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.
Big changes are coming to those who are on SNAP Benefits
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.
House Passes the Final FY 2026 Appropriations Bill
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
From the office of Multifamily Housing Programs: Severe Winter Weather
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 Extends the Compliance Date for Adoption of Energy Efficiency Standards
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
HUD publishes letter on Screening Criminal Responsibilities
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
HUD extends HOTMA Deadline to January 1, 2027
Read more about it: HSGN-07.pdf
Apply now for NLHA’s Resident Scholarship Program.
Education can help open doors – and leave them open – providing you with flexibility and control, now and into the future. Scholarships can make the cost of your education more manageable. The National Leased Housing Association Education Fund is seeking applications for its resident scholarship program. Community members like you are eligible to apply for the following awards, ranging from $1000-$4,000. Apply now through March 13, 2026: Education Fund – NLHA – National Leased Housing Association
HUD: Relief for RAD Projects Facing Extraordinary Costs
Hot off the presses from HUD: Relief for RAD Projects Facing Extraordinary Costs. Public housing properties converted under RAD receive annual rent increases based on HUD’s Operating Cost Adjustment Factor (OCAF). However, in recent years, rising operating costs have outpaced the standard OCAF, leaving some RAD projects under financial strain. To address this, HUD now allows owners to request a one-time good-cause exception to the standard OCAF if they can demonstrate that uncontrollable cost increases are creating severe financial hardship.
To learn more regarding the owner submission and review process for an exception to use an alternative operating cost factor, read the following: Question Details
HUD Extends NSPIRE-V Mandatory Compliance Date to October 1, 2027
HUD extends the NSPIRE-V Mandatory Compliance Date from the original extension date of October 1, 2025, to February 1, 2027. National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) wrote a great article explaining the new deadline that was given to PHAs.
Read more about the extended deadline: HUD Extends NSPIRE-V Mandatory Compliance Date to Feb. 1, 2027 – The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)