting
comments on Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–
2015–0151.
• U.S. Mail: Public Comments
Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R1–
ES–2015–0151; Division of Policy,
Performance and Management; U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275
Leesburg Pike, ABHC–PPM; Falls
Church, VA 22041–3803.
• In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or
Pickup: Call 360–753–5823 to make an
appointment (necessary for viewing or
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\21OCN1.SGM
21OCN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63822-63830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26748]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR 5889-N-01]
Implementation of the Tribal HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This Notice sets forth the policies and procedures for the
administration of a supportive housing and rental demonstration program
called the Tribal HUD-VA Supportive Housing program (Tribal HUD-VASH).
The program will provide rental assistance and supportive services to
Native American veterans who are Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness
living on or near a reservation or other Indian areas. HUD is making
available $4 million in grant funding to Indian tribes and tribally
designated housing entities (TDHEs) to fund this rental assistance and
associated administrative fees. Indian tribes and TDHEs participating
in this program must partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to provide healthcare assistance to eligible Native American
veterans.
DATES: Effective date: October 21, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randall Akers, Office of Native
American Programs, Office of Public and Indian Housing, Department of
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 4126,
Washington, DC 20410, telephone number (202) 402-7914. (This is not a
toll-free number.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. Definitions
III. Program Requirements
IV. Allocation of Assistance
V. Application for Tribal HUD-VASH Program
VI. Tribal HUD-VASH Program Requirements, Waivers, and Alternative
Requirements
VII. Environmental Impact
I. Background
Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
program has provided rental assistance under a supportive housing
program for Homeless veterans authorized by section 8(o)(19) of the
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)). The
initiative, known as the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program,
was initially authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008
(Pub. L. 110-161, approved December 26, 2007).
The HUD-VASH program combines HCV rental assistance for Homeless
veterans with Case Management and clinical services provided by or
through the VA through Veterans Administration Medical Centers (VAMC).
Historically, this program has not reached Native American veterans in
tribal communities due to legal impediments preventing tribes and TDHEs
from participating in the HUD-VASH program.
In the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015
(Pub. L. 113-235, approved December 16, 2014) (``2015 Appropriations
Act''), Congress authorized funding for a demonstration program in
order to expand the HUD-VASH program into Indian Country. The 2015
Appropriations Act directed HUD to coordinate with Indian tribes,
TDHEs, and other appropriate tribal organizations on the design of this
program, and to ensure the effective delivery of housing assistance and
supportive services to Native American veterans who are Homeless or At
Risk of Homelessness. It also authorized HUD to make appropriate
adjustments to the HUD-VASH model, and to waive or specify alternative
requirements (except for requirements related to fair housing,
nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment) for any
provision of any statute or regulation that it administers if it finds
that they are necessary for the effective delivery and administration
of rental assistance under the program.
On January 26, 2015, HUD sent a ``Dear Tribal Leader'' letter to
tribal leaders, tribal organizations, and TDHE directors soliciting
comments on a Tribal HUD-VASH demonstration program (Tribal HUD-VASH).
HUD also held a national listening session at the National American
Indian Housing Council's Legislative Conference held on February 2,
2015, followed by regional listening sessions held at each of the six
Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) field offices. HUD also
received a number of comments
[[Page 63823]]
from tribes through letters and emails. Generally, the comments were
supportive of the program. The comments offered suggestions of how the
program should be structured to address aspects such as rent and
geographic distribution. HUD considered these comments when developing
this Notice.
II. Definitions
Case Management--For purposes of Tribal HUD VASH, Case Management
is a specialized component of healthcare management, requiring highly
skilled, trained professionals. Case Management emphasizes a
collaborative process that assesses, advocates, plans, implements,
coordinates, monitors, and evaluates health care options and services
so that they meet the needs of the individual patient.
Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC)--A Community Based
Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) is a VA-operated clinic or a VA-funded or
reimbursed health care facility or site that is geographically distinct
or separate from the parent medical facility.
Fair Market Rent (FMR)--Fair Market Rent means the rent, as
established by HUD, for units of varying sizes (by number of bedrooms),
that must be paid in the market area to rent privately owned, existing,
decent, safe and sanitary rental housing of modest (non-luxury) nature
with suitable amenities.
Homeless and At Risk of Homelessness--For purposes of Tribal HUD-
VASH, HUD is adopting the definitions of ``Homeless'' in Section 103(a)
of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a)) and
``At Risk of Homelessness'' in Section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(1)). However, the income
provision at 42 U.S.C. 11360(1)(A) does not apply to the Tribal HUD-
VASH program. Instead, HUD is adopting the low-income eligibility
requirements in Section 4(14) of NAHASDA. Accordingly, a veteran will
be eligible for this program if he or she otherwise meets the
definition of ``Homeless'' or ``At Risk of Homelessness'', and is a
low-income Indian, as defined in NAHASDA (i.e. has an income that is no
more than 80 percent of area median income for the Indian area as
determined by HUD).\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Wherever the phrase ``Homeless veteran'' appears in this
Notice, it will also include veterans who are At Risk of
Homelessness unless explicitly stated otherwise.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)--Rental housing assistance
tied to a specific housing unit or units. The housing assistance stays
with the unit or units and any household living in the unit must meet
program requirements. If the household moves out of the subsidized
unit, they no longer receive rental housing assistance.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)--Rental housing assistance
tied to a specific household. The eligible applicant selects and rents
a unit (whether private or TDHE-owned) that meets program requirements,
and the tribe or TDHE makes rent subsidy payments on behalf of the
household. The assistance stays with the household; if the household
moves to a different unit that meets program qualifications, the tribe
or TDHE makes rental payments to the owner of the new unit on the
household's behalf.
