RBD HUDBlast – September 2005

 

4350.3 FAQ’s

 

We made an announcement about the 4350.3 FAQs in a previous HUDBlast, but we are still running into property management professionals who do not know how to get a copy of the FAQs.  HUD has released a summary of questions on Handbook 4350.3-Rev-1 requirements.  These questions were collected from the online Multifamily Housing Programs mailbox. The summary of questions has been categorized by topic.

 

Please keep in mind that Stillman Knight released a memo stating that the explanations in the summary should be considered policy.  You can find a copy of the FAQs on the HUD web site at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/rhiip/mfhrhiip.cfm.  Scroll down to the bottom of the page to access this document. 

 

4350.3 Revision 1, Change 2

 

As for the 4350.3 Revision 1, Change 2 release all comments were submitted to HUD by August 8th.  Comments will be reviewed by HUD’s policy specialists and edits may or may not be included.  For those of you, who downloaded or printed a copy of the proposed changes to the handbook, please keep in mind that these changes are NOT considered policy and should not be implemented until the 4350.3 Revision 1, Change 2 is released. 

 

RBD will be scheduling 4350.3 Update classes as soon as the handbook is released.

 

 

TRACS INDUSTRY MEETING NEWS

 

The TRACS Industry Meeting is a quarterly gathering of those stakeholders who wish to participate with other stakeholders and HUD staff in discussions of policy and procedure.  Stakeholders include owner/agents, contract administrators, software providers, consultants, trainers, service bureau coordinators and any others who serve the multi-family industry.  Discussions are geared toward the TRACS system and how changing policy affects the industry.

 

The next TRACS Industry Meeting will be held on Thursday and Friday, October 27, 2005 and October 28, 2005 at the General Services Administration (GSA) Auditorium. (this date is different from the date announced at the meeting so please be sure to update your calendars)

 

The address is:

301 7th Street SW (Please enter through the D Street entrance)

Washington, DC 20407

(202) 708-5020

 

Registration information and agenda items will be posted as soon as possible.  If you would like to review notes from past industry meetings, please visit our web site at http://www.rbdnow.com/hudannouncements.htm.

 

NEW TASS GUIDE RELEASED BY HUD

 

HUD has released a new, updated user guide for the Tenant Assessment Sub-system.  TASS is used by owner/agents to obtain Benefit History Reports for existing residents due for annual certification.  Benefit information is uploaded from Social Security to TASS four months before a scheduled annual certification and remains in the database for approximately 5 months.  You can obtain a copy of the new TASS guide at http://www.hud.gov/offices/reac/products/tass/PDFs/tass_guide_ssi_5.3.pdf

 

RealPage Sponsors TRACS & Occupancy Training in Dallas, TX (Carrollton)

 

RealPage, Inc. (www.realpage.com) has partnered with Ross Business Development, Inc. (RBD) (www.rbdnow.com) to provide TRACS, Income & Eligibility Verification and Resident Selection Training in Dallas.  This class is open to all interested property management professionals.  Training will include a one-day TRACS Industry Update on October 11, 2005 and a one-day Income & Eligibility Verification/Resident Selection Plan Development class on October 12, 2005.

 

To register for training, visit our web site at http://www.rbdnow.com/classes.htm or call Larue Marin, our training coordinator at (770) 426-0577.

 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION FOR PROPERTY MANAGERS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM VICTIMS OF KATRINA

 

Last week, HUD issued HUD Notice 04-22h - Disaster Recovery Guidance by Multifamily Housing After a Presidentially Declared Disaster.

On Friday, HUD also issued a Clarification of Notice H04-22, which provides additional guidance on issues concerning leasing units to victims of the recent hurricane. Please refer to Notice 04-22h and the clarification when leasing to applicants who are victims of a presidentially declared disaster.  These should help you develop policy if you’re explaining how to proceed in the event that you receive an application from one or more Hurricane Katrina victims.

