Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work Demonstration Program, 53444-53472 [2020-18152]

Download as PDF 53444 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–5994–N–05] Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work Demonstration Program Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This final Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration Program (MTW Operations Notice) establishes requirements for the implementation and continued operation of the MTW demonstration program pursuant to the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute, which authorizes HUD to expand the MTW demonstration program from the current size of 39 agencies to an additional 100 agencies over a period of 7 years. Under the MTW program, MTW agencies have the flexibility to apply fungibility among three core funding programs’ funding streams—public housing Operating Funds, public housing Capital Funds, and HCV assistance (to include both HAP and Administrative Fees) and are also permitted to waive a number of program requirements. This notice follows prior Federal Register notices for public comment and, following HUD’s consideration of the comments received, revises and adds waivers and activities, which are included in the three Appendices also published in today’s Federal Register. Appendix 1, MTW Waivers, is a simplified guide for MTW agencies seeking to develop MTW initiatives that have already been executed by existing MTW agencies. MTW agencies may implement any activity contained in Appendix I without further HUD approval as long as it is included in the MTW Supplement and implemented with the associated safe harbors. Appendix II contains instructions for written impact analyses and hardship policies. Impact analyses are required for certain activities, such as Work Requirements, Term-Limited Assistance, and Stepped Rent. Appendix II also contains procedures for the written policies MTW agencies must adopt for determining when a requirement or provision of an MTW activity constitutes a financial or other hardship for the family. Appendix III contains the method for calculating the requirement that MTW agencies house substantially the same number of families as they would have absent MTW. This notice is final and effective immediately. This final notice also SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 solicits additional public comments on additional activities and waivers added in this notice, and HUD will notify the public if any changes are made as a result of these additional public comments. DATES: Effective date: August 28, 2020. Comment Due Date: (For material listed in section III under the subheading ‘‘Additional activities and waivers’’ only): October 27, 2020. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding the ‘‘additional waivers and activities’’ in section III of this notice to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410– 0500. Communications must refer to the above docket number and title. Electronic Submission of Comments. HUD strongly encourages interested persons to submit comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, ensures timely receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to make them immediately available to the public. Interested persons may submit comments the ‘‘additional waivers and activities’’ in section III of this notice electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Comments submitted electronically through the www.regulations.gov website can be viewed by other commenters and interested members of the public. Commenters should follow the instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically. Submission of Comments by Mail. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments regarding the ‘‘additional waivers and activities’’ in section III of this notice to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410– 0500. Communications must refer to the above docket number and title. Note: To receive consideration as public comments, comments must be submitted through one of the two methods specified above. Again, all submissions must refer to the docket number and title of the notice. No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile (fax) comments are not acceptable. Public Inspection of Public Comments. All properly submitted comments and communications submitted to HUD will be available for public inspection and copying between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the above PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 address. Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters building, an appointment to review the public comments must be scheduled in advance by calling the Regulations Division at 202–708–3055 (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 1–800–877– 8339 (this is a toll-free number). Copies of all comments submitted are available for inspection and downloading at www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marianne Nazzaro, Director, Moving to Work Demonstration Program; email: mtw-info@hud.gov; telephone number 202–402–4306 (this is not a toll-free number), or visit the MTW demonstration program website at: www.hud.gov/mtw. Hearing- and speech-impaired persons may access this number through TTY by calling the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339 (this is a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Public Housing/Section 8 Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration program was first established under Section 204 of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, Public Law 104–134, 110 Stat. 1321 (1996 MTW Statute) to provide statutory and regulatory flexibility to participating public housing agencies (PHAs) under three statutory objectives. Those three statutory objectives are: to reduce cost and achieve greater cost effectiveness in Federal expenditures; to give incentives to families with children whose heads of household are either working, seeking work, or are participating in job training, educational or other programs that assist in obtaining employment and becoming economically self-sufficient; and to increase housing choices for lowincome families. Section 239 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Appropriations Act, Public Law 114– 113 (2016 MTW Expansion Statute), signed by the President on December 18, 2015, authorizes HUD to expand the MTW demonstration program from the current size of 39 agencies to an additional 100 agencies over a period of 7 years. This notice was originally proposed on January 23, 2017, in the Federal Register, at 82 FR 8056, entitled ‘‘Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work Demonstration Program Solicitation of Comment.’’ On May 4, 2017, the notice was republished with three technical revisions and an extension of the comment period at 82 E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices FR 20912. HUD took all comments received into consideration. On October 5, 2018, the notice was republished at 83 FR 50387 with revisions based on public comments and policy determinations and to provide an additional comment period. II. The Public Comments HUD received 17 public comments on the October 5, 2018 notice, from a wide variety of public commenters. Commenters included a Congressional representative, public housing agencies, trade associations, interest groups, and individuals, and HUD considered all comments received. HUD has also been considering during the process all comments submitted in response to the earlier notices. HUD thoroughly considered all public comments and accordingly is making some changes in this final notice, as stated in section III, ‘‘This final notice.’’ III. This Final Notice HUD has reviewed and considered the feedback that was provided, and changes to this notice have been made to incorporate feedback from the three previous publications and to reflect final policy decisions. The primary changes are as follows: • Term of Participation: The term of participation is now 20 years from designation. • Simplified Agency-Specific Waiver Request Process: In response to feedback, the process for MTW agencies to request an AgencySpecific Waiver in order to propose additional activities that are not included as MTW Waivers has been simplified. • Safe Harbor Waivers: The MTW Operations Notice describes a simplified process for MTW agencies to implement MTW activities outside of the safe harbors described in Appendix I. Additionally, certain safe harbors have been revised drawing from research of a current MDRC study on rent reform (e.g., safe harbors relating to minimum rent and gross rent activities). MTW agencies may alter the safe harbors through a Safe Harbor Waiver request. • Impact Analysis and Hardship Policy Requirements: Since certain safe harbors have been revised, the MTW Operations Notice eliminated one or both of the requirements for an impact analysis and hardship policy from several of the rent reform activities. In addition, to respond to concerns about transparency, two additional questions have been added to the impact analysis, which must now be appended to the yearly MTW VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 Supplement (See section VI.7.a) to make them more accessible to the public. Finally, to respond to concerns about the low frequency of hardship use, MTW agencies will be required to discuss their hardship policy(s), which must also be appended to the MTW Supplement, with residents during intake, reexamination, and to consider their applicability should a potential termination of assistance occur due to an MTW activity. • Factors for Discontinuing an Activity: In the MTW Operations Notice, HUD has clarified what factors may be considered when determining if a PHA should discontinue an activity. • Funding Cap for Local, NonTraditional Activities: The MTW Operations Notice provides a funding cap for local, non-traditional activities to be ten percent of an MTW agency’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Housing Assistant Payment (HAP) funding. MTW agencies may exceed the cap through the simplified Safe Harbor Waiver process. • Serving Substantially the Same Number of Households: HUD’s approach to the Substantially the Same (STS) requirement for MTW agencies has been updated so that the methodology differs for the public housing and HCV programs, since the funding calculation for each is significantly different. In the public housing program, MTW agencies must maintain a 96 percent occupancy rate to remain compliant with the STS requirement. In the HCV program, the number of families required to be housed is related to the amount of funding received. To be compliant with the STS requirement in the HCV program, the MTW agency will be required to house at least 90% of the families it would be able to house based on the HCV HAP dollars it receives each year. This method is the same concept, but simplified, from prior proposed iterations of the STS methodology. Additional Activities and Waivers Additional activities and waivers were added to Appendix I, MTW Waivers. • Payment Standards and Rent Reasonableness a. Payment Standards—Fair Market Rents (HCV) b. Rent Reasonableness—Third-Party Requirement (HCV) • Housing Quality Standards (HQS) a. Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections (HCV) b. Reasonable Penalty and Incentive Payments for Landlords (HCV) PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 • • • • • • 53445 c. HQS—Third-Party Requirement (HCV) d. Alternate Inspection Schedules (HCV) Project Based Vouchers (PBV) a. Alternate PBV Unit Types (Shared Housing and Manufactured Housing) (HCV) b. Increase PBV Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract Length (HCV) c. Limit Portability for PBV Units (HCV) The Moving On Policies waiver and associated activities were added to allow agencies to implement streamlined policies for operating a Moving On or similar strategy. Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress (PH) Acquisition without Prior HUD Approval (PH) Deconcentration of Poverty Policy (PH) Incentives for Underutilized Developments as a Local, nonTraditional Activity (PH) IV. Solicitation of Public Comments HUD has engaged in extensive public engagement in formulating this final notice, including three prior Federal Register publications with opportunity for public comment. Nonetheless, HUD is providing an additional opportunity to comment on the activities and waivers that are implemented in section III of this notice under the subheading ‘‘Additional activities and waivers.’’ This additional opportunity for public comment does not delay the effective date of this final notice. HUD will consider any additional comments submitted going forward and will notify the public if there are any changes to the activities and waivers as a result. HUD will allow 60 days for additional public comment on the new items. HUD will provide a further Federal Register Notice if additional changes are made to the ‘‘Additional activities and waivers.’’ If there are no changes, the additional items will be implemented without further notice. V. Environmental Impact A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the environment has been made in accordance with HUD regulations in 24 CFR part 50 that implement section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). The FONSI is available for public inspection on www.regulations.gov. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53446 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices VI. MTW Operations Notice Table of Contents 1. Purpose and Applicability 2. Background a. MTW Demonstration Program b. 2016 Expansion of the MTW Demonstration Program c. Eligibility and Selection for Expansion of MTW Demonstration d. MTW Research Advisory Committee 3. Term of Participation 4. Waivers a. MTW Waivers b. Safe Harbor Waivers c. Agency-Specific Waivers d. Cohort-Specific Waivers e. Requirements outside of the Scope of MTW Waiver Authority f. Discontinuation of MTW Activity 5. MTW Funding Flexibility and Financial Reporting a. MTW Funding Flexibility b. Calculation of Funding c. Financial Reporting and Auditing 6. Evaluation a. Program-Wide Evaluation b. Cohort-Specific Evaluation c. Ad Hoc Evaluation 7. Program Administration and Oversight a. Planning and Reporting b. Performance Assessment c. Monitoring and Oversight 8. Rental Assistance Demonstration Program 9. Applying MTW Flexibilities to Special Purpose Vouchers a. HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers b. Family Unification Program Vouchers c. Foster Youth to Independence Vouchers d. Non-Elderly Persons With Disabilities e. Mainstream Vouchers f. Enhanced and Tenant Protection Vouchers 10. Applicability of Other Federal, State, and Local Requirements 11. MTW Agencies Admitted Prior to 2016 MTW Expansion Statute 12. Sanctions, Terminations, and Default 13. Administrative and Contact Information a. Paperwork Reduction Act b. Contact Information Appendix I—MTW Waivers Appendix II—Requirements for Safe Harbors a. Impact Analysis b. Hardship Policy Appendix III—Substantially the Same Requirement 1. Purpose and Applicability This Moving to Work (MTW) Operations Notice (MTW Operations Notice) establishes requirements for the implementation and continued operation of the expansion of the MTW demonstration program pursuant to Section 239 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Appropriations Act, Public Law 114– 113 (2016 MTW Expansion Statute). The MTW Operations Notice applies to all public housing agencies (PHAs) designated as MTW pursuant to the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute and to any previously-designated MTW agency that elects to operate under the terms of VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 this notice, collectively referred to in this MTW Operations Notice as an ‘‘MTW agency.’’ The MTW demonstration program allows PHAs to design and test innovative, locally-designed housing and self-sufficiency strategies for lowincome families by permitting PHAs to use assistance received under Sections 8 and 9 of the Housing Act of 1937, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq. (1937 Act) more flexibly and, as approved by HUD, with certain exemptions from existing public housing and HCV program requirements. Through the MTW Amendment to the Annual Contributions Contract(s) (ACC),1 an MTW agency agrees to comply with the program requirements and terms and conditions detailed in the MTW Operations Notice for the term of the MTW agency’s participation in the MTW demonstration. Unless otherwise explicitly provided in the MTW Operations Notice, an MTW agency’s MTW program applies to all of the MTW agency’s public housing units (including MTW agency-owned properties and units comprising a part of mixed-income, mixed finance communities), tenant-based HCV assistance, project-based HCV assistance under Section 8(o) of the 1937 Act, and homeownership units developed using Section 8(y) HCV assistance of the 1937 Act. This MTW Operations Notice does not apply to HCV assistance that is required: (1) To make payments to other PHAs under HCV portability billing procedures; (2) to meet particular purposes for which HUD has expressly committed the assistance to the MTW agency; 2 or (3) to meet existing contractual obligations of the MTW agency to a third party (such as Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts with owners under the MTW agency’s HCV program), unless a third party agrees to Project-Based Voucher (PBV) activities implemented under the MTW program with the MTW agency. Any significant updates,3 as determined by HUD, to the MTW Operations Notice will be preceded by a public comment period. However, HUD may supplement the MTW Approval Number 2577–0294. Vouchers, HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD–VASH) Vouchers, NonElderly Disabled (NED) Vouchers, Mobility Demonstration Vouchers, Family Unification Program (FUP) Vouchers, and Foster Youth to Independence Vouchers are not part of the MTW demonstration program, however certain MTW flexibilities may be applied to these voucher types, as further described in section VI.9 of this MTW Operations Notice. 3 Significant amendments could include adding or removing MTW Waivers found in Appendix I. Operations Notice with PIH Notices without public comment if it determines a need to provide more detailed guidance, including with respect to implementing future appropriations act provisions and revisions to financial policies and procedures. Further, HUD will develop informational materials to address various program elements, which HUD will post on the MTW website at www.hud.gov/mtw. 2. Background a. MTW Demonstration Program The MTW demonstration program was first established under Section 204 of Title II of section 101(e) of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, Public Law 104–134, 110 Stat. 1321–281; 42 U.S.C. 1437f note (1996 MTW Statute) 4 to provide certain statutory and regulatory flexibility 5 to participating PHAs under the following three statutory objectives: • Reduce cost and achieve greater cost effectiveness in federal expenditures; • Give incentives to families with children where the head of household is working, seeking work, or is preparing for work by participating in job training, educational programs, or programs that assist people to obtain employment and become economically self-sufficient; and • Increase housing choices for eligible low-income families. To achieve these objectives, PHAs selected for participation in the MTW demonstration are given exemptions from some existing public housing and HCV rules and are offered more flexibility with how they use their federal funds. MTW agencies use this opportunity presented by the MTW demonstration to better address local housing needs and encourage selfsufficiency among those families receiving HUD-assisted housing. HUD considers the experience of MTW agencies when developing new housing policy recommendations that can positively impact assisted housing delivery for PHAs and incentivize lowincome families to gain self-sufficiency across the nation. In addition to statutory and regulatory relief,6 MTW agencies have the 1 OMB 2 Mainstream PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 4 ‘‘PHAs currently operating an MTW demonstration program’’ are PHAs with an active MTW Agreement as of December 15, 2015. ‘‘PHAs currently operating an MTW program’’ does not include PHAs that previously participated in the MTW demonstration and later left the demonstration. 5 For more information on the history of the MTW demonstration program, please go to: www.hud.gov/ mtw. 6 For more information about the MTW demonstration program and the specific activities of E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices flexibility to apply fungibility among three core funding programs’ funding streams—public housing Operating Funds, public housing Capital Funds, and HCV assistance (to include both HAP and Administrative Fees)— hereinafter referred to as ‘‘MTW Funding.’’ 7 Throughout participation in the MTW demonstration program, MTW agencies must continue to meet five statutory requirements established by the 1996 MTW Statute, which are described further in section VI.7.c.i of this MTW Operations Notice. As of December 15, 2015, the date the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute was signed into law, there were 39 agencies 8 participating in the MTW demonstration program. The administrative structure for these 39 agencies is outlined in the Standard MTW Agreement, an agreement between each existing MTW agency and HUD. The 2016 MTW Expansion Statute extended the term of the Standard MTW Agreement through each of the existing MTW agencies’ 2028 fiscal year. b. 2016 Expansion of the MTW Demonstration Program Through the demonstration expansion authorized by the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute, HUD will extend MTW flexibility to a broader range of PHAs existing MTW agencies, please refer to the MTW website at www.hud.gov/mtw. 7 Funds awarded under Sections 8(o), 9(d), and 9(e) of the 1937 Act are eligible for expanded uses pursuant to MTW fungibility, with the exception of funds provided for specific non-MTW HCV subprograms. Other funds a PHA may receive (i.e. grant funds under another obligating document) are likewise not covered by MTW flexibilities and must be tracked and reported under the applicable rules and requirements. 8 The 39 agencies are: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; Atlanta Housing; Housing Authority of the City of Baltimore; Boulder Housing Partners; Cambridge Housing Authority; Housing Authority of Champaign County; Charlotte Housing Authority (INLIVIAN); Chicago Housing Authority; Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia; District of Columbia Housing Authority; Delaware State Housing Authority; Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority; Holyoke Housing Authority; Keene Housing; King County Housing Authority; Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority; Lexington-Fayette Urban County Housing Authority; Lincoln Housing Authority; Louisville Metropolitan Housing Authority; Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development; Minneapolis Public Housing Authority; Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of the City of New Haven; Oakland Housing Authority; Orlando Housing Authority; Philadelphia Housing Authority; Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh; Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority; Home Forward (Portland, OR); Reno Housing Authority; San Antonio Housing Authority; Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino; San Diego Housing Commission; Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo; Housing Authority of the County of Santa Clara/ City of San Jose; Seattle Housing Authority; Tacoma Housing Authority; Housing Authority of Tulare County; and Vancouver Housing Authority. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 regarding diversity of size and geographic location, balancing the flexibility inherent in MTW with the need for measurement, evaluation, and prudent oversight. Overall, in expanding the MTW demonstration, HUD intends to build on the successes and lessons learned from the demonstration thus far to improve the delivery of Federally assisted housing and promote self-sufficiency among assisted low-income families across the nation. As the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute directs, HUD is authorized to expand the MTW demonstration program from the current level of 39 agencies to an additional 100 agencies over a period of seven years, ending in 2022. The 2016 MTW Expansion Statute requires that the 100 new MTW agencies be highperforming at the time of application to the demonstration in either HUD’s Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) or its Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP), and MTW agencies must represent geographic diversity across the country.9 Further, the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute imposes strict size limitations 10 on these 100 PHAs and requires that five of the 100 PHAs be agencies with portfolio-wide awards under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD).11 c. Eligibility and Selection for the Expansion of the MTW Demonstration As required by 2016 MTW Expansion Statute, HUD intends to designate 100 new agencies for the expansion of the MTW designation in cohorts over a period of seven years, ending in 2022. For each cohort of MTW agencies selected, the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute requires HUD to direct one specific policy change to be implemented by the MTW agencies, which HUD will evaluate rigorously. MTW agencies may implement additional policy changes, as long as those policy changes do not conflict or interfere with the cohort study. As required by the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute, the HUD-appointed MTW 9 Geographic diversity will be considered based on both MTW agencies designated pursuant to the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute and the existing 39 MTW agencies. 10 No less than 50 with 1,000 or fewer aggregate housing voucher and public housing units; no less than 47 with 1,001–6,000 aggregate units; no more than 3 with 6,001–27,000 aggregate units; no PHA shall be granted MTW designation if it administers more than 27,000 aggregate units. 11 A portfolio award is defined for these purposes as a conversion of a PHA’s entire public housing inventory to RAD. All RAD conversions must be closed and the former public housing units removed from IMS/PIC in order to satisfy the portfolio-wide requirement. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 53447 Research Advisory Committee (the Committee), described further below, advised HUD on the policy changes to be tested through the new cohorts of MTW agencies and the methods of research and evaluation. HUD is issuing separate PIH Notices for each cohort to solicit applications from eligible PHAs for participation in the MTW demonstration. These notices will outline the specific application submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and process HUD will use when selecting PHAs for MTW designation. d. MTW Research Advisory Committee The 2016 MTW Expansion Statute required HUD to form and consult with the Committee, which was established in May 2016.12 The purpose of the Committee is to provide independent advice to HUD with respect to the policies and methods of research in the evaluation of the MTW expansion. The Committee is specifically charged with advising HUD on the following: • Policy proposals and evaluation methods for the MTW demonstration to inform the one specific policy change required for each cohort of agencies; • Rigorous research methodologies to measure the impact of policy changes studied; • Policy changes adopted by MTW agencies that have proven successful and can be applied more broadly to all PHAs; and • Statutory and/or regulatory changes (specific waivers and associated activities, and program and policy flexibility) necessary to implement policy changes for all PHAs. The Committee has no role in reviewing or selecting the 100 PHAs to participate in the expansion of the MTW demonstration. Based on the advice of the Committee, HUD will study, by cohort of MTW agencies, the following four policies (which are in no particular order except for the first two cohorts): Impact of MTW Flexibility on small sized PHAs; 13 Rent Reform; Work Requirements; and Landlord Incentives. HUD may determine that additional policies be studied through the MTW expansion and will consider the advice of the Committee. 12 The Committee is governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees. More information on the Committee can be found at: https://www.hud.gov/ program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ ph/mtw/expansion/rac. 13 For the purpose of the MTW expansion, small is defined as managing or administering 1,000 or fewer units. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53448 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices 3. Term of Participation The term of each MTW agency’s MTW designation will be twenty years (PHA fiscal years) starting from the time of its designation as an MTW agency. All waivers and associated activities provided through the MTW Operations Notice expire at the end of the MTW agency’s term of participation, unless otherwise discontinued in accordance with section VI.4.f of this notice. However, if HUD determines that additional time beyond the end of the MTW agency’s MTW term is needed to evaluate a cohort-specific policy change, or if the MTW agency requests to extend a particular waiver, HUD may approve an extension of any specific waiver(s). Once an MTW agency has implemented an activity pursuant to the authority of the MTW Operations Notice, the MTW agency may continue to implement that activity throughout the term of its participation in the demonstration, subject to the terms of this notice regarding discontinuation of MTW activities, or, any amendments to this notice, or any successor notice. The MTW agency must end all activities requiring MTW-authorized waivers upon expiration of its MTW participation since HUD cannot guarantee that it will be able to extend any waivers and associated activities beyond that point. For this reason, when entering into contracts with third parties that draw upon MTW flexibility, the MTW agency must disclose that such flexibility is only available during the term of the MTW agency’s participation in the MTW demonstration as permitted in this notice. An exception is thirdparty contracts that relate to the cohortspecific policy change and associated waiver(s). 4. Waivers Pursuant to the 1996 MTW Statute and 2016 MTW Expansion Statute, Appendix I of this notice provides waivers of certain provisions of the 1937 Act as well as the implementing regulations. These waivers and associated activities afford MTW agencies the opportunity to use their MTW authority to pursue locally driven policies, procedures, and programs in order to further the goals of the demonstration. In addition, the MTW agency may request, and be granted, Safe Harbor Waivers and AgencySpecific Waivers, described further below, to implement innovative MTW activities unique to its community. MTW agencies may update their leases to reflect the MTW flexibilities used through these waivers. When implementing MTW waivers through VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 MTW activities, MTW agencies must ensure assisted families are made aware of the impacts the activity(s) may have on their tenancy. The following are the categories of waivers that MTW agencies may pursue: • MTW Waivers—MTW agencies may conduct any permissible activity in the MTW Waivers category within the defined range of flexibility, characterized in this notice as a ‘‘safe harbor.’’ Safe harbors contain the additional requirements (beyond those specified in the activity description) the agency must follow in order to implement the activity once it is included in an approved MTW Supplement to the PHA Plan. Prior to implementation, the MTW Waivers must be included in an approved MTW Supplement to the PHA Plan (see section VI.7.a). MTW Waivers are detailed in Appendix I. • Safe Harbor Waivers—MTW agencies may request to implement activities in a manner inconsistent with the safe harbors of an MTW Waiver’s activity through the submission of a Safe Harbor Waiver request. • Agency-Specific Waivers—MTW agencies may seek an Agency-Specific Waiver in order to implement additional activities not contained in the MTW Waivers and to request to waive a statutory or regulatory requirement not included in Appendix I. • Cohort-Specific Waivers—MTW agencies may be provided with CohortSpecific Waivers if additional waivers not included in Appendix I are necessary to allow for the implementation of the required cohort study. Cohort-Specific Waivers will be detailed in the applicable Selection Notice for that cohort study. a. MTW Waivers Appendix I, MTW Waivers, is a simplified guide for MTW agencies seeking to adopt MTW initiatives that have been implemented by existing MTW agencies; it is not intended to be the complete listing of what an MTW agency can and cannot do (see Safe Harbor Waivers and Agency-Specific Waivers). MTW agencies may implement any activity contained in Appendix I without further activityspecific HUD review and approval as long as it is included in the MTW Supplement (described in section VI.7.a of this notice) of an approved PHA Plan and implemented within the associated safe harbor(s). MTW agencies may combine activities together at the PHA level in order to create more comprehensive initiatives. Appendix I includes the waiver name, waiver description, statutes and PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 regulations waived, permissible activities, and safe harbors associated with each of the MTW Waivers. The waiver description defines the authorization provided to the MTW agency, subject to the terms of this notice. The list of statutes and regulations waived details the citations of the 1937 Act requirements that may be waived by an MTW agency in order to implement an activity. The list of waivers and list of activities are organized by program type (i.e., public housing and/or HCV program). The safe harbors section contains the additional requirements (beyond those specified in the activity description) that the MTW agency must follow in implementing activities without further HUD approval. b. Safe Harbor Waivers Since the safe harbors, as written in Appendix I, may not align with local priorities or market conditions at some MTW agencies, MTW agencies may request to expand an activity that is in Appendix I outside of the listed safe harbor(s).14 Elements that are required to be provided in the request to waive Appendix I safe harbors will be identified in the MTW Supplement form.15 MTW agencies must work closely with their residents and stakeholders when developing the Safe Harbor Waivers; therefore, when submitting a Safe Harbor Waiver, the MTW agency must, in addition to following the PHA Plan public process requirements, also hold a meeting to specifically discuss the Safe Harbor Waivers. The MTW agency must consider, in consultation with the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) and tenant association, as applicable, all of the comments received at the public hearing. The comments received by the public, RABs, and tenant associations must be submitted by the MTW agency, along with the MTW agency’s description of how the comments were considered, as a required attachment to the MTW Supplement. This public comment and review period affords the residents and community stakeholders the opportunity to provide input on the proposed Safe Harbor Waivers prior to its submission to HUD. Following approval of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement, an MTW agency must update its Administrative Plan and Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP), as applicable, prior to implementing the Safe Harbor Waiver. Disapproval of Safe Harbor Waivers will 14 Certain safe harbors, such as impact analyses and hardship policies, are not waivable, as noted in Appendix I. 15 See 83 FR 50676 (October 9, 2018). HUD will publish the final form in the future. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices be communicated via the approval letter of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement. The MTW agency must follow the instructions provided by the field office in the letter regarding updating the MTW Supplement. Any such disapproval would only apply to a specific Safe Harbor Waiver, as noted in the approval letter, and would not apply to the entire PHA Plan. Where additional review time may be needed by HUD, the approval letter of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement will state that the waiver decision is pending and the MTW agency must await further instructions from HUD prior to implementing the Safe Harbor Waiver. Reasons that HUD may object to a Safe Harbor Waiver include, but are not limited to, the following: • The information required in the MTW Supplement, or equivalent form as approved by OMB, is not provided or is deemed insufficient; • The MTW agency’s proposed Safe Harbor Waiver is inconsistent with requirements outside of the 1937 Housing Act or is otherwise not permissible under MTW authority; • There are other good cause factors for objection, such as material misrepresentation, in the submission; • The Safe Harbor Waiver conflicts with any of the five statutory MTW requirements, as determined by HUD; or • The Safe Harbor Waiver is determined to have potential significant negative impacts on families or the MTW agency’s operation of its assisted housing programs using Section 8 and 9 funds, as determined by HUD. c. Agency-Specific Waivers The MTW demonstration program is intended to foster innovation and HUD encourages MTW agencies, in consultation with their residents and stakeholders, to be creative in their approach to solving affordable housing issues facing their local communities. For this reason, flexibilities beyond those provided for in Appendix I may be needed. Agency-Specific Waivers may be requested if an MTW agency wishes to implement additional activities, waive a statutory or regulatory requirement not included in Appendix I.16 In order to pursue an Agency-Specific Waiver, an MTW agency must include the Agency-Specific Waiver request in the MTW Supplement to its PHA Plan, for HUD review and approval. In order to pursue an Agency-Specific Waiver, an MTW agency must include an 16 The MTW demonstration program may only waive certain provisions of the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 Agency-Specific Waiver request, an impact analysis, and a hardship policy (if the activity poses a potential risk to the continued tenancy of households), in the MTW Supplement to its PHA Plan. Other required elements to be provided in the request will be identified in the MTW Supplement form. Specific requirements for conducting impact analyses and creating hardship policies are provided in Appendix II. When developing Agency-Specific Waiver requests, an agency must determine whether to implement additional hardship criteria beyond the criteria contained in Appendix II. Any additional hardship criteria must be included in the waiver request. MTW agencies must work closely with their residents and stakeholders when developing the Agency-Specific Waivers; therefore, similar to submitting Safe Harbor Waivers, when submitting an Agency-Specific Waiver, the MTW agency must not only follow the PHA Plan public process requirements, but it must also have an additional public meeting to specifically discuss the Agency-Specific Waivers.17 The MTW agency must consider, in consultation with the RAB and tenant association, as applicable, all of the comments received at the public hearing. The comments received by the public, RABs, and tenant associations must be submitted by the MTW agency, along with the MTW agency’s description of how the comments were considered, as a required attachment to the MTW Supplement. This public comment and review period provides the residents and community stakeholders the opportunity to provide input on the proposed Agency-Specific Waiver prior to its submission to HUD. Following approval of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement, an MTW agency must update its Administrative Plan and ACOP, as applicable, prior to implementing the Agency-Specific Waiver. Disapproval of Agency-Specific Waivers will be communicated via the approval letter of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement; the MTW agency must follow the instructions provided by the field office in the letter regarding updating the MTW Supplement. HUD may object to an Agency-Specific Waiver for the same reasons it may object to a Safe Harbor Waiver. Any disapproval would only apply to a discrete Agency-Specific Waiver, as noted in the approval letter, and would not apply to the entire PHA Plan. In rare instances where additional review time 17 This can be the same meeting to discuss Safe Harbor Waivers (i.e., a combined meeting). PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 53449 may be needed, the approval letter of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement will state that the waiver decision is pending and the MTW agency must await further instructions from HUD prior to implementing the AgencySpecific Waiver. Statutory and/or regulatory waiver(s) derived from the 1937 Act or its implementing regulations that are outside those listed in Appendix I cannot be granted by the MTW Office alone; therefore, the MTW Office will coordinate the approval of those waivers with the appropriate signatory (e.g., Assistant Secretary, General Deputy Assistant Secretary, etc.). HUD is committed to providing a timely review of Agency-Specific Waivers. d. Cohort-Specific Waivers Cohort-Specific Waivers include statutory and/or regulatory waivers and associated activities, outside of those included in Appendix I, that are unique to a specific cohort to allow them to complete their required cohort evaluation. Depending upon the evaluation design, HUD may restrict certain activities within the MTW Waivers or provide additional CohortSpecific Waivers that are not included in Appendix I, and this would be articulated in the Selection Notice for the applicable cohort. Any restriction would only be in place during the evaluation period, as specified in the Selection Notice, and once the evaluation is concluded, the MTW agency would have access to all of the MTW Waivers. Specific policy changes to be tested through a given cohort may not require any Cohort-Specific Waivers. Any MTW activities that would impact or conflict with the cohort-specific policy change will be identified in the respective Selection Notice so that the MTW agency is aware of this potential restriction on its use of waivers before it enters the MTW demonstration program. Cohort-Specific Waivers and the associated MTW activities may only be used to the extent allowed under the applicable evaluative framework provided by HUD in the applicable Selection Notice. e. Requirements Outside of the Scope of MTW Waiver Authority The MTW demonstration program may only waive certain provisions of the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. The MTW demonstration program does not permit waivers of statutes outside of the 1937 Act or regulations and requirements promulgated under authority outside of the 1937 Act. Accordingly, HUD and the MTW agencies may not waive or E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53450 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices otherwise deviate from compliance with Fair Housing and Civil Rights laws and regulations, discrimination laws, labor standards, or environmental statutes and executive orders, or any other applicable statutes and regulations. Other subject matter prohibited from waivers or restricted with respect to waivers is discussed in section VI.10 of this notice. All applicable federal, state, and local requirements shall continue to apply even in the event of a conflict between such a requirement and a waiver or activity granted by this notice. Additionally, the five statutory requirements established under the 1996 MTW Statute, hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘five statutory MTW requirements,’’ cannot be waived. The following are the five statutory MTW requirements: Very low-income requirement, reasonable rent policy, substantially the same requirement, comparable mix requirement, and housing quality standards. In implementing MTW activities, MTW agencies remain subject to all other terms, conditions, and obligations under this notice, and all other federal requirements applicable to the public housing program, the HCV program, federal funds, and PHAs. f. Discontinuation of MTW Activity To the extent any MTW activity conflicts with any of the five statutory MTW requirements or other applicable requirements, as determined by HUD, HUD reserves the right to require the MTW agency to discontinue the activity or to revise the activity to comply with such applicable contemporary requirements. HUD also reserves the right to require an MTW agency to discontinue any activity derived from a waiver should it have significant negative impacts on families or the MTW agency’s operation of its assisted housing programs using Section 8 and 9 funds, as determined by HUD. The factors that may be considered when determining whether an activity should be discontinued include, but are not limited to, the following: Rate of port-outs, attrition rates, occupancy and/or utilization levels, voucher leasing success rates, rent burdens, local market conditions, impact analyses, and number of hardship requests. Prior to requiring a discontinuation of an activity, HUD may take intermediary steps to work with the MTW agency and its residents to provide technical assistance, discuss the activity, and determine whether a discontinuation is in fact necessary. In the event the MTW Operations Notice is updated to remove a specific Appendix I waiver, the MTW agency VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 may continue to implement any activity that has been implemented related to that waiver through the term of the PHA’s MTW designation, so long as it does not conflict with any of the five statutory MTW requirements (see section VI.7.c.i) or other applicable current requirements or have significant negative impacts on families or the MTW PHA’s operation of its assisted housing programs using funds provided under Section 8 and 9 of the 1937 Act, as determined by HUD, as described in the preceding paragraph. 5. MTW Funding Flexibility and Financial Reporting During the term of the demonstration, subject to changes in future years’ appropriations, HUD will provide an MTW agency with public housing Operating Fund Program (OFP) grants, public housing Capital Fund Program (CFP) grants, and/or HCV HAP and Administrative Fee assistance as detailed in this notice. CFP grants may include Formula grants; Demolition or Disposition Transitional Funding (DDTF), which are included in regular Formula grants; and/or funds from older Replacement Housing Factor (RHF) grants (a program later superseded by DDTF). The HCV funding amount for MTW agencies may be increased by additional allocations of vouchers that the MTW agency is awarded over the term of its participation in the MTW demonstration. MTW Funding provided to an MTW agency, including public housing OFP grants, public housing CFP grants, and HCV HAP and Administrative Fee assistance, is subject to any laws promulgated in future years, which include without limitation: Statutes, appropriations acts, notices implementing appropriations acts, regulations, and executive orders. a. MTW Funding Flexibility MTW agencies will have the flexibility to apply fungibility among public housing Operating Fund, public housing Capital Fund, and HCV HAP and Administrative Fee assistance. These flexibilities expand the eligible uses of each covered funding stream, but do not negate the need for both the PHA and HUD to be able to account for the funding from its original source to the date of its ultimate eligible use 18 by the PHA, comply with federal grant and financial management requirements, and use funds effectively and efficiently for their eligible purposes. As HUD 18 The date of the ‘‘ultimate eligible use’’ means the date of disbursement by the PHA for an eligible purpose, which would remove the funding from the PHA’s account and the PHA’s control. PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 continues to implement programspecific financial management policies in its core housing programs, MTW agencies will be subject to the same requirements and procedures as nonMTW agencies. Therefore, the requirements and procedures described in this notice may change as new financial management policies are implemented over time. HUD will update existing guidance and issue new reporting requirements, as appropriate, to allow HUD to meet its monitoring and oversight responsibilities while ensuring MTW agencies fully utilize and benefit from the flexibilities established by Congress for these funds pursuant to the MTW demonstration and the 2016 MTW expansion. HUD will also update existing guidance and issue new reporting requirements, as appropriate, to ensure compliance with 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, including with respect to Federal financial management. An MTW agency participating in the MTW demonstration program may flexibly use public housing Operating and Capital Funds provided under Sections 9(d) and 9(e) of the 1937 Act and HCV HAP and Administrative Fee program funds provided under Section 8 of the 1937 Act, referred to collectively as MTW Funding. Certain provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of the 1937 Act and implementing requirements are waived as necessary to implement this flexibility. Once the MTW agency receives its MTW designation through the execution of the MTW ACC Amendment, this flexibility in the use of MTW Funding does not require prior HUD approval. The MTW agency may use MTW Funding covered by MTW flexibility for any eligible activity under Sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1) and Section 8(o) of the 1937 Act and for the local, nontraditional activities specified in Appendix I of this notice. All MTW agency expenditures must be consistent with the MTW agency’s charter, approved 5-Year and Annual PHA Plans, and the approved MTW Supplement to the Annual PHA Plan. Under permanent law, any reserves the MTW agency has accumulated prior to signing an MTW ACC Amendment (including public housing Operating and Capital Reserves and HCV HAP and Administrative Fee Reserves) must be used for their originally appropriated purposes and shall not be used flexibly. In HUD’s fiscal year 2020 appropriations act, Congress provided temporary relief from this requirement, providing that an MTW agency may use E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices reserves accumulated prior to the MTW designation flexibly.19 This additional flexibility will expire at the end of Federal fiscal year 2020 (on September 30, 2020) unless Congress includes it again in subsequent appropriations acts. MTW agencies should be aware that this relief is not permanent and may not continue into the future. MTW agencies are responsible for being aware of each year’s appropriations act and shall maintain careful recordkeeping to ensure they remain in compliance with the requirement. HUD will monitor the status of this flexibility closely, and will maintain an updated web page at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/ public_indian_housing/programs/ph/ mtw/MTW-flex-reserves-status to inform MTW agencies if this flexibility is continued by Congress. b. Calculation of Funding i. Public Housing Operating Grants (a) Funding Calculation. The calculation of an MTW agency’s Operating Fund subsidy grant eligibility will continue in accordance with operating subsidy formula law, regulations, and appropriations act requirements, as they may be amended. (b) Eligible Uses. The MTW agency may use these funds for any eligible activity permissible under Section 9(e)(1) of the 1937 Act or, if the agency proposes to use the funding under its MTW flexibility, it may also use these funds for any eligible activity permissible under Section 8(o), Section 9(d)(1), and for the local, non-traditional activities specified in Appendix I of this notice. (c) Central Office Cost Center (COCC). For an MTW agency’s COCC, which collects fees for administrative services, an MTW agency may freely use the earned fees for any eligible activity but cannot move non fee-based funds into the COCC. 19 Section 238 of title II, division H of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116–94, approved December 20, 2019) provides: ‘‘Any public housing agency designated as a Moving to Work agency pursuant to section 239 of (Pub. L. 114–113) may, upon such designation, use funds (except for special purpose funding, including special purpose vouchers) previously allocated to any such public housing agency under section 8 or 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, including any reserve funds held by the public housing agency or funds held by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, pursuant to the authority for use of section 8 or 9 funding provided under such section and section 204 of title II of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (Pub. L. 104–134), notwithstanding the purposes for which such funds were appropriated.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 ii. Public Housing Capital Fund Formula and Grants (a) Funding Calculation. The MTW agency’s public housing Capital Fund formula characteristics and grant amounts, including DDTF and RHF, will continue to be calculated in accordance with public housing law, regulations, and appropriations act requirements, as they may be amended. (b) Financial Management Requirements Apply. MTW agencies must continue to follow the immediate need requirements applicable to all Capital funds and may not accelerate their drawdown of Capital funds for the purpose of funding reserves or for any other purpose.20 All Capital funds, including funds in Budget Line Item (BLI) 1410 (Administrative Costs) and BLI 1492 (MTW), must be drawn down only when funds are due and payable. (c) Eligible Uses. The MTW agency may use these funds for any eligible activity permissible under Section 9(d)(1) of the 1937 Act or, if the MTW agency proposes to use the funding under its MTW flexibility, it may also use these funds for any eligible activity permissible under Section 8(o), Section 9(e)(1), and for the local, non-traditional activities specified in Appendix I of this notice. CFP funds used for activities under Section 9(d)(1) are subject to all requirements relevant to non-MTW agency CFP funding, including eligible activities and cost limits. (d) Requisitioning Funds. In requisitioning Capital Fund grant funds, the MTW agency will request funds using traditional Capital Fund BLIs for funds to be used for activities under section 9(d) and using the available MTW Budget Line (BLI 1492) items for activities under section 9(e), section 8(o), or local, non-traditional activities. MTW agencies shall not use the Transfer to Operations Budget Line (BLI 1406) since funds for all non-Section 9(d) activities shall be included in the MTW Budget Line (BLI 1492). The MTW agency will provide to HUD information on all capital activities funded by the MTW Funding as necessary to ensure compliance with requirements outside the scope of MTW, including environmental review requirements and Energy and Performance Information Center (EPIC) reporting requirements. (e) Obligation and Expenditure Requirements. The MTW agency remains subject to the requirements of 20 HUD will publish a rule that will govern the establishment and maintenance of a Capital Reserve pursuant to Section 109 of HOTMA that may give PHAs authorization to draw down funds in advance of need in certain limited circumstances. PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 53451 Section 9(j) of the 1937 Act with respect to Capital Fund grants. Section 9(d) funds remain subject to the obligation and expenditure deadlines and requirements provided in Section 9(j) despite the fact that they may be used flexibly. Capital Funds awarded to MTW agencies must be obligated within two years and expended within four years of award. Funds not obligated or expended within those timeframes will be subject to recapture. As with all agencies, an MTW agency may requisition CFP funds from HUD only when such funds are due and payable, unless HUD approves another payment schedule. iii. Housing Choice Voucher Funding (a) Funding Calculation. As is the case for non-MTW PHAs under current appropriations law, the HAP renewal funding eligibility for MTW agencies will be calculated based on each MTW agency’s actual expenses for the previous calendar year (known as the rebenchmark year). Unique to MTW agencies, however, the MTW agency’s actual expenses are: (1) The previous Calendar Year’s HAP expenses reported in the Voucher Management System (VMS), and (2) the previous CY’s eligible non-HAP MTW expenses reported in VMS.21 For both HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses, the reported expenses must have been paid from an eligible source of funds as described in paragraph (c) below in order to be included in the HAP renewal funding formula. In addition, MTW HAP renewal funding is subject to an MTW Renewal Eligibility Cap derived from the number of units authorized under the MTW agency’s ACC, as described in paragraph (d) below. The lower of the total combined HAP and non-HAP expenses or the MTW Renewal Eligibility Cap will then be adjusted by the Renewal Funding Inflation Factor (RFIF) and any national proration that applies to the HCV renewal appropriation to determine the MTW agency’s actual CY HAP renewal funding. • Example: An MTW agency executes its MTW ACC Amendment in September 2020. In CY 2020, the MTW agency expended $3,600,000 on HAP and $400,000 on eligible non-HAP MTW expenses. The MTW agency’s HCV HAP renewal funding for CY 2021 will be $4 million (assuming the HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap is greater than 21 MTW funds awarded to an MTW agency under Sections 8, 9(d), and 9(e) of the 1937 Act can be utilized per statute and regulation on the eligible activities listed at Sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1), and 8(o) of the 1937 Act and for local, non-traditional activities. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53452 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices $4 million), adjusted by the RFIF and any applicable national proration. (b) Eligible Uses. The MTW agency may use these funds for any eligible activity permissible under Section 8(o) of the 1937 Act or, if the MTW agency proposes to use the funding under its MTW flexibility, it may also use these funds for any eligible activity permissible under Section 9(e)(1), Section 9(d)(1), and for the local, nontraditional activities specified in Appendix I of this notice. (c) HAP Renewal Sources of Funds. The only HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses that will be included in the MTW HAP renewal formula are those paid for with the same sources of funds that would be included in the non-MTW HAP renewal formula for a non-MTW agency except as otherwise provided herein (see PIH Notice 2013–28 and any future successor notices). Accordingly, HAP expenses and non-HAP MTW expenses must be paid from the following sources of funds to be included in the HAP renewal formula calculation: (i) HCV budget authority, (ii) HUD-held HAP reserves (undisbursed budget authority), (iii) PHA-held HAP reserves (i.e., Restricted Net Position (RNP)), (iv) Any funds from the HAP Set-aside (if available after PHA application and approval), and (v) For HAP expenses only: Administrative fee reserves (i.e., Unrestricted Net Position). The administrative fee reserve is an eligible source of funds to be included in the MTW agency’s MTW HAP renewal calculation, but only if the administrative fee reserve is used for HAP expenses. If the MTW agency is using administrative fee reserves for HAP expenses, the MTW agency must enter the amount of the administrative fee reserves used for HAP expenses in the comments section in VMS. NonHAP MTW expenses paid from the administrative fee reserve are not eligible for renewal funding. Furthermore, when determining HAP renewal eligibility, the use of the administrative fee reserves is always first attributed to the MTW agency’s non-HAP MTW expenses incurred during the calendar year before the expenditure of those reserves may be considered to be the source of funds for HAP expenses. If HAP expenses covered by the MTW Agency’s administrative fee reserve exceed non-HAP MTW expenses for the calendar year, then the difference is applied to the HAP renewal calculation. Note that there is no restriction against using administrative fee reserves for non-HAP VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 MTW expenses, just that those non-HAP MTW expenses are not eligible for inclusion in the MTW HAP renewal calculation. HAP expenses or non-HAP MTW expenses that were paid for with any other funding source (for example, public housing Operating Funds and Capital Funds, and current year HCV Administrative Fee funds) will not be included in the MTW agency’s HCV renewal funding calculation. (d) HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap. The MTW agency’s renewal eligibility for all MTW Years will be limited by the HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap. The calculation multiplies (1) the MTW agency’s total number of MTW-eligible ACC authorized units 22 in the re-benchmark year (the CY immediately preceding the CY for which the MTW agency’s renewal eligibility is being calculated) 23 by (2) the MTW agency’s pre-MTW monthly per-unit cost (PUC) inflated to the re-benchmark year. (i) The number of MTW-eligible ACC authorized units is measured in unit months available (UMAs).24 (ii) The inflated pre-MTW PUC is projected using, as a base, the monthly PUC for the CY in which the MTW agency signed its MTW ACC Amendment. HUD applies the RFIF to this base PUC to estimate what the MTW agency’s HCV PUC would be, had the MTW agency not joined the MTW program, as of the re-benchmark year. After the calculation of the HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap, it is compared with the MTW agency’s actual total combined HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses. The lower of these two amounts—(1) the HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap or (2) the MTW agency’s actual total combined HAP and nonHAP MTW expenses adjusted by the RFIF and any national proration factor— 22 ‘‘MTW-eligible ACC authorized units’’ means the MTW agency’s number of ACC authorized units, regardless of whether the units are leased, after excluding the number of authorized units that would not be subject to the MTW renewal formula. In other words, special purpose vouchers that are renewed separately and are not part of the MTW HAP renewal formula are not included in the formula used to calculate the HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap. See section VI.9 of this Notice for further information on these special purpose vouchers that are renewed separately outside the MTW renewal formula. 23 As noted above, the re-benchmark year is also the source year for the actual expense data used in the MTW agency’s HAP renewal formula. 24 Authorized units in the HCV program context are measured in terms of unit months available. For example, if an authorized unit is under ACC as of January 1, the authorized unit equals twelve unit months available for that CY. On the other hand, if the authorized unit was added to the ACC under a new funding increment effective March 1, the authorized unit is equal to ten unit months available for that CY. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 is then used to determine the MTW agency’s CY renewal funding. (iii) Example: If an MTW agency signs its MTW ACC Amendment in September 2020, CY 2021 will be the MTW agency’s first full Calendar Year in the MTW demonstration. In calculating the MTW agency’s HCV renewal funding for CY 2021, the following information applies: • The MTW PHA’s average monthly PUC for CY 2019 was $700. • The CY 2020 inflation rate is two percent. • The number of MTW-eligible ACC authorized units during CY 2020 is 800 units. (In this example all units were under ACC as of 1/1/2020, so the number of UMAs is simply 800 units multiplied by twelve months, or 9,600 UMAs). • The HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap for CY 2021 is calculated by first determining the estimated PUC for CY 2020, which is $714 (the monthly PUC for CY 2019 inflated for CY 2020, or $700 × 1.02). The estimated PUC for CY 2020 is then multiplied by the MTW agency’s CY 2020 MTW-eligible ACC authorized UMAs 25 ($714 × 9,600 UMAs) to determine the HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap, which is $6,854,400. • The HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap ($6,854,400) is then compared to the MTW agency’s total combined HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses for the rebenchmark year that originated from the eligible funding sources described earlier in this notice. If the total combined HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses do not exceed $6,854,400, the MTW agency’s CY 2021 renewal funding will be the total combined HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses adjusted by the RFIF and any national proration. If the total combined HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses exceed $6,854,400, the MTW agency’s CY 2021 renewal funding will be $6,854,400, adjusted by the RFIF and any national proration. (e) Financial Management Requirements Apply. The same financial management requirements that apply to non-MTW agencies also apply to MTW agencies (e.g., Cash Management Requirements for the HCV Program with Notice PIH 2017–06 and successor notices). (f) Administrative Fees. The Administrative Fee rates used to calculate fee eligibility for MTW agencies shall be established according to the same methodology used to 25 As noted earlier, these are the MTW agency’s CY 2019 UMAs that are subject to the MTW renewal formula. UMAs attributable to special purpose vouchers such as HUD–VASH and FUP that are renewed separately are not included in this count. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices establish Administrative Fee rates for all agencies, including non-MTW agencies. Under current appropriations law, as is the case for all agencies, administrative fees will be calculated on the basis of units leased as of the first day of each month; this data will be extracted from VMS at the close of each reporting cycle. Administrative fees for MTW agencies are also subject to the national proration factor and any other appropriations act requirements. (g) Adjustments for the First-Time Renewal of Certain Vouchers. If the MTW agency receives incremental HCV vouchers and funding (including tenant protection vouchers), other than special purpose vouchers, renewal funding for those vouchers will be included in the MTW HCV renewal funding eligibility calculation for the following year. (See section VI.9 of this notice for further discussion of tenant protection and other special purpose vouchers.) The renewal amount for the following year is based on HAP costs reported for these increments in VMS in the prior year, which will be adjusted by the RFIF. Should the initial increment(s) be funded for less than twelve months due to lack of appropriations, HUD will adjust for the missing months upon renewal, by selecting the funded PUC for the initial increment times the number of units,26 then adjusted by the RFIF. The aggregate renewal eligibility is always subject to the national proration factor. (h) Applicable Inflation Factor and Proration. The same applicable RFIFs that apply to non-MTW agencies will be applied each CY to determine the MTW agency’s HAP funding renewal eligibility. Likewise, the MTW agency’s HAP funding renewal eligibility is subject to the same national proration as non-MTW agencies’ renewal eligibility. (i) Reserves. Reserves are subject to offsets as part of future Congressional appropriations acts. (j) Local, Non-Traditional Activities. The MTW agency may spend up to ten percent of its HCV HAP funding on local, non-traditional activities, as described in Appendix I, without prior HUD approval. The MTW agency may spend more than ten percent of its HCV HAP funding on local, non-traditional activities by seeking HUD approval through a Safe Harbor Waiver. (k) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD). Any vouchers received as part of a RAD Component I conversion shall be added to the ACC for the remainder of 26 The MTW PUC is equal to MTW HAP expenses divided by the number of MTW units leased. (NonHAP MTW expenses are not included in the MTW PUC calculation). