Update on Tenant Selection Plan Requirements
(Based on HUD Guidance 4/13/10)

On December 29, 2009 the Refinement of Income and Rent Determination Requirements Final Rule was published in the Federal Register (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30720.pdf).  The Final Rule became effective January 31, 2010.  On April 13, 2010 HUD issued Notice 10-08 that provided clarification and implementation instructions on the Final Rule.  Based on the Final Rule and HUD Notice 10-08, the following are the most recent changes that must be discussed in properties Tenant Selection Plans:

1. New Social Security Number disclosure requirements: 
   • There is no longer an age restriction on SSN disclosure.  As a result, all family members claiming eligible immigration status and requesting assistance, regardless of age, must disclose and document their SSN prior to admission.
     Note:  Applicants who cannot provide SSNs for all family members requesting assistance may retain their position on the waiting list.  However, appropriate documentation of a SSN for all family members claiming eligible citizenship status must be provided before the household can be admitted.
   • There is one exception to this rule for applicants age 62 or older as of January 31, 2010, whose initial determination of eligibility for assistance was begun before January 31, 2010.  For these applicants, documentation must be obtained from the owner of the property where the initial determination of eligibility was determined that verifies the applicant’s exemption status. 
   • Applicants who have not disclosed and/or provided verification of SSNs for all non-exempt household members has 90 days from the date they are first offered an available unit to disclose and/or verify the SSNs. During this 90-day period, the applicant may, at its discretion, retain its place on the waiting list. After 90 days, if the applicant is unable to disclose and/or verify the SSNs of all non-exempt household members, the applicant should be determined ineligible and removed from the waiting list.
     Note: The SSN requirements do not apply to persons not claiming eligible immigration status.
2. New screening of applicants with the EIV Existing Tenant Search:
   
   • HUD’s EIV database will be utilized to run the Existing Tenant Search when processing an application to determine if any applicant household member may be currently residing and/or receiving assistance through another Multifamily Housing or Public and Indian Housing (PIH) location.   

The discussions above are not optional and must be added to properties current Tenant Selection Plan.  To view SHCC’s complete listing of Tenant Selection Plan Skeletal Components, click here.