24 C.F.R. § 966.57
§ 966.57 Decision of the hearing officer. (24 CFR Part 966)
Operative Text
(a) The hearing officer must prepare a written decision, including the reasons for the PHA's decision within a reasonable time after the hearing. A copy of the decision must be sent to the complainant and the PHA. The PHA must retain a copy of the decision in the tenant's folder. The PHA must maintain a log of all hearing officer decisions and make that log available upon request of the hearing officer, a prospective complainant, or a prospective complainant's representative. (b) The decision of the hearing officer will be binding on the PHA unless the PHA Board of Commissioners determines that: (1) The grievance does not concern PHA action or failure to act in accordance with or involving the complainant's lease on PHA regulations, which adversely affects the complainant's rights, duties, welfare or status; or (2) The decision of the hearing officer is contrary to applicable Federal, State or local law, HUD regulations or requirements of the annual contributions contract between HUD and the PHA. (c) A decision by the hearing officer or Board of Commissioners in favor of the PHA or which denies the relief requested by the complainant in whole or in part will not constitute a waiver of, nor affect in any manner whatever, any rights the complainant may have to a trial de novo or judicial review in any judicial proceedings, which may thereafter be brought in the matter.
Under 24 CFR Part 966 § 966.57, after a grievance hearing in public housing, the hearing officer must issue a written decision explaining the reasoning behind the outcome and distribute copies to both the tenant-complainant and the Public Housing Authority (PHA), which must keep the decision on file. The PHA is generally bound by that decision unless its Board of Commissioners finds the grievance falls outside the proper scope or that the decision conflicts with applicable federal, state, or local law, HUD regulations, or the contributions contract. Importantly, an unfavorable hearing outcome does not strip the complainant of any rights to pursue the matter further in court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
PHAs and their management staff operating under 24 CFR Part 966 § 966.57 are expected to maintain organized records of all hearing officer decisions, including copies in the relevant tenant's folder and a running log available upon request. When a hearing officer's decision is issued in the PHA's favor, compliant operators recognize that this does not automatically close off the complainant's avenue to seek judicial review. PHAs should also have a clear internal process for the Board of Commissioners to review decisions that may conflict with applicable law or fall outside the grievance procedure's scope.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 24 CFR Part 966 § 966.57, public housing residents who go through the grievance hearing process are entitled to receive a written copy of the hearing officer's decision, complete with the reasoning behind it. If the outcome is unfavorable or only partially grants the relief requested, this provision explicitly preserves the right to pursue a trial de novo or judicial review in court — the hearing result is not a final barrier to further action. Tenants who want to understand their options after an adverse decision may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with HUD grievance procedures.
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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