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 the CY in which they are awarded. HUD will issue a new increment of voucher funding in support of those vouchers for the first full CY following a RAD Component I conversion. In subsequent years, voucher funding for RADconverted units will be renewed under the MTW HCV renewal funding calculation, adjusted by the Operating Cost Adjustment Factor (OCAF) and the applicable proration factor. Tenant protection vouchers provided for RAD Component II conversions are renewed in accordance with section VI.5.b.iii.g of this notice, Adjustment for the first-time renewal of certain vouchers, above. Administrative fees for RAD vouchers will be calculated based on the same methodology used to establish administrative fees for non-MTW agencies. Fees for RAD vouchers will be prorated at the same level that applies to all non-MTW agencies. (l) Voucher Programs Not Included in MTW Program. Vouchers and funding provided for the following special purpose vouchers, or any new special purpose vouchers provided in future appropriations acts, whether for new allocations or renewal of existing increments, shall not be included in the HCV MTW renewal calculation: HUD– VASH, FUP, FYI, NED, and Mainstream. These vouchers will be renewed under the regular voucher renewal requirements as provided under the appropriations acts. Special purpose vouchers are discussed in more detail in section VI.9 of this notice. In addition, funding provided for the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program is not part of the MTW program and may not be used for MTW activities. c. Financial Reporting and Auditing MTW agencies must submit year-end unaudited financial information to the Department no later than two months after their fiscal year end using the Financial Data Schedule (FDS) contained in the Real Estate Assessment Center’s (REAC) Financial Assessment Subsystem (FASS–PH), or its successor system. Current financial reporting requirements for MTW agencies are posted on the REAC website at: https:// www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_ 11833.PDF. These requirements may be updated in the future. MTW agencies are also required to electronically submit their audited financial information, if applicable, to HUD no later than nine months after their fiscal year end. MTW agencies must include public housing project level financial information in the FDS and must follow the Asset Management guidelines established in PIH Notice 2007–9 Supplement to Financial PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 53453 Management Handbook Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Revised April 2007, and any subsequent updates to this Handbook or PIH Notice. MTW agencies will conform to the cost requirements of 2 CFR part 200 and any HUD implementation thereof. MTW agencies must procure an Independent Public Accountant (IPA) to perform an annual audit pursuant to federal requirements at 2 CFR part 200 and 24 CFR 990.190, or successor, as well as any audit compliance supplements developed specifically for use with the MTW demonstration. Completed IPA audits must be submitted to HUD in accordance with current HUD regulations. HUD will review the IPA audits of MTW agencies to determine appropriate action relative to any findings, prepare recommendations for audit finding resolution, and follow up with MTW agencies to assure finding closure. If there are audit findings related to the MTW program itself, HUD will monitor the resolution of all audit findings. 6. Evaluation As a condition of participating in the MTW demonstration, MTW agencies agree to cooperate fully with HUD and its contractors in the monitoring and evaluation of the MTW demonstration. MTW agencies shall keep records and submit reports and other information as required by HUD. This includes any data collection required for the use of waivers and associated activities, for the uses of MTW funds within and across funding streams, and any evaluation efforts that HUD undertakes. Any additional information requests will follow the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements. HUD envisions three types of evaluation: program-wide evaluation, cohort-specific evaluation, and ad hoc evaluation. a. Program-Wide Evaluation An MTW demonstration-wide evaluation would seek to assess whether or not, and to what extent, MTW agencies achieve the statutory objectives of the MTW demonstration by using federal dollars more efficiently, helping residents find employment and become self-sufficient, and/or increasing housing choices for low-income families. Program-wide evaluation would also seek to determine any effects, positive or negative, of MTW waivers and funding flexibilities on residents. HUD intends to develop a method for program-wide evaluation that is based, to the extent possible, on information already being collected through existing HUD administrative data systems, although additional E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53454 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices a. Planning and Reporting reporting may be necessary to effectively evaluate MTW. b. Cohort-Specific Evaluation The specific evaluation methods and requirements for participating MTW agencies will vary in each cohort based on the policy changes to be tested in that cohort.27 The cohort-specific policy change and evaluation methods will be described in the applicable Selection Notice such that the MTW agency is aware, in advance of application to the MTW demonstration program, of the policy it will be required to implement and the evaluation requirements. The MTW agency is required to participate in the evaluation for the full timeframe designated by HUD. HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research will take the lead on evaluating cohortspecific policy changes, and separate funds are appropriated by Congress for these evaluations. In all cases, the purpose of the evaluation will be to measure the outcomes associated with the specific policy change(s) in order to offer policy recommendations for implementing the policy change(s) across all PHAs. i. The Annual PHA Plan MTW agencies must adhere to Annual PHA Plan regulations at 24 CFR part 903, any implementing HUD Notices and guidance, as well as any succeeding regulations. The Annual PHA Plan consists of the 5-Year Plan that a PHA must submit to HUD once every five PHA fiscal years and the Annual PHA Plan that the PHA must submit to HUD for each PHA fiscal year. Annual and 5Year Plans must be submitted in a format prescribed by HUD. Currently, submission format requirements are outlined in Notice PIH 2015–18, issued October 23, 2015, which is effective until amended, superseded or rescinded. Any HUD assistance that the MTW agency is authorized to use under the MTW demonstration must be used in accordance with the Annual PHA Plan, as applicable. In general, MTW agencies will be subject to the same planning and reporting protocols as non-MTW agencies, including the PHA Plan (5Year Plan and Annual PHA Plan) and Capital Fund planning. MTW agencies must also report data into HUD data systems, as required. New protocols and instruments will be developed for assessing an MTW agency’s performance and will be incorporated into PHAS and SEMAP, or successor assessment systems, or an alternative assessment system developed by HUD, explained further in section VI.7.b of this MTW Operations Notice. In addition, HUD will employ standard program compliance and monitoring approaches including assessment of relative risk and on-site monitoring conducted by HUD or by entities contracted by HUD. ii. MTW Supplement to the Annual PHA Plan (Under Development) As an MTW agency, all Annual PHA Plan information must be provided in the context of the agency’s participation in the MTW demonstration. This includes taking into account the MTW Waiver(s), Safe Harbor Waiver(s), Agency-Specific Waiver(s) and CohortSpecific Waiver(s), and associated activity(s), afforded to the MTW agency. To this end, MTW agencies will submit an MTW Supplement to the Annual PHA Plan.28 The MTW Supplement form has not been finalized at the time of the publication of this MTW Operations Notice; it has been made available for public review and comment, per PRA requirements.29 Non-MTW PHAs that are qualified under 24 CFR 903.3(c) and that are not designated as troubled under PHAS and that do not have a failing score under SEMAP are exempt from the requirement to submit the Annual PHA Plan. Per this MTW Operations Notice, while MTW agencies that are qualified under 24 CFR 903.3(c) are not required to submit the Annual PHA Plan, they are required to submit the MTW Supplement on an annual basis. MTW agencies must submit to HUD the Annual PHA Plan, including any required attachments, and the MTW Supplement no later than 75 days prior to the start of the agency’s fiscal year. HUD will notify the MTW agency in writing if HUD objects to any provisions 27 For example, some cohorts of MTW agencies may be required to participate in randomized control trials, while others may be required to participate in detailed process studies or ethnographic research. 28 MTW agencies designated pursuant to the 2016 Expansion Statute are not required to submit the Annual MTW Plan or Annual MTW Report (i.e., Form 50900). 29 83 FR 50676 (October 9, 2018) c. Ad Hoc Evaluation HUD reserves the right to request, and the MTW agency shall provide, any additional information required by law or required for the sound administration or evaluation of the MTW agency. 7. Program Administration and Oversight VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 or information in the Annual PHA Plan or the MTW Supplement. When the MTW agency submits its Plan 75 days in advance of its fiscal year, HUD will respond to the MTW agency within 75 days or the Annual PHA Plan and the MTW Supplement are automatically approved. Prior to submitting to HUD, the MTW Supplement must go through a public process along with the Annual PHA Plan. This will allow the MTW agency to inform the community of any programmatic changes and give the public an opportunity to comment. The MTW agency must have at least a 45day public review period of its plan, after publishing a notice informing the public of its availability and conducting reasonable outreach to encourage participation in the plan process, followed by a public hearing. MTW agencies must consider, in consultation with the RABs and tenant associations, as applicable, all of the comments received at the public hearing. The comments received by the public and RABs and tenant associations must be submitted by the agency as a required attachment to the Plan. MTW agencies must also include a narrative describing their analysis of the recommendations and any decisions made based on these recommendations. iii. Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy and Administrative Plan The MTW agency must update its ACOP and/or Administrative Plan, as applicable, to be consistent with the MTW activities and related waivers that it implements. The MTW agency may not implement an MTW activity or waiver until the relevant sections of the ACOP and/or Administrative Plan are updated. MTW agencies must provide HUD with electronic versions of the ACOP and/or Administrative Plan upon request. If the MTW agency implements an activity using the local, nontraditional uses of funds waiver, the MTW agency must create and update an implementing document specifically for such activity. Additionally, the MTW agency must update its ACOP and/or Administrative Plan upon terminating an MTW activity. iv. Capital Planning and Reporting MTW agencies must adhere to CFP regulations at 24 CFR part 905, any implementing HUD Notices and guidance, as well as any successor regulations. As noted previously, MTW agencies are funded in accordance with CFP regulations and formula funds are calculated and distributed in the same manner as non-MTW agencies. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices MTW agencies have the authority and flexibility to utilize their CFP funds for expanded uses as part of their MTW funding flexibility. HUD will award Capital Fund grants to MTW agencies in keeping with the standard process for all PHAs. The Department will spread budget line items in eLOCCS in accordance with Annual Statements/ Budgets submitted in EPIC for Capital Fund grants awarded. As with all PHAs, an MTW agency may draw down Capital Funds from HUD only when such funds are due and payable, unless HUD approves another payment schedule.30 To the extent that the MTW agency plans to use CFP funding for other MTW-eligible (non-CFP) activities, the agency must create a separate work activity (or activities) in the EPIC system that select the ‘‘MTW (1492)’’ work category. CFP funds entered on BLI 1492 would not need to be broken out and itemized in the part II supporting pages of the HUD–50075.1. However, regardless of the BLI utilized, funds may not be drawn down until the PHA has an immediate need for the funds. An MTW agency may not accelerate drawdowns of funds in order to fund reserves or to otherwise increase locally held amounts, as discussed in section 5.a. of this notice. An MTW agency is not required to use all or any portion of its CFP grant for non-CFP activities. To the extent that the MTW agency wishes to dedicate all or a portion of its CFP grant to specific capital improvements, the agency shall record CFP funding in work activities in EPIC as in the standard program. v. Inventory Management System/PIH Information Center Reporting Data from HUD’s Inventory Management System/PIH Information Center (IMS/PIC), or successor systems, is critical to all aspects of program administration, including HUD monitoring and tracking of MTW agency progress in meeting the MTW statutory objectives. IMS/PIC data is used to establish funding eligibility levels for both Operating Subsidy Fund and Capital Fund grants. Further, HUD relies on IMS/PIC data to provide a thorough and comprehensive view of PHA program performance and compliance. MTW agencies are required to submit the following information to HUD via IMS/PIC (or its successor system): • Family data to IMS/PIC using Form HUD–50058 MTW Expansion (or successor forms) or Form HUD–50058 30 HUD will publish a rule that will govern the establishment and maintenance of a Capital Reserve pursuant to Section 109 of HOTMA that may give PHAs authorization to draw down funds in advance of need in certain limited circumstances. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 for special purpose voucher purposes, and in compliance with HUD’s standard 50058 submission requirements for MTW agencies. MTW agencies must report information on all families receiving some form of tenant-based or project-based housing assistance, either directly or indirectly, as well as all public housing families, to be current to at least a 95 percent level. • Current building and unit information in the development module of IMS/PIC (or successor system). • Basic data about the PHA (address, phone number, email address, etc.). HUD will monitor MTW agency reporting to IMS/PIC (or successor system) to ensure compliance and provide technical assistance to MTW agencies as needed. In order to participate in the MTW expansion, PHAs must have the information technology capability to upgrade their IMS/PIC software to accommodate MTW flexibilities. PHAs that currently use HUD Family Reporting Software (FRS) must upgrade their software to an approved system that supports the submission of MTW IMS/PIC data. HUD does not anticipate modifying the FRS to accommodate the submission of MTW data. vi. Voucher Management System Reporting MTW agencies are required to report voucher utilization in VMS, or its successor system. There are several areas in which VMS reporting is different for MTW agencies. These areas are highlighted in the VMS User’s Manual (https://portal.hud.gov/ hudportal/documents/ huddoc?id=instructions.pdf) which details the VMS reporting requirements. HUD will monitor each MTW agency’s VMS reporting to ensure compliance and provide technical assistance to MTW agencies as needed. vii. General Reporting Requirement In addition to the reporting requirements outlined in this MTW Operations Notice, MTW agencies are required to comply with any and all HUD reporting requirements not specifically waived by HUD for participation in the MTW demonstration program. b. Performance Assessment Assessing the performance of PHAs (both MTW and non-MTW) helps with the delivery of services in the public housing and voucher programs and enhances trust among PHAs, assisted households, HUD, and the general public. To facilitate this effort, HUD will provide management tools for PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 53455 effectively and fairly assessing the performance of a PHA in essential housing operations and program administration. Currently, HUD uses PHAS and SEMAP to assess risk and identify underperforming PHAs in the traditional public housing and voucher programs. However, since some of the MTW flexibilities make it difficult to accurately assess the performance of MTW agencies under the existing systems, HUD will develop an alternative, MTW-specific assessment system, which may be incorporated into PHAS and SEMAP (or successor assessment system(s)). MTW agencies may not opt out of the MTW-specific successor system(s). Until the successor system is implemented, HUD will monitor MTW agency performance through PHAS sub-scores. Additionally, HUD may consider data provided through other HUD systems in its assessment of an MTW agency’s activities. i. Public Housing Assessment System MTW agencies will not be scored in PHAS unless and until such time as HUD develops an MTW-specific system that is incorporated into PHAS, or successor system, but they can elect to be scored if they choose to opt in. (MTW agencies continue to receive PHAS subscores even if they do not to receive the overall score.) An MTW agency will maintain its PHAS performance designation (i.e., high performer, standard performer, substandard performer, troubled, Capital Fundtroubled) at the time of MTW designation, up until a successor system is established. If an MTW agency elects to receive its overall PHAS score, the agency must continue to be scored for the duration of the demonstration, or until the agency is assessed under the alternative, MTW-specific assessment system(s), whichever comes first. Once developed, all MTW agencies, including MTW agencies that elect not to receive an overall PHAS score, must be assessed under the MTW-specific assessment system(s). Pursuant to the 1996 MTW Statute, when providing public housing, the MTW agency must ensure that the housing is safe, decent, sanitary, and in good repair, according to the physical inspection protocols established and approved by HUD. Thus, MTW agencies continue to be subject to HUD physical inspections. To the extent that HUD physical inspections reveal deficiencies, the MTW agency must continue to address these deficiencies in accordance with existing physical inspection requirements. If an MTW agency does E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53456 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices not maintain public housing adequately, as evidenced by the physical inspection performed by HUD, and is determined to be troubled in this area, HUD will determine appropriate remedial actions. ii. Section 8 Management Assessment Program MTW agencies will not be scored in SEMAP unless and until such time as HUD develops an MTW-specific system that is consistent with SEMAP, or successor system, but they can elect to be scored if they choose to opt in. An MTW agency will maintain its SEMAP performance designation (i.e., high performer, standard performer, troubled) at the time of MTW designation, up until a successor system is established. If an MTW agency elects to receive its overall SEMAP score, the agency must continue to be scored for the duration of the demonstration, or until the agency is assessed under the MTW-specific assessment system, whichever comes first. Once developed, all MTW agencies, including MTW agencies that opt out of SEMAP, must be assessed under the MTW-specific assessment system(s). c. Monitoring and Oversight MTW agencies remain subject to the full range of HUD monitoring and oversight efforts including, but not limited to, annual risk assessments, onsite monitoring reviews, monitoring reviews relating to VMS reporting and rent reasonableness, review of the accuracy of data reported into HUD data systems, and use of HUD data systems to assess agency program performance, among other activities. i. Five Statutory MTW Requirements Throughout participation in the MTW demonstration program, all MTW agencies must continue to meet five statutory MTW requirements established under the 1996 MTW Statute. Specific enforcement processes of the five statutory MTW requirements will be included in the MTW ACC Amendment (see also, section VI.12 of this notice). HUD will monitor and determine MTW agencies’ compliance with these five statutory MTW requirements as follows: (a) Very Low-Income Requirement. MTW agencies must ensure that at least 75 percent of the families assisted are very low-income families, in each fiscal year, as defined in Section 3(b)(2) of the 1937 Act. • HUD Verification Approach: Initial household certification data recorded in IMS/PIC will be used for both the PH and HCV programs for compliance monitoring purposes. The initial VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 certification is comprised only of new admissions in the MTW agency’s given fiscal year. Initial household certification data for families housed through local, non-traditional activities will be provided in a manner specified by the Department. An MTW agency’s portfolio will then be weighted with respect to the number of households being served by each housing program type (i.e., public housing, HCV, and local, non-traditional). While the verification approach for this statutory requirement will be conducted based on initial certification in the MTW agency’s given fiscal year, MTW agencies must continue to assist low-income families, which MTW agencies must monitor through the reexamination process, as may be amended per Appendix I. (b) Reasonable Rent Policy. MTW agencies must establish a reasonable rent policy which shall be designed to encourage employment and selfsufficiency by participating families, consistent with the purpose of this demonstration, such as by excluding some or all of a family’s earned income for purposes of determining rent. • HUD Verification Approach: HUD defines rent reform as any change in the regulations on how rent is calculated for a household. Upon designation into the MTW demonstration, MTW agencies are to submit their planned policy to implement a reasonable rent policy in the MTW Supplement. All activities falling under any of the activities in the Tenant Rent Policies waiver or the Alternate Reexamination Schedule waiver, as detailed in Appendix I, meet the definition of a reasonable rent policy because these activities constitute a change from regulations on how rent is calculated for a household. In addition, implementation of any voluntary alternative rent calculation that is available for all PHAs would count towards meeting this statutory requirement. Finally, an MTW agency may propose, for HUD’s approval, an Agency-Specific Waiver to establish a rent policy that is different from those listed in Appendix I. If approved, this alternate rent policy approved through an Agency-Specific Waiver would also meet this statutory requirement. An MTW agency must implement one or multiple reasonable rent policies during the term of its MTW designation.31 (c) Substantially the Same Requirement. MTW agencies must continue to assist substantially the same total number of eligible low-income 31 MTW agencies in the rent reform cohort may have prescribed deadlines to implement their reasonable rent policies. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 families as would have been served absent the MTW demonstration. • HUD Verification Approach: Appendix III details the requirements for the Substantially the Same (STS) methodology which: Ensures substantially the same number of families are housed; allows for local flexibility; is responsive to changing budgetary climates; is feasible for HUD to administer; is easy for MTW agencies to predict compliance; is straightforward to understand; is calculated each year; and has publicly available results. Please refer to Appendix III for the specific requirements. (d) Comparable Mix Requirement. MTW agencies must maintain a comparable mix of families (by family size) as would have been provided had the amounts not been used under the demonstration. • HUD Verification Approach: In order to establish a comparable mix baseline, HUD will pull data, by family size, for occupied public housing units and leased vouchers at the time of entry into the demonstration. HUD will rely upon MTW agency-reported data into HUD systems (i.e., IMS/PIC, VMS). This information will be used to establish baseline percentages, by family size, to which the agency is measured by for the remainder of participation. Following entry into the demonstration, agencies will provide comparable mix data and, if applicable, associated justifications in the MTW Supplement. HUD deems an acceptable level of variation to be no more than 10 percent from the baseline. Justifications or explanations for fluctuations greater than 10 percent are required and subject to HUD’s review. (e) Housing Quality Standards (HQS). MTW agencies must ensure that housing assisted under the demonstration meets HQS established or approved by the Secretary. Æ HUD Verification Approach: In order to demonstrate that the MTW agency meets housing quality standards, HUD will verify compliance for each housing program type as follows: • HCV—Program regulations at 24 CFR part 982 set forth basic HQS for housing assisted under the HCV program. These housing quality standards, or successor regulations, are the standards used to determine if the MTW agency is fulfilling its responsibilities to ensure owners are maintaining the units in accordance with HQS in the evaluation of an agency. MTW agencies with an HCV program must certify in the MTW Supplement that they have fulfilled their responsibilities to comply with and ensure enforcement of HQS under E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices this requirement in accordance with the HQS regulations in 24 CFR part 982, as modified where applicable through the implementation of the discrete MTW Waivers approved by HUD provided in Appendix 1 or through an AgencySpecific Waiver. • Public Housing—HUD will verify this requirement through its review of public housing physical inspection scores. Overall scores falling below 60 percent will be identified as noncompliant with the statutory requirement. • Local, Non-Traditional—In the MTW Supplement, MTW agencies must certify that local, non-traditional units meet HQS performance requirements (as provided in 24 CFR 982.401) as required in PIH Notice 2011–45, or successor notice. ii. Income Integrity and Enterprise Income Verification System (EIV) Reviews MTW agencies are required to comply with the final rule regarding EIV issued December 29, 2009, or successor, and utilize EIV for all income and employment verifications. EIV has been modified for MTW agencies so that family information submitted in IMS/ PIC will not expire for 40 months in order to accommodate agencies choosing to extend recertification periods for up to three years. MTW agencies are subject to HUD review to ensure compliance with EIV requirements as well as monitor the accuracy and integrity of the MTW agencies’ income and rent determination policies, procedures, and outcomes. iii. MTW Site Visit HUD will periodically conduct site visits to monitor the implementation of MTW flexibilities provided under the MTW Operations Notice, provide guidance, discuss the MTW agency’s activities, and offer any needed technical assistance regarding its program. The purpose of a site visit will be to monitor agency-reported MTW activities, to review the status and effectiveness of the MTW agency’s strategies, to provide technical assistance, to problem-solve regarding any local barriers the agency is facing, and to identify and resolve outstanding MTW related issues. The MTW agency shall give HUD access, at reasonable times and places, to all requested sources of information including access to files, access to units, and an opportunity to interview agency staff and assisted participants. Where travel funding or staff resources are not available to facilitate VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 in-person site visits, HUD may exercise the option to conduct remote site visits via telephone, videoconference, or webinar. To the extent possible, HUD will coordinate the MTW site visit with other site visits to be conducted by HUD. iv. Housing Choice Voucher Utilization HUD will monitor HCV utilization at MTW agencies and will ensure that HCV funds are utilized in accordance with section VI.5.b.iii and Appendix III of this notice. At its discretion, HUD may take any appropriate actions to direct an MTW agency to increase HCV leasing and utilization. v. Public Housing Occupancy HUD will monitor public housing occupancy rates for MTW agencies. In instances where the MTW agency’s public housing occupancy rate falls below 96 percent, HUD may require, at its discretion, that the MTW agency enter into an Occupancy Action Plan to address the occupancy issues. The Occupancy Action Plan will include the cause of the occupancy issue, the intended solution, and reasonable timeframes to address the cause of the occupancy issue. vi. Additional Monitoring and Oversight HUD may, based on the MTW agency’s risks and at HUD’s discretion, conduct management, programmatic, financial, or other reviews of the MTW agency. The MTW agency shall respond to any findings with appropriate corrective action(s). In addition, HUD will make use of all HUD data systems and available information to conduct ongoing remote monitoring and oversight actions for MTW agencies, consistent with the results of the PIH risk assessment. 8. Rental Assistance Demonstration Program MTW agencies converting public housing program units to Section 8 assistance under the RAD program are able to retain MTW regulatory and statutory flexibilities in the management of those units, subject to RAD requirements, if the conversion is to Section 8 PBV assistance. MTW agencies converting projects under RAD to PBV may continue to undertake flexibilities except to the extent limited by RAD, as described in the RAD Notice, Notice PIH 2012–32, REV–4 or its successor notice.32 32 Notices and laws related to RAD can be found at https://www.hud.gov/RAD/library/notices. PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 53457 9. Applying MTW Flexibilities to Special Purpose Vouchers Special Purpose Vouchers (SPVs) are specifically provided for by Congress in line item appropriations. Except for enhanced vouchers and tenantprotection vouchers (described below), SPVs are not part of the MTW demonstration and are not part of the MTW agency’s total available flexible MTW Funding. The funding is renewed outside of the MTW HAP renewal formula and the funding (both the initial increment and renewal funding) for the SPVs may only be used for eligible SPV purposes. There are no MTW flexibilities available for using MTW funds to cover SPV shortfalls; MTW agencies may use non-HAP sources to cover shortfalls, following the procedures outlined in Notice PIH 2013–28, or successor. Despite SPV funding restrictions to cover regular voucher shortfalls, MTW agencies do have the ability/are permitted to use HAP reserve funds, including HAP originated reserves subject to fungibility provisions, to address SPV instances of shortfalls; where the SPVs are under the same appropriations allocation for renewal as their Section 8 vouchers.33 a. HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Vouchers HUD–VASH vouchers have separate operating requirements and must be administered in accordance with the requirements listed at www.hud.gov/ program_offices/public_indian_ housing/programs/hcv/vash. The operating requirements waive and alter many of the standard HCV statutes and regulations at 24 CFR part 982. Unless stated in the HUD–VASH operating requirements, however, the regulatory requirements at 24 CFR part 982 and all other HUD directives for the HCV program are applicable to HUD–VASH vouchers. MTW agencies may submit a request to HUD to operate HUD–VASH vouchers in accordance with MTW administrative flexibilities. b. Family Unification Program (FUP) Vouchers The FUP NOFA language allows vouchers to be administered in accordance with MTW flexibilities unless MTW provisions are inconsistent with the appropriations act or requirements of the FUP NOFA. In the event of a conflict between the MTW Operations Notice and the appropriations act or FUP NOFA language, the act and NOFA govern. 33 https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/ huddoc?id=DOC_10495.pdf. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53458 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices c. Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Vouchers The FYI NOFA language allows vouchers to be administered in accordance with MTW flexibilities unless MTW provisions are inconsistent with the appropriations act or requirements of the FYI NOFA. In the event of a conflict between the MTW Operations Notice and the appropriations act or FYI NOFA language, the act and NOFA govern. d. Non-Elderly Persons With Disabilities (NED) Vouchers The NED NOFA language allows vouchers to be administered in accordance with MTW operations unless MTW provisions are inconsistent with the appropriations act or requirements of the NED NOFA. In the event of a conflict between the MTW Operations Notice and the appropriations act or NED NOFA language, the act and NOFA govern. e. Mainstream Vouchers The Mainstream NOFA language allows vouchers to be administered in accordance with MTW flexibilities unless MTW provisions are inconsistent with the appropriations act or requirements of the Mainstream NOFA. In the event of a conflict between the MTW Operations Notice and the appropriations act or Mainstream NOFA language, the act and NOFA govern. f. Enhanced Vouchers and Tenant Protection Vouchers MTW agencies may apply any MTW flexibilities as authorized by this notice to replacement TPVs to the extent that the MTW flexibilities used do not infringe upon the protections applied to those families.34 However, funding fungibility may only be applied to replacement TPV funds once the initial funding increment is renewed. No MTW flexibilities may be applied to relocation TPVs. MTW agencies should review PIH Notice 2020–04 and any future successor notices for more information on re-issuance of TPVs. The statutory enhanced voucher requirements under Section 8(t) of the 1937 Act (e.g., the HAP calculation) apply to an enhanced voucher family until the family either moves from the project or leaves the HCV tenant-based program for any reason. MTW agencies must follow the procedures described in Notice PIH 2013–27, or its successor 34 For examples of restrictions in applying MTW flexibilities to tenant protection vouchers, please visit the MTW Special Purpose Voucher Q&A at https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/ SpecialPurposeVouchersQA.pdf. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 notice, for a recipient of an enhanced voucher to voluntarily agree to relinquish their tenant-based assistance in exchange for PBV assistance. When an enhanced voucher family moves from the project, either after initially receiving the voucher or anytime thereafter, the Section 8(t) enhanced voucher requirements no longer apply. The voucher is then administered in accordance with the regular HCV program requirements, as modified by the agency’s individual MTW waivers and MTW policies for its tenant-based HCV program. 10. Applicability of Other Federal, State, and Local Requirements Notwithstanding the waivers and associated activities provided in this MTW Operations Notice, the following provisions of the 1937 Act continue to apply to MTW agencies and the assistance received pursuant to the 1937 Act: • The terms ‘‘low-income families’’ and ‘‘very low-income families’’ shall continue to be defined by reference to Section 3(b)(2) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2)); • Section 12 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437j), as amended, shall apply to housing assisted under the demonstration, governing labor standards and community service requirements, other than housing assisted solely due to occupancy by families receiving tenant-based assistance; • Section 18 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437p, as amended by Section 1002(d) of Public Law 104–19, Section 201(b)(1) of Public Law 104–134, and Section 201(b) of Public Law 104–202), governing demolition and disposition, shall continue to apply to public housing notwithstanding any use of the housing under MTW; and • Section 8(r)(1) of the 1937 Act on HCV portability shall continue to apply unless provided as a cohort-specific waiver and associated activity(s) in an evaluative cohort as necessary to implement comprehensive rent reform and occupancy policies. Such a cohortspecific waiver and associated activity(s) would contain, at a minimum, exceptions for requests to port due to employment, education, health and safety and reasonable accommodation. Notwithstanding anything contained in this notice, federal, state and local requirements applicable to public housing or HCV assistance other than those provisions of the 1937 Act or its implementing requirements that are specifically waived pursuant to the MTW Operations Notice will apply. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 MTW authority may also be limited by any laws promulgated in future years, which include without limitation: Statutes, appropriations acts, notices implementing appropriations acts, regulations, and executive orders. The MTW ACC Amendment will place in HUD the authority and discretion to determine whether any future law conflicts with any MTWrelated agreement or notice. If a future law conflicts, the future law shall be implemented. Additionally, no money damages are contemplated for action by HUD with respect to the MTW demonstration program. If any requirement applicable to PHAs, public housing, or HCV assistance other than those provisions of the 1937 Act or its implementing requirements that may be waived pursuant to MTW authority and that are specifically waived pursuant to the MTW Operations Notice, contains a provision that conflicts or is inconsistent with any MTW Waiver, Safe Harbor Waiver, and/or AgencySpecific Waiver granted by HUD, the MTW agency remains subject to the terms of that requirement. Such requirements include, but are not limited to: • Requirements for Federal Funds: Notwithstanding the flexibilities described in this notice, the public housing and voucher funding provided to MTW agencies remain federal funds and are subject to any and all other federal requirements outside of the 1937 Act (e.g., including but not limited to competitive HUD NOFAs under which the MTW agency has received an award, state and local laws, federal statutes other than the 1937 Act (including appropriations acts), and OMB Circulars and requirements), as modified from time to time. The MTW agency’s expenditures must comply with 2 CFR part 200 and other applicable federal requirements, which provide basic guidelines for the use of federal funds, including the requirements of this notice. • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): MTW agencies must comply with NEPA, 24 CFR part 50 or part 58, as applicable, and other related federal laws and authorities identified in 24 CFR part 50 or part 58, as applicable. Information and guidance on the environmental review process and requirements is provided in PIH Notice 2016–22, or successor notice. • Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity: As with the administration of all HUD programs and all HUDassisted activities, fair housing, and civil rights issues apply to the administration of MTW demonstration E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices programs. This includes actions and policies that may have a discriminatory effect on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, or familial status (see 24 CFR part 1 and part 100 subpart G) or that may impede, obstruct, prevent, or undermine efforts to affirmatively further fair housing. Annual PHA Plans must include a civil rights certification required by Section 5A of the 1937 Act and implemented by regulation at 24 CFR 903.7(o) and 903.15, as well as a statement of the MTW agency’s strategies and actions to achieve fair housing goals outlined in an approved Assessment of Fair Housing consistent with 24 CFR 5.154. If the MTW agency does not have a HUDaccepted Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH), it must still provide a civil rights certification and statement of the MTW agency’s fair housing strategies, which would be informed by the corresponding jurisdiction’s AFH and the MTW agency’s assessment of its own operations. All PHAs, including MTW agencies, are obligated to comply with nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws and implementing regulation, including those in 24 CFR 5.105. Specific laws and regulations must be viewed in their entirety for full compliance, as this MTW Operations Notice does not incorporate a complete discussion of all legal authorities. For example, PHAs, including MTW agencies, are required to comply with the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, Executive Order 11063: Equal Opportunity in Housing, Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, HUD’s Equal Access Rule (24 CFR 5.105(a)(2), Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, as well as HUD and governmentwide regulations implementing these authorities. MTW agencies should review PIH Notice 2011–31, or its successor, for more details. • Court Orders and Voluntary Compliance Agreements: MTW agencies must comply with the terms of any applicable court orders or Voluntary Compliance Agreements that are in existence or may come into existence during the term of the MTW ACC Amendment. The MTW agency must cooperate fully with any investigation by the HUD Office of Inspector General or any other investigative and law enforcement agencies of the U.S. Government. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 53459 11. MTW Agencies Admitted Prior to 2016 MTW Expansion Statute 13. Administrative and Contact Information The 39 MTW agencies that entered the MTW demonstration prior to the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute adhere to an administrative structure outlined in the Standard MTW Agreement, an agreement between each current agency and HUD. The 2016 MTW Expansion Statute extended the term of the Standard MTW Agreement for these existing MTW agencies through each agency’s 2028 fiscal year. Some agencies that entered the MTW demonstration prior to the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute may wish to opt out of their Standard MTW Agreement and administer their MTW program pursuant to the MTW Expansion and the requirements in this MTW Operations Notice. HUD will support an existing MTW agency’s request to join the MTW Expansion provided that the agency: • Makes the change at the end of its fiscal year, so that it does not have part of a fiscal year under the Standard Agreement and part under the MTW Operations Notice; • follows the same public comment and Board resolution process as would be required for amending the Standard MTW Agreement; • executes its MTW ACC Amendment to authorize participation in the MTW demonstration consistent with the MTW Operations Notice; and • executes the MTW ACC Amendment and terminates its Standard MTW Agreement, thereby becoming subject to all the terms and conditions that apply to MTW agencies admitted pursuant to the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute, including all of the provisions of this Operations Notice and the accompanying MTW ACC Amendment. Should an existing MTW agency elect to administer its MTW program pursuant to the framework described in this MTW Operations Notice, it will not be required to implement the cohortspecific policy change associated with any of the MTW cohorts and it will not be required to participate in the evaluation of that specific policy change. All other requirements in this MTW Operations Notice will apply. a. Paperwork Reduction Act The information collection requirements contained in this document are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S C. 2501–3520). The OMB control number is 2577–0216. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. 12. Sanctions, Terminations, and Default If the MTW agency violates any of the requirements outlined in this notice, HUD is authorized to take any corrective or remedial action permitted by law. Sanctions, terminations, and default are covered in the agency’s MTW ACC Amendment. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 b. Contact Information For further information, contact: Marianne Nazzaro, Director, Moving to Work Demonstration Program; email: mtw-info@hud.gov; telephone number 202–402–4306 (this is not a toll-free number), or visit the MTW demonstration program website at: www.hud.gov/mtw. Hearing- and speech-impaired persons may access this number through TTY by calling the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339 (this is a toll-free number). R. Hunter Kurtz, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. Appendix I Appendix I, MTW Waivers, is a simplified guide for MTW agencies seeking to develop MTW initiatives that have already been executed by existing MTW agencies. MTW agencies may implement any activity contained in Appendix I without further HUD approval as long as it is included in the MTW Supplement (described in section VI.7 of this Notice) of an approved PHA Plan and implemented within the associated safe harbor(s). MTW activities are listed by specific waiver name in Appendix I; however, MTW agencies may use the MTW Supplement to combine activities together in order to create more comprehensive initiatives. This appendix contains the MTW Waivers and their associated activities. The appendix includes the waiver name, waiver description, statutes and regulations waived, permissible activities, and safe harbors. The waiver description defines the authorization provided to the MTW agency, subject to the terms of this notice. The statutory and regulatory citations that may be waived by an MTW agency in order to implement an activity are included below the activity. The list of waivers and list of activities are organized by program type. The safe harbors contain the additional requirements (beyond those specified in the activity description) the agency must follow in order to implement the activity without additional HUD approval once it is included in an approved MTW Supplement to the PHA Plan. Consistent with applicable federal, E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53460 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices state, and local lease requirements, MTW agencies should update their leases as necessary to adopt MTW flexibilities authorized by these MTW Waivers. Appendix I is an exclusive list of activities an MTW agency can implement without further HUD approval once it is included in the MTW Supplement of an approved PHA Plan; however, is not intended to be the complete listing of what an MTW agency can and cannot do. If an MTW agency wishes to request the ability to implement an activity in a manner inconsistent with the safe harbor(s) of an MTW activity in this appendix, the MTW agency must go through the Safe Harbor Waiver request process explained in section VI.4 of the MTW Operations Notice. If an MTW agency wishes to implement activities or request waivers not included in this appendix, it must go through the Agency-Specific Waiver process explained in section VI.4 of the MTW Operations Notice. As described in Appendix II, the MTW agency shall submit an impact analysis for all Safe Harbor Waiver requests, and the MTW agency shall describe any hardship policy, as applicable. Safe harbors marked with an asterisk (*) cannot be waived through either the Safe Harbor Waiver process or the AgencySpecific Waiver process. Table of Content 1. Tenant Rent Policies a. Tiered Rent (Public Housing [PH]) b. Tiered Rent (Housing Choice Vouchers [HCV]) c. Stepped Rent (PH) d. Stepped Rent (HCV) e. Minimum Rent (PH) f. Minimum Rent (HCV) g. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income (PH) h. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income (HCV) i. Alternative Utility Allowance (PH) j. Alternative Utility Allowance (HCV) k. Fixed Rents (PH) l. Fixed Subsidy (HCV) m. Utility Reimbursements (PH) n. Utility Reimbursements (HCV) o. Initial Rent Burden (HCV) p. Imputed Income (PH) q. Imputed Income (HCV) r. Elimination of Deduction(s) (PH) s. Elimination of Deduction(s) (HCV) t. Standard Deductions (PH) u. Standard Deductions (HCV) v. Alternative Income Inclusions/ Exclusions (PH) w. Alternative Income Inclusions/ Exclusions (HCV) 2. Payment Standards and Rent Reasonableness a. Payment Standards—Small Area Fair Market Rents (HCV) b. Payment Standards—Fair Market Rents (HCV) c. Rent Reasonableness—Process (HCV) d. Rent Reasonableness—Third-Party Requirement (HCV) 3. Reexaminations a. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households (PH) b. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households (HCV) c. Self-Certification of Assets (PH) d. Self-Certification of Assets (HCV) 4. Landlord Leasing Incentives a. Vacancy Loss (HCV—Tenant-Based Assistance) b. Damage Claims (HCV—Tenant-Based Assistance) c. Other Landlord Incentives (HCV— Tenant-Based Assistance) 5. Housing Quality Standards (HQS) a. Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections (HCV) b. Reasonable Penalty Payments for Landlords (HCV) c. Third-Party Requirement (HCV) d. Alternative Inspection Schedules (HCV) 6. Short-Term Assistance a. Short-Term Assistance (PH) b. Short-Term Assistance (HCV) 7. Term-Limited Assistance a. Term-Limited Assistance (PH) b. Term-Limited Assistance (HCV) 8. Increase Elderly Age (PH & HCV) 9. Project-Based Voucher Program Flexibilities a. Increase PBV Program Cap (HCV) b. Increase PBV Project Cap (HCV) c. Elimination of PBV Selection Process for PHA-Owned Projects Without Improvement, Development, or Replacement (HCV) d. Alternative PBV Selection Process (HCV) e. Alternative PBV Unit Types (Shared Housing and Manufactured Housing) (HCV) f. Increase PBV Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract Length (HCV) g. Increase PBV Rent to Owner (HCV) h. Limit Portability for PBV Units (HCV) 10. Family Self-Sufficiency Program With MTW Flexibility a. Waive Operating a Required FSS Program (PH & HCV) b. Alternative Structure for Establishing Program Coordinating Committee (PH & HCV) c. Alternative Family Selection Procedures (PH & HCV) d. Modify or Eliminate the Contract of Participation (PH & HCV) e. Policies for Addressing Increases in Family Income (PH & HCV) 11. MTW Self-Sufficiency Program a. Alternative Family Selection Procedures (PH & HCV) b. Policies for Addressing Increases in Family Income (PH & HCV) 12. Work Requirement a. Work Requirement (PH) b. Work Requirement (HCV) 13. Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress (PH) 14. Moving On Policy a. Waive Initial HQS Inspection Requirement (HCV) b. Allow Income Calculations From Partner Agencies (PH & HCV) c. Aligning Tenant Rents and Utility Payments Between Partner Agencies (PH & HCV) 15. Acquisition Without Prior HUD Approval (PH) 16. Deconcentration of Poverty in Public Housing Policy (PH) 17. Local, Non-Traditional Activities a. Rental Subsidy Programs b. Service Provision c. Housing Development Programs 1. Tenant Rent Policies The agency is authorized to adopt and implement the activities listed below for setting tenant rents in public housing, including but not limited to establishing definitions of income and adjusted income that differ from those in the current 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. The agency is authorized to adopt and implement the activities listed below to establish total tenant payments (TTP) 1 in the HCV program, and/or tenant rents for tenant-based and project-based voucher (PBV) assistance that differ from the currently mandated program requirements in the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. The agency is authorized to adopt and implement the activities listed below to calculate the tenant portion of the rent in a way that differs from the currently mandated program requirements in the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. The agency must determine initial eligibility in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609 and must comply with section 3(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 Act (1937 Act) (42 U.S.C. § 1437). For voucher activities, the Department has developed a standard rider to the HAP contract that reflects any MTW authorizations that amend the current requirements of the HAP contract. 1.a., 1.b. Tiered Rent Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbors ............................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 1.a. Tiered Rent (PH)—The agency may implement changes to the tenant rent calculation to create a system based upon income bands. Tiered Rent (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1)–(2) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.628, 5.634(b) and 960.253. 1.b. Tiered Rent (HCV)—The agency may implement changes to the TTP calculation to create a system based upon income bands. Tiered Rent (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 8(o)(2)(A)– (C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.628. 1.a. and 1.b. i. Rents and/or TTP (as applicable) established under this system must be set using the lowest income in each band. For example, if an income band is $2,500–$5,000 then the rent for that band must be set using $2,500. ii. The agency must adopt a flat rent and/or TTP (as applicable) policy within each income band instead of calculating rent based on adjusted or gross income. 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices 53461 1.c., 1.d. Stepped Rent Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 1.c. Stepped Rent (PH)—The agency may create a stepped rent 1.d. Stepped Rent (HCV)—The agency may create a stepped model that increases the family’s rent payment on a fixed rent model that increases the family’s TTP on a fixed schedschedule in both frequency and amount. The fixed schedule/ ule in both frequency and amount. The fixed schedule/ stepped rent model may be disaggregated from family income. stepped rent model may be disaggregated from family income. Stepped Rent (PH)—Certain provisions of section 3(a)(1)–(2) of Stepped Rent (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 8(o)(2)(A)– the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.628, 5.634(b) and 960.253. (C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.628. 1.c. and 1.d. • Rent increases may not occur more than once per year. • Agency must conduct an annual impact analysis.* • Agency must exclude elderly and disabled families from rent policy.* • Agency must implement a hardship policy.* • Services, or referrals to services, must be made available by the agency or a partner organization to support preparing families for the termination of assistance, if applicable. • At the Department’s request, the agency shall make available the method used to determine that rents charged to families are reasonable when compared to similar unassisted units in the market area.* • Initial rents will be set at no more than 32% of a household’s gross income, or 35% of a household’s adjusted income. • The PHA will establish a stepped rent increase by unit size. The increase may be no more than 4% of the Fair Market Rent for the applicable area. 1.e., 1.f. Minimum Rent Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 1.e. Minimum Rent (PH)—The agency may set a minimum rent that is higher than allowed under current statute and regulation. Minimum Rent (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1)–(2) and 3(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 24 CFR 5.628 and 5.630. 1.f. Minimum Rent (HCV)—The agency may set a minimum rent that is higher than allowed under current statute and regulation. Minimum Rent (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(3)(A) and 8(o)(2)(A)–(C) of the Act and 24 CFR 5.628 and 5.630. 1.e. and 1.f. i. Minimum rent must not exceed $130 per month. ii. Agency must exclude elderly and disabled families from rent policy. iii. Agency must conduct an impact analysis.* iv. Agency must implement a hardship policy.* 1.g., 1.h. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 1.g. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income (PH)—The agency may modify the percentage of income used in the TTP calculation. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income (PH)— Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1)–(2) and 3(b)(4)–(5) of the 1937 of the Act and 24 CFR 5.609, 5.611, 960.253 and 960.255. 1.h. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income (HCV)—The agency may modify the percentage of income used in the TTP calculation. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income (HCV)— Certain provisions of sections 3(b)(4)–(5) and 8(o)(2)(A)–(C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.609, 5.611, and 982.516. 1.g. and 1.h. i. The Tenant Payment in public housing and the Tenant Payment in HCV must not exceed 32% of income for non-elderly/ non-disabled families if the agency is utilizing flexibility under activities 1.r., 1.t. and/or 1.v. (for 1.g.) or 1.s., 1.u. and/or 1.w. (for 1.h.). ii. The Tenant Payment in public housing and the Tenant Payment in HCV must not exceed 35% of income for non-elderly/ non-disabled families if the agency is not utilizing flexibility under activities 1.r., 1.t. and/or 1.v. (for 1.g.) or 1.s., 1.u. and/or 1.w. (for 1.h.). iii. Agency must exempt elderly and disabled families from rent policy. iv. Agency must conduct an impact analysis.* v. Agency must implement a hardship policy.* 1i., 1.j. Alternative Utility Allowance Activity ....................................... 1i. Alternative Utility Allowance (PH)—The agency may create a utility schedule(s) for all units. 1j. Alternative Utility Allowance (HCV)—The agency may create a utility schedule(s) for all HCV units based upon bedroom size, the unit location and/or the types of utilities paid by participant. The agency may establish a site-based utility allowance in PBV. Alternative Utility Allowance (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(2)(D)(i) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 982.517 and 983.301(f)(2)(ii). Statutes and Regulations Waived. Alternative Utility Allowance (PH)—Certain provisions of 24 CFR. 965.503–506. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 1.i. and 1.j. i. The utility schedule must be based upon number of bedrooms, the property location, and/or the types of utilities paid by participant. ii. The agency must review its schedule of utility allowances each year and revise its allowance for a utility category if there has been a change of 10 percent or more of the cost from the prior year. The agency must maintain information supporting its annual review of utility allowances and any revisions made in its utility allowance schedule. iii. The agency must not include items in the utility schedule that are excluded under HUD regulations.* 1.k., 1.l. Fixed Rents/Subsidies Activity ....................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 1.k. Fixed Rents (PH)—The agency may establish fixed rents based on bedroom size. 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 1.l. Fixed Subsidy (HCV)—The agency may establish a fixed subsidy based on bedroom size. Under this model, the family pays the difference between the gross rent for the unit and the fixed subsidy as the family share/tenant rent. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53462 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices Statutes and Regulations Waived. Fixed Rents (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1)–(2) and 3(a)(3)(A) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.628, 5.634(b), and 960.253. Fixed Subsidy (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 8(o)(2)(A)– (C) and 8(o)(3) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.628, 5.630, 982.505, 982.508, 983.351(c), 983.353(b)(1), and 983.353(d)(1). Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 1.k. and 1.l. i. Tenant rent under the public housing portion of this activity must not exceed 30% of income under the HUD rent calculation as defined by the 1937 Act. ii. For the HCV portion of this activity, the fixed subsidy must not result in a family paying more than 30% of income under the HUD rent calculation as defined by the 1937 Act. Activity ....................................... 1.m. Utility Reimbursements (PH)—The agency may eliminate utility reimbursement payments in the public housing program when the utility allowance is greater than the total tenant payment. Utility Reimbursements (PH)—Certain provisions of section 3(a)(1) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.632. 1.m., 1.n. Utility Reimbursements Statutes and Regulations Waived. 1.n. Utility Reimbursements (HCV)—The agency may eliminate utility reimbursement payments in the HCV program when the utility allowance is greater than the total tenant payment. Utility Reimbursements (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 8(o)(2)(A)–(C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 982.514 and 983.353(d). 1.o. Initial Rent Burden (HCV only) Activity ....................................... N/A ................................................................................................ Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... N/A ................................................................................................ N/A ................................................................................................ 1o. Initial Rent Burden (HCV)—The agency may waive the maximum family share at initial occupancy of 40% of the family’s monthly income. Initial Rent Burden (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(3) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 982.508. 1.o. i. Agency must implement an impact analysis.* ii. Agency must not allow the family share at initial occupancy to exceed 60% of the family’s monthly income. 1.p., 1.q. Imputed Income Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 1.p. Imputed Income (PH)—Agency may base rent on an assumed number of hours worked per week. Imputed Income (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1) and 3(b)(4)–(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.609, 5.611, 5.628, 960.255, 960.253, and 960.257. 1.q. Imputed Income (HCV)—Agency may base TTP on an assumed number of hours worked per week. Imputed Income (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 3(b)(4)– (5) and 8(o)(2)(A)–(C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.609, 5.611, 5.628, and 982.516. 1.p. and 1.q. i. The rent calculation must be based on no more than 15 hours worked per person, per week at the Federal Minimum Wage. ii. The rent calculation must be based on no more than 30 hours worked per week per household at the Federal Minimum Wage. iii. Agency must conduct an impact analysis.* iv. Agency must exempt elderly and disabled families from rent policy. v. Agency must implement a hardship policy.* 1.r., 1.s. Elimination of Deduction(s) Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 1.r. Elimination of Deduction(s) (PH)—The agency may eliminate one, some, or all deductions. Elimination of Deduction(s) (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1), 3(b)(4)–(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.611, 960.253, 960.255, and 960.257. 1.s. Elimination of Deduction(s) (HCV)—The agency may eliminate one, some, or all deductions. Elimination of Deduction(s) (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1), 3(b)(4)–(5) and 8(o)(2)(A)–(C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.611, and 982.516. 1.r. and 1.s. i. Agency must conduct an impact analysis.* ii. Agency must exempt elderly and disabled families from rent policy.* iii. Agency must implement a hardship policy.* 1.t., 1.u. Standard Deductions Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 1.t. Standard Deductions (PH)—The agency may replace existing deduction(s) with a single standard deduction(s). Standard Deductions (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1) and 3(b)(4)–(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.611, 960.253, 960.255, and 960.257. 1.u. Standard Deductions (HCV)—The agency may replace existing deduction(s) with a single standard deduction(s). Standard Deductions (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1), 3(b)(4)–(5), and 8(o)(2)(A)–(C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.611, and 982.516. 1.t. and 1.u. i. Agency must conduct an impact analysis.* ii. Agency must implement a hardship policy.* 1.v., 1.w. Alternative Income Inclusions/Exclusions Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 1.v. Alternative Income Inclusions/Exclusions (PH)—The agency may establish alternative policies to include or exclude certain forms of participant income during the income review and rent calculation process. Alternative Income Inclusions/Exclusions (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1) and 3(b)(4)–(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.609, 5.611, 960.253, 960.255, and 960.257. 1.w. Alternative Income Inclusions/Exclusions (HCV)—The agency may establish alternative policies to include or exclude certain forms of participant income during the income review and rent calculation process. Alternative Income Inclusions/Exclusions (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1), 3(b)(4)–(5), and 8(o)(2)(A)–(C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.609, 5.611, and 982.516. 1.v. and 1.w. 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices 53463 i. Agency must exempt elderly and disabled individuals from this rent determination policy. 2. Payment Standards and Rent Reasonableness The agency is authorized to adopt and implement any reasonable policy to establish payment standards or rent reasonableness that differ from the currently mandated program requirements in the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. For voucher activities, the Department has developed a standard rider to the HAP contract that reflects any MTW authorizations that amend the current requirements of the HAP contract. 2.a. Payment Standards—Small Area Fair Market Rents Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 2.a. Payment Standards—Small Area Fair Market Rents (HCV)—The agency is authorized to adopt and implement any reasonable policy to establish payment standards based upon Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMR). In lieu of establishing a unique payment standard for each ZIP code area within its jurisdiction, a PHA may use this flexibility to establish payment standards for ‘‘grouped’’ ZIP code areas. Payment Standards—Small Area Fair Market Rents (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(1)(B) and 8(o)(13)(H) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 982.503–505 and 983.301. 2.a. i. Payment standard must be between 80% and 150% of the SAFMR. ii. The payment standard in effect for each grouped ZIP code area must be within the basic range of the SAFMR for each ZIP code area in the group.* iii. Agency must implement an impact analysis.* iv. Agency must implement a hardship policy.* 2.b. Payment Standards—Fair Market Rents Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 2.b. Payment Standards – Fair Market Rents (HCV)—The agency is authorized to adopt and implement any reasonable policy to establish payment standards based upon Fair Market Rents (FMR). Payment Standards—Fair Market Rents (HCV—Tenant-Based Assistance)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(1)(B) and 8(o)(13)(H) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 982.503–505 and 983.301. 