HUD HCV Guidebook § 5.1
Effective Date of Annual Reexamination (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
PHAs have flexibility in determining when they will complete the Annual Reexamination. The only two HUD
requirements concerning the effective date are:
The effective date must27 fall within 12 months of their previous annual reexamination or new
admission effective date.
The effective date of an annual reexamination (action type 2) is the first of the month.
PHAs typically align a family’s annual reexamination effective date with either the anniversary of the family’s
HAP contract or the anniversary of their admission to the program. Neither of these methods is required
although they are considered best practices for ease of scheduling and reporting.
23
24 CFR § 8.6 and 28 CFR § 35 subpart D
24
Executive Order (EO) 13166; 72 FR 2732 (January 22, 2007)
25 24 CFR § 5.233
26
24 CFR § 982.516(a)(1)
27
24 CFR § 982.516(a)(1)Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 5.1, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) are given scheduling flexibility for annual reexaminations, but two federal requirements apply: the effective date must occur within 12 months of the prior annual reexamination or the family's program admission date, and the effective date must fall on the first of the month. PHAs commonly align this date with either the anniversary of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract or the family's admission anniversary, though neither approach is mandated. These scheduling practices are described as best practices under the guidebook for administrative efficiency.
Plain English — not legal advice.
As a Housing Choice Voucher landlord or property manager, understanding HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 5.1 helps clarify why a tenant's reexamination effective date is always set on the first of a month and occurs within a 12-month cycle. Compliant PHAs typically coordinate this date with HAP contract anniversaries, which can make it easier to anticipate when subsidy adjustments may take effect. Staying in communication with the administering PHA about reexamination schedules helps operators plan for any changes to the HAP payment amounts.
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 § 5.1, tenants participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program have a right to an annual reexamination that must be completed within 12 months of their last reexamination or program admission date, with the effective date always falling on the first of the month. If a reexamination appears to have been delayed beyond the 12-month window or the effective date seems incorrect, tenants can raise this concern directly with their PHA. Tenant-rights organizations and HUD's local field offices can also be resources for understanding how this scheduling requirement applies to a particular voucher situation.
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
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