From NLHA:
On September 10, HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing issued Notice H 2026-06, which strikes Section 100–2.20 of the Minimum Property Standards for Housing (Handbook 4910.1) and makes emergency call systems an optional technology at certain elderly multifamily properties. NLHA has urged HUD for several years to clarify and modernize this outdated standard, and we appreciate the Department’s revised guidance.
The notice applies to elderly properties with 20 or more units subject to HUD’s minimum property standards under 24 CFR part 200, subpart S, and to Section 202 projects subject to 24 CFR 891.120. Minimum property standards do not apply to uninsured properties with Section 8 HAP contracts unless those are Section 202/8 contracts. Owners whose emergency call system requirement arises from a separate HUD business agreement (a grant agreement or contract, for example) may request an amendment to strike the requirement consistent with the revised policy.
Additionally, the Notice includes the following provisions:
– Operable systems may remain in service. An owner who chooses to remove an operable system must notify tenants in advance and consider the comments received.
– Inoperable pull-cord and other nonfunctioning systems must be removed.
– Any system that remains available to residents is still evaluated under the NSPIRE call-for-aid standard.
-Where no functioning system is in place, HUD encourages regular welfare checks, particularly for residents living alone or with limited mobility.
Before removing equipment, owners should confirm that no other obligation applies, such as state or local code, licensing requirements, accessibility standards, financing documents, or insurance requirements that impose separate duties.
The full notice is available at https://lnkd.in/e7Pt2mgS. HUD directs questions to AssetManagementPolicy@hud.gov. As always, please feel free to reach out to the NLHA team with any questions.