HUD HCV Guidebook § 10.2
Additional PHA Discretionary Admission Criteria (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
PHAs must70 establish local policies concerning denial of assistance to applicants for the following reasons:
• The family has violated program obligations.
• Any family member evicted from federally assisted housing within the past 5 years.
• Any PHA has ever terminated assistance for any family member under the voucher program.
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PIH Notice 2015-19
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24 CFR § 5.903(f); § 5.905(d); § 982.553(d)(1)
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24 CFR § 5.903(f)
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24 CFR §982.553(a); § 982.552(b)
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24 CFR §982.552(c)(1)
• Any member of the family has committed fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act related
to any federal housing program.
• The family currently owes rent or other amounts to the PHA or another PHA for amounts in
connection with the HCV, moderate rehabilitation, or public housing programs.
• The family has not reimbursed any PHA for amounts paid to an owner under a HAP contract for
rent, damages to the unit, or other amounts owed by the family under the lease.
• The family has breached an agreement with the PHA to pay amounts owed to a PHA or amounts
paid to an owner by a PHA.
• The family has engaged in or threatened abusive or violent behavior toward PHA personnel.HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 10.2 requires every Public Housing Authority (PHA) to adopt written local policies addressing whether to deny voucher assistance based on a defined list of past conduct. These grounds include prior eviction from federally assisted housing within the last five years, prior termination of voucher assistance by any PHA, fraud or criminal acts connected to a federal housing program, outstanding debts to a PHA, and abusive or threatening behavior toward PHA staff. The provision does not mandate automatic denial; it mandates that each PHA have a policy that addresses each listed ground, leaving the ultimate decision to the agency's discretion within federal guidelines.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 10.2, the PHA—not the landlord—is responsible for screening applicants against these discretionary denial criteria before issuing a voucher. Property owners and managers generally review a prospective tenant's voucher documentation to confirm the PHA has completed its eligibility determination, and they maintain their own separate tenant-screening practices that comply with fair housing law. Understanding that a voucher holder has already cleared PHA-level review of these criteria can inform how operators interpret the issuance of a voucher.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 10.2 establishes the categories of past conduct that a PHA's local policy must address when deciding whether to deny voucher assistance, including prior evictions from federally assisted housing, outstanding debts to a PHA, and certain criminal acts tied to federal housing programs. If an applicant believes a denial was applied incorrectly or that mitigating circumstances were not considered, federal regulations generally provide a right to request an informal hearing or review through the PHA. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices familiar with HCV program rules can help applicants understand what a PHA's local policy requires and what procedural options may be available.
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 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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