III. General Program Requirements
HUD is establishing the program requirements of Tribal HUD-VASH
with the publication of this Notice. In accordance with the 2015
Appropriations Act, this Notice also makes appropriate adjustments to
program requirements through the issuance of statutory and regulatory
waivers that HUD has deemed necessary for the effective delivery and
administration of rental assistance under the program. Generally,
rental assistance under this program will be subject to all
requirements of NAHASDA that are applicable to rental assistance funded
under the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program. This includes the
NAHASDA statute (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.), all IHBG program regulations
in 24 CFR part 1000, and all other Federal laws and regulations
applicable to the IHBG program. To the extent that program requirements
in this Notice differ from any provision in NAHASDA and 24 CFR part
1000, and any other statute or regulation that HUD administers, the
terms of this Notice will govern.
Housing assistance under this program will be made available by
grants to tribes and TDHEs that are eligible to receive IHBG funding
under NAHASDA. Tribes will be able to request Tenant-Based and/or
Project-Based Rental Assistance by the number of bedrooms in a rental
unit. Grants will be awarded based on the number rental units (Tenant-
Based and Project-Based Rental Assistance) approved by HUD. Grants will
include an additional amount for administrative costs, which will be
described in more detail later in this notice. Grant funding will be
awarded based on 12 months of funding. Participating tribes/TDHEs will
draw down funds from the HUD Line of Credit Control System (LOCCS) on a
monthly basis to cover rental assistance payments.
Eligible Homeless veterans will receive case management services
through the Department of Veterans Affairs. A tribe/TDHE should work
with the local VAMC to determine how Case Management will be delivered
to Native American veterans. VA may provide these services directly
through the local VAMC, or through a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
(CBOC). Alternatively, the VA may engage in a contractual relationship
with a tribal healthcare provider or the Indian Health Service (IHS)
for service delivery. A tribe/TDHE may partner with VA to provide
office space within the tribal area for the VA caseworker to operate.
Additionally, VA, in coordination with the tribe/TDHE may partner with
IHS to provide space for VA case management activities at an IHS
facility. Native American veterans participating in this program will
be housed based on a Housing First approach, where Homeless veterans
are provided housing assistance and then offered the supportive
services that may be needed to foster long-term stability and prevent a
return to Homelessness. This approach assumes that supportive services
are more effective when the individual or household is housed, and the
daily stress of being Homeless is relieved. Key components of the
Housing First model include a simple application process for
participating veterans, a harm reduction approach from VA, and no
conditions of tenancy beyond those included in the lease and the
requirements in this Notice. Housing First specifically does not
require sobriety or testing for substance abuse to obtain or sustain
tenancy, and thus must not be required in the lease. More information
on Housing First is available at: https://usich.gov/usich_resources/fact_sheets/the_housing_first_checklist_a_practical_tool_for_assessing_housing_first_in.
IV. Allocation of Assistance
The 2015 Appropriations Act authorizes HUD to set aside an amount
from the HUD-VASH program for a tribal demonstration program. HUD has
set aside $4 million for this purpose, which HUD anticipates will
provide sufficient grant funding to support approximately 600 rental
housing units and associated administrative fees for Tribal HUD-VASH.
Pursuant to the 2015 Appropriations Act, awards under this program
must be based on need, administrative capacity, and other factors that
HUD specifies in this Notice after coordination with the VA. The method
of allocating assistance under this program was developed
[[Page 63824]]
through a collaborative effort among VA and HUD's Offices of Public and
Indian Housing, Policy Development and Research, and Community Planning
and Development. HUD also considered all comments and suggestions made
by Indian tribes during the tribal consultation process. Responding to
tribal comments, HUD explored the possibility of allocating funding
through a tribal competition. However, HUD determined the best method
for allocation under this demonstration program was to follow, as
closely as possible, the existing parameters for the standard HUD-VASH
program. HUD is open to reconsidering a competitive process at a later
date, if additional funding is received for a Tribal HUD-VASH program.
To identify potential Tribal HUD-VASH sites, HUD used a combination of
VA data and data from the American Community Survey (ACS). First, HUD
and VA identified VAMCs serving high populations of Homeless Native
American veterans. To ensure geographic distribution, HUD selected the
top two VAMCs with the highest Homeless Native American population in
each of the six ONAP regions. HUD then identified the tribes within
these VAMC ``catchment'' or operating areas. Using VA data showing the
number of Native American veterans by tribal areas, HUD then
prioritized tribes based on the presence of the greatest number of
veterans and cross referenced this list with ACS data. In some
instances, tribes with large populations of Native American veterans
were outside of the VAMC catchment area. When this occurred, HUD added
the tribe (and local VAMC) for consideration in that ONAP region. VA
has allocated funding for the equivalent of up to 30 professional,
full-time Tribal HUD-VASH case managers, which may be used to directly
hire VA staff or enter into a contractual relationship with a tribe or
IHS facility. Each case manager has the capacity to serve between 15-25
Native American veterans. Case managers will be assigned to VAMCs based
on the overall level of need and capacity in each ONAP region.
Tribes/TDHEs selected in each ONAP region will be invited to apply
for Tribal HUD-VASH shortly after publication of this Notice. To
receive a grant, tribes/TDHES will be required to submit a Tribal HUD-
VASH application, described below in Section V of this Notice. If a
tribe or TDHE declines to participate or does not need its full
allocation, HUD will invite the next highest tribe within an ONAP
region ranked by need and capacity. A tribe/TDHE that participates in
the Tribal HUD-VASH program must partner with its VAMC.
