HUD PIH Notice § 2017-05
Income exclusion under temporary Census employment and Census access (HUD PIH Notices)
Operative Text
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Office of Public and Indian Housing
Special Attention of: Notice PIH 2017-05 (HA)
Regional and Field Office Directors of Public Issued: March 7, 2017
Housing; Section 8 Financial Management Center; This notice remains in effect
Public Housing Agencies Administering Housing until amended, superseded or
Choice Voucher and Public Housing Program; rescinded.
Owners/Agents; Resident Management Corporations;
Resident Councils; Office of Native American Cross Reference: PIH Notices
Programs; Tribally Designated Housing Entities; 2009-19; 2008-26; 2000-1 and
Indian Tribes 1998-66.
Subject: Income exclusion under temporary Census employment and Census access
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. Background. Accurate census data impacts the efficient attainment of HUD’s mission and
effective delivery of HUD programs. 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.
3. Exclusion of income. Pursuant to Section 24 CFR 5.609(c)(9), temporary, nonrecurring and
sporadic income is not included when determining a family’s annual income. Under this
exclusion, PHAs exclude temporary income payments from the U.S. Census Bureau,
defined as employment lasting no longer than 180 days per year and not culminating in
permanent employment. Other HUD grantees that are subject to the definition of annual
income in 24 CFR 5.609 should also exclude these temporary income payments from the
U.S. Census Bureau when calculating a family’s annual income.
4. Access to buildings. Building managers are reminded to provide Census workers access to
the property, particularly a property where tenants are receiving federal rental assistance.
5. Paperwork Reduction: Requirements 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/_____________________
Jemine A. Bryon
General Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Public and Indian Housing
1
PIH Notice § 2017-05 clarifies that temporary earnings from U.S. Census Bureau employment — defined as work lasting no more than 180 days per year that does not lead to permanent employment — are excluded from the calculation of a family's annual income under 24 CFR 5.609(c)(9). This means that income from such short-term Census jobs is treated as temporary, nonrecurring, and sporadic, and therefore does not count toward the income thresholds used to determine eligibility or rent levels in HUD programs. The notice also reminds building managers that Census workers must be given access to properties, including those where tenants receive federal rental assistance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under PIH Notice § 2017-05, Public Housing Agencies and other HUD grantees subject to 24 CFR 5.609 are expected to omit temporary U.S. Census Bureau wages from annual income calculations when those wages come from employment lasting no more than 180 days and not leading to permanent work. Compliant operators review their income-determination procedures to ensure Census earnings are flagged and excluded consistently, and they do not adjust a tenant's rent or eligibility status based solely on such temporary Census income. Additionally, building managers are reminded by § 2017-05 to allow Census workers access to their properties, particularly those housing tenants who receive federal rental assistance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
PIH Notice § 2017-05 establishes that wages earned from a temporary U.S. Census Bureau job — one lasting 180 days or fewer per year and not leading to permanent employment — should not be counted as part of a family's annual income when a Public Housing Agency or other HUD grantee calculates rent or eligibility under 24 CFR 5.609(c)(9). Tenants who work temporary Census jobs generally have the right to have those earnings excluded, meaning such work should not increase their rent or affect their program eligibility. Tenants who believe their Census wages were incorrectly included in an income calculation may raise this as an issue during a grievance or hearing process, or seek guidance from a local tenant-rights organization or HUD field office.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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