24 C.F.R. § 960.605
§ 960.605 How PHA administers service requirements. (24 CFR Part 960)
Operative Text
(a) PHA policy. Each PHA must develop a local policy for administration of the community service and economic self-sufficiency requirements for public housing residents. (b) Administration of qualifying community service or self-sufficiency activities for residents. The PHA may administer qualifying community service or economic self-sufficiency activities directly, or may make such activities available through a contractor, or through partnerships with qualified organizations, including resident organizations, and community agencies or institutions. (c) PHA responsibilities. (1) The PHA policy must describe how the PHA determines which family members are subject to or exempt from the service requirement, and the process for determining any changes to exempt or non-exempt status of family members. (2) The PHA must give the family a written description of the service requirement, and of the process for claiming status as an exempt person and for PHA verification of such status. The PHA must also notify the family of its determination identifying the family members who are subject to the service requirement, and the family members who are exempt persons. The PHA must also notify the family that it will be validating a sample of self-certifications of completion of the service requirement accepted by the PHA under § 960.607(a)(1)(ii). (3) The PHA must review family compliance with service requirements and must verify such compliance annually at least 30 days before the end of the 12-month lease term. If qualifying activities are administered by an organization other than the PHA, the PHA may obtain verification of family compliance from such third parties or may accept a signed certification from the family member that he or she has performed such qualifying activities. (4) The PHA must retain reasonable documentation of service requirement performance or exemption in a participant family's files. (5) The PHA must comply with non-discrimination and equal opportunity requirements listed at § 5.105(a) of this title and affirmatively further fair housing in all their activities in accordance with the AFFH Certification as described in § 903.7(o) of this chapter.
Under 24 CFR Part 960 § 960.605, public housing authorities (PHAs) are required to build and follow a written local policy governing how community service and economic self-sufficiency requirements are applied to residents. The rule sets out a framework in which PHAs must inform families in writing about who is subject to or exempt from the requirement, verify compliance at least annually before a lease term ends, and keep documentation of each family's performance or exemption status. PHAs may deliver qualifying activities themselves or through contractors, partner organizations, or community agencies, and must carry out all of these functions in a nondiscriminatory manner consistent with fair housing obligations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing authorities operating under 24 CFR Part 960 § 960.605 generally maintain a clearly written local policy that identifies which household members are covered by or exempt from service requirements and explains how status changes are handled. Compliant PHAs provide families with written notice of the requirement, the exemption-claiming process, and each member's determined status, and they conduct annual compliance reviews no later than 30 days before the lease term closes. Documentation of completed activities or verified exemptions is retained in participant files, and any third-party delivery of qualifying activities is coordinated so that the PHA can still obtain or accept appropriate verification of family compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 24 CFR Part 960 § 960.605, residents of public housing have a right to receive written information from their PHA explaining which household members must fulfill the community service or self-sufficiency requirement and which members qualify for an exemption. If a family member believes they should be classified as exempt, the PHA is required to have a process for claiming and verifying that status, and families must be notified of the PHA's determination. Tenants who have questions about how their household's status was determined, or who believe the process was not followed correctly, may raise the issue directly with their PHA, consult a local tenant-rights organization, or contact HUD for guidance on the applicable rules under § 960.605.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.