HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 4-3
Key Regulations (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
This paragraph identifies key regulatory citations pertaining to Section 1: Tenant
Selection Plan. The citations and their titles (or topics) are listed below.
A. Tenant Selection Plan
1. 24 CFR 5.655 Owner Preferences in Selection for a Project or Unit
2. 24 CFR 880.104, 881.104, 883.105, 884.118, 886.119, 886.318
(Applicability of 24 CFR, part 5, and responsibilities of the owner)
3. 24 CFR 891.410, 891.610, 891.750 (Selection and admission of tenants)
B. Income-Targeting
These regulations are applicable only to the Section 8 project-based program
except where otherwise noted.
1. 24 CFR 5.653 Admission – Income-eligibility and income-targeting
2. 24 CFR 5.601, 5.603 (Occupancy Requirements for Section 8 Project-
Based Assistance)
C. Preferences
1. 24 CFR 5.655, 880.602, 881.601, 883.701, 884.214, 886.132, 886.321,
891.230, 891.750 (Owner preferences/requirements in selection for a
project or unit)
2. 24 CFR 236.715 Determination of Eligibility
3. 24 CFR 880.612a, 881.601, 883.701, 884.223a, 886.329a (Preference for
occupancy by elderly families)
D. Required Criminal and Drug Screening Standards
1. 24 CFR part 5, subpart I – Preventing Crime in Federally Assisted
Housing – Denying Admission and Terminating Tenancy for Criminal
Activity and Alcohol Abuse
2. 24 CFR part 5, subpart J – Access to Criminal Records and Information
E. *Social Security Number (SSN) Requirements1. 24 CFR 5.216 Disclosure
and Verification of Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers
2. 24 CFR 5.218 Penalties for failing to disclose and verify Social Security
and Employer Identification Numbers*
F. Screening for Suitability
24 CFR 5.655 Owner Preferences in Selection for a Project or Unit
G. Rejecting Applicants and Denial of Rental Assistance
24 CFR 880.603, 881.601, 883.701, 884.214, 886.121 and 132, 886.321
and 329, 891.410, 891.610, 891.750 (Tenant selection and admission)
H. Denial of Assistance to Noncitizens and DHS Appeal Process
24 CFR part 5, subpart E – Restrictions on Assistance to Noncitizens
*I. Mandatory Use of Enterprise Income Verification (EIV)
24 CFR 5.233 Mandated Use of HUD’s Enterprise Income Verification
(EIV) System *Section 4-3 of HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 serves as a regulatory roadmap, cataloging the key federal regulations that govern how federally assisted housing programs must handle tenant selection. It organizes citations across topics such as income targeting, applicant preferences, criminal and drug screening, Social Security Number requirements, suitability screening, denial of assistance, noncitizen eligibility, and mandatory use of HUD's Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system. Rather than establishing new rules itself, this section points operators and administrators to the specific Code of Federal Regulations provisions that carry binding requirements. Together, these citations define the legal framework within which tenant selection plans for Section 8 and other HUD-assisted programs must operate.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers administering HUD-assisted housing programs are expected to be familiar with each regulatory area cataloged in § 4-3 of HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4, as these citations collectively define the boundaries of a compliant Tenant Selection Plan. Compliant operators typically maintain written policies that address each topic area—including income targeting, preference rules, criminal screening standards, SSN verification, and mandatory EIV use—and ensure those policies align with the specific CFR sections listed. Operators generally review this section alongside the full handbook to confirm that their admissions procedures reflect current regulatory requirements across all applicable program types.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Applicants and residents in HUD-assisted housing benefit from the regulatory framework cataloged in § 4-3 of HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4, which identifies the federal rules that govern how landlords must conduct tenant selection, screen applicants, and handle denials. These regulations—covering areas such as income eligibility, preferences, criminal history screening, and noncitizen restrictions—establish rights and procedural protections that housing providers are required to follow. Tenants or applicants who believe a selection or denial decision did not follow these rules may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, reaching out to HUD directly, or raising the relevant CFR provisions when responding to an adverse decision.
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 25, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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