In general, tribes will be awarded grants equal to an amount that
can fund rental assistance payments for between 15-25 rental housing
units, which is equal to the capacity of one Tribal HUD-VASH case
manager. If there are other tribes in the area with eligible veterans
who can be served by the same case manager, the tribe invited to apply
may either sub-grant to another entity or directly serve Tribal HUD-
VASH recipients from the other tribe. Should the tribe sub-grant to
another entity, HUD strongly encourages the tribe invited to ensure
that the sub-grantee has sufficient capacity and is in good standing
with HUD. The lead tribe would only be eligible for one grant award,
not to exceed 25 units of assistance. If there are situations where a
tribe/TDHE has a need to serve fewer than 15 Native American veterans,
and VA determines there is the capacity within its existing HUD VASH
staff to assist Native American veterans, the tribe/TDHE may be awarded
fewer than 15 units of assistance.
The grant award will be based on the number of units requested by a
tribe/THDE, the rents established by the tribe, and a per-unit
administrative fee. Once an allocation has been awarded, a tribe/TDHE
may provide assistance to additional Native American veterans if there
are funds remaining from the initial grant, and the VA is able to
provide Case Management support at no additional cost.
V. Application and Submission Information
A. Application Receipt Deadline
Applicants should submit electronic applications to:
tribalHUDVASH@hud.gov. Electronic applications must be received by
11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date the application is due. Specific
application due date information will be included in the invitation
letter. Alternatively, applicants may mail one original and one copy of
their application to Randy Akers, Office of Native American Programs,
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th St. SW., Room
4126, Washington, DC 20410. Mailed applications must be postmarked no
later than the date the application is due. Hand-carried or faxed
applications will not be accepted.
B. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are Indian tribes as defined in section 4(13)
of NAHASDA or TDHEs authorized by one or more tribes pursuant to
section 4(22) of NAHASDA and 24 CFR 1000.206 and invited by HUD to
apply for Tribal HUD-VASH per the allocation method described under
Section IV of this notice.
C. Content of Application, Forms, and Required Elements
The applicant must submit all forms required in this section, along
with other information listed below.
1. Contact Information: Tribe/TDHE and point of contact; mailing
address; phone number; and email address; including name, title, and
signature of person authorized to submit the application.
2. Other Identifying Information: Employer/taxpayer identification
number (EIN/TIN) and organizational DUNS number.
1. System for Award Management (SAM): Evidence of registration with
SAM.
2. Units of Assistance Requested: Provide the estimated total
number of rental housing units that the Indian tribe or TDHE plans to
provide to Native American veterans with assistance under this program,
and whether the assistance will be Tenant-Based Rental Assistance,
Project-Based Rental Assistance, or a combination of both. Provide a
table detailing the estimated number of units requested by the number
of bedrooms and the corresponding rent, as well as a written
justification for the rent structure (see Section VI. H. Rent). If the
applicant seeks both Tenant-Based and Project-Based Assistance, provide
separate tables. Fair Market Rents can be found at www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/fmr.html.
[[Page 63825]]
Rental Assistance Requested by Number of Bedrooms: (total number)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-BR 1-BR 2-BR 3-BR 4-BR 5-BR 6-BR Total #
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type of Assistance: (Tenant-Based or Project-Based Rental Assistance)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Rent for Area by Number of Bedrooms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-BR 1-BR 2-BR 3-BR 4-BR 5-BR 6-BR Total $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance vs. Project-Based Rental
Assistance
In the Tribal HUD-VASH application, the tribe/TDHE must determine
if the rental housing assistance provided under the program will be
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and/or Project-Based Rental Assistance.
After receiving the grant, a tribe/TDHE may make a determination to
convert from one type of rental assistance to the other for any
unutilized grant funds. If the switch is from Tenant-Based to Project-
Based Rental Assistance, then the tribe/TDHE must comply with paragraph
C.5.b below, and submit the Project-Based Rental Assistance information
requested below in paragraph C.6 for HUD approval prior to the actual
switch.
a. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance: A tribe/THDE may apply for a
grant under this program to provide Tenant-Based Rental Assistance to
Native American veterans. The tribe/TDHE will either assist the Native
American veteran in locating privately- owned housing and enter into a
contract with the owner of the housing, or provide housing in a unit
that is owned or operated by the tribe/TDHE. Tenant-Based Rental
Assistance will be subject to requirements further described in this
Notice.
b. Project-Based Rental Assistance: A tribe/THDE may apply for a
grant under this program to provide Project-Based Rental Assistance to
Native American veterans. To be considered for Project-Based Rental
Assistance, a tribe/TDHE's IHBG LOCCS balance cannot exceed three times
its most current FY grant, unless the tribe received an IHBG that was
less than $75,000 in that year.
The tribe/TDHE will provide a monthly rental assistance payment for
a specific housing unit in which an eligible Native American veteran
will reside. The housing unit will be specifically designated as a unit
that is available for Native American veterans eligible under this
program. Project-Based Rental Assistance may be provided to privately
owned housing with a contract with the owner of the housing, or a unit
that is owned or operated by the tribe/TDHE. Project-Based Rental
Assistance will be subject to requirements further described in this
Notice.
6. Project-Based Rental Assistance Submission: If requesting funds
for Project-Based Rental Assistance, also provide the following
information:
a. The number of units and the type of structure to which the
assistance units will be attached.
b. The ownership of the project and evidence of site control.
c. If a tribe/TDHE proposes to use its grant to provide rental
assistance payments for rental housing units not yet constructed or
rehabilitated, provide:
i. A project timeline, including the length of time the Tribal HUD-
VASH assistance would not be used while waiting for the units to be
completed (projects with timeframes longer than 2 years until
completion will not be approved);
ii. A detailed budget for the project including all sources and
uses of funding; and
iii. Evidence showing experience of the tribe/TDHE in developing
new housing.
7. Tribal Resolution: If an application is submitted by a TDHE on
behalf of an Indian tribe(s), a tribal resolution(s) must be submitted
authorizing the TDHE to submit the application under this program.
