HUD PIH Notice § 2010-38
Income exclusion under temporary employment by U.S. Census Bureau (HUD PIH Notices)
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Public and Indian Housing
Special Attention of:
Notice PIH-2010-38 (HA)
Regional and Field Office Directors of Public
Housing; Section 8 Financial Management Center; Issued:
September 22, 2010
Public Housing Agencies Administering Housing
Choice Voucher and Public Housing Program; Expires: September 30,
2011
Owners/Agents; Resident Management Corporations;
Resident Councils, Offices of Native American Programs; References:
Tribally Designated Housing Entities, Indian Tribes 24 CFR
5.609(c)(9)
Notices 2008-26 and 2009-19
Subject: Income exclusion under temporary employment by U.S. Census Bureau
1. Purpose. This notice clarifies the exclusion of temporary employment
payments by the U.S Census Bureau pursuant to 24 CFR 5.609(c)(9).
2. Applicability. This notice applies to Public and Indian Housing (PIH)
rental assistance programs including: Public Housing, Section 8 Moderate
Rehabilitation, Housing Choice Voucher and Section 8 Project-Based
Voucher and Certificate Programs.
3. Background. The U.S. Census Bureau employs, and is often in need of,
temporary workers for periods up to 180 days in duration. Previously,
rental assistance participants declined such employment due to perceived
impacts to rent and other public assistance benefits. Accurate census
data impacts the efficient attainment of HUD’s mission and effective
delivery of HUD programs. Hence, the Department holds a vital interest
in supporting an adequate workforce to ensure accurate census counts in
every neighborhood and supports such employment by program participants.
4. Exclusion of income. Pursuant to Section 24 CFR 5.609 (c)(9), PHAs
are to exclude temporary income payments from the U.S. Census Bureau,
defined as employment lasting no longer than 180 days and not culminating
in permanent employment. Employer verification of both the employment
dates and income amount is to be maintained in the tenant file.
5. Further information. Direct inquiries to local HUD offices or to the
Office of Public Housing Programs, Renee Kneppar, at (202) 402-6263.
6. Paperwork Reduction: The information collection requirements for this
notice are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB 2577-
0083) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3520).
/s/
Sandra B. Henriquez, Assistant Secretary for
Public and Indian Housing
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PIH Notice § 2010-38 establishes that income earned through temporary employment with the U.S. Census Bureau is excluded from the annual income calculation used to determine rent in certain federal rental assistance programs. The exclusion applies when the Census Bureau employment lasts no longer than 180 days and does not lead to permanent employment. This rule, grounded in 24 CFR 5.609(c)(9), was designed to remove a financial disincentive that had previously discouraged housing assistance participants from taking short-term Census jobs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under PIH Notice § 2010-38, Public Housing Authorities and owners or agents administering covered programs—including Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, and Section 8 Project-Based programs—are expected to exclude qualifying U.S. Census Bureau wages when calculating a household's annual income. Compliant operators maintain employer verification in the tenant file documenting both the employment dates and the income amount, confirming the work lasted no more than 180 days and did not result in permanent employment. Keeping thorough documentation in the tenant file is a standard practice for demonstrating compliance with this income exclusion.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
PIH Notice § 2010-38 means that wages earned from a temporary U.S. Census Bureau job—lasting 180 days or fewer and not leading to permanent employment—generally should not be counted as income when your rent is calculated under Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, or Section 8 programs. If a housing authority or property owner appears to be including such earnings in your income calculation, you may raise the exclusion under 24 CFR 5.609(c)(9) and PIH Notice § 2010-38 directly with your housing provider or local HUD office. Tenant-rights organizations and HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing can be resources for understanding how this exclusion applies to your household's 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 October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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