HUD HCV Guidebook § 1
Chapter Overview (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
PHAs must1 reexamine the income and composition of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) families at least annually. In accordance with policies set in their administrative plans, PHAs may require families to report interim changes in family income or family circumstances as well. A family’s failure to comply with the PHA’s reexamination requirements is grounds for terminating assistance. PHAs must2 establish reasonable procedures for conducting reexaminations of families’ income that allow for proper and timely verification of all information and advance notification to the family of any rent change. The family must3 supply any information requested by the PHA or HUD for use in a regularly scheduled reexamination or interim reexamination of family income and composition and sign the HUD-9886.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 1, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) are required to review the income and household composition of voucher-holding families no less than once a year, and may also require families to report changes between those annual reviews. PHAs must put in place reasonable procedures that ensure information is properly verified and that families receive advance notice before any rent change takes effect. A family's failure to meet these reexamination requirements can result in the termination of their housing assistance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
HCV Guidebook § 1 places the primary reexamination obligations on PHAs rather than on private landlords, but property owners participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program generally stay informed about the reexamination schedule because rent adjustments flow directly from its outcomes. Compliant operators typically maintain current contact information for their local PHA, respond promptly to any documentation requests tied to a family's reexamination, and account for the advance-notification requirement when planning for potential rent changes. Understanding that a family's noncompliance with reexamination requirements can be grounds for termination of assistance helps operators anticipate potential changes in tenancy status.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HCV Guidebook § 1 establishes that voucher-holding families have both rights and responsibilities in the reexamination process: families are entitled to advance notice before any rent change and must be given a reasonable process for verifying their information. Families are required to provide all information requested by the PHA or HUD during scheduled or interim reexaminations and to sign the HUD-9886 authorization form. Tenants who have questions about their reexamination rights or who believe proper procedures were not followed may contact their local PHA, reach out to a tenant-rights organization, or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.