8. Mitigation Plan: Per the 2015 Appropriations Act, HUD must
consider administrative capacity before making awards. HUD will examine
a range of capacity indicators, including outstanding financial audits;
unresolved HUD monitoring findings, OIG findings or audit findings;
high unexpended grant balances; and overall administrative capacity to
administer a new program. If the invitation requires an applicant to
submit a mitigation plan as a precondition to receiving an award due to
capacity concerns identified by HUD, the applicant must submit the
mitigation plan with the application. The mitigation plan must be
approved by HUD before funds will be awarded.
9. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SFLLL): This form must be
submitted by State-recognized Indian tribes and TDHEs established only
under state law.
10. Code of Conduct: If the applicant's Code of Conduct (code) is
not listed on HUD's Web site at https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/codeofconduct/cconduct.cfm or if the information on the Web site has
changed, a copy of the code must be submitted with the application.
11. Community Involvement: The applicant is encouraged to involve
the community in developing and implementing the Tribal HUD-VASH
program. Please include a description of actions taken to allow for
citizen participation.
D. Application Review Procedures
HUD will review each application and will respond to each
application within 30 days of receipt. Upon HUD's approval of the
application, a Tribal HUD-VASH grant will be awarded to a tribe/TDHE.
HUD will issue a grant agreement to be signed by the tribe/TDHE, and
will disburse funds through the HUD LOCCS system.
VI. Tribal HUD-VASH Program Requirements, Waivers, and Alternative
Requirements
The 2015 Appropriations Act requires tribes and TDHEs that receive
funding under Tribal HUD-VASH to administer the program in accordance
with NAHASDA and the IHBG regulations at 24 CFR part 1000, except as
modified in this Notice. The program requirements for the HCV program
found at 24 CFR part 982 and the project-based voucher (PBV) program
requirements found at 24 CFR part 983 do not apply unless specifically
made applicable in this Notice. The following notices also do not apply
to Tribal HUD-VASH: PIH 2015-11, PIH 2014-23, PIH 2011-50 PIH-2010-40,
and 77 FR 17086.
In addition, the 2015 Appropriations Act authorizes HUD, in
coordination with the VA, to waive, or specify alternative requirements
for, any provision of any statute or regulation
[[Page 63826]]
(except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination,
labor standards, and the environment), that HUD administers in
connection with the use of these funds, upon a finding by HUD that any
such waivers or alternative requirements are necessary for the
effective delivery and administration of assistance under this program.
This section of the Notice sets forth requirements for Tribal HUD-VASH
that replace or augment those in NAHASDA, and that HUD determined are
necessary for the effective delivery and administration of Tribal HUD-
VASH. These waivers or alternative requirements are exceptions to the
existing IHBG program requirements, which would otherwise govern the
provision of Tribal HUD-VASH assistance.
A. Native American Veteran Selection and Referral
Native American veterans first will be screened by the VA in
accordance with VA screening procedures and by applying the eligibility
criteria in paragraph B., below. Native American veterans determined by
the VA to be eligible for the program will be referred to the tribe/
TDHE for additional screening based on the eligibility requirements
also listed in paragraph B., below. Native American veterans determined
eligible for assistance under this program will then be provided with
rental assistance. A tribe/TDHE may not provide rental assistance under
this program unless it receives a referral from the VA and the referred
Native American veteran meets the eligibility criteria for housing
assistance as described in paragraph B., below.
B. Native American Veteran Eligibility
1. VA Screening: The VA determines the initial eligibility of
Native American veterans in the Tribal HUD-VASH program. VA screens for
the following program eligibility requirements:
a. Eligible for VA health care (based on factors such as length of
time in active duty, service, and type of discharge as noted on the
Native American veteran's Certificate of Release or Discharge from
Active Duty (DD-214)). More information on veteran status and VA
eligibility health care eligibility criteria can be found at https://www.va.gov/about_va/ (Benefits, ``Applying for Benefits'').
b. A determination of Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness in
accordance with this Notice.
c. A clinical need for Case Management services (a disabling
physical or mental condition, or substance use that contributes
significantly to the Native American veteran's housing status), as
determined by VA.
d. The Native American veteran's agreement to participate in VA
Case Management.
2. VA will prioritize eligible Native American veterans based on
their level of need for Case Management. Those veterans with the
greatest need for Case Management will be the first to be referred to a
participating tribe/TDHE for rental assistance.
3. For the purposes of this program, eligibility status for housing
does not extend to a deceased veteran's family.
4. Tribe/TDHE Screening: The tribe/TDHE must accept all VA
referrals of Native American veterans and their families from its VA
partner and screen for the following eligibility requirements:
a. A determination that the veteran is ``Indian'' as defined in
section 4(10) of NAHASDA.
b. A determination that the Native American veteran is income-
eligible. To be eligible, a veteran household's annual income must be
no more than 80 percent of area median income for the Indian area.
Tribes/TDHEs will be subject to the same definition of ``annual
income'' as in 24 CFR 1000.10. Tribes may follow their existing IHBG
policies on calculating income in compliance with 24 CFR 1000.10, or
they may establish new policies specific to the Tribal HUD-VASH
program. Native American veterans may qualify for assistance under this
program if they meet the income eligibility requirements in this Notice
at the time they enter the Tribal HUD-VASH program. HUD is adopting the
definitions of Homeless and At Risk of Homelessness that are in the
McKinney-Vento Act, but the income requirements of McKinney-Vento do
not apply to this program.
