HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOVID Waivers Website Updated 10.20.21Notice of Housing Choice Voucher Program Statutory and Regulatory Waivers Being Implemented by
the Office of Housing & Community Development for COVID-19 Pursuant to US Department of Housing
and Urban Development, PIH Notice 2020-13, PIH Notice 2020-33 and PIH Notice 2021-14. These
waivers are subject to change. Updated 10/20/21.
Waiver #
Description
Availability
Period
Ends
PH and HCV -3:
0 Waives the requirements to use the income hierarchy, including the use
12/31/21
Annual
of EIV, and will allow PHAs to consider self -certification as the highest
reexamination
form of income verification
Income
0 PHAs that implement this waiver will be responsible for addressing
Verification
material income discrepancies that may arise later
requirements
PH and HCV -4
0 Waives the requirement to use the income verification requirements,
12/31/21
Interim
including the use of EIV, for interim reexaminations
reexaminations
PH and HCV -6
0 Provides for extensions to FSS contract of participation
12/31/21
FSS Contract of
Participation
PH and HCV -8
0 Waives the third -party income verification requirements for applicants,
12/31/21
Eligibility
and will allow PHAs to consider self -certification as the highest form of
Determination:
income verification at admission
Income
0 PHAs must review the EIV Income and IVT Reports to confirm/ validate
Verification
family -reported income within 90 days
• Applicants must submit an affidavit attesting to reported income,
assets, expenses. Applicants may provide third -party documentation
which represents the applicant's income within the 60 -day period prior
to admission or voucher issuance but is not dated within 60 days of the
PHA's request.
PH and HCV -9
0 Waives the requirements to obtain and verify social security number
12/31/21
Eligibility
documentation and documentation evidencing eligible noncitizen status
Determination:
before admitting applicants to the HCV and Public Housing programs.
SSN and
0 PHAs may accept self -certification of date of birth and disability status if
Citizenship
a higher level of verification is not immediately available.
Verification
. Individuals admitted under this waiver must provide the required
documentation within 90 days of admission to be eligible for continued
assistance
HCV -2
0 Waives the requirement for an oral briefing
12/31/21
PHA Oral Briefing
. Provides for alternative methods to conduct required voucher briefing
• OHCD will do an expanded information briefing packet via email and
mail and do oral briefing via phone and mail by request only
HCV -3
. Allows PHAs to provide voucher extensions regardless of current PHA
12/31/21
Term of Voucher
policy
-Extensions of
. OHCD will allow an additional 30 days for a maximum of 150 days
Term
extension
HCV -5
. Allows for PHA discretion on absences from units longer than 180 days
12/31/21
Absence from
0 PHAs must not make HAP payments beyond 12/31/21 for units vacant
unit
more than 180 consecutive days
• OHCD will allow payment beyond 180 days as a reasonable
accommodation only
Waiver #
Description
Availability
Period
Ends
HCV -6 Automatic
. Allows PHA to extend the period of time after the last HAP payment is
12/31/21
Termination of
made before the HAP contract terminates automatically.
HAP Contract
. OHCD will extend the 180 Automatic Termination to 12/31/21,
whichever is later.
HCV -7 Increase
0 Provides PHAs with the option to increase the payment standard (PS)
12/31/21
in Payment
for the family at any time after the effective date of the increase, rather
Standard During
than waiting for the next regular reexamination.
HAP Contract
. OHCD will increase the PS for all families who are rent burdened
Term
effective 7/1/21.
HQS-1 Initial
0 Changes initial inspection requirements, allowing for owner certification
12/31/21
1 nspection
Requirements
HQS-2 PBV Pre-
e Changes inspection requirements, allowing for owner certification that
12/31/21
HAP Contract
there are no life-threatening deficiencies
Inspections
0 Where self -certification was used, PHA must inspect the unit no later
than 6/30/22
6/30/22
HQS-31nitial
. Allows for extension of up to 30 days for owner repairs of non -life-
12/31/21
Inspection: NLT
threatening conditions
Deficiencies
HQS-5
. Allows for delay in biennial inspections
12/31/21 &
HOS Inspection
. All delayed biennial inspections must be completed as soon as
6/30/22
Requirement:
reasonably possible but by no later than 1 year after the date on which
Biennial
the biennial inspection would have been required absent the waiver.
Inspections
HQS-6 HQS
0 Waives the requirement for the PHA to conduct interim inspection and
12/31/21
Interim
requires alternative method
Inspections
. Allows for repairs to be verified by alternative method
HQS-10 Housing
o Waives the requirement that each dwelling unit have at least 1 bedroom
Remains in
Quality
or living/sleeping room for each 2 persons.
effect one
Standards:
year from
Space and
lease term or
Security
date of this
Notice,
whichever is
longer
MS -3 Mainstream
As an alternative requirement, the PHA may choose to expand the
12/31/21
Age Eligibility to
definition of an eligible non -elderly family member to include those who
Enter HAP
were
Contract
Statutory
Authority