HUD HCV Guidebook § 2.2
Discretionary Owner Disapproval Policies (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
A PHA may7 adopt a policy disapproving owners for any of the specific reasons listed below:
The owner has violated obligations under one or more HAP contracts under the Housing
4 24 CFR § 982.451(b)
5 24 CFR § 982.306(a)
6 24 CFR § 982.306
7 24 CFR § 982.306(c)
Choice Voucher program or the Section 8 project-based program;
The owner has committed fraud, bribery or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with
any federal housing program;
The owner has participated in any drug-related criminal activity or violent criminal activity;
The owner has or has had a practice of non-compliance with HQS in HCV program units or
with applicable housing standards for units leased under any federal housing program;
The owner has a history or practice of refusing to evict HCV program or other federally
assisted housing tenants for activity by the tenant, household member, a guest, or another
person under the control of any member of the household that:
o Threatens the right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents or of
persons residing in the immediate vicinity of the premises;
o Threatens the health or safety of residents, persons residing in the immediate vicinity
of the premises, PHA employees, or owner employees engaged in managing the
housing;
o Engages in drug-related criminal activity or violent criminal activity; and
The owner has a history or practice of renting units that fail to meet state or local housing
codes; or
The owner has not paid state or local real estate taxes, fines, or assessments.
PHAs must8 clearly state in its administrative plan any owner actions which will result in the PHA
disapproving the owner from participation in the HCV program.Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2.2, a Public Housing Authority (PHA) is permitted—but not required—to adopt a written policy that bars certain property owners from participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Grounds for disapproval can include past fraud or criminal conduct connected to federal housing programs, a pattern of failing to meet housing quality standards, unpaid property taxes, or a history of refusing to evict tenants who threaten the safety or peaceful enjoyment of other residents. Any such disapproval policy must be clearly documented in the PHA's administrative plan so that the criteria are publicly known in advance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HCV Guidebook § 2.2, operators who participate in or seek to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program generally maintain compliance with all HAP contract obligations, keep units meeting Housing Quality Standards (HQS), stay current on local property taxes and assessments, and avoid any conduct—such as fraud or criminal activity—connected to federal housing programs. PHAs that have adopted discretionary disapproval policies are required to publish those criteria in their administrative plans, so reviewing the relevant PHA's administrative plan is a standard step for owners operating in that jurisdiction. Maintaining documented records of HQS compliance, tax payments, and lease enforcement actions is a practice commonly associated with continued program eligibility.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HCV Guidebook § 2.2 gives PHAs the authority to remove owners from the voucher program when those owners have a demonstrated pattern of failing to maintain safe and habitable units, refusing to address threatening tenant behavior, or engaging in fraud or criminal conduct tied to federal housing programs. If a voucher holder believes their landlord has engaged in conduct that falls under these disapproval grounds—such as persistent housing code violations or HQS failures—one general path is to raise the concern with the administering PHA and ask whether a disapproval policy is in place. Tenant-rights organizations and local legal aid offices can help voucher holders understand how § 2.2 disapproval policies work in their specific PHA's administrative plan.
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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