Tribes and TDHEs may not provide assistance under this program to
any over-income Native American veteran that would otherwise be deemed
eligible under the over-income or essential family categories in
Sections 201(b)(2) and (3) of NAHASDA, unless the household met the
income requirements at the time that they entered the program. To
ensure that those Homeless and At Risk of Homeless Native American
veterans with the greatest housing need will be first served by this
program, HUD has found it necessary to waive of Sections 201(b) (2) and
(3) of NAHASDA, and regulations at 24 CFR 1000.104-1000.110, to limit
eligibility to Native American veterans whose income is no more than 80
percent of area median income for the Indian area.
c. A determination that the veteran is not registered as a lifetime
sex offender. HUD is establishing the following alternative
requirements to section 207(b) of NAHASDA, and 24 CFR 1000.120 relating
to tenant selection. HUD is applying the screening requirements similar
to 24 CFR 982.553(a)(2) relating to registered lifetime sex offenders.
Tribes/TDHEs are required to establish written standards that prohibit
admission if the veteran or any member of the household is subject to a
lifetime registration requirement (Tier III offense) under any State
sex offender registration program. As part of the eligibility screening
process, a tribe/TDHE must perform a background check to see if the
referred veteran or any household member is subject to a lifetime sex
offender registration requirement in the State where the housing is
located and in other States where the household members are known to
have resided. If a household member other than the Homeless or At Risk
of Homelessness veteran (which would result in denial of admission for
the household) is subject to lifetime registration under a State sex
offender registration, the remaining household members may be served if
the veteran agrees to remove the sex offender from its household
composition. This requirement is necessary to ensure consistent policy
across HUD-VASH programs relating to providing assistance to registered
sex-offenders.
5. Written documentation of all referrals and eligibility screening
must be maintained in the veteran's file by the tribe/TDHE.
C. Awarding Housing Assistance to an Eligible Veteran
Once the tribe/TDHE performs all the activities listed above and
the Native American veteran is deemed eligible, the tribe must offer
rental housing assistance provided by this program to the participant.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance must be provided with an initial search
term of 120 days from the date such assistance is offered. Project-
Based Rental Assistance must be offered in the form of the next
available project-based unit.
To ensure consistency with the standard HUD-VASH program and to
serve the maximum number of Native American veterans in need of housing
stability, tribes/TDHEs will not be allowed to deny assistance to an
otherwise eligible Native American veteran who has been referred by the
case manager on any grounds other than preferences based on tribal
membership in accordance with the tribe/TDHE's written admissions and
occupancy
[[Page 63827]]
policies. Where a tribe/TDHE has adopted a tribal preference policy on
admissions and occupancy that provides that the tribe/TDHE will provide
assistance to a tribal member before members of other Indian tribes,
the tribe/TDHE may prioritize assistance under this program to tribal
members. If a tribe/TDHE has remaining grant funds after serving its
tribal members veterans, it must serve other referred Native American
veterans that are members of other Indian tribes until all grant funds
under this program have been fully spent, and may not refuse to provide
such assistance. Tribes/TDHEs may adopt a tribal preference policy
specifically for this program. Tribes/TDHEs may not deny admission to a
referred and eligible Native American veteran because of any factors or
reasons, other than tribal preference, such as criminal history (aside
from sex offender status) or substance abuse.
D. Record Keeping at Initial Occupancy
In addition to maintaining records of referral and eligibility
determination as required in paragraph B.5. above, a tribe/TDHE must
also collect, keep on file, and report, additional household
demographic, personal (including social security numbers), and rental
information using a HUD-50058 form revised for the Tribal HUD-VASH
program. This information also is required to be reported through an
electronic reporting system as prescribed by HUD.
At initial occupancy, tribes/TDHEs will need to collect Social
Security numbers (SSNs) for Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness
veterans and their household members. This information must be
maintained in the veteran's physical file. An original document issued
by a federal, state, or tribal government agency, which contains the
name of the individual and the SSN of the individual along with other
identifying information, is acceptable in accordance with the standards
in 24 CFR 5.216(g). In the case of the Homeless or At Risk of
Homelessness veteran, the tribe/TDHE must accept the Certificate of
Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) or the VA-verified
Application for Health Benefits (10-10EZ) as verification of SSN, and
cannot require the veteran to provide a SSN card. These documents must
also be accepted for proof-of-age purposes in lieu of birth
certificates or other tribe/TDHE-required documentation. Please note
that veterans are also issued photo identification cards by the VA. If
such identification is required by the tribe/TDHE, these cards must be
accepted by the tribe/TDHE in lieu of another type of government-issued
photo identification.
E. Case Management
As part of the VA Case Management duties, the veteran's case
manager will assist the veteran in locating appropriate housing for the
veteran. VA responsibilities for Case Management also include (1)
providing appropriate treatment, referrals, and supportive services to
the veteran prior to tribe/TDHE issuance of rental assistance; (2)
identifying the social service and medical concerns of the veteran and
providing, or ensuring the provision of, regular ongoing Case
Management, outpatient health services, crisis intervention, and other
supportive services as needed throughout the veteran's participation
period; and (3) maintaining records and providing information for
evaluation purposes, as required by HUD and the VA.
As a condition of receiving rental assistance under this program,
an eligible veteran must agree to receive the Case Management services
noted above. If a Tribal HUD-VASH case manager determines that a
veteran fails to participate without good cause in Case Management, the
participant's rental assistance may be terminated. However, a
determination by the case manager that the participant veteran no
longer requires Case Management is not grounds for termination of
assistance.
F. Local Housing Codes and Quality Standards
Once a unit is located or ready to be occupied by a veteran, the
tribe/TDHE must make a determination that the unit meets applicable
local housing codes and quality standards in accordance with section
207(a)(2) of NAHASDA.
G. Ineligible Housing
Under the 2015 Appropriations Act, assistance under this program is
limited to Native American veterans that are Homeless or At Risk of
Homelessness living on or near a reservation or other Indian areas.
Accordingly, tribes/TDHEs participating in this program must house
Native American veterans either on or near reservations, or within
NAHASDA-authorized Indian areas, with the exception of units developed
to house Homeless veterans on the grounds of a VA facility.