2.b. i. Payment standard must be between 80% and 120% of the FMR. ii. Agency must implement an impact analysis.* iii. Agency must implement a hardship policy.* 2.c. Rent Reasonableness Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 2.c. Rent Reasonableness—Process (HCV)—The agency is authorized to develop a local process to determine rent reasonableness that differs from the currently mandated program requirements in the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. Rent Reasonableness—Process (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(10)(A) of the 1937 Act, 24 CFR 982.507 and 983.303. 2.c. i. Through the Administrative Plan, the agency shall make available the method used to determine that rents charged by owners to voucher participants are reasonable when compared to similar unassisted units in the market area.* ii. At the Department’s request, the agency must obtain the services of a third-party entity to determine rent reasonableness for PHA-owned units.* 2.d. Rent Reasonableness—Third-Party Requirement Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 2.d. Rent Reasonableness—Third-Party Requirement (HCV)—The agency is authorized to perform rent reasonable determinations on PBV units that it owns, manages, and/or controls. Rent Reasonableness—Third-Party Requirement (HCV)—Certain provisions of 24 CFR 982.352(b) and 983.303. 2.d. i. The agency shall establish and make available a quality assurance method to ensure impartiality.* ii. The agency shall make available the method used to determine that rents charged by owners to voucher participants are reasonable when compared to similar unassisted units in the market area.* iii. At the Department’s request, the agency must obtain the services of a third-party entity to determine rent reasonableness for PHA-owned units.* 3. Reexaminations The agency is authorized to implement a reexamination program that differs from the reexamination program currently mandated in the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. The terms ‘‘low-income families’’ and ‘‘very low-income families’’ shall continue to be defined by reference to section 3(b)(2) of the 1937 Act. MTW agencies must continue to determine the initial eligibility of the family in accordance with provisions of 24 CFR 5.609. 3.a., 3.b. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 3.a. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households (PH)— The agency may establish an alternative reexamination schedule for households. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1) and 3(a)(2)(E) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 960.257(a)–(b). 3.b. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households (HCV)—The agency may establish an alternative reexamination schedule for households. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households (HCV)— Certain provisions of section 8(o)(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 982.516 (a)(1) and 982.516(c)(2). 3.a. and 3.b. i. Reexaminations must occur at least every three years. ii. The agency must allow at least one interim adjustment per year at the request of the household, if the household gross income has decreased 10% or more. iii. Agency must implement an impact analysis.* iv. Agency must include a hardship policy.* 3.c., 3.d. Self-Certification of Assets Activity ....................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 3.c. Self-Certification of Assets (PH)—At reexamination, the agency may allow the self-certification of assets. 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 3.d. Self-Certification of Assets (HCV)—At reexamination, the agency may allow the self-certification of assets. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53464 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices Statutes and Regulations Waived. Self-Certification of Assets (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1) and 3(a)(2)(E) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR. 960.259(c)(2). Self-Certification of Assets (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR. 982.516 (a)(3). Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 3.c. and 3.d. i. At reexamination, the agency may allow the self-certification of assets only up to $50,000. 4. Landlord Leasing Incentives The agency is authorized to determine a damage claim and/or vacancy loss policy and payment policy for units that differ from the policy requirements currently mandated in the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. All policies are subject to state and local laws. The agency may combine activities 4a and 4b into one voucher leasing incentive. For voucher activities related to this waiver, the Department has developed a standard rider to the HAP contract that reflects MTW authorizations that amend the current provisions of the HAP contract. 4.a., 4.b., 4.c. Vacancy Loss, Damage Claims, and Other Landlord Incentives Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 4.a. Vacancy Loss (HCV—Tenant-Based Assistance)—To incentivize a landlord’s continued participation in the HCV program, the agency is authorized to make additional payments to the landlord. Landlord Voucher Leasing Incentives (HCV—Tenant-Based Assistance)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(9) of the 1937 Act, and 24 CFR 982.311 and 982.352(c). 4.a. i. Payments made to the landlord must be equal to no more than one month of the contract rent. ii. The payment must be made to the landlord when the next HAP contract is executed between the owner and the PHA.* iii. The agency must update its Administrative Plan to reflect the vacancy loss policy.* 4.b. Damage Claims (HCV—Tenant-Based Assistance)—To incentive a landlord’s continued participation in the HCV program, the agency may provide landlords with compensation. Landlord Voucher Leasing Incentives (HCV—Tenant-Based Assistance)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(9) of the 1937 Act, and 24 CFR 982.311 and 982.352(c). 4.b. i. If the tenant leaves the unit damaged, the amount of damage claims must not exceed the lesser of the cost of repairs or two months of contract rent. ii. In implementing this activity, the participant’s security deposit must first be used to cover damages and the agency may provide up to two months of contract rent minus the security deposit to cover remaining repairs. iii. The payment must be made to a landlord when the next HAP contract is executed between the owner and PHA.* iv. The agency must update its Administrative Plan to reflect the damage claim policy.* 4.c. Other Landlord Incentives (HCV—Tenant-Based Assistance)—In order to incentivize new landlords to join the HCV program, the agency may provide incentive payments. Agencies may target incentive payments to landlords leasing properties in high opportunity neighborhoods or in areas located where vouchers are difficult to use as defined in an agency’s Administrative Plan. Landlord Voucher Leasing Incentives (HCV—Tenant-Based Assistance)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(9) of the 1937 Act, and 24 CFR 982.311 and 982.352(c). 4.c. i. Payments made to the landlord must be equal to no more than one month of the contract rent. ii. The payment must be made to the landlord when the HAP contract is executed between the owner and the PHA.* 5. Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Subject to state and local laws, the agency is authorized by the Secretary to develop flexibilities around an HQS inspection’s timing and frequency, the independententity requirement, and penalties for failing an HQS inspection, as detailed below. Implementation of any of the below discrete HQS activities meets the requirements of the 1996 MTW Statute, which requires housing to meet HQS established or approved by the Secretary. 5.a. Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 5.a. Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections (HCV)—The agency may allow pre-qualifying unit inspections (also known as a pre-inspection). Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(8) of 1937 Housing Act and 24 CFR 983.103, 24 CFR 982.405. 5.a. i. The pre-inspection must have been conducted within 90 days of the participant occupying the unit. ii. The participant must be able to request an interim inspection.* iii. HQS inspection standards must not be altered as found at 24 CFR 982.401.* 5.b. Reasonable Penalty Payments for Landlords Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 5.b. Reasonable Penalty Payments for Landlords (HCV)—The agency is authorized to establish a reasonable penalty fee for landlords who failed HQS inspections to encourage positive HQS inspection outcomes and to reduce costs associated with re-inspections. Examples may include a fee imposed at the agency’s discretion on a landlord for failed initial, annual, or re-inspections, or for a submission of a Request for Tenancy Approval on a unit that has failed its most recent inspection within a specified timeframe. Reasonable Penalty Payments for Landlords (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(8) of 1937 Housing Act and 24 CFR 983.101, 24 CFR 983.103, and 24 CFR 982.405. 5.b. i. The agency must establish its penalty process in its Administrative Plan.* ii. HQS inspection standards must not be altered as found at 24 CFR 982.401.* iii. All fees collected must be used for eligible MTW activities.* 5.c. Third-Party Requirement Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 5.c. Third-Party Requirement (HCV)—The agency is authorized to perform HQS inspections on PBV units that it owns, manages, and/or controls. Third-Party Requirement (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(11) of the 1937 Act, 24 CFR 982.352(b)(iv) and 24 CFR 983.103(f). 5.c. i. The agency shall establish and make available a quality assurance method to ensure an objective analysis.* ii. The participant must be able to request an interim inspection.* iii. HQS inspection standards must not be altered as found at 24 CFR 982.401.* iv. At the Department’s request, the agency must obtain the services of a third-party entity to determine if PHA-owned units pass HQS.* 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices 53465 5.d. Alternative Inspection Schedule Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 5.d. Alternative Inspection Schedule (HCV)—The agency is authorized to establish a local inspection schedule for all or a portion of its HCV units. Alternative Inspection Schedule (HCV)—Certain provisions of 24 CFR 983.103. 5.d. i. Units must be inspected at least once every three years. ii. The participant must be able to request an interim inspection.* iii. HQS inspection standards as found at 24 CFR 982.401 must not be altered.* iv. The Department must be able to conduct or direct the agency to perform an inspection at any time for health and safety, as well as accessibility, purposes.* 6. Short-Term Assistance The agency may develop and adopt a Short-Term Assistance Program in HCV or PH for specific populations (i.e., hard to house, at-risk, homeless, etc.).35 The agency will ensure that these programs do not adversely affect participation in, benefits of, or otherwise discriminate against persons on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, familial status, or disability or other protected bases. The agency’s programs shall be operated in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity authorities, and will be accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Fair Housing Act, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as applicable, and the Architectural Barriers Act. More specifically, under no circumstances will participants of such programs be required to participate in supportive services that are targeted to persons with disabilities in general, or persons with any specific disability. In addition, admission to any of the programs or priority for supportive services developed under this section will not be conditioned on a diagnosis or specific disability of a member of an applicant or participant family. This section is not intended to govern the designation of housing that is subject to section 7 of the 1937 Act. The agency must determine initial eligibility in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609 and must comply with section 3(b)(2) of the Act. 6.a., 6.b. Short-Term Assistance Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 6.a. Short-Term Assistance (PH)—The agency may create a short-term housing assistance program with supportive services in one or more buildings in its public housing program. Short-Term Assistance (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 6(l)(1) and 6(l)(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 966.4(a)(2)(i). 6.b. Short-Term Assistance (HCV)—The agency may create a short-term housing assistance program with supportive services in its HCV program. Short-Term Assistance (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 8(o)(7)(A)–(C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 982.303, 982.309(a)(1), 983.256(f), and 983.257. 6.a. and 6.b. i. The term of assistance must not be shorter than 3 months. ii. The term of assistance must not be longer than 36 months. iii. The short-term housing assistance program must include supportive services in one or more buildings (which may be in collaboration with local community-based organization and government agencies). iv. Subject to availability, successful participants of the short-term housing assistance program must be given the option of transferring into whichever program (section 8 or 9) the short-term housing assistance program falls under. v. Under no circumstances will participants be required to participate in supportive services that are targeted to persons with disabilities in general, or persons with any specific disability.* vi. The agency must not require participation in supportive services as a condition for housing subsidy for elderly and disabled families.* vii. If the agency requires participation in supportive services as a condition for housing subsidy, an impact analysis must be developed and adopted in accordance with MTW guidance prior to the implementation of the activity.* viii. If the agency requires participation in supportive services as a condition for housing subsidy, a hardship policy must be developed and adopted in accordance with MTW guidance prior to the implementation of the activity.* ix. The activity cannot be extended to an entire public housing or HCV program and must only serve specific populations.* 7. Term-Limited Assistance The agency is authorized to implement term limits for families residing in public housing or receiving voucher assistance. 7.a., 7.b. Term-Limited Assistance Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 7.a. Term-Limited Assistance (PH)—The agency may limit the duration for which a family receives housing assistance. Term-Limited Assistance (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 6(l)(1) and 6(l)(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR and 966.4(a)(2). 7.b. Term-Limited Assistance (HCV)—The agency may limit the duration for which a family receives housing assistance. Term-Limited Assistance (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 8(o)(7)(A)–(C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 982.303, 982.309(a), 982.552(a), 983.256(f), and 983.257. 7.a. and 7.b. i. The term of assistance may not be shorter than 4 years.* ii. Services, or referrals to services, must be provided by the agency or a partner organization to support preparing families for the termination of assistance. iii. Agency must conduct an annual impact analysis.* iv. Agency must exclude elderly and disabled families from term limit.* v. Agency must implement a hardship policy.* 8. Increase Elderly Age The agency is authorized to amend the definition of an elderly person to be an individual who is at most 65 years of age. The agency remains subject to HUD’s regulations implementing the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 at 24 CFR part 146 in its entirety. 8. Increase Elderly Age Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 8. Increase Elderly Age (PH & HCV)—The agency may change HUD’s definition of an elderly person to be at most 65 years of age. Increase Elderly Age (PH & HCV)—Certain provisions of section 3(b)(3)(D) of the 1937 Act to read ‘‘[63, 64, or 65] years of age’’ in relevant part, 24 CFR 5.100 to read ‘‘[63, 64, or 65] years of age’’ in relevant part of the definition of Elderly Person, and 24 CFR 5.403 to read ‘‘[63, 64, or 65] years of age’’ in relevant part of the definition of Elderly family. 8. i. The definition of an elderly person must not set a threshold (minimum) age above 65 years old.* 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53466 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices ii. The agency must still exclude persons 62 and older from activities for which the activity description or safe harbor exempts those exempted from the Community Service Requirement under section 12(c)(2)(A), (B), (D) and (E) of the 1937 Act (e.g. work requirements or mandatory FSS).* iii. The agency must conduct an initial activity analysis consistent with 24 CFR part 146 and make the activity analysis available during the applicable public review period prior to the implementation of the MTW activity. The activity analysis must be updated at least annually during implementation of the activity and at the time the activity is closed out.* iv. The agency must retain records available for HUD inspection that cover the waiver, tenant consultation and public comment, results of the activity analysis, and specific policies and procedures to implement the waiver.* v. The implementation of this activity must apply only to new admissions after the effective date of the MTW Supplement in which the activity is authorized.* 9. Project-Based Voucher Program Flexibilities The agency is authorized to adopt and implement the activities listed below in the project-based voucher program. For voucher activities, the Department has developed a standard rider to the HAP contract that reflects any MTW authorizations that amend the current requirements of the HAP contract. 9.a. Increase PBV Program Cap Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 9.a. Increase PBV Program Cap (HCV)—The agency may increase the number of authorized units that it project-bases. Increase PBV Program Cap (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(13)(B) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 983.6(a)–(b), as superseded by the Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) Implementation Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461 (see implementation guidance in Notice PIH 2017–21). 9.a. i. The agency must not project-base more than 50% of the lower of either the total authorized units or annual budget authority. 9.b. Increase PBV Project Cap Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 9.b. Increase PBV Project Cap (HCV)—The agency may raise the PBV cap within a project up to 100%. Increase PBV Project Cap (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(13)(D) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 983.56(a)–(b), as superseded by HOTMA Implementation Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461 (see implementation guidance in Notice PIH 2017–21). 9.b. i. The agency is subject to Notice PIH 2013–27 where applicable, or successor.* 9.c. Elimination of PBV Selection Process for PHA-Owned Projects Without Improvement, Development, or Replacement Activity ....................................... Statutes and/or Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 9.c. Elimination of PBV Selection Process (HCV)—The agency may eliminate the selection process in the award of PBVs to properties owned by the agency that are not public housing without engaging in an initiative to improve, develop, or replace a public housing property or site Elimination of PBV Selection Process (HCV)—Certain provisions of 24 CFR. 983.51 as it was superseded by HOTMA Implementation Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461 (see implementation guidance in Notice PIH 2017–21). 9.c. i. A subsidy layering review must be conducted.* ii. The agency must complete site selection requirements.* iii. HQS inspections must be performed by an independent entity according to 24 CFR 983.59(b) or 24 CFR 983.103(f).* iv. The agency is subject to Notice PIH 2013–27 where applicable, or successor.* v. Property must be owned by a single-asset entity of the agency, see Notice PIH 2017–21.* 9.d. Alternative PBV Selection Process Activity ....................................... Statutes and/or Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 9.d. Alternative PBV Selection Process (HCV)—The agency may establish an alternative competitive process in the award of PBVs that are owned by non-profit, for-profit housing entities, or by the agency that are not public housing. Alternative PBV Selection Process (HCV)—Certain provisions of 24 CFR 983.51 as superseded by HOTMA Implementation Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461 (see implementation guidance in Notice PIH 2017–21). 9.d. i. If the selected project is PHA-owned, HQS inspections must be performed by an independent entity according to 24 CFR 983.59(b) or 24 CFR 983.103(f).* ii. The agency is subject to Notice PIH 2013–27 where applicable, or successor.* 9.e. Alternative PBV Unit Types (Shared Housing and Manufactured Housing) Activity ....................................... Statutes and/or Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 9.e. Alternative PBV Unit Types (Shared Housing and Manufactured Housing) (HCV)—The agency may attach and pay PBV assistance for shared housing units and/or manufactured housing. Alternative PBV Unit Types (Shared Housing and Manufactured Housing) (HCV)—Certain provisions of 24 CFR 983.53(a)(1) as it was superseded by HOTMA Implementation Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461 (see implementation guidance in Notice PIH 2017–21). 9.e. i. PBV units must comply with HQS.* ii. PBV units must comply deconcentration and desegregation requirements under 24 CFR part 903.* iii. A subsidy layering review must be conducted.* iv. Shared housing units may not be owner occupied.* 9.f. Increase PBV HAP Contract Length (HCV) Activity ....................................... Statutes and/or Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 9.f. Increase PBV HAP Contract Length (HCV)—The agency may increase the term length of a PBV HAP Contract. Increase PBV HAP Contract Length (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(13)(F) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 983.205 as it was superseded by HOTMA Implementation Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461 (see implementation guidance in Notice PIH 2017–21). 9.f. i. PBV HAP Contract length must not be shortened. ii. PBV HAP Contract length must not be greater than 50 years, including any extensions. iii. PBV HAP Contract is subject to appropriations and the ending of an agency’s MTW authorization.* 9.g. Increase PBV Rent to Owner Activity ....................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 9.g. Increase Rent to Owner (HCV): The agency is authorized to develop a local process to determine the initial and re-determined rent to owner. 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 53467 Increase Rent to Owner (HCV)—See MTW Waiver #2.a. and 2.b. ‘‘Payment Standards’’ and associated activities, statutes and regulations waived, and safe harbors. 9.g. i. Any policy must comply with rent reasonableness, unless modified by waiver(s) 2.c. and/or 2.d.* 9.h. Limit Portability for PBV Units Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 9.h. Limit Portability for PBV Units (HCV)—The agency is authorized to waive the requirement to provide a tenant-based voucher at 12 months when requested by a PBV household. Limit Portability for PBV Units (HCV)—Certain provisions of section 8(o)(13)(E) of 1937 Act and 24 CFR 983.261 as it was superseded by HOTMA Implementation Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461 (see implementation guidance in Notice PIH 2017–21). 9.h. i. Portability under this activity must not be restricted for more than 24 months. ii. The agency must have a clear and uniform policy in place to address how move requests are received and how they are approved/denied for PBV households.* iii. Participants must still retain the ability to request a tenant-based voucher for reasonable accommodation according to existing rules.* 10. Family Self-Sufficiency Program With MTW Flexibility The agency is authorized to operate its Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, and any successor programs, exempt from certain HUD program requirements. If the agency receives dedicated funding for an FSS coordinator, such funds must be used to employ a self-sufficiency coordinator and in accordance with any requirements of any NOFA under which funds were received. Recruitment, eligibility, and selection policies and procedures must be consistent with the Department’s nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements. An agency may make its Self-Sufficiency Program participation mandatory for any household member that is non-elderly/non-disabled by waiving the statutory and regulatory definition of FSS family or participating family which is ‘‘a family that resides in public housing or receives assistance under the rental certificate or rental voucher programs, and that elects to participate in the FSS program’’ (24 CFR 984.103(b)). To the extent that Family Self-Sufficiency activities include supportive services, such services must be offered to elderly and disabled persons who are participants in the covered program and eligible for such services. Notwithstanding the above, any funds granted pursuant to a competition must be used in accordance with the NOFA. 10.a.–10.e. FSS Program With MTW Flexibility Activities Activity ....................................... Activity ....................................... Activity ....................................... Activity ....................................... Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 10.a. Waive Operating a Required FSS Program (PH & HCV)—If the agency is statutorily required to operate an FSS program, the agency is authorized to waive this requirement. 10.b. Alternative Structure for Establishing Program Coordinating Committee (PH & HCV)—The agency is authorized to create an alternative structure for securing local resources to support an MTW Self-Sufficiency Program. 10.c. Alternative Family Selection Procedures (PH & HCV)—The agency is authorized to develop its own recruitment and selection procedures for its MTW FSS Program. Alternatively, the agency may make participation in the MTW FSS Program mandatory for any household member that is non-elderly or non-disabled. 10.d. Modify or Eliminate the Contract of Participation (PH & HCV)—The agency is authorized to modify the terms of or eliminate the FSS Contract of Participation (HUD–52650), in lieu of a local form. The agency may modify the terms of the Contract of Participation to align with adjustments made to its MTW FSS Program using MTW flexibility. Further, the agency may discontinue use of the Contract of Participation and instead employ a locally-developed agreement that codifies the terms of participation. 10.e. Policies for Addressing Increases in Family Income (PH & HCV)—The agency is authorized to set its own policies for addressing increases in family income during participation in the MTW FSS Program. Consistent with the goals and structure of its MTW FSS Program, the agency may set policies for whether income increases are recognized for purposes of increasing rent (consistent with the agency’s existing rent policy) or changing the amount of funds moved to escrow/savings through the program. FSS Program with MTW Flexibility (PH & HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 23(b)–(d), (f), and (n)(1) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 984.105, 984.202(b)–(c), 984.203(a)–(c)(2), 984.303(b)–(d), (f)–(h). 10.a.–10.e. i. Agency must review FSS Guidance.* 36 ii. The agency must execute a Contract of Participation, or other locally developed agreement, that is at least five years but not more than ten years, with each participant participating in their FSS program. iii. The agency, if implementing an FSS program, even with MTW modifications, must have an up to date, approved FSS Action Plan in accordance with 24 CFR 984.201 that incorporates all modifications to the FSS program approved under the MTW Contract.* iv. The agency must not require MTW FSS Program participation as a condition for housing subsidy for elderly and disabled families.* v. If the agency requires MTW FSS Program participation as a condition for housing subsidy, an impact analysis must be developed and adopted in accordance with MTW guidance prior to the implementation of the activity.* vi. If the agency requires MTW FSS Program participation as a condition for housing subsidy, a hardship policy must be developed and adopted in accordance with MTW guidance prior to the implementation of the activity.* vii. The agency must not make MTW FSS Program participation mandatory for individuals that do not meet the definition of an eligible family at section 23(n)(3) of the 1937 Act, and those exempted from the Community Service Requirement under section 12(c)(2)(A), (B), (D) and (E) of the 1937 Act.* viii. If an agency terminates the housing subsidy or tenancy of a family for alleged violation of mandatory MTW FSS Program participation, the family will be entitled to a hearing under the agency’s Grievance Procedure (24 CFR part 966, subpart B) or the HCV informal hearing process (24 CFR part 982.555).* ix. The agency must not use income increases during participation in the MTW FSS Program to change a family’s eligibility status for purposes of participation in the MTW FSS Program or for the receipt public housing or HCV assistance.* 11. MTW Self-Sufficiency Program The agency is authorized to operate any of its existing self-sufficiency and training programs, and any successor programs, exempt from certain HUD program requirements. The agency will ensure that these programs do not have a disparate impact on protected classes and will be operated in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity authorities, including but not limited to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. More specifically, under no circumstances will participants of such programs be required to participate in Self-Sufficiency Programs that are targeted to persons with disabilities in general, or persons with any specific disability. In addition, admission to any of the programs or priority for supportive services developed under this section will not be conditioned on a diagnosis or specific disability of a member of an applicant or participant family. This section is not intended to govern the designation of housing that is subject to section 7 of the 1937 Act. The agency must determine initial eligibility in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609 and must comply with section 3(b)(2) of the Act. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53468 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices 11.a.–11.b. MTW Self-Sufficiency Program Activities Activity ....................................... Activity ....................................... 11.a. Alternative Family Selection Procedures (PH & HCV)—The agency is authorized to develop its own recruitment and selection procedures for its MTW Self-Sufficiency Program(s). Alternatively, the agency may make participation in the MTW Self-Sufficiency Program mandatory for any household member that is non-elderly or non-disabled. Any supportive services provided in the Program must be offered to elderly and disabled household members that qualify for such services. 11.b. Policies for Addressing Increases in Family Income (PH & HCV)—The agency is authorized to set its own policies for addressing increases in family income during participation in the MTW Self-Sufficiency Program. Consistent with the goals and structure of its MTW Self-Sufficiency Program, the agency may set policies for whether income increases are recognized for purposes of increasing rent (consistent with the agency’s existing rent policy) or changing the amount of funds moved to escrow/savings through the program. Statutes and Regulations Waived. MTW Self-Sufficiency Program (PH)—Certain provisions of section 3(a)(1), 6(l)(1), and 6(l)(5) of the 1937 Act 24 CFR 5.609, 5.611, 5.628, 960.255, 960.253, 960.257, and 966.4(a)(2).. MTW Self-Sufficiency Program (HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 8(o)(2)(A)–(C) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 5.609, 5.611, 5.628, 982.516, and 982.551. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 11.a.–11.b. i. The agency must not require MTW Self-Sufficiency Program participation as a condition for housing subsidy for elderly and disabled families.* ii. If the agency requires MTW Self-Sufficiency Program participation as a condition for housing subsidy, an impact analysis must be developed and adopted in accordance with MTW guidance prior to the implementation of the activity.* iii. If the agency requires MTW Self-Sufficiency Program participation as a condition for housing subsidy, a hardship policy must be developed and adopted in accordance with MTW guidance prior to the implementation of the activity.* iv. The agency must not make MTW Self-Sufficiency Program participation mandatory for individuals that do not meet the definition of an eligible family at section 23(n)(3) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (1937 Act) and those exempted from the Community Service Requirement under section 12(c)(2)(A), (B), (D) and (E) of the 1937 Act.* v. If an agency terminates the housing subsidy or tenancy of a family for alleged violation of mandatory MTW Self-Sufficiency Program participation, the family will be entitled to a hearing under the agency’s Grievance Procedure (24 CFR part 966, subpart B) or the HCV informal hearing process (24 CFR part 982.555).* vi. The agency must not use income increases during participation in the MTW Self-Sufficiency Program to change a family’s eligibility status for purposes of participation in the MTW Self-Sufficiency Program or for the receipt public housing or HCV assistance. 12. Work Requirement The agency is authorized to implement a requirement that a specified segment of its PH and/or HCV residents work or engage in an acceptable substitute for work as a condition of tenancy, subject to all applicable fair housing and civil rights requirements and the mandatory admission and prohibition requirements imposed by sections 576–578 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 and Section 428 of Public Law 105–276. Work requirements shall not apply to persons with disabilities or the elderly. However, persons with disabilities or the elderly, and families that include persons with disabilities or the elderly, must have equal access to the full range of program services and other incentives. The agency must update its Administrative Plan and/or Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP) to include a description of the circumstances in which families shall be exempt from the requirement. The Administrative Plan and/or ACOP should include a description of what is considered work as well as acceptable substitutes for work. The PHA Executive Director or Board may suspend the sanctions policy due to negative local economic conditions. 12.a., 12.b. Work Requirement Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor ............................... 12.a. Work Requirement (PH)—The agency may implement a work requirement for public housing residents who are at least 18 years old. Additionally, residents must be non-elderly and non-disabled. Work Requirement (PH)—Certain provisions of sections 6(l)(1) and 6(l)(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR. 966.4(a)(2). 12.b. Work Requirement (HCV)—The agency may implement a work requirement for HCV residents who are at least 18 years old. Additionally, residents must be non-elderly and non-disabled. Work Requirement (HCV)—Certain provisions of 24 CFR982.551. 12.a. and 12.b. i. If the work requirement policy applies to all eligible individuals—the maximum requirement would be 15 hours of work per week per individual. ii. If the work requirement policy applies to all eligible households, the maximum requirement would be 30 hours of work per week per household. iii. Prior to implementation, all residents shall be given notice six months in advance of the sanction policy for non-compliance. vi. The work requirement may apply to non-elderly, non-disabled households or non-elderly, non-disabled adult household members.* vii. Those individuals exempt from the Community Service Requirement in accordance with Section 12(c)(2)(A), (B), (D) and (E) of the 1937 Act must be exempt from the agency’s work requirement in both the public housing and HCV programs.* viii. Individuals who are the primary caretaker for a child under 6 years of age or who are pregnant must also be exempt from the agency’s work requirement. ix. Supportive services shall be provided, either through the agency or a partner organization, to assist families in obtaining employment or an acceptable substitute, as defined by the MTW agency’s policy. x. Work requirements shall not be applied to exclude, or have the effect of excluding, the admission into housing or participation in supportive services by persons with disabilities or elderly individuals, or families that include persons with disabilities or elderly individuals.* iv. Agency must conduct an annual impact analysis.* xi. Agency must implement a hardship policy, including a policy to address tenants seeking a determination of disability status.* xii. The hardship policy in the ACOP and/or Administrative Plan must apply to families who are actively trying to comply with the agency’s work requirement, but are having difficulties obtaining work or an acceptable substitute.* xiii. The ACOP and/or Administrative Plan must also describe the consequences of failure to comply with the work requirement.* 13. Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress (PH) The agency is authorized to extend the period for which a household can be over-income while remaining in public housing, with its subsidy, as an incentive for the economic progress and the eventual self-sufficiency of the household. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices 53469 13. Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 13. Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress (PH)—The agency is authorized to extend the period for which a household can be over-income while remaining in a subsidized public housing unit with their subsidy as an incentive for the economic progress and the eventual self-sufficiency of the household. Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress (PH)—Section 16(a)(5) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 960.261. 13. i. The over-income limit is set at 120% of AMI. ii. The agency must set the grace period for a household to remain in a unit while over-income at no less than 2 and no more than 3 years. iii. The agency must inform of the household of its over-income status no less than one year prior to the end of the grace period.* iv. The agency must terminate the household’s tenancy within one year of the end of the grace period or charge the household a monthly rent equal to the greater of: (1) the applicable Fair Market Rent (FMR); or (2) the amount of monthly subsidy for the unit, including amounts from the operating and capital fund, as determined by regulations.* 14. Moving On Policy Moving On enables individuals and families who are able and want to move on from permanent supportive housing (PSH) by providing mainstream housing options (i.e., PH, HCV, LNT) and resources necessary to maintain housing stability. Moving On Activities Activity ....................................... Activity ....................................... Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 14.a. Waive Initial HQS Inspection Requirement (HCV)—For participants who will continue leasing the same unit, the agency is authorized to accept the most recent HQS inspection from the partner agency in place of an initial HQS inspection. 14.b. Allow Income Calculations from Partner Agencies (PH & HCV)—The agency is authorized to accept income calculations from the partner agencies. The agency is still required to complete all required fields in Form HUD–50058 MTW Expansion, or successor form. 14.c. Aligning Tenant Rents and Utility Payments between Partner Agencies (PH & HCV) The agency is authorized to set tenant rents and/or make adjustments to the total tenant payment to ensure that clients referred from the partner agency are not subject to an increase in rental payments or increase in utility payments due to transferring from a permanent supportive housing program to a public housing or HCV program. Moving On Activities (PH & HCV)—Certain provisions of sections 3(a)(1)–(3), 8(o)(2)(A), 8(o)(8)(A) of the Act, the definition of ‘‘responsible entity’’ in 24 CFR 5.100, 24 CFR 5.603, 24 CFR 5.628, 24 CFR 5.630, 24 CFR 5.634, 24 CFR 960.253, 24 CFR 982.405(a). 14.a.–14.c. i. Initial income eligibility must be determined in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609 of the 1937 Act.* ii. Agencies must continue to allow participants to request an interim HQS inspection. iii. Any income calculations that are accepted from partner agencies must have been calculated within the past year. iv. Screenings for lifetime sex offender status and convictions of drug-related criminal activity for manufacture or production of methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing must continue and are not waivable.* 15. Acquisition Without Prior HUD Approval (PH) The agency is authorized to acquire public housing sites without prior HUD approval. 15. Acquisition Without Prior HUD Approval Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 15. Acquisition without Prior HUD Approval (PH)—The agency is authorized to acquire public housing sites without prior HUD approval. This activity allows MTW agencies flexibility around the timing of HUD’s approval, but not the content of the approval. When acquiring the sites, the agency must have all submission materials in place as if HUD were approving the acquisition proposal prior to acquisition. The agency must provide the materials to the Field Office for approval within 30 days of acquisition. If the Department is unable to approve the acquisition based on the materials submitted, then the agency must repay the cost of acquisition with non-federal funds. Acquisition without Prior HUD Approval (PH)—Certain provisions of 24 CFR 905.608(a). 15. i. The agency must comply with and have documentation that the project is in compliance with local zoning as described in 24 CFR 905.608(e).* ii. The agency must commission an independent appraisal of the site as described in 24 CFR 905.608(f).* iii. Prior to acquisition, the agency must conduct an environmental assessment as described in 24 CFR 905.608(h).* iv. The agency must provide all required documents to HUD within 30 days of the acquisition.* 16. Deconcentration of Poverty in Public Housing Policy (PH) The agency is authorized to create an alternative policy in how it addresses deconcentration of poverty. 16. Deconcentration of Poverty in Public Housing Policy (PH) Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 16. Deconcentration of Poverty in Public Housing Policy (PH)—The agency is authorized to create an alternative policy in how it addresses deconcentration of poverty. Deconcentration of Poverty in Public Housing Policy (PH)—Certain provisions of 24 CFR 903.2. 16. i. All Fair Housing requirements continue to apply.* ii. The agency must provide all justifications as to the local Deconcentration of Poverty in Public Housing Policy to HUD upon request.* VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53470 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices 17. Local, Non-Traditional Activities MTW Funding can be utilized per statute and regulation on the eligible activities listed at sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1), and 8(o) of the 1937 Act. Any authorized use of these funds outside of the allowable uses listed in the 1937 Act constitutes a local, non-traditional activity. The agency is authorized to implement the local, nontraditional activities listed below to provide a rental subsidy to a third-party entity to provide housing and supportive services to eligible low-income participants, and to contribute MTW Funding to the development of affordable housing. Families served through the activities described below must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Implemented activities must meet one of the three MTW statutory objectives of increasing the efficiency of federal expenditures, incentivizing selfsufficiency of participating families, and increasing housing choice for low-income families. The use of MTW Funding must be consistent with the requirements of 2 CFR 200 and other basic requirements for the use of federal assistance. The agency must determine the eligibility of families in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609 and with section 3(b)(2) of the Act. Local, non-traditional activities must fall within one of the three categories below and comply with PIH Notice 2011–45 or any successor notice/and or guidance. 17.a. Rental Subsidy Programs Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 17.a. Rental Subsidy Programs—Programs that use MTW Funding to provide a rental subsidy to a third-party entity (other than a landlord or tenant) who manages intake and administration of the subsidy program to implement activities, which may include: Supportive housing programs and services to help homeless individuals and families reach independence; supportive living; shallow subsidies; homeless/transitional housing programs; or programs that address special needs populations. Local, Non-Traditional Activities—MTW Funding can be utilized per statute and regulation on the eligible activities listed at sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1), and 8(o) of the 1937 Act. Any authorized use of these funds outside of the allowable uses listed in the 1937 Act constitutes a local, non-traditional activity. 17.a. i. The agency must not spend more than 10% of its HAP budget on local, non-traditional activities. ii. Families receiving housing or services through local, non-traditional activities must meet the HUD definition of low-income.* iii. The agency is subject to Notice PIH 2011–45 or any successor notice and/or guidance.* iv. Any MTW Funding awarded to a third-party provider must be competitively bid.* 17.b. Service Provision Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 17.b. Service Provision—The provision of HUD-approved self-sufficiency or supportive services using MTW Funding that are not otherwise permitted under the public housing and HCV programs, or that are provided to eligible low-income individuals who do not receive either public housing or HCV assistance from the PHA. Eligible activities may include: services for participants of other PHA-owned or managed affordable housing that is not public housing or HCV assistance; services for low-income non-participants; services and/or incentives to attract applicants to developments, or portions thereof, which can be difficult to market; or supportive services. Local, Non-Traditional Activities—MTW Funding can be utilized per statute and regulation on the eligible activities listed at sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1), and 8(o) of the 1937 Act. Any authorized use of these funds outside of the allowable uses listed in the 1937 Act constitutes a local, non-traditional activity. 17.b. i. The incentive must not be in the form of a deduction to the household’s rent contribution.* ii. The amount of the incentive must not equal more than one month of the applicable unit’s rent.* iii. The agency must not spend more than 10% of its HAP budget on local, non-traditional activities. iv. Families receiving housing or services through local, non-traditional activities must meet the HUD definition of low-income.* v. The agency is subject to Notice PIH 2011–45 or any successor notice and/or guidance.* vi. Any MTW Funding awarded to a third-party provider must be competitively bid.* 17.c. Housing Development Programs Activity ....................................... Statutes and Regulations Waived. Safe Harbor(s) ........................... 17.c. Housing Development Programs—Programs that use MTW Funding to acquire, renovate and/or build affordable units for lowincome families that are not public housing units. Eligible activities may include: Gap financing for non-PHA development of affordable housing, development of project-based voucher units or tax credit partnerships. Local, Non-Traditional Activities—MTW Funding can be utilized per statute and regulation for the eligible activities listed at sections 8(o), 9(d)(1), and 9(e)(1) of the 1937 Act. Any authorized use of these funds outside of the allowable uses listed in the 1937 Act constitutes a local, non-traditional activity. 17.c. i. The agency must not spend more than 10% of its HAP budget on local, non-traditional activities. ii. Families receiving housing or services through local, non-traditional activities must meet the HUD definition of low-income.* iii. The agency is subject to Notice PIH 2011–45 or any successor notice and/or guidance.* iv. Agency must comply with section 30 of the 1937 Housing Act.* v. Any MTW Funding awarded to a third-party provider must be competitively bid.* 1 In the HCV tenant-based program, the housing assistance payment (HAP) is the lower of: (1) The payment standard minus the family’s TTP, or (2) the gross rent minus the TTP. The TTP is the minimum amount the family will pay das the family share. If the gross rent exceeds the payment standard, the family will pay TTP and the difference between the gross rent and the payment standard as the family share. In the HCV projectbased program, the family always pays TTP minus any utility allowance (UA) as the tenant rent. Appendix II Specific requirements on safe harbors related to impact analyses and hardship policies are provided in this Appendix. Impact Analysis The MTW agency must complete a written analysis of the various impacts of the MTW activity. The MTW agency must prepare this analysis: (1) Prior to implementation of the MTW activity, if required as a safe harbor; (2) for certain activities (Work Requirements, Term-Limited Assistance, and Stepped Rent) VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 on an annual basis during the implementation of the MTW activity; (3) prior to any Safe Harbor Waiver or AgencySpecific Waiver requests; and (4) at the time the MTW activity is closed out, if an impact analysis was previously required. This analysis must consider the following factors, as applicable: 1. Impact on the agency’s finances (e.g., how much will the activity cost, any change in the agency’s per family contribution); 2. Impact on affordability of housing costs for affected families (e.g., any change in how PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 much affected families will pay towards their housing costs); 3. Impact on the agency’s waitlist(s) (e.g., any change in the amount of time families are on the waitlist); 4. Impact on the agency’s termination rate of families (e.g., any change in the rate at which families non-voluntarily lose assistance from the agency); 5. Impact on the agency’s current occupancy level in public housing and utilization rate in the HCV program; E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices 6. Impact on meeting the MTW statutory goals of cost effectiveness, self-sufficiency, and/or housing choice; 7. Impact on the agency’s ability to meet the MTW statutory requirements; 8. Impact on the rate of hardship requests and the number granted and denied as a result of this activity; and 9. Across the other factors above, the impact on protected classes (and any associated disparate impact). The MTW agency must have the initial impact analysis, which analyzes potential impacts of the MTW activity, attached to the MTW Supplement during the applicable public review period prior to implementation of the MTW activity. For certain activities (Work Requirements, Term-Limited Assistance, and Stepped Rent), an updated impact analysis must be provided in each subsequent year. While MTW activities are listed by waiver and specific activity name in Appendix I, MTW agencies may combine activities together at the PHA level in order to create more comprehensive initiatives. For such comprehensive initiatives an MTW agency may submit a single impact analysis. Should a larger initiative undergo a substantial change, such as adding an activity, the MTW agency must reevaluate its impact with a new impact analysis. This information must be retained by the agency for the duration of the agency’s participation in the MTW demonstration program and available for public review and inspection at the agency’s principal office during normal business hours. Hardship Policy The MTW agency must adopt a written policy for determining when a requirement or provision of an MTW activity constitutes a financial or other hardship for the family. The agency must include this policy as an attachment to its MTW Supplement to the Annual PHA Plan. The agency may use a single hardship policy, as applicable, for multiple MTW waivers or develop different hardship policies for different MTW waivers as it finds appropriate. The agency must review its hardship policy(s) with residents during its intake and recertification processes. The agency must consider if a resident qualifies for a hardship exemption at the time of a potential termination of assistance that is due to an MTW activity. When a resident requests a hardship exemption from a required MTW activity, the agency must suspend the activity for the household, beginning the next month after the request, until the MTW agency has determined if the request is warranted. The agency shall make the determination of whether a financial or other hardship exists within a reasonable time after the family’s request. If the agency determines that a financial or other hardship exists, the MTW agency must continue to provide an exemption from the MTW activity at a reasonable level and duration, according to the agency’s written policy. If an agency determines that the request did not meet its hardship standards, they must resume the MTW activity and collect any retroactive rent, if applicable, through a reasonable repayment agreement. The agency’s written policy(s) for determining what constitutes financial hardship must include the following situations: • The family has experienced a decrease in income because of changed circumstances, including loss or reduction of employment, death in the family, or reduction in or loss of earnings or other assistance; • The family has experienced an increase in expenses, because of changed circumstances, for medical costs, childcare, transportation, education, or similar items; and • Such other situations and factors determined by the agency to be appropriate. The agency’s written policies shall include a grievance procedure that a family may request for second level review of denied hardship requests. 53471 The agency shall keep records of all hardship requests received and the results of these requests and supply them at HUD’s request. This information must be retained by the agency for the duration of the agency’s participation in the MTW demonstration program and available for public review and inspection at the agency’s principal office during normal business hours. Appendix III The statutory requirement that MTW agencies continue to ‘‘serve substantially the same number of families’’ throughout participation in the MTW demonstration program (STS Requirement) will be monitored for MTW agencies in the MTW Expansion through the following methodology, which adheres to the main themes and principles described in the MTW Operations Notice. Since the funding calculation for public housing (including Operating and Capital Funds) is significantly different than the funding calculation in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the methodology for calculating the STS Requirement for the public housing and HCV programs will differ. Public Housing As described in Section 7.c.i of the MTW Operations Notice, HUD will monitor public housing occupancy rates for MTW agencies. The public housing occupancy rate will be determined by dividing the total number of ‘‘occupied’’ units by the total number of ‘‘standing’’ units: TOTAL OCCUPIED UNITS ÷ TOTAL STANDING = MTW AGENCY OCCUPANCY RATE The table below shows what public housing unit categories 37 are currently included in the numerator and what public housing unit categories are currently included in the denominator: 38 Public housing unit category/sub-category Total occupied units (numerator) Total standing units (denominator) Occupied—Assisted Tenant .................................................................................................................................... Occupied—Employee .............................................................................................................................................. Occupied—Non-Assisted Tenant Over Income ...................................................................................................... Occupied—Police Officer ......................................................................................................................................... Occupied—Unauthorized ......................................................................................................................................... Vacant—Undergoing Modernization ........................................................................................................................ Vacant—Court Litigation .......................................................................................................................................... Vacant—Natural Disaster ........................................................................................................................................ Vacant—Casualty Loss ........................................................................................................................................... Vacant—Market Conditions ..................................................................................................................................... Non-Dwelling—Anti-Drug Crime .............................................................................................................................. Non-Dwelling—Self-Sufficiency Activities ................................................................................................................ Non-Dwelling—Other Resident Activities ................................................................................................................ Non-Dwelling—Moving to Work ............................................................................................................................... Non-Dwelling—Administrative ................................................................................................................................. Non-Dwelling—Resident Amenities ......................................................................................................................... Non-Dwelling—Authorized ....................................................................................................................................... Demo-Dispo (Approved and Vacant) ...................................................................................................................... X X X X ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ X X X X ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X ........................ 37 Public housing unit categories and unit reporting in IMS/PIC is provided in PIH Notice 2011–07, or successor notice. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 38 Current monitoring of public housing occupancy rates for all agencies is conducted according to the current HUD Agency Priority Goal (APG) reporting categories. Should this change, PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 MTW agencies would be subject to the same monitoring of public housing occupancy rates as all non-MTW agencies. E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2 53472 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / Notices Public housing unit category/sub-category Total occupied units (numerator) Total standing units (denominator) Vacant—Vacant ....................................................................................................................................................... ........................ X Annual Public Housing STS Compliance To be compliant with the public housing portion of the STS Requirement, the MTW agency’s public housing occupancy rate must be at or above 96%, unless otherwise approved by HUD. HUD may consider the MTW agency’s efforts to reposition its public housing as an allowable reason to temporarily dip below 96% occupancy. Any allowable dips must be time-limited and described in the MTW Supplement to the Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan. Each year, HUD will advise the MTW agency of its compliance under the STS Requirement in the public housing program for the prior calendar year. This information will also be made available on HUD’s website. In instances where the MTW agency’s public housing occupancy rate falls below 96%, HUD may require, at its discretion, that the MTW agency enter into an Occupancy Action Plan to address the occupancy issues. The Occupancy Action Plan will include at a minimum: The cause of the occupancy issue, the intended solution, and reasonable timeframes to address the cause of the occupancy issue. The exception to the above is for MTW agencies that are below 96% public housing occupancy when they receive MTW designation. MTW agencies that are below 96% occupied when they are designated have two years, or more as determined by HUD, to come into compliance before they are required to enter into and adhere to an Occupancy Action Plan as described above. Failure to adhere to the Occupancy Action Plan may result in enforcement processes detailed in the MTW amendment to the MTW agency’s Annual Contributions Contract (ACC Amendment). Housing Choice Voucher Program To be compliant with the STS Requirement in the HCV program, the MTW agency will be required to house at least 90% of the families it would be able to house based on the HCV Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) dollars it receives each year. Establishing the Annual HCV STS Target In the first full calendar year that the agency is an MTW agency, the Annual HCV Capacity of the MTW agency will be calculated based on the total Budget Authority of HCV HAP funds (including Special Purpose Vouchers) in that year and the per unit cost (PUC) from the calendar year prior to the agency’s entry into the MTW Demonstration Program, adjusted for inflation. First Full Calendar Year in MTW—Step 1 HCV PUC FROM CALENDAR YEAR PRIOR TO MTW × ANNUAL INFLATION FACTOR(S) = ‘‘ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Aug 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 First Full Calendar Year in MTW—Step 2 TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY OF HCV HAP FUNDS ÷ ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC = ‘‘ANNUAL HCV CAPACITY’’ For all subsequent MTW years, the PUC established from the calendar year prior to MTW designation will continue to be inflated annually to determine each MTW year’s Annual Adjusted PUC. The Annual HCV Capacity of the MTW agency will be calculated based on the total Budget Authority of HCV HAP funds in that year and the Annual Adjusted PUC from the prior calendar year, adjusted for inflation. Subsequent Calendar Year in MTW—Step 1 ‘‘ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC’’ (from prior year) × ANNUAL INFLATION FACTOR = ‘‘ANNUAL ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC’’ (new for current year) Subsequent Calendar Year in MTW—Step 2 TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY OF HCV HAP FUNDS IN CALENDAR YEAR ÷ ANNUAL ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC’’ (new for current year) = ‘‘ANNUAL HCV CAPACITY’’ (new for current year) Because MTW agencies must serve at least 90% of the current year Annual HCV Capacity to be compliant with the HCV portion of the STS Requirement, the Annual HCV STS Target will then be established. ‘‘ANNUAL HCV CAPACITY’’ × 90% = ‘‘ANNUAL HCV STS TARGET’’ Establishing the Number of Families Housed in the HCV Program To determine the number of families that count towards the STS Requirement in the HCV program each year, HUD will consider families housed through both the HCV program and any local, non-traditional program. The calculation for determining total families housed in the HCV program is the total unit months leased divided by twelve. The calculation for determining total families housed in the local, non-traditional housing program includes two types of housing as provided in the waivers appendix of the MTW Operations Notice. These are also discussed in detail in PIH Notice 2011– 45 (or its successor) titled ‘‘Parameters for Local, Non-Traditional Activities under the Moving to Work Demonstration Program.’’ • The first type of housing is a local, nontraditional rental subsidy program. Here, the total unit months of housing provided over the calendar year will be utilized and divided by twelve. Families that receive services only will not be included. • The second type of housing is a local, non-traditional housing development program. Here, HUD will first take the total investment of MTW funds in developing these types of units. This total dollar amount PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 will be divided by the applicable HUDpublished Total Development Cost (TDC). The resulting number of units will then count as families housed each year from when a certificate of occupancy is issued through the term of the affordability restrictions. Families that receive services only will not be included. Annual HCV STS Compliance Consistent with the statutory language of serving ‘‘substantially’’ the same number of families, the MTW agency will be considered compliant with the STS Requirement in the HCV program if it houses families through the HCV and local, non-traditional program at or above the Annual HCV STS Target. Again, the Annual HCV STS Target is 90% of the Annual HCV Capacity. The MTW agency may dip below the Annual HCV STS Target for certain circumstances, as approved by HUD. Any allowable dips must be time-limited and described in the MTW Supplement to the PHA Plan. Each year, HUD will advise the MTW agency of its compliance under the STS Requirement in the HCV program for the prior calendar year. This information will also be made available on HUD’s website. In the event an MTW agency does not meet the Annual HCV STS Target, the MTW agency will have two years from the date it is notified to come into compliance. If, two years after notification of the deficiency the MTW agency still does not meet the Annual HCV STS Target, then the MTW agency will be required to expend all HAP dollars only on HAP. Once the MTW agency achieves 93% expenditures of Budget Authority on HAP, the MTW agency will be able to again use its HCV HAP funds flexibly. Failure to adhere to this may result in enforcement processes detailed in the MTW amendment to the MTW agency’s Annual Contributions Contract (ACC Amendment). Adjustments to the HCV Annual Capacity If the MTW agency believes that its Annual Adjusted Baseline Year PUC is no longer accurate, it may request an adjustment to this figure. Such a request may not be made more than once every three calendar years. The MTW agency must submit such a request to HUD along with a justification for the adjustment (for example, rising costs, special market conditions, public housing repositioning). HUD will then review the request and either approve or deny it. If approved, HUD will change the PUC appropriate to the circumstances of the MTW agency (as determined by HUD). This new PUC will then be adjusted by the inflation factor every year and used to determine compliance with the HCV portion of the STS Requirement going forward. [FR Doc. 2020–18152 Filed 8–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P E:\FR\FM\28AUN2.SGM 28AUN2

