NMA Blog

The importance of updating PHA policies

HUD issues new regulations, notices, and guidance on an ongoing basis, and PHAs are expected to stay abreast of these changes to remain in compliance and avoid audit findings. However, making sure your agency’s policy documents are in line with HUD can be a daunting, time-consuming task—not only do you need to know what’s changed and why, but you must also revise your policies accordingly.

PHAs who are out of compliance—depending on the reason—may be subject to monitoring and sanctions, or worse, lose out on program funding. Fair housing complaints can result from a lack of clear and current policies, and in the Housing Choice Voucher program, some incorrect policies can affect SEMAP as well.

Fortunately, there’s a solution. Our model policies and revision services take the guesswork out of keeping your policies up-to-date and in compliance, providing you with expert guidance in a timesaving, user-friendly format.

Our writing team has been working hard to make our policy updates available immediately, so our revision services customers don't have to wait to receive a CD with updates in the mail. (And a lot of our customers don't even have CD drives anymore to access the files with!)

QUESTION     What are the requirements for training on the EIV system for newly-hired staff members? Is it true that they must receive EIV training within one week of their start date? I can’t find a reference for this.

NMA is pleased to announce the debut of the NMA Model EIV Use and Security Policies for HUD’s multifamily housing programs! These policies make an excellent companion for the NMA Model Tenant Selection Plan (TSP) and Guide, which joined our existing family of model policies, including the model administrative plan, the model ACOP, and the model FSS action plan, earlier this year.

For those developments participating in HUD's multifamily program, the EIV use and security policies provide guidance on the protocol for the use of EIV information and printed reports, as well as the rules for maintaining tenant privacy and document security.

Many PHAs are asking, "What does the shutdown mean to our agency and the families we serve?" Yesterday, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) posted a 67-page contingency plan which provides some guidance to PHAs on the impacts of a lapse in appropriations due to the federal government shutdown.