Assistance under this program may not be provided to Native
American veterans who will be residing in a housing unit that qualifies
as Formula Current Assisted Stock under the IHBG program.
H. Rent
Due to the limited availability of housing stock on or near
reservations or in NAHASDA Indian Areas that is not developed, or has
been otherwise assisted, with NAHASDA funding, HUD has found it
necessary to establish alterative requirements regarding the maximum
rent for a unit assisted under NAHASDA. These alternative requirements
affect sections 203(a) of NAHASDA, and regulations at 24 CFR 1000.124,
and 1000.130, which limit the maximum rent that can be charged to 30
percent of a household's adjusted monthly income. The alternative
requirement allows a tribe/TDHE to determine rents by bedroom size
based on the local FMR, market conditions and/or unit operating costs.
Tribes/TDHEs must submit a justification as to how rent is determined
in their program application. For both, housing units owned or operated
by the tribe/TDHE, and privately owned units, rents may not exceed 110
percent of FMR. If a tribe/TDHE deems it necessary to charge more than
110 percent of FMR (or to place a veteran in a privately-owned unit
with a rent that exceeds 110 percent of FMR), it must obtain HUD's
prior approval to do so. For example, a tribe/TDHE may find it
necessary to request such approval in order to address a request for a
reasonable accommodation or in instances where rental market conditions
render it difficult to find rent at 110 percent of FMR. HUD encourages
tribes/TDHEs to establish rents at a level that is less than 110
percent of the FMR, particularly in housing that is owned or operated
by the tribe/TDHE, to allow more Native American veterans to receive
assistance. These alternative requirements do not apply to any other
HUD-assisted housing that may be subject to other rent restrictions.
I. Tenant Rent Contribution Payment
Eligible Native American veterans and their families will be
required to make a monthly tenant rent contribution payment that is no
more than 30 percent of their monthly adjusted income (as defined in
NAHASDA and implementing regulations). The tribe/TDHE will pay the
difference between the rent and the tenant rent contribution payment.
Consistent with 24 CFR 1000.132, the tribe/TDHE may determine if
utilities are included in the rent for the unit. The tribe/TDHE may
also make this determination when negotiating rental assistance payment
contracts with private -owners of housing. Tribes/TDHEs may establish a
tenant rent contribution payment
[[Page 63828]]
amount for a Native American veteran that is less than 30 percent of
monthly adjusted income. IHBG funds may be used to cover any additional
costs related to housing Native American veterans and their families
under this program.
J. Rental Assistance Payment Contract
A tribe/TDHE must enter into a contract with the owner of the
privately-owned rental housing units in which the Native American
veteran will reside. The contract will govern rental assistance
provided under this program to the owner by the tribe/TDHE. Specific
terms and conditions will be required. HUD is currently developing
additional guidance on the required contract contents.
K. Program Income
HUD has found it necessary to establish alternative requirements to
section 104(a) of NAHASDA, and 24 CFR 1000.62-1000.64, relating to
program income received by the tribe/TDHE under this program to ensure
program funds continue to be used to provide affordable housing to low-
income Native American families. Amounts paid to the tribe/TDHE to
cover the rental assistance payment of Native American veterans and
their families in tribe/TDHE-owned or operated housing; tenant rent
contribution payments collected under this program; and any other
income earned from the disbursement of grant funds, including income
earned on funds received from such payments; will be considered program
income, and must be spent on affordable housing activities, which will
be subject to the requirements of NAHASDA and any other applicable
Federal law. Notwithstanding Section 104(a) of NAHASDA, and 24 CFR
1000.62-1000.64, such income may not be spent on housing-related
activities, as that term is defined in 24 CFR 1000.10. HUD strongly
encourages tribes/TDHEs to use this program income to further provide
affordable housing assistance to Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness
Native American veterans eligible under this program first, before
providing assistance to other low-income Native American families.
Additionally, all such amounts must be tracked and reported in the
Federal Financial Report (SF-425) to ensure compliance with this
requirement.
L. Affordability Periods and Binding Commitments
To ensure the maximum level of affordability and participation in
this demonstration program, HUD has found it necessary to establish
alternative requirements to section 205(a)(2) of NAHASDA and 24 CFR
1000.141 and 1000.142 relating to minimum affordability periods based
on the useful life of properties. The alternative requirement will
affect Project-Based Rental Assistance (both privately owned or
tribally owned or operated) provided under this program. Tribes/TDHEs
must ensure that such properties are subject to binding commitments
that ensure that the units will remain affordable and available to low-
income Native American veterans and their families for a minimum period
of 15 years from the time of initial lease-up. Binding commitments must
run with the land and remain in place regardless of transfer of
ownership, except in the circumstances described in Section
205(a)(2)(A) and (B) of NAHASDA. If a tribe/TDHE no longer has a need
to house Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness Native American veterans
before the affordability period has ended due to changed circumstances,
a tribe/TDHE must request HUD's prior approval to house low-income
Indian families in such units. HUD will approve such requests if the
tribe/TDHE can demonstrate that there are no Native American eligible
Homeless veterans that are eligible to occupy these units.
M. Environmental Review
In accordance with the environmental requirements in 24 CFR
1000.20, the tribe/TDHE may not enter into a project-based rental
assistance contract or lease before completion of an environmental
review and either HUD approval of a Request for Release of Funds under
24 CFR part 58 or HUD approval of the property under 24 CFR part 50.
However, in accordance with 24 CFR 50.19(b)(11) and 24 CFR 58.35(b)(1),
tenant-based rental assistance is excluded from environmental review.
N. Administrative Fee and Reserve Accounts
HUD has found it necessary to establish alternative requirements to
section 101(h) of NAHASDA, and 24 CFR 1000.236-1000.239 to ensure that
administrative fees received under this program can pay for, and are
limited to, administrative and planning expenses related to this
program. Tribes/TDHEs participating in the program will receive a flat
administrative fee of $1,020 per unit, for a 12-month period, which can
also be used for start-up funding. These funds will be included as part
of the grant issued under this program.
