Utah Code § 35A-8 § 35A-8-413
Victims of major disaster.
Operative Text
Victims of major disaster. (1) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other law relating to rentals, preferences, or eligibility for admission or occupancy of dwellings in housing projects during the period an authority determines that there is an acute need for housing to assure the availability of dwellings for victims of a major disaster, the authority may undertake the development and administration of housing projects for the federal government. (b) Dwellings in any housing project under the jurisdiction of the authority may be made available to victims of a major disaster. (2) An authority may contract with the federal government or a public body for advance payment or reimbursement for the furnishing of housing to victims of a major disaster, including the furnishing of housing free of charge to needy disaster victims during any period covered by a determination of acute need by the authority.
Utah Code Ann. § 35A-8-413 establishes that a local housing authority may set aside its usual rental preferences and eligibility rules during a declared period of acute housing need caused by a major disaster. During such a period, the authority is permitted to develop and administer housing projects on behalf of the federal government and to open existing public housing units to disaster victims. The provision also allows housing to be provided at no cost to needy disaster victims for as long as the authority's determination of acute need remains in effect.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under or in partnership with a housing authority should be aware that § 35A-8-413 gives the authority broad discretion to temporarily override standard admissions and eligibility criteria when a major disaster creates acute housing need. Operators whose units fall under an authority's jurisdiction may find that units are made available to disaster victims outside the normal tenant-selection process. Understanding this provision helps operators anticipate how their agreements with a housing authority may be affected during a federally recognized disaster period.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 35A-8-413, individuals displaced by a major disaster may be eligible for public housing units even if they would not ordinarily qualify under standard income, preference, or eligibility rules. Needy disaster victims may also be entitled to receive housing free of charge during any period the authority has formally determined there is an acute housing need. Tenants or displaced persons seeking to understand whether this provision applies to their situation can contact the relevant local housing authority or a tenant-rights organization for general information about available disaster housing programs.
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 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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