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 168 (Friday, August 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53444-53472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18152]



[[Page 53443]]

Vol. 85

Friday,

No. 168

August 28, 2020

Part II





Department of Housing and Urban Development





-----------------------------------------------------------------------





Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work Demonstration 
Program; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 168 / Friday, August 28, 2020 / 
Notices

[[Page 53444]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5994-N-05]


Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work 
Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving 
to Work (MTW) Demonstration Program (MTW Operations Notice) establishes 
requirements for the implementation and continued operation of the MTW 
demonstration program pursuant to the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute, which 
authorizes HUD to expand the MTW demonstration program from the current 
size of 39 agencies to an additional 100 agencies over a period of 7 
years. Under the MTW program, MTW agencies have the flexibility to 
apply fungibility among three core funding programs' funding streams--
public housing Operating Funds, public housing Capital Funds, and HCV 
assistance (to include both HAP and Administrative Fees) and are also 
permitted to waive a number of program requirements.
    This notice follows prior Federal Register notices for public 
comment and, following HUD's consideration of the comments received, 
revises and adds waivers and activities, which are included in the 
three Appendices also published in today's Federal Register. Appendix 
1, MTW Waivers, is a simplified guide for MTW agencies seeking to 
develop MTW initiatives that have already been executed by existing MTW 
agencies. MTW agencies may implement any activity contained in Appendix 
I without further HUD approval as long as it is included in the MTW 
Supplement and implemented with the associated safe harbors. Appendix 
II contains instructions for written impact analyses and hardship 
policies. Impact analyses are required for certain activities, such as 
Work Requirements, Term-Limited Assistance, and Stepped Rent. Appendix 
II also contains procedures for the written policies MTW agencies must 
adopt for determining when a requirement or provision of an MTW 
activity constitutes a financial or other hardship for the family. 
Appendix III contains the method for calculating the requirement that 
MTW agencies house substantially the same number of families as they 
would have absent MTW.
    This notice is final and effective immediately. This final notice 
also solicits additional public comments on additional activities and 
waivers added in this notice, and HUD will notify the public if any 
changes are made as a result of these additional public comments.

DATES: 
    Effective date: August 28, 2020.
    Comment Due Date: (For material listed in section III under the 
subheading ``Additional activities and waivers'' only): October 27, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
the ``additional waivers and activities'' in section III of this notice 
to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 10276, 
Washington, DC 20410-0500. Communications must refer to the above 
docket number and title.
    Electronic Submission of Comments. HUD strongly encourages 
interested persons to submit comments electronically. Electronic 
submission of comments allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and 
submit a comment, ensures timely receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to 
make them immediately available to the public. Interested persons may 
submit comments the ``additional waivers and activities'' in section 
III of this notice electronically through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at www.regulations.gov. Comments submitted electronically 
through the www.regulations.gov website can be viewed by other 
commenters and interested members of the public. Commenters should 
follow the instructions provided on that site to submit comments 
electronically.
    Submission of Comments by Mail. Alternatively, interested persons 
may submit comments regarding the ``additional waivers and activities'' 
in section III of this notice to the Regulations Division, Office of 
General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th 
Street SW, Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500. Communications must 
refer to the above docket number and title.

    Note: To receive consideration as public comments, comments must 
be submitted through one of the two methods specified above. Again, 
all submissions must refer to the docket number and title of the 
notice.

    No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile (fax) comments are not acceptable.
    Public Inspection of Public Comments. All properly submitted 
comments and communications submitted to HUD will be available for 
public inspection and copying between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the 
above address. Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters 
building, an appointment to review the public comments must be 
scheduled in advance by calling the Regulations Division at 202-708-
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 1-800-877-8339 (this is a toll-free number). 
Copies of all comments submitted are available for inspection and 
downloading at www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marianne Nazzaro, Director, Moving to 
Work Demonstration Program; email: [email protected]; telephone number 
202-402-4306 (this is not a toll-free number), or visit the MTW 
demonstration program website at: www.hud.gov/mtw. Hearing- and speech-
impaired persons may access this number through TTY by calling the 
Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (this is a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Public Housing/Section 8 Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration 
program was first established under Section 204 of the Omnibus 
Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, Public Law 
104-134, 110 Stat. 1321 (1996 MTW Statute) to provide statutory and 
regulatory flexibility to participating public housing agencies (PHAs) 
under three statutory objectives. Those three statutory objectives are: 
to reduce cost and achieve greater cost effectiveness in Federal 
expenditures; to give incentives to families with children whose heads 
of household are either working, seeking work, or are participating in 
job training, educational or other programs that assist in obtaining 
employment and becoming economically self-sufficient; and to increase 
housing choices for low-income families.
    Section 239 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Appropriations Act, Public Law 
114-113 (2016 MTW Expansion Statute), signed by the President on 
December 18, 2015, authorizes HUD to expand the MTW demonstration 
program from the current size of 39 agencies to an additional 100 
agencies over a period of 7 years. This notice was originally proposed 
on January 23, 2017, in the Federal Register, at 82 FR 8056, entitled 
``Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work 
Demonstration Program Solicitation of Comment.'' On May 4, 2017, the 
notice was republished with three technical revisions and an extension 
of the comment period at 82

[[Page 53445]]

FR 20912. HUD took all comments received into consideration. On October 
5, 2018, the notice was republished at 83 FR 50387 with revisions based 
on public comments and policy determinations and to provide an 
additional comment period.

II. The Public Comments

    HUD received 17 public comments on the October 5, 2018 notice, from 
a wide variety of public commenters. Commenters included a 
Congressional representative, public housing agencies, trade 
associations, interest groups, and individuals, and HUD considered all 
comments received. HUD has also been considering during the process all 
comments submitted in response to the earlier notices. HUD thoroughly 
considered all public comments and accordingly is making some changes 
in this final notice, as stated in section III, ``This final notice.''

III. This Final Notice

    HUD has reviewed and considered the feedback that was provided, and 
changes to this notice have been made to incorporate feedback from the 
three previous publications and to reflect final policy decisions. The 
primary changes are as follows:
 Term of Participation: The term of participation is now 20 
years from designation.
 Simplified Agency-Specific Waiver Request Process: In response 
to feedback, the process for MTW agencies to request an Agency-Specific 
Waiver in order to propose additional activities that are not included 
as MTW Waivers has been simplified.
 Safe Harbor Waivers: The MTW Operations Notice describes a 
simplified process for MTW agencies to implement MTW activities outside 
of the safe harbors described in Appendix I. Additionally, certain safe 
harbors have been revised drawing from research of a current MDRC study 
on rent reform (e.g., safe harbors relating to minimum rent and gross 
rent activities). MTW agencies may alter the safe harbors through a 
Safe Harbor Waiver request.
 Impact Analysis and Hardship Policy Requirements: Since 
certain safe harbors have been revised, the MTW Operations Notice 
eliminated one or both of the requirements for an impact analysis and 
hardship policy from several of the rent reform activities. In 
addition, to respond to concerns about transparency, two additional 
questions have been added to the impact analysis, which must now be 
appended to the yearly MTW Supplement (See section VI.7.a) to make them 
more accessible to the public. Finally, to respond to concerns about 
the low frequency of hardship use, MTW agencies will be required to 
discuss their hardship policy(s), which must also be appended to the 
MTW Supplement, with residents during intake, reexamination, and to 
consider their applicability should a potential termination of 
assistance occur due to an MTW activity.
 Factors for Discontinuing an Activity: In the MTW Operations 
Notice, HUD has clarified what factors may be considered when 
determining if a PHA should discontinue an activity.
 Funding Cap for Local, Non-Traditional Activities: The MTW 
Operations Notice provides a funding cap for local, non-traditional 
activities to be ten percent of an MTW agency's Housing Choice Voucher 
(HCV) Housing Assistant Payment (HAP) funding. MTW agencies may exceed 
the cap through the simplified Safe Harbor Waiver process.
 Serving Substantially the Same Number of Households: HUD's 
approach to the Substantially the Same (STS) requirement for MTW 
agencies has been updated so that the methodology differs for the 
public housing and HCV programs, since the funding calculation for each 
is significantly different. In the public housing program, MTW agencies 
must maintain a 96 percent occupancy rate to remain compliant with the 
STS requirement. In the HCV program, the number of families required to 
be housed is related to the amount of funding received. To be compliant 
with the STS requirement in the HCV program, the MTW agency will be 
required to house at least 90% of the families it would be able to 
house based on the HCV HAP dollars it receives each year. This method 
is the same concept, but simplified, from prior proposed iterations of 
the STS methodology.

Additional Activities and Waivers

    Additional activities and waivers were added to Appendix I, MTW 
Waivers.

 Payment Standards and Rent Reasonableness
    a. Payment Standards--Fair Market Rents (HCV)
    b. Rent Reasonableness--Third-Party Requirement (HCV)
 Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
    a. Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections (HCV)
    b. Reasonable Penalty and Incentive Payments for Landlords (HCV)
    c. HQS--Third-Party Requirement (HCV)
    d. Alternate Inspection Schedules (HCV)
 Project Based Vouchers (PBV)
    a. Alternate PBV Unit Types (Shared Housing and Manufactured 
Housing) (HCV)
    b. Increase PBV Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract Length 
(HCV)
    c. Limit Portability for PBV Units (HCV)
 The Moving On Policies waiver and associated activities were 
added to allow agencies to implement streamlined policies for operating 
a Moving On or similar strategy.
 Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress (PH)
 Acquisition without Prior HUD Approval (PH)
 Deconcentration of Poverty Policy (PH)
 Incentives for Underutilized Developments as a Local, non-
Traditional Activity (PH)

IV. Solicitation of Public Comments

    HUD has engaged in extensive public engagement in formulating this 
final notice, including three prior Federal Register publications with 
opportunity for public comment. Nonetheless, HUD is providing an 
additional opportunity to comment on the activities and waivers that 
are implemented in section III of this notice under the subheading 
``Additional activities and waivers.'' This additional opportunity for 
public comment does not delay the effective date of this final notice. 
HUD will consider any additional comments submitted going forward and 
will notify the public if there are any changes to the activities and 
waivers as a result. HUD will allow 60 days for additional public 
comment on the new items. HUD will provide a further Federal Register 
Notice if additional changes are made to the ``Additional activities 
and waivers.'' If there are no changes, the additional items will be 
implemented without further notice.

V. Environmental Impact

    A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the 
environment has been made in accordance with HUD regulations in 24 CFR 
part 50 that implement section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). The FONSI is available for 
public inspection on www.regulations.gov.