A tribe/TDHE may use up to this amount for eligible administrative
and planning expenses related only to this Tribal HUD-VASH program.
These funds may not be used to pay for administrative and planning
expenses related to the tribe/TDHE's IHBG program or any other program.
If, after covering all administrative Tribal HUD-VASH expenses, there
is a residual administrative fee amount, these funds may be used to
provide additional rental assistance to Native American veterans and
their families under Tribal HUD-VASH.
Eligible administrative expenses include but are not limited to:
(1) Eligibility determinations; (2) intake and briefings; (3) owner
outreach efforts; (4) unit inspections; (5) rent negotiations; (6)
annual and interim reexaminations; (7) tenant fraud investigations and
hearings; (8) processing subsequent moves; (9) the costs associated
with making rental assistance payments to owners; and (10) complying
with reporting requirements.
HUD is waiving section 202(9) of NAHASDA and 24 CFR 1000.239
relating to reserve accounts established to accumulate amounts for
administration and planning. Given the need to ensure the timely
expenditure of funds under this program, and the limited scope of this
demonstration program, tribes/TDHEs may not draw down funds under this
program and deposit them in a reserve account to accumulate amounts for
administration and planning.
O. Interim and Annual Reexaminations
HUD is establishing alternative requirements to 24 CFR 1000.128(b)
relating to income reexamination requirements. HUD has found it
necessary to require interim reexaminations if a Native American
veteran's household income decreases so that the rental assistance
payment may increase to cover the cost of rent. Further, if the program
is given renewal authority, it will be necessary to conduct annual
reexaminations to capture annual fluctuations in income and rent as
well as track demographic data necessary for the reporting requirements
of the program.
Tribes/TDHEs must conduct an interim reexamination if the Native
American veteran's income decreases between annual certifications. If
there have been any changes in income, rent, or household composition
they must be reported using the relevant sections of the HUD-50058
Form. A paper copy of this information must be kept in the veteran's
file and be transmitted electronically to HUD at the time of the
interim reexamination.
In the event of renewal funding for the program, the tribes/TDHEs
must
[[Page 63829]]
conduct an annual reexamination of the Native American veteran and the
household's income to determine rental assistance payments and tenant
rent contribution payments. Annual reexaminations must also collect and
update household demographic, personal and rental information reported
on the Tribal Family Report (HUD-50058 form). A paper copy of this
information must be kept in the veteran's file and an electronic
version of this information must be sent to HUD. Rental information
reported during the annual recertification will be used to calculate
renewal funding.
If, upon annual reexamination, a Native American veteran or his/her
household is determined to be over-income, the tribe can continue to
serve the Native American veteran/household and not have it count
towards its 10 percent over-income cap under 24 CFR 1000.110(c). If the
Native American veteran/household's adjusted rent contribution payment,
based on the income increase, is equal to the rent for the unit, then
the Tribal HUD-VASH rental assistance is no longer needed and this
assistance must be used on the next eligible Native American veteran.
In this instance, the over-income Native American veteran can continue
to receive Case Management services from the VA for as long as the VA
deems the care necessary.
P. Reporting Requirements
As required by Congress, tribes/TDHEs must submit demographic and
financial information generated by the Tribal HUD VASH program. Grant
funds received under this program must be reported annually in a tribe/
TDHE's Indian Housing Plan and Annual Performance Report. Information
on grant funds and program income received under this program also must
be reported quarterly on the Federal Financial Report (SF-425). Tribes
and TDHEs must fill out relevant demographic and rental information on
the HUD Form 50058, and keep a physical record of this form.
Additionally tribes/TDHEs will be required to transmit data from this
form electronically on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis via a
method provided by HUD. HUD encourages tribes to make effective use of
evidence in identifying or selecting the practices and strategies for
implementing HUD VASH. All tribes and TDHEs must agree to cooperate in
HUD-funded research and evaluation studies.
Q. Turnover of Tribal HUD-VASH Assistance
In accordance with the 2015 Appropriations Act, if the Tribal HUD-
VASH rental assistance is no longer needed by a Native American
veteran, this assistance must be issued to other eligible Native
American veterans as identified by a case manager and as described
further in this Notice.
R. Termination of Assistance to Native American Veterans
Participating tribes and TDHEs must comply with requirements of
section 207 of NAHASDA on termination of assistance. In addition,
before determining whether to terminate assistance, tribes and TDHEs
must contact the case manager to determine if ongoing Case Management
services could mitigate the conditions that are leading to a potential
termination. Participating tribes and TDHEs are subject to Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act and HUD's regulation at 24 CFR part 8, which
would include providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with
disabilities throughout the termination process.
S. Renewal Funding
HUD anticipates that grants under this program will be subject to
renewal on an annual basis. However, renewal is subject to the
availability of future appropriations. Tribal HUD-VASH funding will be
renewed on an annual basis based on the amount of rental assistance
payments reported electronically using the HUD-50058 form. When
calculating the annual grant award, HUD may subtract any funds from the
previous year's grant that were not used for administrative costs or
rental assistance payments. If funding is not available, tribes/TDHEs
should use their best efforts to allocate IHBG funds to support
Homeless or At Risk of Homelessness Native American veterans and their
families that are currently being assisted through Tribal HUD-VASH.
T. Investment of Grant Funds
HUD is waiving section 204(b) of NAHASDA and 24 CFR 1000.58
relating to the investment of grant funds. Given the need to ensure the
timely expenditure of funds under this program, and the limited scope
of this demonstration program, tribes/TDHEs may not draw down funds
under this program to invest in securities or other obligations.
