QUESTION What are the current notification requirements for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)? Our agency provides a brochure from the local advocacy group to families upon admission to the housing choice voucher or public housing programs. Is this adequate?
ANSWER The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013) was signed into law on March 7, 2013, expanding VAWA protections in several areas including notification requirements. An overview of key VAWA changes was published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2013. The following month, then-Assistant Secretary Sandra Henriquez sent a letter to PHA executive directors clarifying required PHA actions for implementation of the act.
VAWA 2013 requires PHAs to provide an informing notice and Form HUD-50066 for every new admission and with every notice of denial or termination of assistance or tenancy. This requirement applies to both the HCV and public housing programs, as well as to various HUD and non-HUD housing programs named in the notice. VAWA 2013 also requires HUD to develop a standardized informing notice for use by all PHAs. HUD has not yet issued the standardized notice.
According to the letter to executive directors, PHAs should continue to "use the notice of rights they already provide to tenants" pending development of the official HUD notice. In case your agency needs such a notice, Nan McKay & Associates has made available model VAWA 2013 informing notices. Click the links below to download the notices:
The sample notices were adapted from a notice developed by the National Housing Law Project (NHLP), and are updated to reflect VAWA 2013 changes. Keep in mind that when HUD issues its standardized informing notice, PHAs will be required to use HUD’s version.
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