On August 6, 2013, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a Federal Register notice titled, "The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013: Overview of Applicability to HUD Programs." The notice stated that the provisions of VAWA 2013 are not self-implementing, and that HUD plans to issue rules or guidance at a later date.
NMA has recently learned that on September 30, 2013, HUD issued a letter to PHA executive directors, calling for immediate policy development addressing certain provisions of VAWA 2013. The letter states:
While HUD is developing regulations to codify these important protections, please be sure to update your Administrative Plans and Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plans in accordance with the enhanced protections found in VAWA 2013.
In response to HUD’s letter, NMA has developed transitional model policies to assist subscribers to our model ACOP and model administrative plan in meeting this HUD requirement. The transitional policies are subject to change upon the release of additional HUD guidance and/or rulemaking.
If you are currently a subscriber to our model policy revision service, NMA has created a document for each of our model policies indicating in which chapters changes are necessary. For those chapters where more extensive changes are needed, NMA has created documents in “track changes” format so that subscribers can readily identify the required revisions. If you subscribe to our policy revision service, you may access the revised materials by emailing spratter@nanmckay.com.
Please note that once HUD issues the expected guidance on the implementation of VAWA 2013, additional changes will be necessary. We'll keep you updated.
UPDATE: NMA's VAWA 2013 policies are now available for purchase in our model administrative plan and ACOP. HUD has not yet issued further guidance.
Trainer and consultant Samantha Pratter has been a part of the NMA team since 2008. As NMA’s writing supervisor, Samantha oversees publications from concept and creation through the ongoing revision process, including NMA Master Books, model policies, course books, and handbooks.
Our annual year-end sale is coming to a close, but there's still time to order! Save 20% on all NMA model policies when you purchase before January 1, 2014. For assistance, email sales@nanmckay.com.