You can find both of these documents on our web site at http://www.rbdnow.com/noticesforms.htm or visit the HUD sites at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/hsgmulti.cfm (note Katrina Resource link at top of page)

 

Here are some of the highlights from the notice and subsequent clarification:

 

Eligibility Determination

 

The provision in Notice 04-22 requiring a FEMA eligibility determination letter to house someone has been suspended. You can now admit families with minimal documentation provided that you can get some identification.  Documentation includes one or more of the following:

 

q      Driver’s license

q      Utility bill

q      Application number from FEMA

q      You should get verification of address, date of birth; etc. from a credit agency.

 

Those of you who are customers using RentGrow (www.rentgrow.com) or OneSite Screening (www.realpage.com) as your screening solution will receive free screening services for those applicants displaced by Katrina.  Please visit the appropriate web sites for additional information. 

 

You will need to verify that all applicants claiming to be displaced lived in one of the affected counties.  The simplest way to do this is to run a credit and/or criminal report for the family. The county lists are available from the FEMA Website at www.fema.gov.  The information about the state disaster declarations is toward the bottom of the page.

 

Notification to Applicants on the Waiting List

 

Additionally, if it is not included in your current resident selection plan, it may be a good idea to notify applicants on the waiting list that your resident selection plan has been modified (temporarily or permanently) to give preference to those victims of a presidentially declared disaster (Hurricane Katrina).

 

Lease Terminations

 

If your property is uninhabitable due to damage related to Hurricane Katrina; termination notices (effective 9/1/05) should be sent to all affected residents.  While we are waiting on formal advice, SAHMA has received informal advice stating that you may consider sending a letter to the last known address of all tenants displaced by Katrina formally terminating their lease as of September 1st.  This will alert any tenants who have requested their mail be forwarded through the USPS.

 

Once their former unit is ready for occupancy, in place residents have the right to return to their former units.  Owners should make a major effort to locate current residents as soon as possible so they can notify them when their units are available for occupancy.  You should urge your displaced residents to keep you informed of their contact information.  Please consult your legal counsel when creating new notices. 

 

Lease Amendments

 

HUD has also stated that owners should amend their leases to state that the applicants are certifying that they are eligible for assistance according to Notice H 04-22.  If the applicant/resident did not represent their situation truthfully, they can be evicted. 

 

TRACS

 

Clearly, if a building is uninhabitable or if a building or property no longer exists, you cannot voucher for assistance.  We will obtain additional information from Lanier Hylton and his team at HUD.  We will keep you informed as information is released. 

 

REAC Inspections

 

REAC inspections for Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana have been postponed until further notice.  REAC inspections and MOR for the affected Florida counties have been postponed until September 30, 2006.

 

National Apartment Association Web Site for Those Responding to Victims of Katrina

 

NAA and NMHC coordinated an industry-wide effort to cut through the financial and administrative barriers that could delay getting Katrina's victims into homes. A nationwide online database of vacant apartments has been created in conjunction with FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. Victims can go to www.hurricanehousing.net to find thousands of housing options.

 

NAA and NMHC members are also providing free and discounted rent, waiving application fees, and offering short-stay leases and free credit checks. And across the country, apartment properties are coordinating fundraising drives with their residents and are collecting clothing and households supplies for their new neighbors.

For a list of frequently asked questions being circulated throughout the apartment industry, visit: http://www.naahq.org/hurricanerelief/katrinafaq.htm

 

SOFTWARE VENDORS RESPOND

 

In addition to free screening offered by RealPage and RentGrow, Yardi Systems is stepping in to assist those customers affected by Hurricane Katrina.  Yardi will be offering free temporary hosting services to those customers attempting to get business systems up and running again. For additional information, visit Yardi’s web site at www.yardi.com/KatrinaRelief.asp

 

A MESSAGE TO OUR CUSTOMERS

 

On a personal note, RBD would like to extend our deepest condolences to our customers, their families and their residents who were affected by Hurricane Katrina.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.