[[Page 53446]]

VI. MTW Operations Notice

Table of Contents

1. Purpose and Applicability
2. Background
    a. MTW Demonstration Program
    b. 2016 Expansion of the MTW Demonstration Program
    c. Eligibility and Selection for Expansion of MTW Demonstration
    d. MTW Research Advisory Committee
3. Term of Participation
4. Waivers
    a. MTW Waivers
    b. Safe Harbor Waivers
    c. Agency-Specific Waivers
    d. Cohort-Specific Waivers
    e. Requirements outside of the Scope of MTW Waiver Authority
    f. Discontinuation of MTW Activity
5. MTW Funding Flexibility and Financial Reporting
    a. MTW Funding Flexibility
    b. Calculation of Funding
    c. Financial Reporting and Auditing
6. Evaluation
    a. Program-Wide Evaluation
    b. Cohort-Specific Evaluation
    c. Ad Hoc Evaluation
7. Program Administration and Oversight
    a. Planning and Reporting
    b. Performance Assessment
    c. Monitoring and Oversight
8. Rental Assistance Demonstration Program
9. Applying MTW Flexibilities to Special Purpose Vouchers
    a. HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers
    b. Family Unification Program Vouchers
    c. Foster Youth to Independence Vouchers
    d. Non-Elderly Persons With Disabilities
    e. Mainstream Vouchers
    f. Enhanced and Tenant Protection Vouchers
10. Applicability of Other Federal, State, and Local Requirements
11. MTW Agencies Admitted Prior to 2016 MTW Expansion Statute
12. Sanctions, Terminations, and Default
13. Administrative and Contact Information
    a. Paperwork Reduction Act
    b. Contact Information
Appendix I--MTW Waivers
Appendix II--Requirements for Safe Harbors
    a. Impact Analysis
    b. Hardship Policy
Appendix III--Substantially the Same Requirement

1. Purpose and Applicability

    This Moving to Work (MTW) Operations Notice (MTW Operations Notice) 
establishes requirements for the implementation and continued operation 
of the expansion of the MTW demonstration program pursuant to Section 
239 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Appropriations Act, Public Law 114-113 
(2016 MTW Expansion Statute). The MTW Operations Notice applies to all 
public housing agencies (PHAs) designated as MTW pursuant to the 2016 
MTW Expansion Statute and to any previously-designated MTW agency that 
elects to operate under the terms of this notice, collectively referred 
to in this MTW Operations Notice as an ``MTW agency.''
    The MTW demonstration program allows PHAs to design and test 
innovative, locally-designed housing and self-sufficiency strategies 
for low-income families by permitting PHAs to use assistance received 
under Sections 8 and 9 of the Housing Act of 1937, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 1437 et seq. (1937 Act) more flexibly and, as approved by HUD, 
with certain exemptions from existing public housing and HCV program 
requirements.
    Through the MTW Amendment to the Annual Contributions Contract(s) 
(ACC),\1\ an MTW agency agrees to comply with the program requirements 
and terms and conditions detailed in the MTW Operations Notice for the 
term of the MTW agency's participation in the MTW demonstration. Unless 
otherwise explicitly provided in the MTW Operations Notice, an MTW 
agency's MTW program applies to all of the MTW agency's public housing 
units (including MTW agency-owned properties and units comprising a 
part of mixed-income, mixed finance communities), tenant-based HCV 
assistance, project-based HCV assistance under Section 8(o) of the 1937 
Act, and homeownership units developed using Section 8(y) HCV 
assistance of the 1937 Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ OMB Approval Number 2577-0294.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This MTW Operations Notice does not apply to HCV assistance that is 
required: (1) To make payments to other PHAs under HCV portability 
billing procedures; (2) to meet particular purposes for which HUD has 
expressly committed the assistance to the MTW agency; \2\ or (3) to 
meet existing contractual obligations of the MTW agency to a third 
party (such as Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts with owners 
under the MTW agency's HCV program), unless a third party agrees to 
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) activities implemented under the MTW 
program with the MTW agency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Mainstream Vouchers, HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing 
(HUD-VASH) Vouchers, Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Vouchers, Mobility 
Demonstration Vouchers, Family Unification Program (FUP) Vouchers, 
and Foster Youth to Independence Vouchers are not part of the MTW 
demonstration program, however certain MTW flexibilities may be 
applied to these voucher types, as further described in section VI.9 
of this MTW Operations Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Any significant updates,\3\ as determined by HUD, to the MTW 
Operations Notice will be preceded by a public comment period. However, 
HUD may supplement the MTW Operations Notice with PIH Notices without 
public comment if it determines a need to provide more detailed 
guidance, including with respect to implementing future appropriations 
act provisions and revisions to financial policies and procedures. 
Further, HUD will develop informational materials to address various 
program elements, which HUD will post on the MTW website at 
www.hud.gov/mtw.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Significant amendments could include adding or removing MTW 
Waivers found in Appendix I.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Background

a. MTW Demonstration Program

    The MTW demonstration program was first established under Section 
204 of Title II of section 101(e) of the Omnibus Consolidated 
Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, 110 
Stat. 1321-281; 42 U.S.C. 1437f note (1996 MTW Statute) \4\ to provide 
certain statutory and regulatory flexibility \5\ to participating PHAs 
under the following three statutory objectives:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ ``PHAs currently operating an MTW demonstration program'' 
are PHAs with an active MTW Agreement as of December 15, 2015. 
``PHAs currently operating an MTW program'' does not include PHAs 
that previously participated in the MTW demonstration and later left 
the demonstration.
    \5\ For more information on the history of the MTW demonstration 
program, please go to: www.hud.gov/mtw.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Reduce cost and achieve greater cost effectiveness in 
federal expenditures;
     Give incentives to families with children where the head 
of household is working, seeking work, or is preparing for work by 
participating in job training, educational programs, or programs that 
assist people to obtain employment and become economically self-
sufficient; and
     Increase housing choices for eligible low-income families.
    To achieve these objectives, PHAs selected for participation in the 
MTW demonstration are given exemptions from some existing public 
housing and HCV rules and are offered more flexibility with how they 
use their federal funds. MTW agencies use this opportunity presented by 
the MTW demonstration to better address local housing needs and 
encourage self-sufficiency among those families receiving HUD-assisted 
housing. HUD considers the experience of MTW agencies when developing 
new housing policy recommendations that can positively impact assisted 
housing delivery for PHAs and incentivize low-income families to gain 
self-sufficiency across the nation.
    In addition to statutory and regulatory relief,\6\ MTW agencies 
have the

[[Page 53447]]

flexibility to apply fungibility among three core funding programs' 
funding streams--public housing Operating Funds, public housing Capital 
Funds, and HCV assistance (to include both HAP and Administrative 
Fees)--hereinafter referred to as ``MTW Funding.'' \7\ Throughout 
participation in the MTW demonstration program, MTW agencies must 
continue to meet five statutory requirements established by the 1996 
MTW Statute, which are described further in section VI.7.c.i of this 
MTW Operations Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ For more information about the MTW demonstration program and 
the specific activities of existing MTW agencies, please refer to 
the MTW website at www.hud.gov/mtw.
    \7\ Funds awarded under Sections 8(o), 9(d), and 9(e) of the 
1937 Act are eligible for expanded uses pursuant to MTW fungibility, 
with the exception of funds provided for specific non-MTW HCV sub-
programs. Other funds a PHA may receive (i.e. grant funds under 
another obligating document) are likewise not covered by MTW 
flexibilities and must be tracked and reported under the applicable 
rules and requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As of December 15, 2015, the date the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute 
was signed into law, there were 39 agencies \8\ participating in the 
MTW demonstration program. The administrative structure for these 39 
agencies is outlined in the Standard MTW Agreement, an agreement 
between each existing MTW agency and HUD. The 2016 MTW Expansion 
Statute extended the term of the Standard MTW Agreement through each of 
the existing MTW agencies' 2028 fiscal year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ The 39 agencies are: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; 
Atlanta Housing; Housing Authority of the City of Baltimore; Boulder 
Housing Partners; Cambridge Housing Authority; Housing Authority of 
Champaign County; Charlotte Housing Authority (INLIVIAN); Chicago 
Housing Authority; Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia; District 
of Columbia Housing Authority; Delaware State Housing Authority; 
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority; Holyoke Housing 
Authority; Keene Housing; King County Housing Authority; Lawrence-
Douglas County Housing Authority; Lexington-Fayette Urban County 
Housing Authority; Lincoln Housing Authority; Louisville 
Metropolitan Housing Authority; Massachusetts Department of Housing 
and Community Development; Minneapolis Public Housing Authority; Elm 
City Communities/Housing Authority of the City of New Haven; Oakland 
Housing Authority; Orlando Housing Authority; Philadelphia Housing 
Authority; Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh; Portage 
Metropolitan Housing Authority; Home Forward (Portland, OR); Reno 
Housing Authority; San Antonio Housing Authority; Housing Authority 
of the County of San Bernardino; San Diego Housing Commission; 
Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo; Housing Authority of 
the County of Santa Clara/City of San Jose; Seattle Housing 
Authority; Tacoma Housing Authority; Housing Authority of Tulare 
County; and Vancouver Housing Authority.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. 2016 Expansion of the MTW Demonstration Program

    Through the demonstration expansion authorized by the 2016 MTW 
Expansion Statute, HUD will extend MTW flexibility to a broader range 
of PHAs regarding diversity of size and geographic location, balancing 
the flexibility inherent in MTW with the need for measurement, 
evaluation, and prudent oversight. Overall, in expanding the MTW 
demonstration, HUD intends to build on the successes and lessons 
learned from the demonstration thus far to improve the delivery of 
Federally assisted housing and promote self-sufficiency among assisted 
low-income families across the nation.
    As the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute directs, HUD is authorized to 
expand the MTW demonstration program from the current level of 39 
agencies to an additional 100 agencies over a period of seven years, 
ending in 2022. The 2016 MTW Expansion Statute requires that the 100 
new MTW agencies be high-performing at the time of application to the 
demonstration in either HUD's Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) 
or its Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP), and MTW 
agencies must represent geographic diversity across the country.\9\ 
Further, the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute imposes strict size limitations 
\10\ on these 100 PHAs and requires that five of the 100 PHAs be 
agencies with portfolio-wide awards under the Rental Assistance 
Demonstration (RAD).\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Geographic diversity will be considered based on both MTW 
agencies designated pursuant to the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute and 
the existing 39 MTW agencies.
    \10\ No less than 50 with 1,000 or fewer aggregate housing 
voucher and public housing units; no less than 47 with 1,001-6,000 
aggregate units; no more than 3 with 6,001-27,000 aggregate units; 
no PHA shall be granted MTW designation if it administers more than 
27,000 aggregate units.
    \11\ A portfolio award is defined for these purposes as a 
conversion of a PHA's entire public housing inventory to RAD. All 
RAD conversions must be closed and the former public housing units 
removed from IMS/PIC in order to satisfy the portfolio-wide 
requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. Eligibility and Selection for the Expansion of the MTW Demonstration

    As required by 2016 MTW Expansion Statute, HUD intends to designate 
100 new agencies for the expansion of the MTW designation in cohorts 
over a period of seven years, ending in 2022. For each cohort of MTW 
agencies selected, the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute requires HUD to 
direct one specific policy change to be implemented by the MTW 
agencies, which HUD will evaluate rigorously. MTW agencies may 
implement additional policy changes, as long as those policy changes do 
not conflict or interfere with the cohort study. As required by the 
2016 MTW Expansion Statute, the HUD-appointed MTW Research Advisory 
Committee (the Committee), described further below, advised HUD on the 
policy changes to be tested through the new cohorts of MTW agencies and 
the methods of research and evaluation.
    HUD is issuing separate PIH Notices for each cohort to solicit 
applications from eligible PHAs for participation in the MTW 
demonstration. These notices will outline the specific application 
submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and process HUD will use 
when selecting PHAs for MTW designation.

d. MTW Research Advisory Committee

    The 2016 MTW Expansion Statute required HUD to form and consult 
with the Committee, which was established in May 2016.\12\ The purpose 
of the Committee is to provide independent advice to HUD with respect 
to the policies and methods of research in the evaluation of the MTW 
expansion. The Committee is specifically charged with advising HUD on 
the following:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The Committee is governed by the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the 
formation and use of advisory committees. More information on the 
Committee can be found at: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/mtw/expansion/rac.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Policy proposals and evaluation methods for the MTW 
demonstration to inform the one specific policy change required for 
each cohort of agencies;
     Rigorous research methodologies to measure the impact of 
policy changes studied;
     Policy changes adopted by MTW agencies that have proven 
successful and can be applied more broadly to all PHAs; and
     Statutory and/or regulatory changes (specific waivers and 
associated activities, and program and policy flexibility) necessary to 
implement policy changes for all PHAs.
    The Committee has no role in reviewing or selecting the 100 PHAs to 
participate in the expansion of the MTW demonstration.
    Based on the advice of the Committee, HUD will study, by cohort of 
MTW agencies, the following four policies (which are in no particular 
order except for the first two cohorts): Impact of MTW Flexibility on 
small sized PHAs; \13\ Rent Reform; Work Requirements; and Landlord 
Incentives. HUD may determine that additional policies be studied 
through the MTW expansion and will consider the advice of the 
Committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ For the purpose of the MTW expansion, small is defined as 
managing or administering 1,000 or fewer units.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 53448]]

3. Term of Participation

    The term of each MTW agency's MTW designation will be twenty years 
(PHA fiscal years) starting from the time of its designation as an MTW 
agency. All waivers and associated activities provided through the MTW 
Operations Notice expire at the end of the MTW agency's term of 
participation, unless otherwise discontinued in accordance with section 
VI.4.f of this notice. However, if HUD determines that additional time 
beyond the end of the MTW agency's MTW term is needed to evaluate a 
cohort-specific policy change, or if the MTW agency requests to extend 
a particular waiver, HUD may approve an extension of any specific 
waiver(s).
    Once an MTW agency has implemented an activity pursuant to the 
authority of the MTW Operations Notice, the MTW agency may continue to 
implement that activity throughout the term of its participation in the 
demonstration, subject to the terms of this notice regarding 
discontinuation of MTW activities, or, any amendments to this notice, 
or any successor notice. The MTW agency must end all activities 
requiring MTW-authorized waivers upon expiration of its MTW 
participation since HUD cannot guarantee that it will be able to extend 
any waivers and associated activities beyond that point. For this 
reason, when entering into contracts with third parties that draw upon 
MTW flexibility, the MTW agency must disclose that such flexibility is 
only available during the term of the MTW agency's participation in the 
MTW demonstration as permitted in this notice. An exception is third-
party contracts that relate to the cohort-specific policy change and 
associated waiver(s).

4. Waivers

    Pursuant to the 1996 MTW Statute and 2016 MTW Expansion Statute, 
Appendix I of this notice provides waivers of certain provisions of the 
1937 Act as well as the implementing regulations. These waivers and 
associated activities afford MTW agencies the opportunity to use their 
MTW authority to pursue locally driven policies, procedures, and 
programs in order to further the goals of the demonstration. In 
addition, the MTW agency may request, and be granted, Safe Harbor 
Waivers and Agency-Specific Waivers, described further below, to 
implement innovative MTW activities unique to its community. MTW 
agencies may update their leases to reflect the MTW flexibilities used 
through these waivers. When implementing MTW waivers through MTW 
activities, MTW agencies must ensure assisted families are made aware 
of the impacts the activity(s) may have on their tenancy.
    The following are the categories of waivers that MTW agencies may 
pursue:
     MTW Waivers--MTW agencies may conduct any permissible 
activity in the MTW Waivers category within the defined range of 
flexibility, characterized in this notice as a ``safe harbor.'' Safe 
harbors contain the additional requirements (beyond those specified in 
the activity description) the agency must follow in order to implement 
the activity once it is included in an approved MTW Supplement to the 
PHA Plan. Prior to implementation, the MTW Waivers must be included in 
an approved MTW Supplement to the PHA Plan (see section VI.7.a). MTW 
Waivers are detailed in Appendix I.
     Safe Harbor Waivers--MTW agencies may request to implement 
activities in a manner inconsistent with the safe harbors of an MTW 
Waiver's activity through the submission of a Safe Harbor Waiver 
request.
     Agency-Specific Waivers--MTW agencies may seek an Agency-
Specific Waiver in order to implement additional activities not 
contained in the MTW Waivers and to request to waive a statutory or 
regulatory requirement not included in Appendix I.
     Cohort-Specific Waivers--MTW agencies may be provided with 
Cohort-Specific Waivers if additional waivers not included in Appendix 
I are necessary to allow for the implementation of the required cohort 
study. Cohort-Specific Waivers will be detailed in the applicable 
Selection Notice for that cohort study.

a. MTW Waivers

    Appendix I, MTW Waivers, is a simplified guide for MTW agencies 
seeking to adopt MTW initiatives that have been implemented by existing 
MTW agencies; it is not intended to be the complete listing of what an 
MTW agency can and cannot do (see Safe Harbor Waivers and Agency-
Specific Waivers). MTW agencies may implement any activity contained in 
Appendix I without further activity-specific HUD review and approval as 
long as it is included in the MTW Supplement (described in section 
VI.7.a of this notice) of an approved PHA Plan and implemented within 
the associated safe harbor(s). MTW agencies may combine activities 
together at the PHA level in order to create more comprehensive 
initiatives.
    Appendix I includes the waiver name, waiver description, statutes 
and regulations waived, permissible activities, and safe harbors 
associated with each of the MTW Waivers. The waiver description defines 
the authorization provided to the MTW agency, subject to the terms of 
this notice. The list of statutes and regulations waived details the 
citations of the 1937 Act requirements that may be waived by an MTW 
agency in order to implement an activity. The list of waivers and list 
of activities are organized by program type (i.e., public housing and/
or HCV program). The safe harbors section contains the additional 
requirements (beyond those specified in the activity description) that 
the MTW agency must follow in implementing activities without further 
HUD approval.

b. Safe Harbor Waivers

    Since the safe harbors, as written in Appendix I, may not align 
with local priorities or market conditions at some MTW agencies, MTW 
agencies may request to expand an activity that is in Appendix I 
outside of the listed safe harbor(s).\14\ Elements that are required to 
be provided in the request to waive Appendix I safe harbors will be 
identified in the MTW Supplement form.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Certain safe harbors, such as impact analyses and hardship 
policies, are not waivable, as noted in Appendix I.
    \15\ See 83 FR 50676 (October 9, 2018). HUD will publish the 
final form in the future.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    MTW agencies must work closely with their residents and 
stakeholders when developing the Safe Harbor Waivers; therefore, when 
submitting a Safe Harbor Waiver, the MTW agency must, in addition to 
following the PHA Plan public process requirements, also hold a meeting 
to specifically discuss the Safe Harbor Waivers. The MTW agency must 
consider, in consultation with the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) and 
tenant association, as applicable, all of the comments received at the 
public hearing. The comments received by the public, RABs, and tenant 
associations must be submitted by the MTW agency, along with the MTW 
agency's description of how the comments were considered, as a required 
attachment to the MTW Supplement. This public comment and review period 
affords the residents and community stakeholders the opportunity to 
provide input on the proposed Safe Harbor Waivers prior to its 
submission to HUD.
    Following approval of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement, an MTW 
agency must update its Administrative Plan and Admissions and Continued 
Occupancy Policy (ACOP), as applicable, prior to implementing the Safe 
Harbor Waiver. Disapproval of Safe Harbor Waivers will

[[Page 53449]]

be communicated via the approval letter of the PHA Plan and MTW 
Supplement. The MTW agency must follow the instructions provided by the 
field office in the letter regarding updating the MTW Supplement. Any 
such disapproval would only apply to a specific Safe Harbor Waiver, as 
noted in the approval letter, and would not apply to the entire PHA 
Plan. Where additional review time may be needed by HUD, the approval 
letter of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement will state that the waiver 
decision is pending and the MTW agency must await further instructions 
from HUD prior to implementing the Safe Harbor Waiver.
    Reasons that HUD may object to a Safe Harbor Waiver include, but 
are not limited to, the following:
     The information required in the MTW Supplement, or 
equivalent form as approved by OMB, is not provided or is deemed 
insufficient;
     The MTW agency's proposed Safe Harbor Waiver is 
inconsistent with requirements outside of the 1937 Housing Act or is 
otherwise not permissible under MTW authority;
     There are other good cause factors for objection, such as 
material misrepresentation, in the submission;
     The Safe Harbor Waiver conflicts with any of the five 
statutory MTW requirements, as determined by HUD; or
     The Safe Harbor Waiver is determined to have potential 
significant negative impacts on families or the MTW agency's operation 
of its assisted housing programs using Section 8 and 9 funds, as 
determined by HUD.

c. Agency-Specific Waivers

    The MTW demonstration program is intended to foster innovation and 
HUD encourages MTW agencies, in consultation with their residents and 
stakeholders, to be creative in their approach to solving affordable 
housing issues facing their local communities. For this reason, 
flexibilities beyond those provided for in Appendix I may be needed. 
Agency-Specific Waivers may be requested if an MTW agency wishes to 
implement additional activities, waive a statutory or regulatory 
requirement not included in Appendix I.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ The MTW demonstration program may only waive certain 
provisions of the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In order to pursue an Agency-Specific Waiver, an MTW agency must 
include the Agency-Specific Waiver request in the MTW Supplement to its 
PHA Plan, for HUD review and approval. In order to pursue an Agency-
Specific Waiver, an MTW agency must include an Agency-Specific Waiver 
request, an impact analysis, and a hardship policy (if the activity 
poses a potential risk to the continued tenancy of households), in the 
MTW Supplement to its PHA Plan. Other required elements to be provided 
in the request will be identified in the MTW Supplement form.
    Specific requirements for conducting impact analyses and creating 
hardship policies are provided in Appendix II. When developing Agency-
Specific Waiver requests, an agency must determine whether to implement 
additional hardship criteria beyond the criteria contained in Appendix 
II. Any additional hardship criteria must be included in the waiver 
request.
    MTW agencies must work closely with their residents and 
stakeholders when developing the Agency-Specific Waivers; therefore, 
similar to submitting Safe Harbor Waivers, when submitting an Agency-
Specific Waiver, the MTW agency must not only follow the PHA Plan 
public process requirements, but it must also have an additional public 
meeting to specifically discuss the Agency-Specific Waivers.\17\ The 
MTW agency must consider, in consultation with the RAB and tenant 
association, as applicable, all of the comments received at the public 
hearing. The comments received by the public, RABs, and tenant 
associations must be submitted by the MTW agency, along with the MTW 
agency's description of how the comments were considered, as a required 
attachment to the MTW Supplement. This public comment and review period 
provides the residents and community stakeholders the opportunity to 
provide input on the proposed Agency-Specific Waiver prior to its 
submission to HUD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ This can be the same meeting to discuss Safe Harbor Waivers 
(i.e., a combined meeting).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following approval of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement, an MTW 
agency must update its Administrative Plan and ACOP, as applicable, 
prior to implementing the Agency-Specific Waiver. Disapproval of 
Agency-Specific Waivers will be communicated via the approval letter of 
the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement; the MTW agency must follow the 
instructions provided by the field office in the letter regarding 
updating the MTW Supplement. HUD may object to an Agency-Specific 
Waiver for the same reasons it may object to a Safe Harbor Waiver. Any 
disapproval would only apply to a discrete Agency-Specific Waiver, as 
noted in the approval letter, and would not apply to the entire PHA 
Plan. In rare instances where additional review time may be needed, the 
approval letter of the PHA Plan and MTW Supplement will state that the 
waiver decision is pending and the MTW agency must await further 
instructions from HUD prior to implementing the Agency-Specific Waiver.
    Statutory and/or regulatory waiver(s) derived from the 1937 Act or 
its implementing regulations that are outside those listed in Appendix 
I cannot be granted by the MTW Office alone; therefore, the MTW Office 
will coordinate the approval of those waivers with the appropriate 
signatory (e.g., Assistant Secretary, General Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, etc.). HUD is committed to providing a timely review of 
Agency-Specific Waivers.

d. Cohort-Specific Waivers

    Cohort-Specific Waivers include statutory and/or regulatory waivers 
and associated activities, outside of those included in Appendix I, 
that are unique to a specific cohort to allow them to complete their 
required cohort evaluation. Depending upon the evaluation design, HUD 
may restrict certain activities within the MTW Waivers or provide 
additional Cohort-Specific Waivers that are not included in Appendix I, 
and this would be articulated in the Selection Notice for the 
applicable cohort. Any restriction would only be in place during the 
evaluation period, as specified in the Selection Notice, and once the 
evaluation is concluded, the MTW agency would have access to all of the 
MTW Waivers. Specific policy changes to be tested through a given 
cohort may not require any Cohort-Specific Waivers. Any MTW activities 
that would impact or conflict with the cohort-specific policy change 
will be identified in the respective Selection Notice so that the MTW 
agency is aware of this potential restriction on its use of waivers 
before it enters the MTW demonstration program. Cohort-Specific Waivers 
and the associated MTW activities may only be used to the extent 
allowed under the applicable evaluative framework provided by HUD in 
the applicable Selection Notice.

e. Requirements Outside of the Scope of MTW Waiver Authority

    The MTW demonstration program may only waive certain provisions of 
the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. The MTW demonstration 
program does not permit waivers of statutes outside of the 1937 Act or 
regulations and requirements promulgated under authority outside of the 
1937 Act. Accordingly, HUD and the MTW agencies may not waive or

[[Page 53450]]

otherwise deviate from compliance with Fair Housing and Civil Rights 
laws and regulations, discrimination laws, labor standards, or 
environmental statutes and executive orders, or any other applicable 
statutes and regulations. Other subject matter prohibited from waivers 
or restricted with respect to waivers is discussed in section VI.10 of 
this notice. All applicable federal, state, and local requirements 
shall continue to apply even in the event of a conflict between such a 
requirement and a waiver or activity granted by this notice.
    Additionally, the five statutory requirements established under the 
1996 MTW Statute, hereinafter referred to as the ``five statutory MTW 
requirements,'' cannot be waived. The following are the five statutory 
MTW requirements: Very low-income requirement, reasonable rent policy, 
substantially the same requirement, comparable mix requirement, and 
housing quality standards. In implementing MTW activities, MTW agencies 
remain subject to all other terms, conditions, and obligations under 
this notice, and all other federal requirements applicable to the 
public housing program, the HCV program, federal funds, and PHAs.

f. Discontinuation of MTW Activity

    To the extent any MTW activity conflicts with any of the five 
statutory MTW requirements or other applicable requirements, as 
determined by HUD, HUD reserves the right to require the MTW agency to 
discontinue the activity or to revise the activity to comply with such 
applicable contemporary requirements.
    HUD also reserves the right to require an MTW agency to discontinue 
any activity derived from a waiver should it have significant negative 
impacts on families or the MTW agency's operation of its assisted 
housing programs using Section 8 and 9 funds, as determined by HUD. The 
factors that may be considered when determining whether an activity 
should be discontinued include, but are not limited to, the following: 
Rate of port-outs, attrition rates, occupancy and/or utilization 
levels, voucher leasing success rates, rent burdens, local market 
conditions, impact analyses, and number of hardship requests. Prior to 
requiring a discontinuation of an activity, HUD may take intermediary 
steps to work with the MTW agency and its residents to provide 
technical assistance, discuss the activity, and determine whether a 
discontinuation is in fact necessary.
    In the event the MTW Operations Notice is updated to remove a 
specific Appendix I waiver, the MTW agency may continue to implement 
any activity that has been implemented related to that waiver through 
the term of the PHA's MTW designation, so long as it does not conflict 
with any of the five statutory MTW requirements (see section VI.7.c.i) 
or other applicable current requirements or have significant negative 
impacts on families or the MTW PHA's operation of its assisted housing 
programs using funds provided under Section 8 and 9 of the 1937 Act, as 
determined by HUD, as described in the preceding paragraph.

5. MTW Funding Flexibility and Financial Reporting

    During the term of the demonstration, subject to changes in future 
years' appropriations, HUD will provide an MTW agency with public 
housing Operating Fund Program (OFP) grants, public housing Capital 
Fund Program (CFP) grants, and/or HCV HAP and Administrative Fee 
assistance as detailed in this notice. CFP grants may include Formula 
grants; Demolition or Disposition Transitional Funding (DDTF), which 
are included in regular Formula grants; and/or funds from older 
Replacement Housing Factor (RHF) grants (a program later superseded by 
DDTF). The HCV funding amount for MTW agencies may be increased by 
additional allocations of vouchers that the MTW agency is awarded over 
the term of its participation in the MTW demonstration. MTW Funding 
provided to an MTW agency, including public housing OFP grants, public 
housing CFP grants, and HCV HAP and Administrative Fee assistance, is 
subject to any laws promulgated in future years, which include without 
limitation: Statutes, appropriations acts, notices implementing 
appropriations acts, regulations, and executive orders.

a. MTW Funding Flexibility

    MTW agencies will have the flexibility to apply fungibility among 
public housing Operating Fund, public housing Capital Fund, and HCV HAP 
and Administrative Fee assistance. These flexibilities expand the 
eligible uses of each covered funding stream, but do not negate the 
need for both the PHA and HUD to be able to account for the funding 
from its original source to the date of its ultimate eligible use \18\ 
by the PHA, comply with federal grant and financial management 
requirements, and use funds effectively and efficiently for their 
eligible purposes. As HUD continues to implement program-specific 
financial management policies in its core housing programs, MTW 
agencies will be subject to the same requirements and procedures as 
non-MTW agencies. Therefore, the requirements and procedures described 
in this notice may change as new financial management policies are 
implemented over time. HUD will update existing guidance and issue new 
reporting requirements, as appropriate, to allow HUD to meet its 
monitoring and oversight responsibilities while ensuring MTW agencies 
fully utilize and benefit from the flexibilities established by 
Congress for these funds pursuant to the MTW demonstration and the 2016 
MTW expansion. HUD will also update existing guidance and issue new 
reporting requirements, as appropriate, to ensure compliance with 2 CFR 
part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and 
Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, including with respect to 
Federal financial management.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ The date of the ``ultimate eligible use'' means the date of 
disbursement by the PHA for an eligible purpose, which would remove 
the funding from the PHA's account and the PHA's control.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An MTW agency participating in the MTW demonstration program may 
flexibly use public housing Operating and Capital Funds provided under 
Sections 9(d) and 9(e) of the 1937 Act and HCV HAP and Administrative 
Fee program funds provided under Section 8 of the 1937 Act, referred to 
collectively as MTW Funding. Certain provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of 
the 1937 Act and implementing requirements are waived as necessary to 
implement this flexibility. Once the MTW agency receives its MTW 
designation through the execution of the MTW ACC Amendment, this 
flexibility in the use of MTW Funding does not require prior HUD 
approval.
    The MTW agency may use MTW Funding covered by MTW flexibility for 
any eligible activity under Sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1) and Section 8(o) 
of the 1937 Act and for the local, non-traditional activities specified 
in Appendix I of this notice. All MTW agency expenditures must be 
consistent with the MTW agency's charter, approved 5-Year and Annual 
PHA Plans, and the approved MTW Supplement to the Annual PHA Plan.
    Under permanent law, any reserves the MTW agency has accumulated 
prior to signing an MTW ACC Amendment (including public housing 
Operating and Capital Reserves and HCV HAP and Administrative Fee 
Reserves) must be used for their originally appropriated purposes and 
shall not be used flexibly. In HUD's fiscal year 2020 appropriations 
act, Congress provided temporary relief from this requirement, 
providing that an MTW agency may use

[[Page 53451]]

reserves accumulated prior to the MTW designation flexibly.\19\ This 
additional flexibility will expire at the end of Federal fiscal year 
2020 (on September 30, 2020) unless Congress includes it again in 
subsequent appropriations acts. MTW agencies should be aware that this 
relief is not permanent and may not continue into the future. MTW 
agencies are responsible for being aware of each year's appropriations 
act and shall maintain careful recordkeeping to ensure they remain in 
compliance with the requirement. HUD will monitor the status of this 
flexibility closely, and will maintain an updated web page at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/mtw/MTW-flex-reserves-status to inform MTW agencies if this flexibility is 
continued by Congress.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ Section 238 of title II, division H of the Further 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116-94, approved 
December 20, 2019) provides: ``Any public housing agency designated 
as a Moving to Work agency pursuant to section 239 of (Pub. L. 114-
113) may, upon such designation, use funds (except for special 
purpose funding, including special purpose vouchers) previously 
allocated to any such public housing agency under section 8 or 9 of 
the United States Housing Act of 1937, including any reserve funds 
held by the public housing agency or funds held by the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, pursuant to the authority for use of 
section 8 or 9 funding provided under such section and section 204 
of title II of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and 
Urban Development and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 
(Pub. L. 104-134), notwithstanding the purposes for which such funds 
were appropriated.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Calculation of Funding

i. Public Housing Operating Grants
    (a) Funding Calculation. The calculation of an MTW agency's 
Operating Fund subsidy grant eligibility will continue in accordance 
with operating subsidy formula law, regulations, and appropriations act 
requirements, as they may be amended.
    (b) Eligible Uses. The MTW agency may use these funds for any 
eligible activity permissible under Section 9(e)(1) of the 1937 Act or, 
if the agency proposes to use the funding under its MTW flexibility, it 
may also use these funds for any eligible activity permissible under 
Section 8(o), Section 9(d)(1), and for the local, non-traditional 
activities specified in Appendix I of this notice.
    (c) Central Office Cost Center (COCC). For an MTW agency's COCC, 
which collects fees for administrative services, an MTW agency may 
freely use the earned fees for any eligible activity but cannot move 
non fee-based funds into the COCC.
ii. Public Housing Capital Fund Formula and Grants
    (a) Funding Calculation. The MTW agency's public housing Capital 
Fund formula characteristics and grant amounts, including DDTF and RHF, 
will continue to be calculated in accordance with public housing law, 
regulations, and appropriations act requirements, as they may be 
amended.
    (b) Financial Management Requirements Apply. MTW agencies must 
continue to follow the immediate need requirements applicable to all 
Capital funds and may not accelerate their drawdown of Capital funds 
for the purpose of funding reserves or for any other purpose.\20\ All 
Capital funds, including funds in Budget Line Item (BLI) 1410 
(Administrative Costs) and BLI 1492 (MTW), must be drawn down only when 
funds are due and payable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ HUD will publish a rule that will govern the establishment 
and maintenance of a Capital Reserve pursuant to Section 109 of 
HOTMA that may give PHAs authorization to draw down funds in advance 
of need in certain limited circumstances.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Eligible Uses. The MTW agency may use these funds for any 
eligible activity permissible under Section 9(d)(1) of the 1937 Act or, 
if the MTW agency proposes to use the funding under its MTW 
flexibility, it may also use these funds for any eligible activity 
permissible under Section 8(o), Section 9(e)(1), and for the local, 
non-traditional activities specified in Appendix I of this notice. CFP 
funds used for activities under Section 9(d)(1) are subject to all 
requirements relevant to non-MTW agency CFP funding, including eligible 
activities and cost limits.
    (d) Requisitioning Funds. In requisitioning Capital Fund grant 
funds, the MTW agency will request funds using traditional Capital Fund 
BLIs for funds to be used for activities under section 9(d) and using 
the available MTW Budget Line (BLI 1492) items for activities under 
section 9(e), section 8(o), or local, non-traditional activities. MTW 
agencies shall not use the Transfer to Operations Budget Line (BLI 
1406) since funds for all non-Section 9(d) activities shall be included 
in the MTW Budget Line (BLI 1492). The MTW agency will provide to HUD 
information on all capital activities funded by the MTW Funding as 
necessary to ensure compliance with requirements outside the scope of 
MTW, including environmental review requirements and Energy and 
Performance Information Center (EPIC) reporting requirements.
    (e) Obligation and Expenditure Requirements. The MTW agency remains 
subject to the requirements of Section 9(j) of the 1937 Act with 
respect to Capital Fund grants. Section 9(d) funds remain subject to 
the obligation and expenditure deadlines and requirements provided in 
Section 9(j) despite the fact that they may be used flexibly. Capital 
Funds awarded to MTW agencies must be obligated within two years and 
expended within four years of award. Funds not obligated or expended 
within those timeframes will be subject to recapture. As with all 
agencies, an MTW agency may requisition CFP funds from HUD only when 
such funds are due and payable, unless HUD approves another payment 
schedule.
iii. Housing Choice Voucher Funding
    (a) Funding Calculation. As is the case for non-MTW PHAs under 
current appropriations law, the HAP renewal funding eligibility for MTW 
agencies will be calculated based on each MTW agency's actual expenses 
for the previous calendar year (known as the re-benchmark year). Unique 
to MTW agencies, however, the MTW agency's actual expenses are: (1) The 
previous Calendar Year's HAP expenses reported in the Voucher 
Management System (VMS), and (2) the previous CY's eligible non-HAP MTW 
expenses reported in VMS.\21\ For both HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses, 
the reported expenses must have been paid from an eligible source of 
funds as described in paragraph (c) below in order to be included in 
the HAP renewal funding formula. In addition, MTW HAP renewal funding 
is subject to an MTW Renewal Eligibility Cap derived from the number of 
units authorized under the MTW agency's ACC, as described in paragraph 
(d) below. The lower of the total combined HAP and non-HAP expenses or 
the MTW Renewal Eligibility Cap will then be adjusted by the Renewal 
Funding Inflation Factor (RFIF) and any national proration that applies 
to the HCV renewal appropriation to determine the MTW agency's actual 
CY HAP renewal funding.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ MTW funds awarded to an MTW agency under Sections 8, 9(d), 
and 9(e) of the 1937 Act can be utilized per statute and regulation 
on the eligible activities listed at Sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1), and 
8(o) of the 1937 Act and for local, non-traditional activities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Example: An MTW agency executes its MTW ACC Amendment in 
September 2020. In CY 2020, the MTW agency expended $3,600,000 on HAP 
and $400,000 on eligible non-HAP MTW expenses. The MTW agency's HCV HAP 
renewal funding for CY 2021 will be $4 million (assuming the HAP 
Renewal Eligibility Cap is greater than

[[Page 53452]]

$4 million), adjusted by the RFIF and any applicable national 
proration.
    (b) Eligible Uses. The MTW agency may use these funds for any 
eligible activity permissible under Section 8(o) of the 1937 Act or, if 
the MTW agency proposes to use the funding under its MTW flexibility, 
it may also use these funds for any eligible activity permissible under 
Section 9(e)(1), Section 9(d)(1), and for the local, non-traditional 
activities specified in Appendix I of this notice.
    (c) HAP Renewal Sources of Funds. The only HAP and non-HAP MTW 
expenses that will be included in the MTW HAP renewal formula are those 
paid for with the same sources of funds that would be included in the 
non-MTW HAP renewal formula for a non-MTW agency except as otherwise 
provided herein (see PIH Notice 2013-28 and any future successor 
notices). Accordingly, HAP expenses and non-HAP MTW expenses must be 
paid from the following sources of funds to be included in the HAP 
renewal formula calculation:
    (i) HCV budget authority,
    (ii) HUD-held HAP reserves (undisbursed budget authority),
    (iii) PHA-held HAP reserves (i.e., Restricted Net Position (RNP)),
    (iv) Any funds from the HAP Set-aside (if available after PHA 
application and approval), and
    (v) For HAP expenses only: Administrative fee reserves (i.e., 
Unrestricted Net Position). The administrative fee reserve is an 
eligible source of funds to be included in the MTW agency's MTW HAP 
renewal calculation, but only if the administrative fee reserve is used 
for HAP expenses. If the MTW agency is using administrative fee 
reserves for HAP expenses, the MTW agency must enter the amount of the 
administrative fee reserves used for HAP expenses in the comments 
section in VMS. Non-HAP MTW expenses paid from the administrative fee 
reserve are not eligible for renewal funding. Furthermore, when 
determining HAP renewal eligibility, the use of the administrative fee 
reserves is always first attributed to the MTW agency's non-HAP MTW 
expenses incurred during the calendar year before the expenditure of 
those reserves may be considered to be the source of funds for HAP 
expenses. If HAP expenses covered by the MTW Agency's administrative 
fee reserve exceed non-HAP MTW expenses for the calendar year, then the 
difference is applied to the HAP renewal calculation. Note that there 
is no restriction against using administrative fee reserves for non-HAP 
MTW expenses, just that those non-HAP MTW expenses are not eligible for 
inclusion in the MTW HAP renewal calculation.
    HAP expenses or non-HAP MTW expenses that were paid for with any 
other funding source (for example, public housing Operating Funds and 
Capital Funds, and current year HCV Administrative Fee funds) will not 
be included in the MTW agency's HCV renewal funding calculation.
    (d) HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap. The MTW agency's renewal 
eligibility for all MTW Years will be limited by the HAP Renewal 
Eligibility Cap. The calculation multiplies (1) the MTW agency's total 
number of MTW-eligible ACC authorized units \22\ in the re-benchmark 
year (the CY immediately preceding the CY for which the MTW agency's 
renewal eligibility is being calculated) \23\ by (2) the MTW agency's 
pre-MTW monthly per-unit cost (PUC) inflated to the re-benchmark year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ ``MTW-eligible ACC authorized units'' means the MTW 
agency's number of ACC authorized units, regardless of whether the 
units are leased, after excluding the number of authorized units 
that would not be subject to the MTW renewal formula. In other 
words, special purpose vouchers that are renewed separately and are 
not part of the MTW HAP renewal formula are not included in the 
formula used to calculate the HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap. See 
section VI.9 of this Notice for further information on these special 
purpose vouchers that are renewed separately outside the MTW renewal 
formula.
    \23\ As noted above, the re-benchmark year is also the source 
year for the actual expense data used in the MTW agency's HAP 
renewal formula.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) The number of MTW-eligible ACC authorized units is measured in 
unit months available (UMAs).\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ Authorized units in the HCV program context are measured in 
terms of unit months available. For example, if an authorized unit 
is under ACC as of January 1, the authorized unit equals twelve unit 
months available for that CY. On the other hand, if the authorized 
unit was added to the ACC under a new funding increment effective 
March 1, the authorized unit is equal to ten unit months available 
for that CY.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The inflated pre-MTW PUC is projected using, as a base, the 
monthly PUC for the CY in which the MTW agency signed its MTW ACC 
Amendment. HUD applies the RFIF to this base PUC to estimate what the 
MTW agency's HCV PUC would be, had the MTW agency not joined the MTW 
program, as of the re-benchmark year.
    After the calculation of the HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap, it is 
compared with the MTW agency's actual total combined HAP and non-HAP 
MTW expenses. The lower of these two amounts--(1) the HAP Renewal 
Eligibility Cap or (2) the MTW agency's actual total combined HAP and 
non-HAP MTW expenses adjusted by the RFIF and any national proration 
factor--is then used to determine the MTW agency's CY renewal funding.
    (iii) Example: If an MTW agency signs its MTW ACC Amendment in 
September 2020, CY 2021 will be the MTW agency's first full Calendar 
Year in the MTW demonstration. In calculating the MTW agency's HCV 
renewal funding for CY 2021, the following information applies:
     The MTW PHA's average monthly PUC for CY 2019 was $700.
     The CY 2020 inflation rate is two percent.
     The number of MTW-eligible ACC authorized units during CY 
2020 is 800 units. (In this example all units were under ACC as of 1/1/
2020, so the number of UMAs is simply 800 units multiplied by twelve 
months, or 9,600 UMAs).
     The HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap for CY 2021 is calculated 
by first determining the estimated PUC for CY 2020, which is $714 (the 
monthly PUC for CY 2019 inflated for CY 2020, or $700 x 1.02). The 
estimated PUC for CY 2020 is then multiplied by the MTW agency's CY 
2020 MTW-eligible ACC authorized UMAs \25\ ($714 x 9,600 UMAs) to 
determine the HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap, which is $6,854,400.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ As noted earlier, these are the MTW agency's CY 2019 UMAs 
that are subject to the MTW renewal formula. UMAs attributable to 
special purpose vouchers such as HUD-VASH and FUP that are renewed 
separately are not included in this count.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The HAP Renewal Eligibility Cap ($6,854,400) is then 
compared to the MTW agency's total combined HAP and non-HAP MTW 
expenses for the re-benchmark year that originated from the eligible 
funding sources described earlier in this notice. If the total combined 
HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses do not exceed $6,854,400, the MTW agency's 
CY 2021 renewal funding will be the total combined HAP and non-HAP MTW 
expenses adjusted by the RFIF and any national proration. If the total 
combined HAP and non-HAP MTW expenses exceed $6,854,400, the MTW 
agency's CY 2021 renewal funding will be $6,854,400, adjusted by the 
RFIF and any national proration.
    (e) Financial Management Requirements Apply. The same financial 
management requirements that apply to non-MTW agencies also apply to 
MTW agencies (e.g., Cash Management Requirements for the HCV Program 
with Notice PIH 2017-06 and successor notices).
    (f) Administrative Fees. The Administrative Fee rates used to 
calculate fee eligibility for MTW agencies shall be established 
according to the same methodology used to

[[Page 53453]]

establish Administrative Fee rates for all agencies, including non-MTW 
agencies. Under current appropriations law, as is the case for all 
agencies, administrative fees will be calculated on the basis of units 
leased as of the first day of each month; this data will be extracted 
from VMS at the close of each reporting cycle. Administrative fees for 
MTW agencies are also subject to the national proration factor and any 
other appropriations act requirements.
    (g) Adjustments for the First-Time Renewal of Certain Vouchers. If 
the MTW agency receives incremental HCV vouchers and funding (including 
tenant protection vouchers), other than special purpose vouchers, 
renewal funding for those vouchers will be included in the MTW HCV 
renewal funding eligibility calculation for the following year. (See 
section VI.9 of this notice for further discussion of tenant protection 
and other special purpose vouchers.) The renewal amount for the 
following year is based on HAP costs reported for these increments in 
VMS in the prior year, which will be adjusted by the RFIF. Should the 
initial increment(s) be funded for less than twelve months due to lack 
of appropriations, HUD will adjust for the missing months upon renewal, 
by selecting the funded PUC for the initial increment times the number 
of units,\26\ then adjusted by the RFIF. The aggregate renewal 
eligibility is always subject to the national proration factor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ The MTW PUC is equal to MTW HAP expenses divided by the 
number of MTW units leased. (Non-HAP MTW expenses are not included 
in the MTW PUC calculation).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (h) Applicable Inflation Factor and Proration. The same applicable 
RFIFs that apply to non-MTW agencies will be applied each CY to 
determine the MTW agency's HAP funding renewal eligibility. Likewise, 
the MTW agency's HAP funding renewal eligibility is subject to the same 
national proration as non-MTW agencies' renewal eligibility.
    (i) Reserves. Reserves are subject to offsets as part of future 
Congressional appropriations acts.
    (j) Local, Non-Traditional Activities. The MTW agency may spend up 
to ten percent of its HCV HAP funding on local, non-traditional 
activities, as described in Appendix I, without prior HUD approval. The 
MTW agency may spend more than ten percent of its HCV HAP funding on 
local, non-traditional activities by seeking HUD approval through a 
Safe Harbor Waiver.
    (k) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD). Any vouchers received as 
part of a RAD Component I conversion shall be added to the ACC for the 
remainder of the CY in which they are awarded. HUD will issue a new 
increment of voucher funding in support of those vouchers for the first 
full CY following a RAD Component I conversion. In subsequent years, 
voucher funding for RAD-converted units will be renewed under the MTW 
HCV renewal funding calculation, adjusted by the Operating Cost 
Adjustment Factor (OCAF) and the applicable proration factor. Tenant 
protection vouchers provided for RAD Component II conversions are 
renewed in accordance with section VI.5.b.iii.g of this notice, 
Adjustment for the first-time renewal of certain vouchers, above. 
Administrative fees for RAD vouchers will be calculated based on the 
same methodology used to establish administrative fees for non-MTW 
agencies. Fees for RAD vouchers will be prorated at the same level that 
applies to all non-MTW agencies.
    (l) Voucher Programs Not Included in MTW Program. Vouchers and 
funding provided for the following special purpose vouchers, or any new 
special purpose vouchers provided in future appropriations acts, 
whether for new allocations or renewal of existing increments, shall 
not be included in the HCV MTW renewal calculation: HUD-VASH, FUP, FYI, 
NED, and Mainstream. These vouchers will be renewed under the regular 
voucher renewal requirements as provided under the appropriations acts. 
Special purpose vouchers are discussed in more detail in section VI.9 
of this notice. In addition, funding provided for the Section 8 
Moderate Rehabilitation Program is not part of the MTW program and may 
not be used for MTW activities.

c. Financial Reporting and Auditing

    MTW agencies must submit year-end unaudited financial information 
to the Department no later than two months after their fiscal year end 
using the Financial Data Schedule (FDS) contained in the Real Estate 
Assessment Center's (REAC) Financial Assessment Subsystem (FASS-PH), or 
its successor system. Current financial reporting requirements for MTW 
agencies are posted on the REAC website at: https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_11833.PDF. These requirements may be updated in the 
future.
    MTW agencies are also required to electronically submit their 
audited financial information, if applicable, to HUD no later than nine 
months after their fiscal year end. MTW agencies must include public 
housing project level financial information in the FDS and must follow 
the Asset Management guidelines established in PIH Notice 2007-9 
Supplement to Financial Management Handbook Office of Public and Indian 
Housing (PIH) Revised April 2007, and any subsequent updates to this 
Handbook or PIH Notice. MTW agencies will conform to the cost 
requirements of 2 CFR part 200 and any HUD implementation thereof.
    MTW agencies must procure an Independent Public Accountant (IPA) to 
perform an annual audit pursuant to federal requirements at 2 CFR part 
200 and 24 CFR 990.190, or successor, as well as any audit compliance 
supplements developed specifically for use with the MTW demonstration.
    Completed IPA audits must be submitted to HUD in accordance with 
current HUD regulations. HUD will review the IPA audits of MTW agencies 
to determine appropriate action relative to any findings, prepare 
recommendations for audit finding resolution, and follow up with MTW 
agencies to assure finding closure. If there are audit findings related 
to the MTW program itself, HUD will monitor the resolution of all audit 
findings.

