Intake And Eligibility Copy
This training module outlines the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) eligibility requirements for participation in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and provides guidance to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in establishing additional criteria for admission.
PHAs should strive for objectivity and consistency when applying these criteria to evaluate the eligibility of families who apply for assistance. PHAs must provide families applying for assistance the opportunity to explain their circumstances, furnish additional information if required, and receive an explanation of the basis for any decision regarding their eligibility.
As with all areas of program administration, when determining family eligibility PHAs must comply with all Federal, State, and local nondiscrimination laws, and with rules and regulations governing fair housing and equal opportunity in housing and employment.
Family submits application for assistance along with any required documents.
If there are no immediate vouchers available, the family is placed on the waiting list based on the information provided in their initial application.
If there are immediate vouchers, the family goes straight to step 3.
The family goes through the intake process of verifying all required information to determine eligibility.
Once a family is determined to be eligible, they are required to go through the briefing class.
The family receives their voucher.
Screening and Other Requirements at Admission
Disclosure of Social Security Numbers and Compliance with Verification Requirements
Per HUD regulation 24 CFR § 5.512(d)(3); § 5.514(d), the household must sign consent forms and provide requested verification materials to allow the PHA to verify the household’s information.
The applicant must also disclose and document the Social Security Numbers of all family members, with the exception of ineligible non-citizens.
Social Security Numbers only need to be verified once per household member.
Background Screening
The PHA must conduct background screenings to ensure no member of the household is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement.
All adult household members must sign a criminal background consent form to authorize the PHA to conduct background screenings.
PHAs may establish additional nondiscriminatory criteria for admission. If the PHA chooses to establish additional criteria, the standards must be applied consistently and be listed in the PHAs administrative plan.
Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System Searches
PHAs must use HUD’s EIV system to search for all household members using the Existing Tenant Search and all adult household members in the Search for Former Tenant.
All adult household members must also sign the HUD-52675, which is the “Debts Owed to Public Housing Agencies and Terminations” form.
The PHA may be required to deny assistance to household members who are already receiving assistance from another program or who owe an outstanding debt to another PHA.