HUD HCV Guidebook § 3.3.1
Notifying the Local PIH Field Office (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
The PHA is required by regulation to provide written notification to the local PIH field office within 10 business
days of the date on which the PHA determines it is necessary to deny family moves due to insufficient funding.
Only one notification per calendar year is required and it must25 include the following:
• A financial analysis that demonstrates insufficient funds are projected to meet the current calendar
year projection of expenses.
• A statement certifying the PHA has ceased issuing vouchers and will not admit families from their
waiting list while the limitation on moves is in place.
• A copy of the PHA’s policy stating how the PHA will address families who have been denied moves. The
requirements of the policy are described in Section 3.3.3 of this chapter.
PHAs do not need prior HUD approval to deny a family move for insufficient funding. However, if HUD
determines that the PHA lacks grounds to deny moves due to
insufficient funding, the provisions described in the Section 3.3.4
HUD’s 2-Year Forecasting Tool
of this chapter apply.Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.3.1, a Public Housing Authority (PHA) that decides it must stop approving family moves because of insufficient funding is required to notify its local PIH field office in writing within 10 business days of that determination. The notification, which is only required once per calendar year, must include a financial analysis, a certification that voucher issuance has been paused, and a copy of the PHA's policy for handling affected families. While PHAs do not need advance HUD approval to restrict moves, HUD retains the authority to review whether the funding shortfall justification is valid, and additional consequences may follow if it is found lacking.
Plain English — not legal advice.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.3.1 directly governs PHAs rather than private landlords, but property owners participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program should be aware that a PHA may lawfully pause the issuance of new vouchers and restrict family moves when it documents insufficient funding. Compliant PHAs will have a written policy on file describing how they handle families denied moves, which landlords may reference when questions arise about delayed or suspended voucher activity. Understanding this provision can help operators contextualize communication gaps or processing delays from a PHA during periods of funding constraint.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.3.1, a PHA that restricts your ability to move using a Housing Choice Voucher due to funding shortfalls is required to follow a specific notification and documentation process with HUD's local PIH field office. If you have been denied a move, you may ask the PHA for a copy of its written policy on how it handles families in this situation, as that policy is a required part of the § 3.3.1 notification. Tenant-rights organizations or a HUD-approved housing counselor can help you understand whether the PHA has met its obligations and what options may be available to you under related provisions such as Section 3.3.3 and 3.3.4 of the same guidebook.
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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