6. Evaluation

    As a condition of participating in the MTW demonstration, MTW 
agencies agree to cooperate fully with HUD and its contractors in the 
monitoring and evaluation of the MTW demonstration. MTW agencies shall 
keep records and submit reports and other information as required by 
HUD. This includes any data collection required for the use of waivers 
and associated activities, for the uses of MTW funds within and across 
funding streams, and any evaluation efforts that HUD undertakes. Any 
additional information requests will follow the Paperwork Reduction Act 
requirements. HUD envisions three types of evaluation: program-wide 
evaluation, cohort-specific evaluation, and ad hoc evaluation.

a. Program-Wide Evaluation

    An MTW demonstration-wide evaluation would seek to assess whether 
or not, and to what extent, MTW agencies achieve the statutory 
objectives of the MTW demonstration by using federal dollars more 
efficiently, helping residents find employment and become self-
sufficient, and/or increasing housing choices for low-income families. 
Program-wide evaluation would also seek to determine any effects, 
positive or negative, of MTW waivers and funding flexibilities on 
residents. HUD intends to develop a method for program-wide evaluation 
that is based, to the extent possible, on information already being 
collected through existing HUD administrative data systems, although 
additional

[[Page 53454]]

reporting may be necessary to effectively evaluate MTW.

b. Cohort-Specific Evaluation

    The specific evaluation methods and requirements for participating 
MTW agencies will vary in each cohort based on the policy changes to be 
tested in that cohort.\27\ The cohort-specific policy change and 
evaluation methods will be described in the applicable Selection Notice 
such that the MTW agency is aware, in advance of application to the MTW 
demonstration program, of the policy it will be required to implement 
and the evaluation requirements. The MTW agency is required to 
participate in the evaluation for the full timeframe designated by HUD. 
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research will take the lead on 
evaluating cohort-specific policy changes, and separate funds are 
appropriated by Congress for these evaluations. In all cases, the 
purpose of the evaluation will be to measure the outcomes associated 
with the specific policy change(s) in order to offer policy 
recommendations for implementing the policy change(s) across all PHAs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ For example, some cohorts of MTW agencies may be required 
to participate in randomized control trials, while others may be 
required to participate in detailed process studies or ethnographic 
research.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. Ad Hoc Evaluation

    HUD reserves the right to request, and the MTW agency shall 
provide, any additional information required by law or required for the 
sound administration or evaluation of the MTW agency.

7. Program Administration and Oversight

    In general, MTW agencies will be subject to the same planning and 
reporting protocols as non-MTW agencies, including the PHA Plan (5-Year 
Plan and Annual PHA Plan) and Capital Fund planning. MTW agencies must 
also report data into HUD data systems, as required.
    New protocols and instruments will be developed for assessing an 
MTW agency's performance and will be incorporated into PHAS and SEMAP, 
or successor assessment systems, or an alternative assessment system 
developed by HUD, explained further in section VI.7.b of this MTW 
Operations Notice. In addition, HUD will employ standard program 
compliance and monitoring approaches including assessment of relative 
risk and on-site monitoring conducted by HUD or by entities contracted 
by HUD.

a. Planning and Reporting

i. The Annual PHA Plan
    MTW agencies must adhere to Annual PHA Plan regulations at 24 CFR 
part 903, any implementing HUD Notices and guidance, as well as any 
succeeding regulations. The Annual PHA Plan consists of the 5-Year Plan 
that a PHA must submit to HUD once every five PHA fiscal years and the 
Annual PHA Plan that the PHA must submit to HUD for each PHA fiscal 
year. Annual and 5-Year Plans must be submitted in a format prescribed 
by HUD. Currently, submission format requirements are outlined in 
Notice PIH 2015-18, issued October 23, 2015, which is effective until 
amended, superseded or rescinded.
    Any HUD assistance that the MTW agency is authorized to use under 
the MTW demonstration must be used in accordance with the Annual PHA 
Plan, as applicable.
ii. MTW Supplement to the Annual PHA Plan (Under Development)
    As an MTW agency, all Annual PHA Plan information must be provided 
in the context of the agency's participation in the MTW demonstration. 
This includes taking into account the MTW Waiver(s), Safe Harbor 
Waiver(s), Agency-Specific Waiver(s) and Cohort-Specific Waiver(s), and 
associated activity(s), afforded to the MTW agency. To this end, MTW 
agencies will submit an MTW Supplement to the Annual PHA Plan.\28\ The 
MTW Supplement form has not been finalized at the time of the 
publication of this MTW Operations Notice; it has been made available 
for public review and comment, per PRA requirements.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ MTW agencies designated pursuant to the 2016 Expansion 
Statute are not required to submit the Annual MTW Plan or Annual MTW 
Report (i.e., Form 50900).
    \29\ 83 FR 50676 (October 9, 2018)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Non-MTW PHAs that are qualified under 24 CFR 903.3(c) and that are 
not designated as troubled under PHAS and that do not have a failing 
score under SEMAP are exempt from the requirement to submit the Annual 
PHA Plan. Per this MTW Operations Notice, while MTW agencies that are 
qualified under 24 CFR 903.3(c) are not required to submit the Annual 
PHA Plan, they are required to submit the MTW Supplement on an annual 
basis.
    MTW agencies must submit to HUD the Annual PHA Plan, including any 
required attachments, and the MTW Supplement no later than 75 days 
prior to the start of the agency's fiscal year. HUD will notify the MTW 
agency in writing if HUD objects to any provisions or information in 
the Annual PHA Plan or the MTW Supplement. When the MTW agency submits 
its Plan 75 days in advance of its fiscal year, HUD will respond to the 
MTW agency within 75 days or the Annual PHA Plan and the MTW Supplement 
are automatically approved.
    Prior to submitting to HUD, the MTW Supplement must go through a 
public process along with the Annual PHA Plan. This will allow the MTW 
agency to inform the community of any programmatic changes and give the 
public an opportunity to comment. The MTW agency must have at least a 
45-day public review period of its plan, after publishing a notice 
informing the public of its availability and conducting reasonable 
outreach to encourage participation in the plan process, followed by a 
public hearing. MTW agencies must consider, in consultation with the 
RABs and tenant associations, as applicable, all of the comments 
received at the public hearing. The comments received by the public and 
RABs and tenant associations must be submitted by the agency as a 
required attachment to the Plan. MTW agencies must also include a 
narrative describing their analysis of the recommendations and any 
decisions made based on these recommendations.
iii. Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy and Administrative Plan
    The MTW agency must update its ACOP and/or Administrative Plan, as 
applicable, to be consistent with the MTW activities and related 
waivers that it implements. The MTW agency may not implement an MTW 
activity or waiver until the relevant sections of the ACOP and/or 
Administrative Plan are updated. MTW agencies must provide HUD with 
electronic versions of the ACOP and/or Administrative Plan upon 
request. If the MTW agency implements an activity using the local, non-
traditional uses of funds waiver, the MTW agency must create and update 
an implementing document specifically for such activity. Additionally, 
the MTW agency must update its ACOP and/or Administrative Plan upon 
terminating an MTW activity.
iv. Capital Planning and Reporting
    MTW agencies must adhere to CFP regulations at 24 CFR part 905, any 
implementing HUD Notices and guidance, as well as any successor 
regulations. As noted previously, MTW agencies are funded in accordance 
with CFP regulations and formula funds are calculated and distributed 
in the same manner as non-MTW agencies.

[[Page 53455]]

    MTW agencies have the authority and flexibility to utilize their 
CFP funds for expanded uses as part of their MTW funding flexibility. 
HUD will award Capital Fund grants to MTW agencies in keeping with the 
standard process for all PHAs. The Department will spread budget line 
items in eLOCCS in accordance with Annual Statements/Budgets submitted 
in EPIC for Capital Fund grants awarded. As with all PHAs, an MTW 
agency may draw down Capital Funds from HUD only when such funds are 
due and payable, unless HUD approves another payment schedule.\30\ To 
the extent that the MTW agency plans to use CFP funding for other MTW-
eligible (non-CFP) activities, the agency must create a separate work 
activity (or activities) in the EPIC system that select the ``MTW 
(1492)'' work category. CFP funds entered on BLI 1492 would not need to 
be broken out and itemized in the part II supporting pages of the HUD-
50075.1. However, regardless of the BLI utilized, funds may not be 
drawn down until the PHA has an immediate need for the funds. An MTW 
agency may not accelerate drawdowns of funds in order to fund reserves 
or to otherwise increase locally held amounts, as discussed in section 
5.a. of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ HUD will publish a rule that will govern the establishment 
and maintenance of a Capital Reserve pursuant to Section 109 of 
HOTMA that may give PHAs authorization to draw down funds in advance 
of need in certain limited circumstances.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An MTW agency is not required to use all or any portion of its CFP 
grant for non-CFP activities. To the extent that the MTW agency wishes 
to dedicate all or a portion of its CFP grant to specific capital 
improvements, the agency shall record CFP funding in work activities in 
EPIC as in the standard program.
v. Inventory Management System/PIH Information Center Reporting
    Data from HUD's Inventory Management System/PIH Information Center 
(IMS/PIC), or successor systems, is critical to all aspects of program 
administration, including HUD monitoring and tracking of MTW agency 
progress in meeting the MTW statutory objectives. IMS/PIC data is used 
to establish funding eligibility levels for both Operating Subsidy Fund 
and Capital Fund grants. Further, HUD relies on IMS/PIC data to provide 
a thorough and comprehensive view of PHA program performance and 
compliance.
    MTW agencies are required to submit the following information to 
HUD via IMS/PIC (or its successor system):
     Family data to IMS/PIC using Form HUD-50058 MTW Expansion 
(or successor forms) or Form HUD-50058 for special purpose voucher 
purposes, and in compliance with HUD's standard 50058 submission 
requirements for MTW agencies. MTW agencies must report information on 
all families receiving some form of tenant-based or project-based 
housing assistance, either directly or indirectly, as well as all 
public housing families, to be current to at least a 95 percent level.
     Current building and unit information in the development 
module of IMS/PIC (or successor system).
     Basic data about the PHA (address, phone number, email 
address, etc.).
    HUD will monitor MTW agency reporting to IMS/PIC (or successor 
system) to ensure compliance and provide technical assistance to MTW 
agencies as needed. In order to participate in the MTW expansion, PHAs 
must have the information technology capability to upgrade their IMS/
PIC software to accommodate MTW flexibilities. PHAs that currently use 
HUD Family Reporting Software (FRS) must upgrade their software to an 
approved system that supports the submission of MTW IMS/PIC data. HUD 
does not anticipate modifying the FRS to accommodate the submission of 
MTW data.
vi. Voucher Management System Reporting
    MTW agencies are required to report voucher utilization in VMS, or 
its successor system. There are several areas in which VMS reporting is 
different for MTW agencies. These areas are highlighted in the VMS 
User's Manual (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=instructions.pdf) which details the VMS reporting 
requirements.
    HUD will monitor each MTW agency's VMS reporting to ensure 
compliance and provide technical assistance to MTW agencies as needed.
vii. General Reporting Requirement
    In addition to the reporting requirements outlined in this MTW 
Operations Notice, MTW agencies are required to comply with any and all 
HUD reporting requirements not specifically waived by HUD for 
participation in the MTW demonstration program.

b. Performance Assessment

    Assessing the performance of PHAs (both MTW and non-MTW) helps with 
the delivery of services in the public housing and voucher programs and 
enhances trust among PHAs, assisted households, HUD, and the general 
public. To facilitate this effort, HUD will provide management tools 
for effectively and fairly assessing the performance of a PHA in 
essential housing operations and program administration.
    Currently, HUD uses PHAS and SEMAP to assess risk and identify 
underperforming PHAs in the traditional public housing and voucher 
programs. However, since some of the MTW flexibilities make it 
difficult to accurately assess the performance of MTW agencies under 
the existing systems, HUD will develop an alternative, MTW-specific 
assessment system, which may be incorporated into PHAS and SEMAP (or 
successor assessment system(s)). MTW agencies may not opt out of the 
MTW-specific successor system(s). Until the successor system is 
implemented, HUD will monitor MTW agency performance through PHAS sub-
scores. Additionally, HUD may consider data provided through other HUD 
systems in its assessment of an MTW agency's activities.
i. Public Housing Assessment System
    MTW agencies will not be scored in PHAS unless and until such time 
as HUD develops an MTW-specific system that is incorporated into PHAS, 
or successor system, but they can elect to be scored if they choose to 
opt in. (MTW agencies continue to receive PHAS sub-scores even if they 
do not to receive the overall score.) An MTW agency will maintain its 
PHAS performance designation (i.e., high performer, standard performer, 
substandard performer, troubled, Capital Fund-troubled) at the time of 
MTW designation, up until a successor system is established. If an MTW 
agency elects to receive its overall PHAS score, the agency must 
continue to be scored for the duration of the demonstration, or until 
the agency is assessed under the alternative, MTW-specific assessment 
system(s), whichever comes first. Once developed, all MTW agencies, 
including MTW agencies that elect not to receive an overall PHAS score, 
must be assessed under the MTW-specific assessment system(s).
    Pursuant to the 1996 MTW Statute, when providing public housing, 
the MTW agency must ensure that the housing is safe, decent, sanitary, 
and in good repair, according to the physical inspection protocols 
established and approved by HUD. Thus, MTW agencies continue to be 
subject to HUD physical inspections. To the extent that HUD physical 
inspections reveal deficiencies, the MTW agency must continue to 
address these deficiencies in accordance with existing physical 
inspection requirements. If an MTW agency does

[[Page 53456]]

not maintain public housing adequately, as evidenced by the physical 
inspection performed by HUD, and is determined to be troubled in this 
area, HUD will determine appropriate remedial actions.
ii. Section 8 Management Assessment Program
    MTW agencies will not be scored in SEMAP unless and until such time 
as HUD develops an MTW-specific system that is consistent with SEMAP, 
or successor system, but they can elect to be scored if they choose to 
opt in. An MTW agency will maintain its SEMAP performance designation 
(i.e., high performer, standard performer, troubled) at the time of MTW 
designation, up until a successor system is established. If an MTW 
agency elects to receive its overall SEMAP score, the agency must 
continue to be scored for the duration of the demonstration, or until 
the agency is assessed under the MTW-specific assessment system, 
whichever comes first. Once developed, all MTW agencies, including MTW 
agencies that opt out of SEMAP, must be assessed under the MTW-specific 
assessment system(s).

c. Monitoring and Oversight

    MTW agencies remain subject to the full range of HUD monitoring and 
oversight efforts including, but not limited to, annual risk 
assessments, on-site monitoring reviews, monitoring reviews relating to 
VMS reporting and rent reasonableness, review of the accuracy of data 
reported into HUD data systems, and use of HUD data systems to assess 
agency program performance, among other activities.
i. Five Statutory MTW Requirements
    Throughout participation in the MTW demonstration program, all MTW 
agencies must continue to meet five statutory MTW requirements 
established under the 1996 MTW Statute. Specific enforcement processes 
of the five statutory MTW requirements will be included in the MTW ACC 
Amendment (see also, section VI.12 of this notice). HUD will monitor 
and determine MTW agencies' compliance with these five statutory MTW 
requirements as follows:
    (a) Very Low-Income Requirement. MTW agencies must ensure that at 
least 75 percent of the families assisted are very low-income families, 
in each fiscal year, as defined in Section 3(b)(2) of the 1937 Act.
     HUD Verification Approach: Initial household certification 
data recorded in IMS/PIC will be used for both the PH and HCV programs 
for compliance monitoring purposes. The initial certification is 
comprised only of new admissions in the MTW agency's given fiscal year. 
Initial household certification data for families housed through local, 
non-traditional activities will be provided in a manner specified by 
the Department. An MTW agency's portfolio will then be weighted with 
respect to the number of households being served by each housing 
program type (i.e., public housing, HCV, and local, non-traditional). 
While the verification approach for this statutory requirement will be 
conducted based on initial certification in the MTW agency's given 
fiscal year, MTW agencies must continue to assist low-income families, 
which MTW agencies must monitor through the reexamination process, as 
may be amended per Appendix I.
    (b) Reasonable Rent Policy. MTW agencies must establish a 
reasonable rent policy which shall be designed to encourage employment 
and self-sufficiency by participating families, consistent with the 
purpose of this demonstration, such as by excluding some or all of a 
family's earned income for purposes of determining rent.
     HUD Verification Approach: HUD defines rent reform as any 
change in the regulations on how rent is calculated for a household. 
Upon designation into the MTW demonstration, MTW agencies are to submit 
their planned policy to implement a reasonable rent policy in the MTW 
Supplement. All activities falling under any of the activities in the 
Tenant Rent Policies waiver or the Alternate Reexamination Schedule 
waiver, as detailed in Appendix I, meet the definition of a reasonable 
rent policy because these activities constitute a change from 
regulations on how rent is calculated for a household. In addition, 
implementation of any voluntary alternative rent calculation that is 
available for all PHAs would count towards meeting this statutory 
requirement. Finally, an MTW agency may propose, for HUD's approval, an 
Agency-Specific Waiver to establish a rent policy that is different 
from those listed in Appendix I. If approved, this alternate rent 
policy approved through an Agency-Specific Waiver would also meet this 
statutory requirement. An MTW agency must implement one or multiple 
reasonable rent policies during the term of its MTW designation.\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ MTW agencies in the rent reform cohort may have prescribed 
deadlines to implement their reasonable rent policies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Substantially the Same Requirement. MTW agencies must continue 
to assist substantially the same total number of eligible low-income 
families as would have been served absent the MTW demonstration.
     HUD Verification Approach: Appendix III details the 
requirements for the Substantially the Same (STS) methodology which: 
Ensures substantially the same number of families are housed; allows 
for local flexibility; is responsive to changing budgetary climates; is 
feasible for HUD to administer; is easy for MTW agencies to predict 
compliance; is straightforward to understand; is calculated each year; 
and has publicly available results. Please refer to Appendix III for 
the specific requirements.
    (d) Comparable Mix Requirement. MTW agencies must maintain a 
comparable mix of families (by family size) as would have been provided 
had the amounts not been used under the demonstration.
     HUD Verification Approach: In order to establish a 
comparable mix baseline, HUD will pull data, by family size, for 
occupied public housing units and leased vouchers at the time of entry 
into the demonstration. HUD will rely upon MTW agency-reported data 
into HUD systems (i.e., IMS/PIC, VMS). This information will be used to 
establish baseline percentages, by family size, to which the agency is 
measured by for the remainder of participation. Following entry into 
the demonstration, agencies will provide comparable mix data and, if 
applicable, associated justifications in the MTW Supplement. HUD deems 
an acceptable level of variation to be no more than 10 percent from the 
baseline. Justifications or explanations for fluctuations greater than 
10 percent are required and subject to HUD's review.
    (e) Housing Quality Standards (HQS). MTW agencies must ensure that 
housing assisted under the demonstration meets HQS established or 
approved by the Secretary.
    [cir] HUD Verification Approach: In order to demonstrate that the 
MTW agency meets housing quality standards, HUD will verify compliance 
for each housing program type as follows:
     HCV--Program regulations at 24 CFR part 982 set forth 
basic HQS for housing assisted under the HCV program. These housing 
quality standards, or successor regulations, are the standards used to 
determine if the MTW agency is fulfilling its responsibilities to 
ensure owners are maintaining the units in accordance with HQS in the 
evaluation of an agency. MTW agencies with an HCV program must certify 
in the MTW Supplement that they have fulfilled their responsibilities 
to comply with and ensure enforcement of HQS under

[[Page 53457]]

this requirement in accordance with the HQS regulations in 24 CFR part 
982, as modified where applicable through the implementation of the 
discrete MTW Waivers approved by HUD provided in Appendix 1 or through 
an Agency-Specific Waiver.
     Public Housing--HUD will verify this requirement through 
its review of public housing physical inspection scores. Overall scores 
falling below 60 percent will be identified as non-compliant with the 
statutory requirement.
     Local, Non-Traditional--In the MTW Supplement, MTW 
agencies must certify that local, non-traditional units meet HQS 
performance requirements (as provided in 24 CFR 982.401) as required in 
PIH Notice 2011-45, or successor notice.
ii. Income Integrity and Enterprise Income Verification System (EIV) 
Reviews
    MTW agencies are required to comply with the final rule regarding 
EIV issued December 29, 2009, or successor, and utilize EIV for all 
income and employment verifications. EIV has been modified for MTW 
agencies so that family information submitted in IMS/PIC will not 
expire for 40 months in order to accommodate agencies choosing to 
extend recertification periods for up to three years.
    MTW agencies are subject to HUD review to ensure compliance with 
EIV requirements as well as monitor the accuracy and integrity of the 
MTW agencies' income and rent determination policies, procedures, and 
outcomes.
iii. MTW Site Visit
    HUD will periodically conduct site visits to monitor the 
implementation of MTW flexibilities provided under the MTW Operations 
Notice, provide guidance, discuss the MTW agency's activities, and 
offer any needed technical assistance regarding its program. The 
purpose of a site visit will be to monitor agency-reported MTW 
activities, to review the status and effectiveness of the MTW agency's 
strategies, to provide technical assistance, to problem-solve regarding 
any local barriers the agency is facing, and to identify and resolve 
outstanding MTW related issues.
    The MTW agency shall give HUD access, at reasonable times and 
places, to all requested sources of information including access to 
files, access to units, and an opportunity to interview agency staff 
and assisted participants.
    Where travel funding or staff resources are not available to 
facilitate in-person site visits, HUD may exercise the option to 
conduct remote site visits via telephone, videoconference, or webinar. 
To the extent possible, HUD will coordinate the MTW site visit with 
other site visits to be conducted by HUD.
iv. Housing Choice Voucher Utilization
    HUD will monitor HCV utilization at MTW agencies and will ensure 
that HCV funds are utilized in accordance with section VI.5.b.iii and 
Appendix III of this notice. At its discretion, HUD may take any 
appropriate actions to direct an MTW agency to increase HCV leasing and 
utilization.
v. Public Housing Occupancy
    HUD will monitor public housing occupancy rates for MTW agencies. 
In instances where the MTW agency's public housing occupancy rate falls 
below 96 percent, HUD may require, at its discretion, that the MTW 
agency enter into an Occupancy Action Plan to address the occupancy 
issues. The Occupancy Action Plan will include the cause of the 
occupancy issue, the intended solution, and reasonable timeframes to 
address the cause of the occupancy issue.
vi. Additional Monitoring and Oversight
    HUD may, based on the MTW agency's risks and at HUD's discretion, 
conduct management, programmatic, financial, or other reviews of the 
MTW agency. The MTW agency shall respond to any findings with 
appropriate corrective action(s).
    In addition, HUD will make use of all HUD data systems and 
available information to conduct ongoing remote monitoring and 
oversight actions for MTW agencies, consistent with the results of the 
PIH risk assessment.

8. Rental Assistance Demonstration Program

    MTW agencies converting public housing program units to Section 8 
assistance under the RAD program are able to retain MTW regulatory and 
statutory flexibilities in the management of those units, subject to 
RAD requirements, if the conversion is to Section 8 PBV assistance. MTW 
agencies converting projects under RAD to PBV may continue to undertake 
flexibilities except to the extent limited by RAD, as described in the 
RAD Notice, Notice PIH 2012-32, REV-4 or its successor notice.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ Notices and laws related to RAD can be found at https://www.hud.gov/RAD/library/notices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Applying MTW Flexibilities to Special Purpose Vouchers

    Special Purpose Vouchers (SPVs) are specifically provided for by 
Congress in line item appropriations. Except for enhanced vouchers and 
tenant-protection vouchers (described below), SPVs are not part of the 
MTW demonstration and are not part of the MTW agency's total available 
flexible MTW Funding. The funding is renewed outside of the MTW HAP 
renewal formula and the funding (both the initial increment and renewal 
funding) for the SPVs may only be used for eligible SPV purposes. There 
are no MTW flexibilities available for using MTW funds to cover SPV 
shortfalls; MTW agencies may use non-HAP sources to cover shortfalls, 
following the procedures outlined in Notice PIH 2013-28, or successor. 
Despite SPV funding restrictions to cover regular voucher shortfalls, 
MTW agencies do have the ability/are permitted to use HAP reserve 
funds, including HAP originated reserves subject to fungibility 
provisions, to address SPV instances of shortfalls; where the SPVs are 
under the same appropriations allocation for renewal as their Section 8 
vouchers.\33\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=DOC_10495.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Vouchers

    HUD-VASH vouchers have separate operating requirements and must be 
administered in accordance with the requirements listed at www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/vash. The operating 
requirements waive and alter many of the standard HCV statutes and 
regulations at 24 CFR part 982. Unless stated in the HUD-VASH operating 
requirements, however, the regulatory requirements at 24 CFR part 982 
and all other HUD directives for the HCV program are applicable to HUD-
VASH vouchers. MTW agencies may submit a request to HUD to operate HUD-
VASH vouchers in accordance with MTW administrative flexibilities.

b. Family Unification Program (FUP) Vouchers

    The FUP NOFA language allows vouchers to be administered in 
accordance with MTW flexibilities unless MTW provisions are 
inconsistent with the appropriations act or requirements of the FUP 
NOFA. In the event of a conflict between the MTW Operations Notice and 
the appropriations act or FUP NOFA language, the act and NOFA govern.

[[Page 53458]]

c. Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Vouchers

    The FYI NOFA language allows vouchers to be administered in 
accordance with MTW flexibilities unless MTW provisions are 
inconsistent with the appropriations act or requirements of the FYI 
NOFA. In the event of a conflict between the MTW Operations Notice and 
the appropriations act or FYI NOFA language, the act and NOFA govern.

d. Non-Elderly Persons With Disabilities (NED) Vouchers

    The NED NOFA language allows vouchers to be administered in 
accordance with MTW operations unless MTW provisions are inconsistent 
with the appropriations act or requirements of the NED NOFA. In the 
event of a conflict between the MTW Operations Notice and the 
appropriations act or NED NOFA language, the act and NOFA govern.

e. Mainstream Vouchers

    The Mainstream NOFA language allows vouchers to be administered in 
accordance with MTW flexibilities unless MTW provisions are 
inconsistent with the appropriations act or requirements of the 
Mainstream NOFA. In the event of a conflict between the MTW Operations 
Notice and the appropriations act or Mainstream NOFA language, the act 
and NOFA govern.

f. Enhanced Vouchers and Tenant Protection Vouchers

    MTW agencies may apply any MTW flexibilities as authorized by this 
notice to replacement TPVs to the extent that the MTW flexibilities 
used do not infringe upon the protections applied to those 
families.\34\ However, funding fungibility may only be applied to 
replacement TPV funds once the initial funding increment is renewed. No 
MTW flexibilities may be applied to relocation TPVs. MTW agencies 
should review PIH Notice 2020-04 and any future successor notices for 
more information on re-issuance of TPVs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ For examples of restrictions in applying MTW flexibilities 
to tenant protection vouchers, please visit the MTW Special Purpose 
Voucher Q&A at https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/SpecialPurposeVouchersQA.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The statutory enhanced voucher requirements under Section 8(t) of 
the 1937 Act (e.g., the HAP calculation) apply to an enhanced voucher 
family until the family either moves from the project or leaves the HCV 
tenant-based program for any reason. MTW agencies must follow the 
procedures described in Notice PIH 2013-27, or its successor notice, 
for a recipient of an enhanced voucher to voluntarily agree to 
relinquish their tenant-based assistance in exchange for PBV 
assistance. When an enhanced voucher family moves from the project, 
either after initially receiving the voucher or anytime thereafter, the 
Section 8(t) enhanced voucher requirements no longer apply. The voucher 
is then administered in accordance with the regular HCV program 
requirements, as modified by the agency's individual MTW waivers and 
MTW policies for its tenant-based HCV program.

10. Applicability of Other Federal, State, and Local Requirements

    Notwithstanding the waivers and associated activities provided in 
this MTW Operations Notice, the following provisions of the 1937 Act 
continue to apply to MTW agencies and the assistance received pursuant 
to the 1937 Act:
     The terms ``low-income families'' and ``very low-income 
families'' shall continue to be defined by reference to Section 3(b)(2) 
of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2));
     Section 12 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437j), as amended, 
shall apply to housing assisted under the demonstration, governing 
labor standards and community service requirements, other than housing 
assisted solely due to occupancy by families receiving tenant-based 
assistance;
     Section 18 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437p, as amended by 
Section 1002(d) of Public Law 104-19, Section 201(b)(1) of Public Law 
104-134, and Section 201(b) of Public Law 104-202), governing 
demolition and disposition, shall continue to apply to public housing 
notwithstanding any use of the housing under MTW; and
     Section 8(r)(1) of the 1937 Act on HCV portability shall 
continue to apply unless provided as a cohort-specific waiver and 
associated activity(s) in an evaluative cohort as necessary to 
implement comprehensive rent reform and occupancy policies. Such a 
cohort-specific waiver and associated activity(s) would contain, at a 
minimum, exceptions for requests to port due to employment, education, 
health and safety and reasonable accommodation.
    Notwithstanding anything contained in this notice, federal, state 
and local requirements applicable to public housing or HCV assistance 
other than those provisions of the 1937 Act or its implementing 
requirements that are specifically waived pursuant to the MTW 
Operations Notice will apply. MTW authority may also be limited by any 
laws promulgated in future years, which include without limitation: 
Statutes, appropriations acts, notices implementing appropriations 
acts, regulations, and executive orders.
    The MTW ACC Amendment will place in HUD the authority and 
discretion to determine whether any future law conflicts with any MTW-
related agreement or notice. If a future law conflicts, the future law 
shall be implemented. Additionally, no money damages are contemplated 
for action by HUD with respect to the MTW demonstration program.
    If any requirement applicable to PHAs, public housing, or HCV 
assistance other than those provisions of the 1937 Act or its 
implementing requirements that may be waived pursuant to MTW authority 
and that are specifically waived pursuant to the MTW Operations Notice, 
contains a provision that conflicts or is inconsistent with any MTW 
Waiver, Safe Harbor Waiver, and/or Agency-Specific Waiver granted by 
HUD, the MTW agency remains subject to the terms of that requirement. 
Such requirements include, but are not limited to:
     Requirements for Federal Funds: Notwithstanding the 
flexibilities described in this notice, the public housing and voucher 
funding provided to MTW agencies remain federal funds and are subject 
to any and all other federal requirements outside of the 1937 Act 
(e.g., including but not limited to competitive HUD NOFAs under which 
the MTW agency has received an award, state and local laws, federal 
statutes other than the 1937 Act (including appropriations acts), and 
OMB Circulars and requirements), as modified from time to time. The MTW 
agency's expenditures must comply with 2 CFR part 200 and other 
applicable federal requirements, which provide basic guidelines for the 
use of federal funds, including the requirements of this notice.
     National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): MTW agencies 
must comply with NEPA, 24 CFR part 50 or part 58, as applicable, and 
other related federal laws and authorities identified in 24 CFR part 50 
or part 58, as applicable. Information and guidance on the 
environmental review process and requirements is provided in PIH Notice 
2016-22, or successor notice.
     Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity: As with the 
administration of all HUD programs and all HUD-assisted activities, 
fair housing, and civil rights issues apply to the administration of 
MTW demonstration

[[Page 53459]]

programs. This includes actions and policies that may have a 
discriminatory effect on the basis of race, color, sex, national 
origin, religion, disability, or familial status (see 24 CFR part 1 and 
part 100 subpart G) or that may impede, obstruct, prevent, or undermine 
efforts to affirmatively further fair housing. Annual PHA Plans must 
include a civil rights certification required by Section 5A of the 1937 
Act and implemented by regulation at 24 CFR 903.7(o) and 903.15, as 
well as a statement of the MTW agency's strategies and actions to 
achieve fair housing goals outlined in an approved Assessment of Fair 
Housing consistent with 24 CFR 5.154. If the MTW agency does not have a 
HUD-accepted Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH), it must still provide a 
civil rights certification and statement of the MTW agency's fair 
housing strategies, which would be informed by the corresponding 
jurisdiction's AFH and the MTW agency's assessment of its own 
operations.
    All PHAs, including MTW agencies, are obligated to comply with non-
discrimination and equal opportunity laws and implementing regulation, 
including those in 24 CFR 5.105. Specific laws and regulations must be 
viewed in their entirety for full compliance, as this MTW Operations 
Notice does not incorporate a complete discussion of all legal 
authorities. For example, PHAs, including MTW agencies, are required to 
comply with the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 
1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Architectural Barriers Act of 
1968, Executive Order 11063: Equal Opportunity in Housing, Executive 
Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited 
English Proficiency, HUD's Equal Access Rule (24 CFR 5.105(a)(2), Age 
Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments 
Act of 1972, as well as HUD and government-wide regulations 
implementing these authorities. MTW agencies should review PIH Notice 
2011-31, or its successor, for more details.
     Court Orders and Voluntary Compliance Agreements: MTW 
agencies must comply with the terms of any applicable court orders or 
Voluntary Compliance Agreements that are in existence or may come into 
existence during the term of the MTW ACC Amendment. The MTW agency must 
cooperate fully with any investigation by the HUD Office of Inspector 
General or any other investigative and law enforcement agencies of the 
U.S. Government.

11. MTW Agencies Admitted Prior to 2016 MTW Expansion Statute

    The 39 MTW agencies that entered the MTW demonstration prior to the 
2016 MTW Expansion Statute adhere to an administrative structure 
outlined in the Standard MTW Agreement, an agreement between each 
current agency and HUD. The 2016 MTW Expansion Statute extended the 
term of the Standard MTW Agreement for these existing MTW agencies 
through each agency's 2028 fiscal year.
    Some agencies that entered the MTW demonstration prior to the 2016 
MTW Expansion Statute may wish to opt out of their Standard MTW 
Agreement and administer their MTW program pursuant to the MTW 
Expansion and the requirements in this MTW Operations Notice. HUD will 
support an existing MTW agency's request to join the MTW Expansion 
provided that the agency:
     Makes the change at the end of its fiscal year, so that it 
does not have part of a fiscal year under the Standard Agreement and 
part under the MTW Operations Notice;
     follows the same public comment and Board resolution 
process as would be required for amending the Standard MTW Agreement;
     executes its MTW ACC Amendment to authorize participation 
in the MTW demonstration consistent with the MTW Operations Notice; and
     executes the MTW ACC Amendment and terminates its Standard 
MTW Agreement, thereby becoming subject to all the terms and conditions 
that apply to MTW agencies admitted pursuant to the 2016 MTW Expansion 
Statute, including all of the provisions of this Operations Notice and 
the accompanying MTW ACC Amendment.
    Should an existing MTW agency elect to administer its MTW program 
pursuant to the framework described in this MTW Operations Notice, it 
will not be required to implement the cohort-specific policy change 
associated with any of the MTW cohorts and it will not be required to 
participate in the evaluation of that specific policy change. All other 
requirements in this MTW Operations Notice will apply.

12. Sanctions, Terminations, and Default

    If the MTW agency violates any of the requirements outlined in this 
notice, HUD is authorized to take any corrective or remedial action 
permitted by law. Sanctions, terminations, and default are covered in 
the agency's MTW ACC Amendment.

13. Administrative and Contact Information

a. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements contained in this document 
are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S C. 2501-3520). The OMB control 
number is 2577-0216. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 
HUD may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond 
to, a collection of information unless the collection displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

b. Contact Information

    For further information, contact: Marianne Nazzaro, Director, 
Moving to Work Demonstration Program; email: [email protected]; 
telephone number 202-402-4306 (this is not a toll-free number), or 
visit the MTW demonstration program website at: www.hud.gov/mtw. 
Hearing- and speech-impaired persons may access this number through TTY 
by calling the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (this is a toll-
free number).