U. Reduction and Termination of HUD-VASH Grant Funds, Appeal of HUD
Determinations, and Reallocation of Grant Funds
Because of the urgent housing needs of Native American veterans and
their families, the relatively limited amount of funding under this
program, the limited scope of this demonstration program, and the need
to ensure the timely expenditure of funding, HUD finds it necessary for
the effective delivery and administration of assistance under this
program to waive Title IV of NAHASDA, and all implementing regulations
at 24 CFR part 1000 as they relate to termination, reduction and
limitation of assistance, and reallocation of such assistance to other
tribes/TDHEs under this program. HUD is establishing alternative
requirements to Title IV of NAHASDA, and relevant implementing
regulations 24 CFR part 1000.
To ensure compliance with program requirements, HUD will conduct
remote and on-site monitoring, as appropriate. After HUD has provided
sufficient warning and time to cure, HUD may find it necessary to
terminate, reduce, or limit the availability of the grant to a tribe/
TDHE for poor performance or substantial noncompliance with program
requirements. Poor performance, as determined by HUD may include
actions outside of the tribe/TDHE's responsibility such as lack of
adequate referrals or poor quality of supportive services provided by a
contracted case management entity, or other reasons. Poor performance
also includes an inadequate voucher utilization rate by the tribe or
TDHE. Substantial noncompliance with program requirements is
noncompliance that HUD determines: (1) Has a material effect on the
tribe/TDHE's Tribal HUD-VASH program; (2) represents a material pattern
or practice of activities constituting willful noncompliance with
program requirements, even if a single instance of noncompliance would
not be substantial; or (3) places the tribe/TDHE's Tribal HUD-VASH
program at substantial risk of fraud, waste, or abuse. HUD may also
terminate or reduce grant funds in situations where a tribe/TDHE is not
carrying out activities due to a lack of Homeless Native veterans who
need housing, or the recipient's failure to comply with its mitigation
plan.
If HUD determines that a tribe/TDHE lacks Homeless Native veterans
who need housing, is performing poorly, or is in substantial
noncompliance with program requirements, HUD will provide written
notice to the tribe/
[[Page 63830]]
TDHE informing it of HUD's decision to terminate, reduce, or limit the
availability of the grant. If the tribe/TDHE disagrees with HUD's
determination, it may appeal that decision in writing to HUD within 30
days of receipt of HUD's written notice. In such appeal, the tribe/TDHE
must demonstrate to HUD's satisfaction good cause to maintain its grant
under this program, including and, as applicable, demonstrate how it
will cure its noncompliance or improve its poor performance, within a
time period deemed acceptable by HUD. In situations where HUD
determines a tribe/TDHE is not carrying out activities due to a lack of
Homeless Native veterans, the tribe/TDHE must demonstrate to HUD's
satisfaction the level of Homeless Native veteran housing need
corresponds to the assistance the tribe/TDHE is currently receiving. If
HUD denies the tribe/TDHE's appeal, the tribe/TDHE will have 30 days
from the date of receipt of HUD's written notice of denial to submit a
written request for reconsideration to HUD setting forth justification
for reconsideration. HUD will reconsider the tribe/TDHE's submission
and either affirm or reverse its initial decision in writing, and will
set forth HUD's reasons for the decision. If HUD affirms its initial
decision on reconsideration, HUD's decision will constitute final
agency action.
If, after receiving notice informing it of HUD's decision to
terminate, reduce, or limit the availability of assistance, the tribe/
TDHE fails to submit a timely appeal or request for reconsideration,
fails to demonstrate to HUD's satisfaction good cause to maintain its
grant funds under this program, or fails to cure its noncompliance or
poor performance within the time specified by HUD, HUD is authorized to
terminate, reduce, or limit the availability of the tribe/TDHE's grant
funds under this program. HUD may use its discretion to reallocate the
grant funds resulting from such reduction or termination, to any other
tribe/TDHE that is in compliance with program requirements and is not
deemed to be a poor performer, and that still has a need to house
Homeless Native veterans. Grant funds may be reallocated among tribe/
TDHEs within the same ONAP region, or among tribes/TDHEs in different
ONAP regions, based on administrative capacity, the utilization of
previously awarded Tribal HUD-VASH assistance, and current geographic
need as determined by the VA and HUD.
To the extent that any provision of Title VI of NAHASDA or any
implementing regulation at 24 CFR part 1000 conflicts with the appeal
process described above including, but not limited to, the opportunity
for an administrative hearing, the provisions of this Notice will
apply.
V. Nondiscrimination Requirements
Tribes/TDHEs shall be subject to all nondiscrimination requirements
that are applicable under NAHASDA and the IHBG regulations at 24 CFR
part 1000 and in particular 24 CFR 1000.12
W. Electronic Submission Requirement
HUD is waiving the requirement to submit applications for grant
funding through www.grants.gov, as required in 24 CFR 5.1005.
Considering the statutory deadline to publish this Notice and begin the
process of awarding funding, and the limited amount of available funds
under this program, HUD has determined that allowing the submission of
paper applications will be less burdensome, and will allow HUD to make
awards in a timelier manner. Electronic applications may still be
submitted to the inbox described in this Notice.
VII. Environmental Impact
A Finding of No Significant Impact with respect to the environment
has been made in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 50,
which implement section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). The Finding of No Significant
Impact is available for public inspection during regular business hours
in the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 10276,
Washington, DC 20410-0500. Due to security measures at the HUD
Headquarters building, please schedule an appointment to review the
Finding by calling the Regulations Division at (202) 402-3055 (this is
not a toll-free number). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments
may access this number via TTY by calling the Federal Relay Service at
(800) 877-8339.
Dated: October 15, 2015.
Lourdes Castro Ramirez,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
[FR Doc. 2015-26748 Filed 10-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P