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Public Housing Residents

PUBLIC HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS

Relationships between the important parties are defined by federal regulations and by contract. To administer the public housing program, the PHA enters into a contractual relationship with HUD through the ACC. The PHA also enters into a contractual relationship with the tenant through the public housing lease. These contracts outline the roles and responsibilities of each party.

Federal regulations further identify the important roles of the parties involved. For the program to work and be successful, all parties involved – HUD, the PHA, and the tenant – must play their important parts.

What does HUD do?

Federal law is the source of HUD responsibilities. HUD has the following major responsibilities:

  • Develop regulations, requirements, handbooks, notices and other guidance to implement housing legislation passed by Congress
  • Allocate operating subsidies to PHAs
  • Allocate capital funding to PHAs
  • Provide technical assistance to PHAs on interpreting and applying program requirements
  • Monitor PHA compliance with program requirements and PHA performance in program administration.

What does the PHA do?

The PHA's responsibilities originate in federal regulations and the ACC. The PHA owns and manages public housing developments, administers the program under contract with HUD, and has the following major responsibilities:

  • Establish local policies
  • Review applications from interested applicant families to determine whether applicants are eligible for the program
  • Maintain waiting list and select families for admission
  • Maintain housing units by making any necessary repairs in a timely manner
  • Screen families who apply for tenancy, to determine if they will be good renters
  • Offer units to families (minimize vacancies without overcrowding)
  • Maintain properties to the standard of decent, safe, sanitary, and in good repair (including assuring compliance with uniform physical conditions standards)
  • Make sure the PHA has adequate financial resources to maintain its housing stock
  • Ensure that families continue to qualify under the program
  • Collect rent due from the assisted family and comply with and enforce provisions of the lease
  • Ensure that families comply with program rules
  • Provide families with prompt and professional service
  • Comply with all fair housing and equal opportunity requirements, HUD regulations and requirements, the Annual Contributions Contract, HUD-approved applications for funding, the PHA's ACOP, and other applicable federal, state and local laws.

What does the Tenant do?

The tenant's responsibilities are articulated in the public housing lease. The tenant has the following broad responsibilities:

  • Comply with the terms of the lease
  • Provide the PHA with complete and accurate information, determined by the PHA to be necessary for administration of the program
  • Cooperate in attending all appointments scheduled by the PHA
  • Allow the PHA to inspect the unit at reasonable times and after reasonable notice
  • Take responsibility for care of the housing unit, including any violations of uniform physical condition standards caused by the family
  • Not engage in drug-related or violent criminal activity
  • Notify the PHA before moving or terminating the lease
  • Use the assisted unit only for residence and as the sole residence of the family, not sublet the unit or assign the lease
  • Promptly notify the PHA of any changes in family composition
  • Not commit fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with any housing programs.

If all parties fulfill their obligations in a professional and timely manner, the program responsibilities will be fulfilled in an effective manner.