24 C.F.R. § 884.110
§ 884.110 Types of housing and property standards. (24 CFR Part 884)
Operative Text
(a) Newly constructed single-family houses and multifamily structures may be utilized in this program. Congregate housing may be developed for elderly, disabled, or handicapped Families and individuals. Except in the case of housing predominantly for the elderly, high-rise elevator projects for Families with children may not be utilized unless HUD determines there is no practical alternative. (b) Participation in this program requires compliance with: (1) [Reserved] (2) In the case of congregate housing, the appropriate HUD guidelines and standards; (3) HUD requirements pursuant to section 209 of the HCD Act for projects for the elderly, disabled, or handicapped; (4) HUD requirements pertaining to noise abatement and control; and (5) Applicable State and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations. (c) Housing assisted under this part shall be modest in design. Amenities in projects assisted under this part (except partially assisted projects) will be limited to those amenities, as determined by HUD, which are generally provided in unassisted, decent, safe and sanitary housing for low-income families, in the market area. The use of more durable, high-quality materials to control or reduce maintenance, repair and replacement costs will not be considered an excess amenity. (d) Smoke detectors—(1) Performance requirement. After October 30, 1992, each dwelling unit must include at least one battery-operated or hard-wired smoke detector, in proper working condition, on each level of the unit. If the unit is occupied by hearing-impaired persons, smoke detectors must have an alarm system, designed for hearing-impaired persons, in each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person. (2) Acceptability criteria. The smoke detector must be located, to the extent practicable, in a hallway adjacent to a bedroom, unless the unit is occupied by a hearing-impaired person, in which case each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person must have an alarm system connected to the smoke detector installed in the hallway.
Section 884.110 establishes the types of housing eligible under this HUD program and the standards those properties must meet. Newly constructed single-family and multifamily housing is permitted, while high-rise elevator buildings serving families with children are generally excluded unless HUD finds no practical alternative. Assisted housing must remain modest in design, and every dwelling unit must have at least one functioning smoke detector on each level, with specialized alarm systems required in bedrooms occupied by hearing-impaired residents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators participating in the program governed by 24 CFR Part 884 § 884.110 generally ensure that their properties comply with all applicable state and local codes, HUD noise standards, and — where relevant — HUD guidelines for congregate or elderly/disabled housing. Compliant operators keep assisted units modest in design, avoiding amenities that exceed what is typically found in unassisted decent housing for low-income families in the local market, though use of durable, high-quality materials for cost control is explicitly permitted. On the smoke-detector front, operators typically verify that each unit has a working detector on every level and that hearing-impaired occupants have bedroom alarm systems connected to hallway detectors, consistent with the requirements of § 884.110(d).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 24 CFR Part 884 § 884.110, residents in HUD-assisted housing covered by this part have a right to housing that meets specific property and safety standards, including properly functioning smoke detectors on every level of their unit and, for hearing-impaired occupants, specialized alarm systems in their bedrooms. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards — for example, a missing or non-functioning smoke detector — tenants may document the condition and raise the issue with their local HUD field office or a tenant-rights organization familiar with Section 8 new construction programs. Tenants may also explore whether a violation of § 884.110 can be raised as part of a broader housing quality complaint through available administrative channels.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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