R. Hunter Kurtz,
Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.

Appendix I

    Appendix I, MTW Waivers, is a simplified guide for MTW agencies 
seeking to develop MTW initiatives that have already been executed 
by existing MTW agencies. MTW agencies may implement any activity 
contained in Appendix I without further HUD approval as long as it 
is included in the MTW Supplement (described in section VI.7 of this 
Notice) of an approved PHA Plan and implemented within the 
associated safe harbor(s). MTW activities are listed by specific 
waiver name in Appendix I; however, MTW agencies may use the MTW 
Supplement to combine activities together in order to create more 
comprehensive initiatives.
    This appendix contains the MTW Waivers and their associated 
activities. The appendix includes the waiver name, waiver 
description, statutes and regulations waived, permissible 
activities, and safe harbors. The waiver description defines the 
authorization provided to the MTW agency, subject to the terms of 
this notice. The statutory and regulatory citations that may be 
waived by an MTW agency in order to implement an activity are 
included below the activity. The list of waivers and list of 
activities are organized by program type. The safe harbors contain 
the additional requirements (beyond those specified in the activity 
description) the agency must follow in order to implement the 
activity without additional HUD approval once it is included in an 
approved MTW Supplement to the PHA Plan. Consistent with applicable 
federal,

[[Page 53460]]

state, and local lease requirements, MTW agencies should update 
their leases as necessary to adopt MTW flexibilities authorized by 
these MTW Waivers.
    Appendix I is an exclusive list of activities an MTW agency can 
implement without further HUD approval once it is included in the 
MTW Supplement of an approved PHA Plan; however, is not intended to 
be the complete listing of what an MTW agency can and cannot do. If 
an MTW agency wishes to request the ability to implement an activity 
in a manner inconsistent with the safe harbor(s) of an MTW activity 
in this appendix, the MTW agency must go through the Safe Harbor 
Waiver request process explained in section VI.4 of the MTW 
Operations Notice. If an MTW agency wishes to implement activities 
or request waivers not included in this appendix, it must go through 
the Agency-Specific Waiver process explained in section VI.4 of the 
MTW Operations Notice. As described in Appendix II, the MTW agency 
shall submit an impact analysis for all Safe Harbor Waiver requests, 
and the MTW agency shall describe any hardship policy, as 
applicable.
    Safe harbors marked with an asterisk (*) cannot be waived 
through either the Safe Harbor Waiver process or the Agency-Specific 
Waiver process.

Table of Content

1. Tenant Rent Policies
    a. Tiered Rent (Public Housing [PH])
    b. Tiered Rent (Housing Choice Vouchers [HCV])
    c. Stepped Rent (PH)
    d. Stepped Rent (HCV)
    e. Minimum Rent (PH)
    f. Minimum Rent (HCV)
    g. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income (PH)
    h. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income (HCV)
    i. Alternative Utility Allowance (PH)
    j. Alternative Utility Allowance (HCV)
    k. Fixed Rents (PH)
    l. Fixed Subsidy (HCV)
    m. Utility Reimbursements (PH)
    n. Utility Reimbursements (HCV)
    o. Initial Rent Burden (HCV)
    p. Imputed Income (PH)
    q. Imputed Income (HCV)
    r. Elimination of Deduction(s) (PH)
    s. Elimination of Deduction(s) (HCV)
    t. Standard Deductions (PH)
    u. Standard Deductions (HCV)
    v. Alternative Income Inclusions/Exclusions (PH)
    w. Alternative Income Inclusions/Exclusions (HCV)
2. Payment Standards and Rent Reasonableness
    a. Payment Standards--Small Area Fair Market Rents (HCV)
    b. Payment Standards--Fair Market Rents (HCV)
    c. Rent Reasonableness--Process (HCV)
    d. Rent Reasonableness--Third-Party Requirement (HCV)
3. Reexaminations
    a. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households (PH)
    b. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households (HCV)
    c. Self-Certification of Assets (PH)
    d. Self-Certification of Assets (HCV)
4. Landlord Leasing Incentives
    a. Vacancy Loss (HCV--Tenant-Based Assistance)
    b. Damage Claims (HCV--Tenant-Based Assistance)
    c. Other Landlord Incentives (HCV--Tenant-Based Assistance)
5. Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
    a. Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections (HCV)
    b. Reasonable Penalty Payments for Landlords (HCV)
    c. Third-Party Requirement (HCV)
    d. Alternative Inspection Schedules (HCV)
6. Short-Term Assistance
    a. Short-Term Assistance (PH)
    b. Short-Term Assistance (HCV)
7. Term-Limited Assistance
    a. Term-Limited Assistance (PH)
    b. Term-Limited Assistance (HCV)
8. Increase Elderly Age (PH & HCV)
9. Project-Based Voucher Program Flexibilities
    a. Increase PBV Program Cap (HCV)
    b. Increase PBV Project Cap (HCV)
    c. Elimination of PBV Selection Process for PHA-Owned Projects 
Without Improvement, Development, or Replacement (HCV)
    d. Alternative PBV Selection Process (HCV)
    e. Alternative PBV Unit Types (Shared Housing and Manufactured 
Housing) (HCV)
    f. Increase PBV Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract Length 
(HCV)
    g. Increase PBV Rent to Owner (HCV)
    h. Limit Portability for PBV Units (HCV)
10. Family Self-Sufficiency Program With MTW Flexibility
    a. Waive Operating a Required FSS Program (PH & HCV)
    b. Alternative Structure for Establishing Program Coordinating 
Committee (PH & HCV)
    c. Alternative Family Selection Procedures (PH & HCV)
    d. Modify or Eliminate the Contract of Participation (PH & HCV)
    e. Policies for Addressing Increases in Family Income (PH & HCV)
11. MTW Self-Sufficiency Program
    a. Alternative Family Selection Procedures (PH & HCV)
    b. Policies for Addressing Increases in Family Income (PH & HCV)
12. Work Requirement
    a. Work Requirement (PH)
    b. Work Requirement (HCV)
13. Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress (PH)
14. Moving On Policy
    a. Waive Initial HQS Inspection Requirement (HCV)
    b. Allow Income Calculations From Partner Agencies (PH & HCV)
    c. Aligning Tenant Rents and Utility Payments Between Partner 
Agencies (PH & HCV)
15. Acquisition Without Prior HUD Approval (PH)
16. Deconcentration of Poverty in Public Housing Policy (PH)
17. Local, Non-Traditional Activities
    a. Rental Subsidy Programs
    b. Service Provision
    c. Housing Development Programs

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         1. Tenant Rent Policies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The agency is authorized to adopt and implement the activities listed
   below for setting tenant rents in public housing, including but not
 limited to establishing definitions of income and adjusted income that
     differ from those in the current 1937 Act and its implementing
    regulations. The agency is authorized to adopt and implement the
 activities listed below to establish total tenant payments (TTP) \1\ in
 the HCV program, and/or tenant rents for tenant-based and project-based
voucher (PBV) assistance that differ from the currently mandated program
   requirements in the 1937 Act and its implementing regulations. The
 agency is authorized to adopt and implement the activities listed below
 to calculate the tenant portion of the rent in a way that differs from
   the currently mandated program requirements in the 1937 Act and its
 implementing regulations. The agency must determine initial eligibility
 in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609 and must comply with section 3(b)(2) of
  the United States Housing Act of 1937 Act (1937 Act) (42 U.S.C. Sec.
 1437). For voucher activities, the Department has developed a standard
   rider to the HAP contract that reflects any MTW authorizations that
           amend the current requirements of the HAP contract.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         1.a., 1.b. Tiered Rent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.a. Tiered Rent      1.b. Tiered Rent
                               (PH)--The agency      (HCV)--The agency
                               may implement         may implement
                               changes to the        changes to the TTP
                               tenant rent           calculation to
                               calculation to        create a system
                               create a system       based upon income
                               based upon income     bands.
                               bands.
Statutes and Regulations      Tiered Rent (PH)--    Tiered Rent (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections 3(a)(1)-  of sections
                               (2) of the 1937 Act   8(o)(2)(A)-(C) of
                               and 24 CFR 5.628,     the 1937 Act and 24
                               5.634(b) and          CFR 5.628.
                               960.253.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbors................  1.a. and 1.b.
                              i. Rents and/or TTP (as applicable)
                               established under this system must be set
                               using the lowest income in each band. For
                               example, if an income band is $2,500-
                               $5,000 then the rent for that band must
                               be set using $2,500.
                              ii. The agency must adopt a flat rent and/
                               or TTP (as applicable) policy within each
                               income band instead of calculating rent
                               based on adjusted or gross income.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 53461]]

 
                         1.c., 1.d. Stepped Rent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.c. Stepped Rent     1.d. Stepped Rent
                               (PH)--The agency      (HCV)--The agency
                               may create a          may create a
                               stepped rent model    stepped rent model
                               that increases the    that increases the
                               family's rent         family's TTP on a
                               payment on a fixed    fixed schedule in
                               schedule in both      both frequency and
                               frequency and         amount. The fixed
                               amount. The fixed     schedule/stepped
                               schedule/stepped      rent model may be
                               rent model may be     disaggregated from
                               disaggregated from    family income.
                               family income.
Statutes and Regulations      Stepped Rent (PH)--   Stepped Rent (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of section 3(a)(1)-   of sections
                               (2) of the 1937 Act   8(o)(2)(A)-(C) of
                               and 24 CFR 5.628,     the 1937 Act and 24
                               5.634(b) and          CFR 5.628.
                               960.253.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  1.c. and 1.d.
                               Rent increases may not occur more
                               than once per year.
                               Agency must conduct an annual
                               impact analysis.*
                               Agency must exclude elderly and
                               disabled families from rent policy.*
                               Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy.*
                               Services, or referrals to
                               services, must be made available by the
                               agency or a partner organization to
                               support preparing families for the
                               termination of assistance, if applicable.
                               At the Department's request, the
                               agency shall make available the method
                               used to determine that rents charged to
                               families are reasonable when compared to
                               similar unassisted units in the market
                               area.*
                               Initial rents will be set at no
                               more than 32% of a household's gross
                               income, or 35% of a household's adjusted
                               income.
                               The PHA will establish a stepped
                               rent increase by unit size. The increase
                               may be no more than 4% of the Fair Market
                               Rent for the applicable area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         1.e., 1.f. Minimum Rent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.e. Minimum Rent     1.f. Minimum Rent
                               (PH)--The agency      (HCV)--The agency
                               may set a minimum     may set a minimum
                               rent that is higher   rent that is higher
                               than allowed under    than allowed under
                               current statute and   current statute and
                               regulation.           regulation.
Statutes and Regulations      Minimum Rent (PH)--   Minimum Rent (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections 3(a)(1)-  of sections
                               (2) and 3(a)(3)(A)    3(a)(3)(A) and
                               of the Act and 24     8(o)(2)(A)-(C) of
                               CFR 5.628 and 5.630.  the Act and 24 CFR
                                                     5.628 and 5.630.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  1.e. and 1.f.
                              i. Minimum rent must not exceed $130 per
                               month.
                              ii. Agency must exclude elderly and
                               disabled families from rent policy.
                              iii. Agency must conduct an impact
                               analysis.*
                              iv. Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      1.g., 1.h. Tenant Payment as a Modified Percentage of Income
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.g. Tenant Payment   1.h. Tenant Payment
                               as a Modified         as a Modified
                               Percentage of         Percentage of
                               Income (PH)--The      Income (HCV)--The
                               agency may modify     agency may modify
                               the percentage of     the percentage of
                               income used in the    income used in the
                               TTP calculation.      TTP calculation.
Statutes and Regulations      Tenant Payment as a   Tenant Payment as a
 Waived.                       Modified Percentage   Modified Percentage
                               of Income (PH)--      of Income (HCV)--
                               Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections 3(a)(1)-  of sections 3(b)(4)-
                               (2) and 3(b)(4)-(5)   (5) and 8(o)(2)(A)-
                               of the 1937 of the    (C) of the 1937 Act
                               Act and 24 CFR        and 24 CFR 5.609,
                               5.609, 5.611,         5.611, and 982.516.
                               960.253 and 960.255.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  1.g. and 1.h.
                              i. The Tenant Payment in public housing
                               and the Tenant Payment in HCV must not
                               exceed 32% of income for non-elderly/non-
                               disabled families if the agency is
                               utilizing flexibility under activities
                               1.r., 1.t. and/or 1.v. (for 1.g.) or
                               1.s., 1.u. and/or 1.w. (for 1.h.).
                              ii. The Tenant Payment in public housing
                               and the Tenant Payment in HCV must not
                               exceed 35% of income for non-elderly/non-
                               disabled families if the agency is not
                               utilizing flexibility under activities
                               1.r., 1.t. and/or 1.v. (for 1.g.) or
                               1.s., 1.u. and/or 1.w. (for 1.h.).
                              iii. Agency must exempt elderly and
                               disabled families from rent policy.
                              iv. Agency must conduct an impact
                               analysis.*
                              v. Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 1i., 1.j. Alternative Utility Allowance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1i. Alternative       1j. Alternative
                               Utility Allowance     Utility Allowance
                               (PH)--The agency      (HCV)--The agency
                               may create a          may create a
                               utility schedule(s)   utility schedule(s)
                               for all units.        for all HCV units
                                                     based upon bedroom
                                                     size, the unit
                                                     location and/or the
                                                     types of utilities
                                                     paid by
                                                     participant. The
                                                     agency may
                                                     establish a site-
                                                     based utility
                                                     allowance in PBV.
Statutes and Regulations      Alternative Utility   Alternative Utility
 Waived.                       Allowance (PH)--      Allowance (HCV)--
                               Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of 24 CFR. 965.503-   of section
                               506.                  8(o)(2)(D)(i) of
                                                     the 1937 Act and 24
                                                     CFR 982.517 and
                                                     983.301(f)(2)(ii).
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  1.i. and 1.j.
                              i. The utility schedule must be based upon
                               number of bedrooms, the property
                               location, and/or the types of utilities
                               paid by participant.
                              ii. The agency must review its schedule of
                               utility allowances each year and revise
                               its allowance for a utility category if
                               there has been a change of 10 percent or
                               more of the cost from the prior year. The
                               agency must maintain information
                               supporting its annual review of utility
                               allowances and any revisions made in its
                               utility allowance schedule.
                              iii. The agency must not include items in
                               the utility schedule that are excluded
                               under HUD regulations.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    1.k., 1.l. Fixed Rents/Subsidies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.k. Fixed Rents      1.l. Fixed Subsidy
                               (PH)--The agency      (HCV)--The agency
                               may establish fixed   may establish a
                               rents based on        fixed subsidy based
                               bedroom size.         on bedroom size.
                                                     Under this model,
                                                     the family pays the
                                                     difference between
                                                     the gross rent for
                                                     the unit and the
                                                     fixed subsidy as
                                                     the family share/
                                                     tenant rent.

[[Page 53462]]

 
Statutes and Regulations      Fixed Rents (PH)--    Fixed Subsidy (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections 3(a)(1)-  of sections
                               (2) and 3(a)(3)(A)    8(o)(2)(A)-(C) and
                               of the 1937 Act and   8(o)(3) of the 1937
                               24 CFR 5.628,         Act and 24 CFR
                               5.634(b), and         5.628, 5.630,
                               960.253.              982.505, 982.508,
                                                     983.351(c),
                                                     983.353(b)(1), and
                                                     983.353(d)(1).
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  1.k. and 1.l.
                              i. Tenant rent under the public housing
                               portion of this activity must not exceed
                               30% of income under the HUD rent
                               calculation as defined by the 1937 Act.
                              ii. For the HCV portion of this activity,
                               the fixed subsidy must not result in a
                               family paying more than 30% of income
                               under the HUD rent calculation as defined
                               by the 1937 Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    1.m., 1.n. Utility Reimbursements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.m. Utility          1.n. Utility
                               Reimbursements        Reimbursements
                               (PH)--The agency      (HCV)--The agency
                               may eliminate         may eliminate
                               utility               utility
                               reimbursement         reimbursement
                               payments in the       payments in the HCV
                               public housing        program when the
                               program when the      utility allowance
                               utility allowance     is greater than the
                               is greater than the   total tenant
                               total tenant          payment.
                               payment.
Statutes and Regulations      Utility               Utility
 Waived.                       Reimbursements        Reimbursements
                               (PH)--Certain         (HCV)--Certain
                               provisions of         provisions of
                               section 3(a)(1) of    sections 8(o)(2)(A)-
                               the 1937 Act and 24   (C) of the 1937 Act
                               CFR 5.632.            and 24 CFR 982.514
                                                     and 983.353(d).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   1.o. Initial Rent Burden (HCV only)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  N/A.................  1o. Initial Rent
                                                     Burden (HCV)--The
                                                     agency may waive
                                                     the maximum family
                                                     share at initial
                                                     occupancy of 40% of
                                                     the family's
                                                     monthly income.
Statutes and Regulations      N/A.................  Initial Rent Burden
 Waived.                                             (HCV)--Certain
                                                     provisions of
                                                     section 8(o)(3) of
                                                     the 1937 Act and 24
                                                     CFR 982.508.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  N/A.................  1.o.
                                                    i. Agency must
                                                     implement an impact
                                                     analysis.*
                                                    ii. Agency must not
                                                     allow the family
                                                     share at initial
                                                     occupancy to exceed
                                                     60% of the family's
                                                     monthly income.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        1.p., 1.q. Imputed Income
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.p. Imputed Income   1.q. Imputed Income
                               (PH)--Agency may      (HCV)--Agency may
                               base rent on an       base TTP on an
                               assumed number of     assumed number of
                               hours worked per      hours worked per
                               week.                 week.
Statutes and Regulations      Imputed Income (PH)-- Imputed Income
 Waived.                       Certain provisions    (HCV)--Certain
                               of sections 3(a)(1)   provisions of
                               and 3(b)(4)-(5) of    sections 3(b)(4)-
                               the 1937 Act and 24   (5) and 8(o)(2)(A)-
                               CFR 5.609, 5.611,     (C) of the 1937 Act
                               5.628, 960.255,       and 24 CFR 5.609,
                               960.253, and          5.611, 5.628, and
                               960.257.              982.516.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  1.p. and 1.q.
                              i. The rent calculation must be based on
                               no more than 15 hours worked per person,
                               per week at the Federal Minimum Wage.
                              ii. The rent calculation must be based on
                               no more than 30 hours worked per week per
                               household at the Federal Minimum Wage.
                              iii. Agency must conduct an impact
                               analysis.*
                              iv. Agency must exempt elderly and
                               disabled families from rent policy.
                              v. Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 1.r., 1.s. Elimination of Deduction(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.r. Elimination of   1.s. Elimination of
                               Deduction(s) (PH)--   Deduction(s) (HCV)--
                               The agency may        The agency may
                               eliminate one,        eliminate one,
                               some, or all          some, or all
                               deductions.           deductions.
Statutes and Regulations      Elimination of        Elimination of
 Waived.                       Deduction(s) (PH)--   Deduction(s) (HCV)--
                               Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections           of sections
                               3(a)(1), 3(b)(4)-     3(a)(1), 3(b)(4)-
                               (5) of the 1937 Act   (5) and 8(o)(2)(A)-
                               and 24 CFR 5.611,     (C) of the 1937 Act
                               960.253, 960.255,     and 24 CFR 5.611,
                               and 960.257.          and 982.516.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  1.r. and 1.s.
                              i. Agency must conduct an impact
                               analysis.*
                              ii. Agency must exempt elderly and
                               disabled families from rent policy.*
                              iii. Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     1.t., 1.u. Standard Deductions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.t. Standard         1.u. Standard
                               Deductions (PH)--     Deductions (HCV)--
                               The agency may        The agency may
                               replace existing      replace existing
                               deduction(s) with a   deduction(s) with a
                               single standard       single standard
                               deduction(s).         deduction(s).
Statutes and Regulations      Standard Deductions   Standard Deductions
 Waived.                       (PH)--Certain         (HCV)--Certain
                               provisions of         provisions of
                               sections 3(a)(1)      sections 3(a)(1),
                               and 3(b)(4)-(5) of    3(b)(4)-(5), and
                               the 1937 Act and 24   8(o)(2)(A)-(C) of
                               CFR 5.611, 960.253,   the 1937 Act and 24
                               960.255, and          CFR 5.611, and
                               960.257.              982.516.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  1.t. and 1.u.
                              i. Agency must conduct an impact
                               analysis.*
                              ii. Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           1.v., 1.w. Alternative Income Inclusions/Exclusions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  1.v. Alternative      1.w. Alternative
                               Income Inclusions/    Income Inclusions/
                               Exclusions (PH)--     Exclusions (HCV)--
                               The agency may        The agency may
                               establish             establish
                               alternative           alternative
                               policies to include   policies to include
                               or exclude certain    or exclude certain
                               forms of              forms of
                               participant income    participant income
                               during the income     during the income
                               review and rent       review and rent
                               calculation process.  calculation
                                                     process.
Statutes and Regulations      Alternative Income    Alternative Income
 Waived.                       Inclusions/           Inclusions/
                               Exclusions (PH)--     Exclusions (HCV)--
                               Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections 3(a)(1)   of sections
                               and 3(b)(4)-(5) of    3(a)(1), 3(b)(4)-
                               the 1937 Act and 24   (5), and 8(o)(2)(A)-
                               CFR 5.609, 5.611,     (C) of the 1937 Act
                               960.253, 960.255,     and 24 CFR 5.609,
                               and 960.257.          5.611, and 982.516.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  1.v. and 1.w........

[[Page 53463]]

 
                              i. Agency must exempt elderly and disabled
                               individuals from this rent determination
                               policy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              2. Payment Standards and Rent Reasonableness
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to adopt and implement any reasonable policy to
 establish payment standards or rent reasonableness that differ from the
 currently mandated program requirements in the 1937 Act and its
 implementing regulations. For voucher activities, the Department has
 developed a standard rider to the HAP contract that reflects any MTW
 authorizations that amend the current requirements of the HAP contract.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          2.a. Payment Standards--Small Area Fair Market Rents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  2.a. Payment Standards--Small Area Fair
                               Market Rents (HCV)--The agency is
                               authorized to adopt and implement any
                               reasonable policy to establish payment
                               standards based upon Small Area Fair
                               Market Rents (SAFMR). In lieu of
                               establishing a unique payment standard
                               for each ZIP code area within its
                               jurisdiction, a PHA may use this
                               flexibility to establish payment
                               standards for ``grouped'' ZIP code areas.
Statutes and Regulations      Payment Standards--Small Area Fair Market
 Waived.                       Rents (HCV)--Certain provisions of
                               section 8(o)(1)(B) and 8(o)(13)(H) of the
                               1937 Act and 24 CFR 982.503-505 and
                               983.301.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  2.a.
                              i. Payment standard must be between 80%
                               and 150% of the SAFMR.
                              ii. The payment standard in effect for
                               each grouped ZIP code area must be within
                               the basic range of the SAFMR for each ZIP
                               code area in the group.*
                              iii. Agency must implement an impact
                               analysis.*
                              iv. Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                2.b. Payment Standards--Fair Market Rents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  2.b. Payment Standards - Fair Market Rents
                               (HCV)--The agency is authorized to adopt
                               and implement any reasonable policy to
                               establish payment standards based upon
                               Fair Market Rents (FMR).
Statutes and Regulations      Payment Standards--Fair Market Rents (HCV--
 Waived.                       Tenant-Based Assistance)--Certain
                               provisions of section 8(o)(1)(B) and
                               8(o)(13)(H) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR
                               982.503-505 and 983.301.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  2.b.
                              i. Payment standard must be between 80%
                               and 120% of the FMR.
                              ii. Agency must implement an impact
                               analysis.*
                              iii. Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        2.c. Rent Reasonableness
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  2.c. Rent Reasonableness--Process (HCV)--
                               The agency is authorized to develop a
                               local process to determine rent
                               reasonableness that differs from the
                               currently mandated program requirements
                               in the 1937 Act and its implementing
                               regulations.
Statutes and Regulations      Rent Reasonableness--Process (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions of section 8(o)(10)(A)
                               of the 1937 Act, 24 CFR 982.507 and
                               983.303.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  2.c.
                              i. Through the Administrative Plan, the
                               agency shall make available the method
                               used to determine that rents charged by
                               owners to voucher participants are
                               reasonable when compared to similar
                               unassisted units in the market area.*
                              ii. At the Department's request, the
                               agency must obtain the services of a
                               third-party entity to determine rent
                               reasonableness for PHA-owned units.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            2.d. Rent Reasonableness--Third-Party Requirement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  2.d. Rent Reasonableness--Third-Party
                               Requirement (HCV)--The agency is
                               authorized to perform rent reasonable
                               determinations on PBV units that it owns,
                               manages, and/or controls.
Statutes and Regulations      Rent Reasonableness--Third-Party
 Waived.                       Requirement (HCV)--Certain provisions of
                               24 CFR 982.352(b) and 983.303.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  2.d.
                              i. The agency shall establish and make
                               available a quality assurance method to
                               ensure impartiality.*
                              ii. The agency shall make available the
                               method used to determine that rents
                               charged by owners to voucher participants
                               are reasonable when compared to similar
                               unassisted units in the market area.*
                              iii. At the Department's request, the
                               agency must obtain the services of a
                               third-party entity to determine rent
                               reasonableness for PHA-owned units.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            3. Reexaminations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to implement a reexamination program that
 differs from the reexamination program currently mandated in the 1937
 Act and its implementing regulations. The terms ``low-income families''
 and ``very low-income families'' shall continue to be defined by
 reference to section 3(b)(2) of the 1937 Act. MTW agencies must
 continue to determine the initial eligibility of the family in
 accordance with provisions of 24 CFR 5.609.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      3.a., 3.b. Alternative Reexamination Schedule for Households
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  3.a. Alternative      3.b. Alternative
                               Reexamination         Reexamination
                               Schedule for          Schedule for
                               Households (PH)--     Households (HCV)--
                               The agency may        The agency may
                               establish an          establish an
                               alternative           alternative
                               reexamination         reexamination
                               schedule for          schedule for
                               households.           households.
Statutes and Regulations      Alternative           Alternative
 Waived.                       Reexamination         Reexamination
                               Schedule for          Schedule for
                               Households (PH)--     Households (HCV)--
                               Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections 3(a)(1)   of section 8(o)(5)
                               and 3(a)(2)(E) of     of the 1937 Act and
                               the 1937 Act and 24   24 CFR 982.516
                               CFR 960.257(a)-(b).   (a)(1) and
                                                     982.516(c)(2).
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  3.a. and 3.b.
                              i. Reexaminations must occur at least
                               every three years.
                              ii. The agency must allow at least one
                               interim adjustment per year at the
                               request of the household, if the
                               household gross income has decreased 10%
                               or more.
                              iii. Agency must implement an impact
                               analysis.*
                              iv. Agency must include a hardship
                               policy.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 3.c., 3.d. Self-Certification of Assets
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  3.c. Self-            3.d. Self-
                               Certification of      Certification of
                               Assets (PH)--At       Assets (HCV)--At
                               reexamination, the    reexamination, the
                               agency may allow      agency may allow
                               the self-             the self-
                               certification of      certification of
                               assets.               assets.

[[Page 53464]]

 
Statutes and Regulations      Self-Certification    Self-Certification
 Waived.                       of Assets (PH)--      of Assets (HCV)--
                               Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections 3(a)(1)   of section 8(o)(5)
                               and 3(a)(2)(E) of     of the 1937 Act and
                               the 1937 Act and 24   24 CFR. 982.516
                               CFR. 960.259(c)(2).   (a)(3).
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  3.c. and 3.d.
                              i. At reexamination, the agency may allow
                               the self-certification of assets only up
                               to $50,000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     4. Landlord Leasing Incentives
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to determine a damage claim and/or vacancy loss
 policy and payment policy for units that differ from the policy
 requirements currently mandated in the 1937 Act and its implementing
 regulations. All policies are subject to state and local laws. The
 agency may combine activities 4a and 4b into one voucher leasing
 incentive. For voucher activities related to this waiver, the
 Department has developed a standard rider to the HAP contract that
 reflects MTW authorizations that amend the current provisions of the
 HAP contract.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    4.a., 4.b., 4.c. Vacancy Loss, Damage Claims, and Other Landlord
                               Incentives
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  4.a. Vacancy Loss (HCV--Tenant-Based
                               Assistance)--To incentivize a landlord's
                               continued participation in the HCV
                               program, the agency is authorized to make
                               additional payments to the landlord.
Statutes and Regulations      Landlord Voucher Leasing Incentives (HCV--
 Waived.                       Tenant-Based Assistance)--Certain
                               provisions of section 8(o)(9) of the 1937
                               Act, and 24 CFR 982.311 and 982.352(c).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  4.a.
                              i. Payments made to the landlord must be
                               equal to no more than one month of the
                               contract rent.
                              ii. The payment must be made to the
                               landlord when the next HAP contract is
                               executed between the owner and the PHA.*
                              iii. The agency must update its
                               Administrative Plan to reflect the
                               vacancy loss policy.*
Activity....................  4.b. Damage Claims (HCV--Tenant-Based
                               Assistance)--To incentive a landlord's
                               continued participation in the HCV
                               program, the agency may provide landlords
                               with compensation.
Statutes and Regulations      Landlord Voucher Leasing Incentives (HCV--
 Waived.                       Tenant-Based Assistance)--Certain
                               provisions of section 8(o)(9) of the 1937
                               Act, and 24 CFR 982.311 and 982.352(c).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  4.b.
                              i. If the tenant leaves the unit damaged,
                               the amount of damage claims must not
                               exceed the lesser of the cost of repairs
                               or two months of contract rent.
                              ii. In implementing this activity, the
                               participant's security deposit must first
                               be used to cover damages and the agency
                               may provide up to two months of contract
                               rent minus the security deposit to cover
                               remaining repairs.
                              iii. The payment must be made to a
                               landlord when the next HAP contract is
                               executed between the owner and PHA.*
                              iv. The agency must update its
                               Administrative Plan to reflect the damage
                               claim policy.*
Activity....................  4.c. Other Landlord Incentives (HCV--
                               Tenant-Based Assistance)--In order to
                               incentivize new landlords to join the HCV
                               program, the agency may provide incentive
                               payments. Agencies may target incentive
                               payments to landlords leasing properties
                               in high opportunity neighborhoods or in
                               areas located where vouchers are
                               difficult to use as defined in an
                               agency's Administrative Plan.
Statutes and Regulations      Landlord Voucher Leasing Incentives (HCV--
 Waived.                       Tenant-Based Assistance)--Certain
                               provisions of section 8(o)(9) of the 1937
                               Act, and 24 CFR 982.311 and 982.352(c).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  4.c.
                              i. Payments made to the landlord must be
                               equal to no more than one month of the
                               contract rent.
                              ii. The payment must be made to the
                               landlord when the HAP contract is
                               executed between the owner and the PHA.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   5. Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject to state and local laws, the agency is authorized by the
 Secretary to develop flexibilities around an HQS inspection's timing
 and frequency, the independent-entity requirement, and penalties for
 failing an HQS inspection, as detailed below. Implementation of any of
 the below discrete HQS activities meets the requirements of the 1996
 MTW Statute, which requires housing to meet HQS established or approved
 by the Secretary.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  5.a. Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  5.a. Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections
                               (HCV)--The agency may allow pre-
                               qualifying unit inspections (also known
                               as a pre-inspection).
Statutes and Regulations      Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions of section 8(o)(8) of
                               1937 Housing Act and 24 CFR 983.103, 24
                               CFR 982.405.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  5.a.
                              i. The pre-inspection must have been
                               conducted within 90 days of the
                               participant occupying the unit.
                              ii. The participant must be able to
                               request an interim inspection.*
                              iii. HQS inspection standards must not be
                               altered as found at 24 CFR 982.401.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             5.b. Reasonable Penalty Payments for Landlords
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  5.b. Reasonable Penalty Payments for
                               Landlords (HCV)--The agency is authorized
                               to establish a reasonable penalty fee for
                               landlords who failed HQS inspections to
                               encourage positive HQS inspection
                               outcomes and to reduce costs associated
                               with re-inspections. Examples may include
                               a fee imposed at the agency's discretion
                               on a landlord for failed initial, annual,
                               or re-inspections, or for a submission of
                               a Request for Tenancy Approval on a unit
                               that has failed its most recent
                               inspection within a specified timeframe.
Statutes and Regulations      Reasonable Penalty Payments for Landlords
 Waived.                       (HCV)--Certain provisions of section
                               8(o)(8) of 1937 Housing Act and 24 CFR
                               983.101, 24 CFR 983.103, and 24 CFR
                               982.405.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  5.b.
                              i. The agency must establish its penalty
                               process in its Administrative Plan.*
                              ii. HQS inspection standards must not be
                               altered as found at 24 CFR 982.401.*
                              iii. All fees collected must be used for
                               eligible MTW activities.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      5.c. Third-Party Requirement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  5.c. Third-Party Requirement (HCV)--The
                               agency is authorized to perform HQS
                               inspections on PBV units that it owns,
                               manages, and/or controls.
Statutes and Regulations      Third-Party Requirement (HCV)--Certain
 Waived.                       provisions of section 8(o)(11) of the
                               1937 Act, 24 CFR 982.352(b)(iv) and 24
                               CFR 983.103(f).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  5.c.
                              i. The agency shall establish and make
                               available a quality assurance method to
                               ensure an objective analysis.*
                              ii. The participant must be able to
                               request an interim inspection.*
                              iii. HQS inspection standards must not be
                               altered as found at 24 CFR 982.401.*
                              iv. At the Department's request, the
                               agency must obtain the services of a
                               third-party entity to determine if PHA-
                               owned units pass HQS.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 53465]]

 
                  5.d. Alternative Inspection Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  5.d. Alternative Inspection Schedule
                               (HCV)--The agency is authorized to
                               establish a local inspection schedule for
                               all or a portion of its HCV units.
Statutes and Regulations      Alternative Inspection Schedule (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions of 24 CFR 983.103.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  5.d.
                              i. Units must be inspected at least once
                               every three years.
                              ii. The participant must be able to
                               request an interim inspection.*
                              iii. HQS inspection standards as found at
                               24 CFR 982.401 must not be altered.*
                              iv. The Department must be able to conduct
                               or direct the agency to perform an
                               inspection at any time for health and
                               safety, as well as accessibility,
                               purposes.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        6. Short-Term Assistance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency may develop and adopt a Short-Term Assistance Program in HCV
 or PH for specific populations (i.e., hard to house, at-risk, homeless,
 etc.).\35\ The agency will ensure that these programs do not adversely
 affect participation in, benefits of, or otherwise discriminate against
 persons on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion,
 familial status, or disability or other protected bases. The agency's
 programs shall be operated in a manner that is consistent with the
 requirements of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity authorities,
 and will be accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with
 the Fair Housing Act, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Titles II
 and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as applicable, and the
 Architectural Barriers Act. More specifically, under no circumstances
 will participants of such programs be required to participate in
 supportive services that are targeted to persons with disabilities in
 general, or persons with any specific disability. In addition,
 admission to any of the programs or priority for supportive services
 developed under this section will not be conditioned on a diagnosis or
 specific disability of a member of an applicant or participant family.
 This section is not intended to govern the designation of housing that
 is subject to section 7 of the 1937 Act. The agency must determine
 initial eligibility in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609 and must comply
 with section 3(b)(2) of the Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    6.a., 6.b. Short-Term Assistance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  6.a. Short-Term       6.b. Short-Term
                               Assistance (PH)--     Assistance (HCV)--
                               The agency may        The agency may
                               create a short-term   create a short-term
                               housing assistance    housing assistance
                               program with          program with
                               supportive services   supportive services
                               in one or more        in its HCV program.
                               buildings in its
                               public housing
                               program.
Statutes and Regulations      Short-Term            Short-Term
 Waived.                       Assistance (PH)--     Assistance (HCV)--
                               Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections 6(l)(1)   of sections
                               and 6(l)(5) of the    8(o)(7)(A)-(C) of
                               1937 Act and 24 CFR   the 1937 Act and 24
                               966.4(a)(2)(i).       CFR 982.303,
                                                     982.309(a)(1),
                                                     983.256(f), and
                                                     983.257.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  6.a. and 6.b.
                              i. The term of assistance must not be
                               shorter than 3 months.
                              ii. The term of assistance must not be
                               longer than 36 months.
                              iii. The short-term housing assistance
                               program must include supportive services
                               in one or more buildings (which may be in
                               collaboration with local community-based
                               organization and government agencies).
                              iv. Subject to availability, successful
                               participants of the short-term housing
                               assistance program must be given the
                               option of transferring into whichever
                               program (section 8 or 9) the short-term
                               housing assistance program falls under.
                              v. Under no circumstances will
                               participants be required to participate
                               in supportive services that are targeted
                               to persons with disabilities in general,
                               or persons with any specific disability.*
                              vi. The agency must not require
                               participation in supportive services as a
                               condition for housing subsidy for elderly
                               and disabled families.*
                              vii. If the agency requires participation
                               in supportive services as a condition for
                               housing subsidy, an impact analysis must
                               be developed and adopted in accordance
                               with MTW guidance prior to the
                               implementation of the activity.*
                              viii. If the agency requires participation
                               in supportive services as a condition for
                               housing subsidy, a hardship policy must
                               be developed and adopted in accordance
                               with MTW guidance prior to the
                               implementation of the activity.*
                              ix. The activity cannot be extended to an
                               entire public housing or HCV program and
                               must only serve specific populations.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       7. Term-Limited Assistance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to implement term limits for families residing
 in public housing or receiving voucher assistance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   7.a., 7.b. Term-Limited Assistance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  7.a. Term-Limited     7.b. Term-Limited
                               Assistance (PH)--     Assistance (HCV)--
                               The agency may        The agency may
                               limit the duration    limit the duration
                               for which a family    for which a family
                               receives housing      receives housing
                               assistance.           assistance.
Statutes and Regulations      Term-Limited          Term-Limited
 Waived.                       Assistance (PH)--     Assistance (HCV)--
                               Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of sections 6(l)(1)   of sections
                               and 6(l)(5) of the    8(o)(7)(A)-(C) of
                               1937 Act and 24 CFR   the 1937 Act and 24
                               and 966.4(a)(2).      CFR 982.303,
                                                     982.309(a),
                                                     982.552(a),
                                                     983.256(f), and
                                                     983.257.
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  7.a. and 7.b.
                              i. The term of assistance may not be
                               shorter than 4 years.*
                              ii. Services, or referrals to services,
                               must be provided by the agency or a
                               partner organization to support preparing
                               families for the termination of
                               assistance.
                              iii. Agency must conduct an annual impact
                               analysis.*
                              iv. Agency must exclude elderly and
                               disabled families from term limit.*
                              v. Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         8. Increase Elderly Age
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to amend the definition of an elderly person to
 be an individual who is at most 65 years of age. The agency remains
 subject to HUD's regulations implementing the Age Discrimination Act of
 1975 at 24 CFR part 146 in its entirety.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         8. Increase Elderly Age
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  8. Increase Elderly Age (PH & HCV)--The
                               agency may change HUD's definition of an
                               elderly person to be at most 65 years of
                               age.
Statutes and Regulations       Increase Elderly Age (PH & HCV)--Certain
 Waived.                        provisions of section 3(b)(3)(D) of the
                                1937 Act to read ``[63, 64, or 65] years
                                of age'' in relevant part, 24 CFR 5.100
                                to read ``[63, 64, or 65] years of age''
                                 in relevant part of the definition of
                                Elderly Person, and 24 CFR 5.403 to read
                                  ``[63, 64, or 65] years of age'' in
                                   relevant part of the definition of
                                            Elderly family.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  8.
                              i. The definition of an elderly person
                               must not set a threshold (minimum) age
                               above 65 years old.*

[[Page 53466]]

 
                              ii. The agency must still exclude persons
                               62 and older from activities for which
                               the activity description or safe harbor
                               exempts those exempted from the Community
                               Service Requirement under section
                               12(c)(2)(A), (B), (D) and (E) of the 1937
                               Act (e.g. work requirements or mandatory
                               FSS).*
                              iii. The agency must conduct an initial
                               activity analysis consistent with 24 CFR
                               part 146 and make the activity analysis
                               available during the applicable public
                               review period prior to the implementation
                               of the MTW activity. The activity
                               analysis must be updated at least
                               annually during implementation of the
                               activity and at the time the activity is
                               closed out.*
                              iv. The agency must retain records
                               available for HUD inspection that cover
                               the waiver, tenant consultation and
                               public comment, results of the activity
                               analysis, and specific policies and
                               procedures to implement the waiver.*
                              v. The implementation of this activity
                               must apply only to new admissions after
                               the effective date of the MTW Supplement
                               in which the activity is authorized.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             9. Project-Based Voucher Program Flexibilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to adopt and implement the activities listed
 below in the project-based voucher program. For voucher activities, the
 Department has developed a standard rider to the HAP contract that
 reflects any MTW authorizations that amend the current requirements of
 the HAP contract.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      9.a. Increase PBV Program Cap
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  9.a. Increase PBV Program Cap (HCV)--The
                               agency may increase the number of
                               authorized units that it project-bases.
Statutes and Regulations      Increase PBV Program Cap (HCV)--Certain
 Waived.                       provisions of section 8(o)(13)(B) of the
                               1937 Act and 24 CFR 983.6(a)-(b), as
                               superseded by the Housing Opportunity
                               through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA)
                               Implementation Notices at 82 FR 5458 and
                               82 FR 32461 (see implementation guidance
                               in Notice PIH 2017-21).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  9.a.
                              i. The agency must not project-base more
                               than 50% of the lower of either the total
                               authorized units or annual budget
                               authority.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      9.b. Increase PBV Project Cap
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  9.b. Increase PBV Project Cap (HCV)--The
                               agency may raise the PBV cap within a
                               project up to 100%.
Statutes and Regulations      Increase PBV Project Cap (HCV)--Certain
 Waived.                       provisions of section 8(o)(13)(D) of the
                               1937 Act and 24 CFR 983.56(a)-(b), as
                               superseded by HOTMA Implementation
                               Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461
                               (see implementation guidance in Notice
                               PIH 2017-21).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  9.b.
                              i. The agency is subject to Notice PIH
                               2013-27 where applicable, or successor.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.c. Elimination of PBV Selection Process for PHA-Owned Projects Without
                Improvement, Development, or Replacement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  9.c. Elimination of PBV Selection Process
                               (HCV)--The agency may eliminate the
                               selection process in the award of PBVs to
                               properties owned by the agency that are
                               not public housing without engaging in an
                               initiative to improve, develop, or
                               replace a public housing property or site
Statutes and/or Regulations   Elimination of PBV Selection Process
 Waived.                       (HCV)--Certain provisions of 24 CFR.
                               983.51 as it was superseded by HOTMA
                               Implementation Notices at 82 FR 5458 and
                               82 FR 32461 (see implementation guidance
                               in Notice PIH 2017-21).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  9.c.
                              i. A subsidy layering review must be
                               conducted.*
                              ii. The agency must complete site
                               selection requirements.*
                              iii. HQS inspections must be performed by
                               an independent entity according to 24 CFR
                               983.59(b) or 24 CFR 983.103(f).*
                              iv. The agency is subject to Notice PIH
                               2013-27 where applicable, or successor.*
                              v. Property must be owned by a single-
                               asset entity of the agency, see Notice
                               PIH 2017-21.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 9.d. Alternative PBV Selection Process
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  9.d. Alternative PBV Selection Process
                               (HCV)--The agency may establish an
                               alternative competitive process in the
                               award of PBVs that are owned by non-
                               profit, for-profit housing entities, or
                               by the agency that are not public
                               housing.
Statutes and/or Regulations   Alternative PBV Selection Process (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions of 24 CFR 983.51 as
                               superseded by HOTMA Implementation
                               Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461
                               (see implementation guidance in Notice
                               PIH 2017-21).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  9.d.
                              i. If the selected project is PHA-owned,
                               HQS inspections must be performed by an
                               independent entity according to 24 CFR
                               983.59(b) or 24 CFR 983.103(f).*
                              ii. The agency is subject to Notice PIH
                               2013-27 where applicable, or successor.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    9.e. Alternative PBV Unit Types (Shared Housing and Manufactured
                                Housing)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  9.e. Alternative PBV Unit Types (Shared
                               Housing and Manufactured Housing) (HCV)--
                               The agency may attach and pay PBV
                               assistance for shared housing units and/
                               or manufactured housing.
Statutes and/or Regulations   Alternative PBV Unit Types (Shared Housing
 Waived.                       and Manufactured Housing) (HCV)--Certain
                               provisions of 24 CFR 983.53(a)(1) as it
                               was superseded by HOTMA Implementation
                               Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461
                               (see implementation guidance in Notice
                               PIH 2017-21).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  9.e.
                              i. PBV units must comply with HQS.*
                              ii. PBV units must comply deconcentration
                               and desegregation requirements under 24
                               CFR part 903.*
                              iii. A subsidy layering review must be
                               conducted.*
                              iv. Shared housing units may not be owner
                               occupied.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               9.f. Increase PBV HAP Contract Length (HCV)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  9.f. Increase PBV HAP Contract Length
                               (HCV)--The agency may increase the term
                               length of a PBV HAP Contract.
Statutes and/or Regulations   Increase PBV HAP Contract Length (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions of section 8(o)(13)(F)
                               of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 983.205 as it
                               was superseded by HOTMA Implementation
                               Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461
                               (see implementation guidance in Notice
                               PIH 2017-21).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  9.f.
                              i. PBV HAP Contract length must not be
                               shortened.
                              ii. PBV HAP Contract length must not be
                               greater than 50 years, including any
                               extensions.
                              iii. PBV HAP Contract is subject to
                               appropriations and the ending of an
                               agency's MTW authorization.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     9.g. Increase PBV Rent to Owner
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  9.g. Increase Rent to Owner (HCV): The
                               agency is authorized to develop a local
                               process to determine the initial and re-
                               determined rent to owner.

