HUD Handbook 7465.1 § 2-3

a.   POLICY

            (1)   PHAs must:

                  (a)   attempt to get a sufficient number and
                        variety of applicants to fill all vacancies
                        as they arise;

                  (b)   attempt to get a broad social and economic
                        mixture of eligible applicants;

                  (c)   not seek more applicants than can be served
                        within a reasonable period of time; and

                  (d)   develop procedures to identify those
                        applicants who would no longer qualify or are
                        no longer interested in being admitted to
                        public housing.

            (2)   PHAs can accomplish these objectives through:

                  (a)   outreach to get additional applicants;

                  (b)   closing the waiting list to new applicants;
                        and

                  (c)   updating the waiting list to remove the names
                        of those who are no longer interested or no
                        longer qualify.

            (3)   PHAs should target their outreach efforts toward
                  getting applicants from the desired segment of the
                  lower income population. Examples:

                  (a)   Relatively higher income families if required
                        to achieve a broad range of income;

                  (b)   Handicapped persons needing accessible units
                        to fill available units of that type;

                  (c)   Minority or non-minority families if needed
                        to overcome the effects of prior
                        discrimination or other conditions which
                        resulted in limiting participation.

                  A PHA should avoid outreach methods which would
                  likely result in receiving applicants from large
                  numbers of persons it could not serve.

(4)   PHAs which have too many applicants may close the
                  waiting list:

                  (a)   completely;

                  (b)   during certain times of the year; or

                       (c) by type of project or by size and type
                  of dwelling unit

            (5)   PHAs may not close a waiting list based on whether
                  or not the applicant would qualify for a
                  particular selection preference (e.g., accept
                  applications only from those who are involuntarily
                  displaced). PHAs may not close a waiting list by
                  income range (e.g., accept applications only from
                  those in the highest range).

            (6)   PHAs may not close a waiting list if it would have
                  a discriminatory effect inconsistent with
                  applicable civil rights laws.

            (7)   PHAs may not close a waiting list unless they
                  publicly announce any decision to suspend or
                  restrict taking applications. PHAs may not reopen
                  the list unless they publicly announce when they
                  are going to resume taking applications. It is
                  not sufficient simply to notify those people who
                  showed an interest in applying during the period
                  the list was closed.

            (8)   PHAs should update their waiting lists
                  periodically so that they can select tenants more
                  efficiently.

            (9)   PHAs must document the reason any applicant's name
                  was removed from the waiting list.

       b.   DISCUSSION

            (1)   PHAs are encouraged to diversify their application
                  pool by conducting outreach to segments of the
                  eligible population which have not previously been
                  served by the public housing program. This could
                  involve taking steps to get applications from
                  people who might be least likely to apply because
                  of race, ethnicity, sex of household head, age, or
                  source of income.

            (2)   In conducting outreach, the PHA should consider
                  what methods would be most effective within the
                  constraints of its financial resources.

(a)   The PHA might want to post notices in:

                        o   places of employment

                        o   unemployment offices

                        o   welfare offices

                        o   post offices

                        o   grocery stores

                        o   churches

                        o   community halts

                        o   buses or other public transportation

                  (b)   The PHA could consider advertising:

                        o   on radio

                        o   on television

                        o   in newspapers

                        o   in local publications

                        In some cases the PHA may be able to arrange
                        for a public service announcement.

                  (c)   The PHA should also think about contacting
                        organizations involved with:

                        o   disabled and handicapped people

                        o   the elderly

                        o   students

o   immigrants

                        o   homeless people

                        o   victims of domestic violence

                        In some communities, PHAs may be able to get
                        help in conducting outreach from certain
                        civil rights and ethnic organizations.

                       (d) The PHA might want to mention
                  characteristics of the public housing program or
                  of the PHA's projects which would help attract
                  applicants. For example, that:

                        o   rent is affordable and includes
                            utilities;

                        o   projects are conveniently located and
                            have good security;

                        o   some projects allow pets;

                        o   some projects have day-care facilities
                            and others offer community activities;
                            or that

                        o   some dwelling units have accessibility
                            features for those with physical
                            handicaps.

                  (e)   Some PHAs have found that conducting an open
                        house is a good way to attract potential
                        applicants, explain the program, and give
                        people an opportunity to see the facilities
                        that are available.

            (3)   Prior to closing the waiting list, PHAs should be
                  sure there are sufficient applicants to fill
                  expected vacancies for at least several months.

            (4)   PHAs way close their waiting lists by unit size

             and type but not by a selection preference,
             including income range, because a selection
             preference would be just one factor affecting
             admission, and not the ultimate limiting factor
             that the size and type of unit would be.

       (5)   To help the PHA update its waiting list, PHAs may
             require applicants to report, at particular
             intervals (for example, annually), whether they
             are still interested in being admitted to public
             housing.

(6)   PHAs may require applicants awaiting admission to
             report any changes in family composition or
             circumstances and any significant changes in
             income or assets which would affect the family's
             eligibility, the type of project and size and type
             of unit needed, or the family's priority for
             admission.

       (7)   PHAs should not remove an applicant's name from the
             waiting list unless:

             (a)   the applicant requests that the name be
                   removed; or

             (b)   the applicant was clearly advised of a
                   requirement to tell the PHA of its continued
                   interest by a particular time and failed to
                   do so; or

             (c)   the PHA has made reasonable efforts to
                   contact the applicant to determine if there
                   is continued interest but has been
                   unsuccessful; or

             (d)   the PHA has notified the applicant of its
                   intention to remove the applicant's name
                   because the applicant no longer qualifies for
                   public housing.