Author: Katie Roberts

This proposed rule will officially publish in the Federal Register on March 2, 2026. The proposed rule offers public housing agencies and certain owners of multifamily housing the option to implement work requirements for work-eligible adults and term limits for non-elderly, nondisabled families residing in public housing or receiving assistance through Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), or Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA). Previously, this flexibility had been limited to Moving to Work PHAs.

HUD proposes to allow PHAs and owners to require work-eligible adults to engage in work activities for up to 40 hours per week and/or to impose term limits for households of no less than two years. PHAs and owners must offer supportive services to assist families with obtaining employment or engaging in work activities. HUD anticipates providing additional guidance on the types of funds that may be used for those services, but notes that HCV admin fees and PBRA project funds may not be used.

Comments regarding this proposed rule are due by May 1, 2026. 

1. Electronic Submissions of Comments can be made through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov.

2. Via mail: Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban-Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500.

Read more: Federal Register :: Establishing Flexibility for Implementation of Work Requirements and Term Limits

HUD will publish an interim final rule tomorrow in the Federal Register that revokes the 2021 interim final rule and 2024 final rule requiring PHAs and owners of project-based rental assistance (PBRA) properties to provide certain tenants with 30-day notification prior to termination of lease for nonpayment of rent. This rule becomes effective 30 days after its scheduled publication tomorrow, Feb. 26, 2026.  

This interim final rule returns HUD’s regulations on notice of lease termination for nonpayment of rent to what they were before publication of the 2021 interim final rule. The new rule removes provisions requiring PHAs and owners to include certain information in their notice to tenants of lease termination for nonpayment of rent. It also removes language that prohibited PHAs and owners from providing tenants with a notice of termination prior to the day after the rent is due according to the lease. 

See this link for the pre-publication version of the document: 

https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-03921.pdf

HUD is proposing a new rule regarding mixed-status households. The rule would require every household resident to show proof of citizenship or legal status, regardless of age. They are asking the public to weigh in on the proposed rule until April 21, 206.

Read the rule here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-20/pdf/2026-03405.pdf?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&utm_medium=email&utm_source=federalregister.gov

Let your voice be heard. Submit your comments here: https://www.regulations.gov/search?filter=FR%E2%80%936524%E2%80%93P%E2%80%9301

The long-awaited OCAF factors are expected to be published tomorrow by the Federal Register. The nationwide factor is 5.1. HUD is unusually late this year in releasing the 2026 figures. OCAF factors are typically issued in October or November. The effective date for the 2026 OCAFs is February 11, for HAP anniversary dates on or after that date. For more information, visit https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02201.pdf.

The changes will take effect in 2026. The changes include stricter eligibility verification, expanded work requirements, revised benefit levels, and new purchasing limitations.

Significant SNAP policy changes scheduled for 2026 are expected to affect millions of households nationwide. Housing providers should understand how these updates may impact residents and onsite compliance obligations.

Thank you CMS Contract Management Services for explaining what’s to come for those in the affordable housing communities:

– Tighter Eligibility Check: States will face increased scrutiny over SNAP eligibility determinations and benefit calculations. Enhanced income verification, additional documentation requests, and stricter oversight will be required. States with elevated payment error rates may be required to cover a portion of SNAP benefit costs, incentivizing improved accuracy.

– Expanded Work Requirements: Work requirements will apply to non-disabled adults ages 18–64, expanding beyond the previous upper limit of 54. Exemptions will be narrower, primarily for adults caring for children under age 14. More SNAP recipients will be required to meet employment or training standards to maintain benefits.

– Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA): SNAP benefit amounts will increase modestly to reflect inflation and rising food costs. The maximum monthly benefit for a family of four will increase to $994.

– Restrictions on Purchases: Eighteen states will implement new restrictions on SNAP purchases, limiting certain junk food items in an effort to encourage healthier nutrition choices among recipients.

– Changes in Eligibility for Immigrants: Beginning in 2026, lawful permanent residents must have lived in the United States for at least five years to qualify for SNAP. Refugees and asylum seekers will no longer qualify under revised eligibility standards, reducing overall program access.

This past Friday, the House passed the final FY 2026 appropriations bills after several delays, approving Defense, Transportation-HUD, and Labor-HHS by a wide margin, while Homeland Security passed narrowly amid Democratic opposition over immigration enforcement funding. Overall, Congress rejected the Trump administration’s proposed deep spending cuts, particularly for HUD. Instead of the $43.5 billion requested, lawmakers appropriated $84.2 billion for HUD which is nearly double.

– Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Rental Assistance saw significant increases.
– Homeless assistance funding rose.
– HOME and CDBG programs were preserved at current levels.
– Public housing operating funds were cut, while capital funding remained flat.

The executive order on housing omitted several anticipated proposals, including assumable and portable mortgages, and President Trump also distanced himself from a key administration idea allowing 401(k) withdrawals for home downpayments, citing concern about protecting retirement savings. Overall, after months of discussion on housing affordability, the administration’s actions have been limited to mortgage bond purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and policies affecting the single-family rental market.

Separately, HUD Secretary Scott Turner testified before the House Financial Services Committee, with Democrats pressing issues such as fair housing, immigration, and staffing. Read Secretary Turner’s testimony here: HHRG-119-BA00-Wstate-TurnerS-20260121.pdf

HUD has issued a statement regarding what to do in the upcoming severe winter weather.

Read the entire article here: Severe Winter Weather

May you all stay safe and warm during the upcoming days.

HUD announced yesterday that they are extending the compliance date for adoption of energy efficiency standards to May 28, 2026. This includes all Federal Housing Administration insured multifamily properties. To learn more read the notice: https://lnkd.in/eCQy9gMW

From the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development): Secretary Publishes Letter on Screening Criminal Responsibilities

Today, the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs is announcing that the Secretary has published a letter on screening criminal responsibilities.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has rescinded:

1. Notice 2015-19, “Guidance for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Owners of Federally-Assisted Housing on Excluding the Use of Arrest Records in Housing Decisions”;

2. 2016 memo from HUD’s Office of General Counsel on “Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the Use of Criminal Records by Providers of Housing and Real Estate-Related Transactions”; and

3. 2022 memo from HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity on “Implementation of the Office of General Counsel’s Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the Use of Criminal Records by Providers of Housing and Real Estate-Related Transactions” on background screening.

Please review the letter for additional information: https://lnkd.in/eWR6499R

Read more about it: HSGN-07.pdf