[[Page 53467]]

 
Statutes and Regulations      Increase Rent to Owner (HCV)--See MTW
 Waived.                       Waiver #2.a. and 2.b. ``Payment
                               Standards'' and associated activities,
                               statutes and regulations waived, and safe
                               harbors.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  9.g.
                              i. Any policy must comply with rent
                               reasonableness, unless modified by
                               waiver(s) 2.c. and/or 2.d.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  9.h. Limit Portability for PBV Units
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  9.h. Limit Portability for PBV Units
                               (HCV)--The agency is authorized to waive
                               the requirement to provide a tenant-based
                               voucher at 12 months when requested by a
                               PBV household.
Statutes and Regulations      Limit Portability for PBV Units (HCV)--
 Waived.                       Certain provisions of section 8(o)(13)(E)
                               of 1937 Act and 24 CFR 983.261 as it was
                               superseded by HOTMA Implementation
                               Notices at 82 FR 5458 and 82 FR 32461
                               (see implementation guidance in Notice
                               PIH 2017-21).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  9.h.
                              i. Portability under this activity must
                               not be restricted for more than 24
                               months.
                              ii. The agency must have a clear and
                               uniform policy in place to address how
                               move requests are received and how they
                               are approved/denied for PBV households.*
                              iii. Participants must still retain the
                               ability to request a tenant-based voucher
                               for reasonable accommodation according to
                               existing rules.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        10. Family Self-Sufficiency Program With MTW Flexibility
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to operate its Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
 Program, and any successor programs, exempt from certain HUD program
 requirements. If the agency receives dedicated funding for an FSS
 coordinator, such funds must be used to employ a self-sufficiency
 coordinator and in accordance with any requirements of any NOFA under
 which funds were received. Recruitment, eligibility, and selection
 policies and procedures must be consistent with the Department's
 nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements. An agency may
 make its Self-Sufficiency Program participation mandatory for any
 household member that is non-elderly/non-disabled by waiving the
 statutory and regulatory definition of FSS family or participating
 family which is ``a family that resides in public housing or receives
 assistance under the rental certificate or rental voucher programs, and
 that elects to participate in the FSS program'' (24 CFR 984.103(b)). To
 the extent that Family Self-Sufficiency activities include supportive
 services, such services must be offered to elderly and disabled persons
 who are participants in the covered program and eligible for such
 services. Notwithstanding the above, any funds granted pursuant to a
 competition must be used in accordance with the NOFA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         10.a.-10.e. FSS Program With MTW Flexibility Activities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  10.a. Waive Operating a Required FSS
                               Program (PH & HCV)--If the agency is
                               statutorily required to operate an FSS
                               program, the agency is authorized to
                               waive this requirement.
Activity....................  10.b. Alternative Structure for
                               Establishing Program Coordinating
                               Committee (PH & HCV)--The agency is
                               authorized to create an alternative
                               structure for securing local resources to
                               support an MTW Self-Sufficiency Program.
Activity....................  10.c. Alternative Family Selection
                               Procedures (PH & HCV)--The agency is
                               authorized to develop its own recruitment
                               and selection procedures for its MTW FSS
                               Program. Alternatively, the agency may
                               make participation in the MTW FSS Program
                               mandatory for any household member that
                               is non-elderly or non-disabled.
Activity....................  10.d. Modify or Eliminate the Contract of
                               Participation (PH & HCV)--The agency is
                               authorized to modify the terms of or
                               eliminate the FSS Contract of
                               Participation (HUD-52650), in lieu of a
                               local form. The agency may modify the
                               terms of the Contract of Participation to
                               align with adjustments made to its MTW
                               FSS Program using MTW flexibility.
                               Further, the agency may discontinue use
                               of the Contract of Participation and
                               instead employ a locally-developed
                               agreement that codifies the terms of
                               participation.
Activity....................  10.e. Policies for Addressing Increases in
                               Family Income (PH & HCV)--The agency is
                               authorized to set its own policies for
                               addressing increases in family income
                               during participation in the MTW FSS
                               Program. Consistent with the goals and
                               structure of its MTW FSS Program, the
                               agency may set policies for whether
                               income increases are recognized for
                               purposes of increasing rent (consistent
                               with the agency's existing rent policy)
                               or changing the amount of funds moved to
                               escrow/savings through the program.
Statutes and Regulations      FSS Program with MTW Flexibility (PH &
 Waived.                       HCV)--Certain provisions of sections
                               23(b)-(d), (f), and (n)(1) of the 1937
                               Act and 24 CFR 984.105, 984.202(b)-(c),
                               984.203(a)-(c)(2), 984.303(b)-(d), (f)-
                               (h).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  10.a.-10.e.
                              i. Agency must review FSS Guidance.* \36\
                              ii. The agency must execute a Contract of
                               Participation, or other locally developed
                               agreement, that is at least five years
                               but not more than ten years, with each
                               participant participating in their FSS
                               program.
                              iii. The agency, if implementing an FSS
                               program, even with MTW modifications,
                               must have an up to date, approved FSS
                               Action Plan in accordance with 24 CFR
                               984.201 that incorporates all
                               modifications to the FSS program approved
                               under the MTW Contract.*
                              iv. The agency must not require MTW FSS
                               Program participation as a condition for
                               housing subsidy for elderly and disabled
                               families.*
                              v. If the agency requires MTW FSS Program
                               participation as a condition for housing
                               subsidy, an impact analysis must be
                               developed and adopted in accordance with
                               MTW guidance prior to the implementation
                               of the activity.*
                              vi. If the agency requires MTW FSS Program
                               participation as a condition for housing
                               subsidy, a hardship policy must be
                               developed and adopted in accordance with
                               MTW guidance prior to the implementation
                               of the activity.*
                              vii. The agency must not make MTW FSS
                               Program participation mandatory for
                               individuals that do not meet the
                               definition of an eligible family at
                               section 23(n)(3) of the 1937 Act, and
                               those exempted from the Community Service
                               Requirement under section 12(c)(2)(A),
                               (B), (D) and (E) of the 1937 Act.*
                              viii. If an agency terminates the housing
                               subsidy or tenancy of a family for
                               alleged violation of mandatory MTW FSS
                               Program participation, the family will be
                               entitled to a hearing under the agency's
                               Grievance Procedure (24 CFR part 966,
                               subpart B) or the HCV informal hearing
                               process (24 CFR part 982.555).*
                              ix. The agency must not use income
                               increases during participation in the MTW
                               FSS Program to change a family's
                               eligibility status for purposes of
                               participation in the MTW FSS Program or
                               for the receipt public housing or HCV
                               assistance.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    11. MTW Self-Sufficiency Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to operate any of its existing self-sufficiency
 and training programs, and any successor programs, exempt from certain
 HUD program requirements. The agency will ensure that these programs do
 not have a disparate impact on protected classes and will be operated
 in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of
 nondiscrimination and equal opportunity authorities, including but not
 limited to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. More specifically,
 under no circumstances will participants of such programs be required
 to participate in Self-Sufficiency Programs that are targeted to
 persons with disabilities in general, or persons with any specific
 disability. In addition, admission to any of the programs or priority
 for supportive services developed under this section will not be
 conditioned on a diagnosis or specific disability of a member of an
 applicant or participant family. This section is not intended to govern
 the designation of housing that is subject to section 7 of the 1937
 Act. The agency must determine initial eligibility in accordance with
 24 CFR 5.609 and must comply with section 3(b)(2) of the Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 53468]]

 
           11.a.-11.b. MTW Self-Sufficiency Program Activities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  11.a. Alternative Family Selection
                               Procedures (PH & HCV)--The agency is
                               authorized to develop its own recruitment
                               and selection procedures for its MTW Self-
                               Sufficiency Program(s). Alternatively,
                               the agency may make participation in the
                               MTW Self-Sufficiency Program mandatory
                               for any household member that is non-
                               elderly or non-disabled. Any supportive
                               services provided in the Program must be
                               offered to elderly and disabled household
                               members that qualify for such services.
Activity....................  11.b. Policies for Addressing Increases in
                               Family Income (PH & HCV)--The agency is
                               authorized to set its own policies for
                               addressing increases in family income
                               during participation in the MTW Self-
                               Sufficiency Program. Consistent with the
                               goals and structure of its MTW Self-
                               Sufficiency Program, the agency may set
                               policies for whether income increases are
                               recognized for purposes of increasing
                               rent (consistent with the agency's
                               existing rent policy) or changing the
                               amount of funds moved to escrow/savings
                               through the program.
                             -------------------------------------------
Statutes and Regulations      MTW Self-Sufficiency  MTW Self-Sufficiency
 Waived.                       Program (PH)--        Program (HCV)--
                               Certain provisions    Certain provisions
                               of section 3(a)(1),   of sections
                               6(l)(1), and          8(o)(2)(A)-(C) of
                               6(l)(5) of the 1937   the 1937 Act and 24
                               Act 24 CFR 5.609,     CFR 5.609, 5.611,
                               5.611, 5.628,         5.628, 982.516, and
                               960.255, 960.253,     982.551.
                               960.257, and
                               966.4(a)(2)..
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor(s)..............  11.a.-11.b.
                              i. The agency must not require MTW Self-
                               Sufficiency Program participation as a
                               condition for housing subsidy for elderly
                               and disabled families.*
                              ii. If the agency requires MTW Self-
                               Sufficiency Program participation as a
                               condition for housing subsidy, an impact
                               analysis must be developed and adopted in
                               accordance with MTW guidance prior to the
                               implementation of the activity.*
                              iii. If the agency requires MTW Self-
                               Sufficiency Program participation as a
                               condition for housing subsidy, a hardship
                               policy must be developed and adopted in
                               accordance with MTW guidance prior to the
                               implementation of the activity.*
                              iv. The agency must not make MTW Self-
                               Sufficiency Program participation
                               mandatory for individuals that do not
                               meet the definition of an eligible family
                               at section 23(n)(3) of the U.S. Housing
                               Act of 1937 (1937 Act) and those exempted
                               from the Community Service Requirement
                               under section 12(c)(2)(A), (B), (D) and
                               (E) of the 1937 Act.*
                              v. If an agency terminates the housing
                               subsidy or tenancy of a family for
                               alleged violation of mandatory MTW Self-
                               Sufficiency Program participation, the
                               family will be entitled to a hearing
                               under the agency's Grievance Procedure
                               (24 CFR part 966, subpart B) or the HCV
                               informal hearing process (24 CFR part
                               982.555).*
                              vi. The agency must not use income
                               increases during participation in the MTW
                               Self-Sufficiency Program to change a
                               family's eligibility status for purposes
                               of participation in the MTW Self-
                               Sufficiency Program or for the receipt
                               public housing or HCV assistance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          12. Work Requirement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to implement a requirement that a specified
 segment of its PH and/or HCV residents work or engage in an acceptable
 substitute for work as a condition of tenancy, subject to all
 applicable fair housing and civil rights requirements and the mandatory
 admission and prohibition requirements imposed by sections 576-578 of
 the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 and Section 428
 of Public Law 105-276. Work requirements shall not apply to persons
 with disabilities or the elderly. However, persons with disabilities or
 the elderly, and families that include persons with disabilities or the
 elderly, must have equal access to the full range of program services
 and other incentives. The agency must update its Administrative Plan
 and/or Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP) to include a
 description of the circumstances in which families shall be exempt from
 the requirement. The Administrative Plan and/or ACOP should include a
 description of what is considered work as well as acceptable
 substitutes for work. The PHA Executive Director or Board may suspend
 the sanctions policy due to negative local economic conditions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      12.a., 12.b. Work Requirement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  12.a. Work            12.b. Work
                               Requirement (PH)--    Requirement (HCV)--
                               The agency may        The agency may
                               implement a work      implement a work
                               requirement for       requirement for HCV
                               public housing        residents who are
                               residents who are     at least 18 years
                               at least 18 years     old. Additionally,
                               old. Additionally,    residents must be
                               residents must be     non-elderly and non-
                               non-elderly and non-  disabled.
                               disabled.
Statutes and Regulations      Work Requirement      Work Requirement
 Waived.                       (PH)--Certain         (HCV)--Certain
                               provisions of         provisions of 24
                               sections 6(l)(1)      CFR982.551.
                               and 6(l)(5) of the
                               1937 Act and 24
                               CFR. 966.4(a)(2).
                             -------------------------------------------
Safe Harbor.................  12.a. and 12.b.
                              i. If the work requirement policy applies
                               to all eligible individuals--the maximum
                               requirement would be 15 hours of work per
                               week per individual.
                              ii. If the work requirement policy applies
                               to all eligible households, the maximum
                               requirement would be 30 hours of work per
                               week per household.
                              iii. Prior to implementation, all
                               residents shall be given notice six
                               months in advance of the sanction policy
                               for non-compliance.
                              vi. The work requirement may apply to non-
                               elderly, non-disabled households or non-
                               elderly, non-disabled adult household
                               members.*
                              vii. Those individuals exempt from the
                               Community Service Requirement in
                               accordance with Section 12(c)(2)(A), (B),
                               (D) and (E) of the 1937 Act must be
                               exempt from the agency's work requirement
                               in both the public housing and HCV
                               programs.*
                              viii. Individuals who are the primary
                               caretaker for a child under 6 years of
                               age or who are pregnant must also be
                               exempt from the agency's work
                               requirement.
                              ix. Supportive services shall be provided,
                               either through the agency or a partner
                               organization, to assist families in
                               obtaining employment or an acceptable
                               substitute, as defined by the MTW
                               agency's policy.
                              x. Work requirements shall not be applied
                               to exclude, or have the effect of
                               excluding, the admission into housing or
                               participation in supportive services by
                               persons with disabilities or elderly
                               individuals, or families that include
                               persons with disabilities or elderly
                               individuals.*
                              iv. Agency must conduct an annual impact
                               analysis.*
                              xi. Agency must implement a hardship
                               policy, including a policy to address
                               tenants seeking a determination of
                               disability status.*
                              xii. The hardship policy in the ACOP and/
                               or Administrative Plan must apply to
                               families who are actively trying to
                               comply with the agency's work
                               requirement, but are having difficulties
                               obtaining work or an acceptable
                               substitute.*
                              xiii. The ACOP and/or Administrative Plan
                               must also describe the consequences of
                               failure to comply with the work
                               requirement.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      13. Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress (PH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to extend the period for which a household can
 be over-income while remaining in public housing, with its subsidy, as
 an incentive for the economic progress and the eventual self-
 sufficiency of the household.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 53469]]

 
        13. Public Housing as an Incentive for Economic Progress
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  13. Public Housing as an Incentive for
                               Economic Progress (PH)--The agency is
                               authorized to extend the period for which
                               a household can be over-income while
                               remaining in a subsidized public housing
                               unit with their subsidy as an incentive
                               for the economic progress and the
                               eventual self-sufficiency of the
                               household.
Statutes and Regulations      Public Housing as an Incentive for
 Waived.                       Economic Progress (PH)--Section 16(a)(5)
                               of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR 960.261.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  13.
                              i. The over-income limit is set at 120% of
                               AMI.
                              ii. The agency must set the grace period
                               for a household to remain in a unit while
                               over-income at no less than 2 and no more
                               than 3 years.
                              iii. The agency must inform of the
                               household of its over-income status no
                               less than one year prior to the end of
                               the grace period.*
                              iv. The agency must terminate the
                               household's tenancy within one year of
                               the end of the grace period or charge the
                               household a monthly rent equal to the
                               greater of: (1) the applicable Fair
                               Market Rent (FMR); or (2) the amount of
                               monthly subsidy for the unit, including
                               amounts from the operating and capital
                               fund, as determined by regulations.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          14. Moving On Policy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moving On enables individuals and families who are able and want to move
 on from permanent supportive housing (PSH) by providing mainstream
 housing options (i.e., PH, HCV, LNT) and resources necessary to
 maintain housing stability.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Moving On Activities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  14.a. Waive Initial HQS Inspection
                               Requirement (HCV)--For participants who
                               will continue leasing the same unit, the
                               agency is authorized to accept the most
                               recent HQS inspection from the partner
                               agency in place of an initial HQS
                               inspection.
Activity....................  14.b. Allow Income Calculations from
                               Partner Agencies (PH & HCV)--The agency
                               is authorized to accept income
                               calculations from the partner agencies.
                               The agency is still required to complete
                               all required fields in Form HUD-50058 MTW
                               Expansion, or successor form.
Activity....................  14.c. Aligning Tenant Rents and Utility
                               Payments between Partner Agencies (PH &
                               HCV) The agency is authorized to set
                               tenant rents and/or make adjustments to
                               the total tenant payment to ensure that
                               clients referred from the partner agency
                               are not subject to an increase in rental
                               payments or increase in utility payments
                               due to transferring from a permanent
                               supportive housing program to a public
                               housing or HCV program.
Statutes and Regulations      Moving On Activities (PH & HCV)--Certain
 Waived.                       provisions of sections 3(a)(1)-(3),
                               8(o)(2)(A), 8(o)(8)(A) of the Act, the
                               definition of ``responsible entity'' in
                               24 CFR 5.100, 24 CFR 5.603, 24 CFR 5.628,
                               24 CFR 5.630, 24 CFR 5.634, 24 CFR
                               960.253, 24 CFR 982.405(a).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  14.a.-14.c.
                              i. Initial income eligibility must be
                               determined in accordance with 24 CFR
                               5.609 of the 1937 Act.*
                              ii. Agencies must continue to allow
                               participants to request an interim HQS
                               inspection.
                              iii. Any income calculations that are
                               accepted from partner agencies must have
                               been calculated within the past year.
                              iv. Screenings for lifetime sex offender
                               status and convictions of drug-related
                               criminal activity for manufacture or
                               production of methamphetamine on the
                               premises of federally assisted housing
                               must continue and are not waivable.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             15. Acquisition Without Prior HUD Approval (PH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to acquire public housing sites without prior
 HUD approval.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               15. Acquisition Without Prior HUD Approval
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  15. Acquisition without Prior HUD Approval
                               (PH)--The agency is authorized to acquire
                               public housing sites without prior HUD
                               approval. This activity allows MTW
                               agencies flexibility around the timing of
                               HUD's approval, but not the content of
                               the approval. When acquiring the sites,
                               the agency must have all submission
                               materials in place as if HUD were
                               approving the acquisition proposal prior
                               to acquisition. The agency must provide
                               the materials to the Field Office for
                               approval within 30 days of acquisition.
                               If the Department is unable to approve
                               the acquisition based on the materials
                               submitted, then the agency must repay the
                               cost of acquisition with non-federal
                               funds.
Statutes and Regulations      Acquisition without Prior HUD Approval
 Waived.                       (PH)--Certain provisions of 24 CFR
                               905.608(a).
Safe Harbor(s)..............  15.
                              i. The agency must comply with and have
                               documentation that the project is in
                               compliance with local zoning as described
                               in 24 CFR 905.608(e).*
                              ii. The agency must commission an
                               independent appraisal of the site as
                               described in 24 CFR 905.608(f).*
                              iii. Prior to acquisition, the agency must
                               conduct an environmental assessment as
                               described in 24 CFR 905.608(h).*
                              iv. The agency must provide all required
                               documents to HUD within 30 days of the
                               acquisition.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      16. Deconcentration of Poverty in Public Housing Policy (PH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The agency is authorized to create an alternative policy in how it
 addresses deconcentration of poverty.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      16. Deconcentration of Poverty in Public Housing Policy (PH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  16. Deconcentration of Poverty in Public
                               Housing Policy (PH)--The agency is
                               authorized to create an alternative
                               policy in how it addresses
                               deconcentration of poverty.
Statutes and Regulations      Deconcentration of Poverty in Public
 Waived.                       Housing Policy (PH)--Certain provisions
                               of 24 CFR 903.2.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  16.
                              i. All Fair Housing requirements continue
                               to apply.*
                              ii. The agency must provide all
                               justifications as to the local
                               Deconcentration of Poverty in Public
                               Housing Policy to HUD upon request.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 53470]]

 
                  17. Local, Non-Traditional Activities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MTW Funding can be utilized per statute and regulation on the eligible
 activities listed at sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1), and 8(o) of the 1937
 Act. Any authorized use of these funds outside of the allowable uses
 listed in the 1937 Act constitutes a local, non-traditional activity.
 The agency is authorized to implement the local, non-traditional
 activities listed below to provide a rental subsidy to a third-party
 entity to provide housing and supportive services to eligible low-
 income participants, and to contribute MTW Funding to the development
 of affordable housing. Families served through the activities described
 below must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Implemented
 activities must meet one of the three MTW statutory objectives of
 increasing the efficiency of federal expenditures, incentivizing self-
 sufficiency of participating families, and increasing housing choice
 for low-income families. The use of MTW Funding must be consistent with
 the requirements of 2 CFR 200 and other basic requirements for the use
 of federal assistance. The agency must determine the eligibility of
 families in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609 and with section 3(b)(2) of
 the Act. Local, non-traditional activities must fall within one of the
 three categories below and comply with PIH Notice 2011-45 or any
 successor notice/and or guidance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      17.a. Rental Subsidy Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  17.a. Rental Subsidy Programs--Programs
                               that use MTW Funding to provide a rental
                               subsidy to a third-party entity (other
                               than a landlord or tenant) who manages
                               intake and administration of the subsidy
                               program to implement activities, which
                               may include: Supportive housing programs
                               and services to help homeless individuals
                               and families reach independence;
                               supportive living; shallow subsidies;
                               homeless/transitional housing programs;
                               or programs that address special needs
                               populations.
Statutes and Regulations      Local, Non-Traditional Activities--MTW
 Waived.                       Funding can be utilized per statute and
                               regulation on the eligible activities
                               listed at sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1), and
                               8(o) of the 1937 Act. Any authorized use
                               of these funds outside of the allowable
                               uses listed in the 1937 Act constitutes a
                               local, non-traditional activity.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  17.a.
                              i. The agency must not spend more than 10%
                               of its HAP budget on local, non-
                               traditional activities.
                              ii. Families receiving housing or services
                               through local, non-traditional activities
                               must meet the HUD definition of low-
                               income.*
                              iii. The agency is subject to Notice PIH
                               2011-45 or any successor notice and/or
                               guidance.*
                              iv. Any MTW Funding awarded to a third-
                               party provider must be competitively
                               bid.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         17.b. Service Provision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  17.b. Service Provision--The provision of
                               HUD-approved self-sufficiency or
                               supportive services using MTW Funding
                               that are not otherwise permitted under
                               the public housing and HCV programs, or
                               that are provided to eligible low-income
                               individuals who do not receive either
                               public housing or HCV assistance from the
                               PHA. Eligible activities may include:
                               services for participants of other PHA-
                               owned or managed affordable housing that
                               is not public housing or HCV assistance;
                               services for low-income non-participants;
                               services and/or incentives to attract
                               applicants to developments, or portions
                               thereof, which can be difficult to
                               market; or supportive services.
Statutes and Regulations      Local, Non-Traditional Activities--MTW
 Waived.                       Funding can be utilized per statute and
                               regulation on the eligible activities
                               listed at sections 9(d)(1), 9(e)(1), and
                               8(o) of the 1937 Act. Any authorized use
                               of these funds outside of the allowable
                               uses listed in the 1937 Act constitutes a
                               local, non-traditional activity.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  17.b.
                              i. The incentive must not be in the form
                               of a deduction to the household's rent
                               contribution.*
                              ii. The amount of the incentive must not
                               equal more than one month of the
                               applicable unit's rent.*
                              iii. The agency must not spend more than
                               10% of its HAP budget on local, non-
                               traditional activities.
                              iv. Families receiving housing or services
                               through local, non-traditional activities
                               must meet the HUD definition of low-
                               income.*
                              v. The agency is subject to Notice PIH
                               2011-45 or any successor notice and/or
                               guidance.*
                              vi. Any MTW Funding awarded to a third-
                               party provider must be competitively
                               bid.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   17.c. Housing Development Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity....................  17.c. Housing Development Programs--
                               Programs that use MTW Funding to acquire,
                               renovate and/or build affordable units
                               for low-income families that are not
                               public housing units. Eligible activities
                               may include: Gap financing for non-PHA
                               development of affordable housing,
                               development of project-based voucher
                               units or tax credit partnerships.
Statutes and Regulations      Local, Non-Traditional Activities--MTW
 Waived.                       Funding can be utilized per statute and
                               regulation for the eligible activities
                               listed at sections 8(o), 9(d)(1), and
                               9(e)(1) of the 1937 Act. Any authorized
                               use of these funds outside of the
                               allowable uses listed in the 1937 Act
                               constitutes a local, non-traditional
                               activity.
Safe Harbor(s)..............  17.c.
                              i. The agency must not spend more than 10%
                               of its HAP budget on local, non-
                               traditional activities.
                              ii. Families receiving housing or services
                               through local, non-traditional activities
                               must meet the HUD definition of low-
                               income.*
                              iii. The agency is subject to Notice PIH
                               2011-45 or any successor notice and/or
                               guidance.*
                              iv. Agency must comply with section 30 of
                               the 1937 Housing Act.*
                              v. Any MTW Funding awarded to a third-
                               party provider must be competitively
                               bid.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In the HCV tenant-based program, the housing assistance payment
  (HAP) is the lower of: (1) The payment standard minus the family's
  TTP, or (2) the gross rent minus the TTP. The TTP is the minimum
  amount the family will pay das the family share. If the gross rent
  exceeds the payment standard, the family will pay TTP and the
  difference between the gross rent and the payment standard as the
  family share. In the HCV project-based program, the family always pays
  TTP minus any utility allowance (UA) as the tenant rent.

Appendix II

    Specific requirements on safe harbors related to impact analyses 
and hardship policies are provided in this Appendix.

Impact Analysis

    The MTW agency must complete a written analysis of the various 
impacts of the MTW activity. The MTW agency must prepare this 
analysis: (1) Prior to implementation of the MTW activity, if 
required as a safe harbor; (2) for certain activities (Work 
Requirements, Term-Limited Assistance, and Stepped Rent) on an 
annual basis during the implementation of the MTW activity; (3) 
prior to any Safe Harbor Waiver or Agency-Specific Waiver requests; 
and (4) at the time the MTW activity is closed out, if an impact 
analysis was previously required.
    This analysis must consider the following factors, as 
applicable:
    1. Impact on the agency's finances (e.g., how much will the 
activity cost, any change in the agency's per family contribution);
    2. Impact on affordability of housing costs for affected 
families (e.g., any change in how much affected families will pay 
towards their housing costs);
    3. Impact on the agency's waitlist(s) (e.g., any change in the 
amount of time families are on the waitlist);
    4. Impact on the agency's termination rate of families (e.g., 
any change in the rate at which families non-voluntarily lose 
assistance from the agency);
    5. Impact on the agency's current occupancy level in public 
housing and utilization rate in the HCV program;

[[Page 53471]]

    6. Impact on meeting the MTW statutory goals of cost 
effectiveness, self-sufficiency, and/or housing choice;
    7. Impact on the agency's ability to meet the MTW statutory 
requirements;
    8. Impact on the rate of hardship requests and the number 
granted and denied as a result of this activity; and
    9. Across the other factors above, the impact on protected 
classes (and any associated disparate impact).
    The MTW agency must have the initial impact analysis, which 
analyzes potential impacts of the MTW activity, attached to the MTW 
Supplement during the applicable public review period prior to 
implementation of the MTW activity. For certain activities (Work 
Requirements, Term-Limited Assistance, and Stepped Rent), an updated 
impact analysis must be provided in each subsequent year. While MTW 
activities are listed by waiver and specific activity name in 
Appendix I, MTW agencies may combine activities together at the PHA 
level in order to create more comprehensive initiatives. For such 
comprehensive initiatives an MTW agency may submit a single impact 
analysis. Should a larger initiative undergo a substantial change, 
such as adding an activity, the MTW agency must reevaluate its 
impact with a new impact analysis. This information must be retained 
by the agency for the duration of the agency's participation in the 
MTW demonstration program and available for public review and 
inspection at the agency's principal office during normal business 
hours.

Hardship Policy

    The MTW agency must adopt a written policy for determining when 
a requirement or provision of an MTW activity constitutes a 
financial or other hardship for the family. The agency must include 
this policy as an attachment to its MTW Supplement to the Annual PHA 
Plan. The agency may use a single hardship policy, as applicable, 
for multiple MTW waivers or develop different hardship policies for 
different MTW waivers as it finds appropriate. The agency must 
review its hardship policy(s) with residents during its intake and 
recertification processes. The agency must consider if a resident 
qualifies for a hardship exemption at the time of a potential 
termination of assistance that is due to an MTW activity.
    When a resident requests a hardship exemption from a required 
MTW activity, the agency must suspend the activity for the 
household, beginning the next month after the request, until the MTW 
agency has determined if the request is warranted. The agency shall 
make the determination of whether a financial or other hardship 
exists within a reasonable time after the family's request. If the 
agency determines that a financial or other hardship exists, the MTW 
agency must continue to provide an exemption from the MTW activity 
at a reasonable level and duration, according to the agency's 
written policy. If an agency determines that the request did not 
meet its hardship standards, they must resume the MTW activity and 
collect any retroactive rent, if applicable, through a reasonable 
repayment agreement.
    The agency's written policy(s) for determining what constitutes 
financial hardship must include the following situations:
     The family has experienced a decrease in income because 
of changed circumstances, including loss or reduction of employment, 
death in the family, or reduction in or loss of earnings or other 
assistance;
     The family has experienced an increase in expenses, 
because of changed circumstances, for medical costs, childcare, 
transportation, education, or similar items; and
     Such other situations and factors determined by the 
agency to be appropriate.
    The agency's written policies shall include a grievance 
procedure that a family may request for second level review of 
denied hardship requests.
    The agency shall keep records of all hardship requests received 
and the results of these requests and supply them at HUD's request. 
This information must be retained by the agency for the duration of 
the agency's participation in the MTW demonstration program and 
available for public review and inspection at the agency's principal 
office during normal business hours.

Appendix III

    The statutory requirement that MTW agencies continue to ``serve 
substantially the same number of families'' throughout participation 
in the MTW demonstration program (STS Requirement) will be monitored 
for MTW agencies in the MTW Expansion through the following 
methodology, which adheres to the main themes and principles 
described in the MTW Operations Notice. Since the funding 
calculation for public housing (including Operating and Capital 
Funds) is significantly different than the funding calculation in 
the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the methodology for 
calculating the STS Requirement for the public housing and HCV 
programs will differ.

Public Housing

    As described in Section 7.c.i of the MTW Operations Notice, HUD 
will monitor public housing occupancy rates for MTW agencies. The 
public housing occupancy rate will be determined by dividing the 
total number of ``occupied'' units by the total number of 
``standing'' units:

TOTAL OCCUPIED UNITS / TOTAL STANDING = MTW AGENCY OCCUPANCY RATE

    The table below shows what public housing unit categories \37\ 
are currently included in the numerator and what public housing unit 
categories are currently included in the denominator: \38\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ Public housing unit categories and unit reporting in IMS/
PIC is provided in PIH Notice 2011-07, or successor notice.
    \38\ Current monitoring of public housing occupancy rates for 
all agencies is conducted according to the current HUD Agency 
Priority Goal (APG) reporting categories. Should this change, MTW 
agencies would be subject to the same monitoring of public housing 
occupancy rates as all non-MTW agencies.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Total occupied   Total standing
   Public housing unit category/sub-         units            units
               category                   (numerator)     (denominator)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occupied--Assisted Tenant.............               X                X
Occupied--Employee....................               X                X
Occupied--Non-Assisted Tenant Over                   X                X
 Income...............................
Occupied--Police Officer..............               X                X
Occupied--Unauthorized................  ...............               X
Vacant--Undergoing Modernization......  ...............               X
Vacant--Court Litigation..............  ...............               X
Vacant--Natural Disaster..............  ...............               X
Vacant--Casualty Loss.................  ...............               X
Vacant--Market Conditions.............  ...............               X
Non-Dwelling--Anti-Drug Crime.........               X                X
Non-Dwelling--Self-Sufficiency                       X                X
 Activities...........................
Non-Dwelling--Other Resident                         X                X
 Activities...........................
Non-Dwelling--Moving to Work..........               X                X
Non-Dwelling--Administrative..........  ...............               X
Non-Dwelling--Resident Amenities......  ...............               X
Non-Dwelling--Authorized..............  ...............               X
Demo-Dispo (Approved and Vacant)......  ...............  ...............

[[Page 53472]]

 
Vacant--Vacant........................  ...............               X
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annual Public Housing STS Compliance

    To be compliant with the public housing portion of the STS 
Requirement, the MTW agency's public housing occupancy rate must be 
at or above 96%, unless otherwise approved by HUD. HUD may consider 
the MTW agency's efforts to reposition its public housing as an 
allowable reason to temporarily dip below 96% occupancy. Any 
allowable dips must be time-limited and described in the MTW 
Supplement to the Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan.
    Each year, HUD will advise the MTW agency of its compliance 
under the STS Requirement in the public housing program for the 
prior calendar year. This information will also be made available on 
HUD's website. In instances where the MTW agency's public housing 
occupancy rate falls below 96%, HUD may require, at its discretion, 
that the MTW agency enter into an Occupancy Action Plan to address 
the occupancy issues. The Occupancy Action Plan will include at a 
minimum: The cause of the occupancy issue, the intended solution, 
and reasonable timeframes to address the cause of the occupancy 
issue.
    The exception to the above is for MTW agencies that are below 
96% public housing occupancy when they receive MTW designation. MTW 
agencies that are below 96% occupied when they are designated have 
two years, or more as determined by HUD, to come into compliance 
before they are required to enter into and adhere to an Occupancy 
Action Plan as described above.
    Failure to adhere to the Occupancy Action Plan may result in 
enforcement processes detailed in the MTW amendment to the MTW 
agency's Annual Contributions Contract (ACC Amendment).

Housing Choice Voucher Program

    To be compliant with the STS Requirement in the HCV program, the 
MTW agency will be required to house at least 90% of the families it 
would be able to house based on the HCV Housing Assistance Payment 
(HAP) dollars it receives each year.

Establishing the Annual HCV STS Target

    In the first full calendar year that the agency is an MTW 
agency, the Annual HCV Capacity of the MTW agency will be calculated 
based on the total Budget Authority of HCV HAP funds (including 
Special Purpose Vouchers) in that year and the per unit cost (PUC) 
from the calendar year prior to the agency's entry into the MTW 
Demonstration Program, adjusted for inflation.

First Full Calendar Year in MTW--Step 1

HCV PUC FROM CALENDAR YEAR PRIOR TO MTW x ANNUAL INFLATION FACTOR(S) 
= ``ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC''

First Full Calendar Year in MTW--Step 2

TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY OF HCV HAP FUNDS / ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC 
= ``ANNUAL HCV CAPACITY''

    For all subsequent MTW years, the PUC established from the 
calendar year prior to MTW designation will continue to be inflated 
annually to determine each MTW year's Annual Adjusted PUC. The 
Annual HCV Capacity of the MTW agency will be calculated based on 
the total Budget Authority of HCV HAP funds in that year and the 
Annual Adjusted PUC from the prior calendar year, adjusted for 
inflation.

Subsequent Calendar Year in MTW--Step 1

``ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC'' (from prior year) x ANNUAL INFLATION 
FACTOR = ``ANNUAL ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC'' (new for current 
year)

Subsequent Calendar Year in MTW--Step 2

TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY OF HCV HAP FUNDS IN CALENDAR YEAR / ANNUAL 
ADJUSTED BASELINE YEAR PUC'' (new for current year) = ``ANNUAL HCV 
CAPACITY'' (new for current year)

    Because MTW agencies must serve at least 90% of the current year 
Annual HCV Capacity to be compliant with the HCV portion of the STS 
Requirement, the Annual HCV STS Target will then be established.

``ANNUAL HCV CAPACITY'' x 90% = ``ANNUAL HCV STS TARGET''

Establishing the Number of Families Housed in the HCV Program

    To determine the number of families that count towards the STS 
Requirement in the HCV program each year, HUD will consider families 
housed through both the HCV program and any local, non-traditional 
program.
    The calculation for determining total families housed in the HCV 
program is the total unit months leased divided by twelve.
    The calculation for determining total families housed in the 
local, non-traditional housing program includes two types of housing 
as provided in the waivers appendix of the MTW Operations Notice. 
These are also discussed in detail in PIH Notice 2011-45 (or its 
successor) titled ``Parameters for Local, Non-Traditional Activities 
under the Moving to Work Demonstration Program.''
     The first type of housing is a local, non-traditional 
rental subsidy program. Here, the total unit months of housing 
provided over the calendar year will be utilized and divided by 
twelve. Families that receive services only will not be included.
     The second type of housing is a local, non-traditional 
housing development program. Here, HUD will first take the total 
investment of MTW funds in developing these types of units. This 
total dollar amount will be divided by the applicable HUD-published 
Total Development Cost (TDC). The resulting number of units will 
then count as families housed each year from when a certificate of 
occupancy is issued through the term of the affordability 
restrictions. Families that receive services only will not be 
included.

Annual HCV STS Compliance

    Consistent with the statutory language of serving 
``substantially'' the same number of families, the MTW agency will 
be considered compliant with the STS Requirement in the HCV program 
if it houses families through the HCV and local, non-traditional 
program at or above the Annual HCV STS Target. Again, the Annual HCV 
STS Target is 90% of the Annual HCV Capacity.
    The MTW agency may dip below the Annual HCV STS Target for 
certain circumstances, as approved by HUD. Any allowable dips must 
be time-limited and described in the MTW Supplement to the PHA Plan.
    Each year, HUD will advise the MTW agency of its compliance 
under the STS Requirement in the HCV program for the prior calendar 
year. This information will also be made available on HUD's website.
    In the event an MTW agency does not meet the Annual HCV STS 
Target, the MTW agency will have two years from the date it is 
notified to come into compliance. If, two years after notification 
of the deficiency the MTW agency still does not meet the Annual HCV 
STS Target, then the MTW agency will be required to expend all HAP 
dollars only on HAP. Once the MTW agency achieves 93% expenditures 
of Budget Authority on HAP, the MTW agency will be able to again use 
its HCV HAP funds flexibly. Failure to adhere to this may result in 
enforcement processes detailed in the MTW amendment to the MTW 
agency's Annual Contributions Contract (ACC Amendment).

Adjustments to the HCV Annual Capacity

    If the MTW agency believes that its Annual Adjusted Baseline 
Year PUC is no longer accurate, it may request an adjustment to this 
figure. Such a request may not be made more than once every three 
calendar years. The MTW agency must submit such a request to HUD 
along with a justification for the adjustment (for example, rising 
costs, special market conditions, public housing repositioning). HUD 
will then review the request and either approve or deny it. If 
approved, HUD will change the PUC appropriate to the circumstances 
of the MTW agency (as determined by HUD). This new PUC will then be 
adjusted by the inflation factor every year and used to determine 
compliance with the HCV portion of the STS Requirement going 
forward.

[FR Doc. 2020-18152 Filed 8-27-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.