HUD Offers Streamlined Payment Standards Waivers for FY 24

On October 12, HUD issued Notice PIH 2023-29, Certain Regulatory Waivers for the Housing Choice Voucher (including Mainstream) Program and Streamlined Review Process. The deadline to submit requests for these waivers is June 3, 2024. Authorized waivers cannot extend beyond December 31, 2024. Agencies with existing waivers and those requesting new waivers are required to submit a request as described in the notice.

Four Waivers Available

1. Exception payment standards up to 120% of SAFMRs for agencies using the SAFMR for their entire jurisdiction. Unlike waivers under prior notices, this waiver creates an exception payment standard rather than a change to the basic range.  
2. Exception payment standards up to 120% of FMR for agencies using the FMR for their entire jurisdiction. Unlike waivers under prior notices, this waiver creates an exception payment standard rather than a change to the basic range.
3. Exception payment standards up to 120% of SAFMR for agencies utilizing a SAFMR as an exception payment standard for a part of their jurisdiction.  
4. Applying an increase in the payment standard during the HAP contract term.

For any of the first three waivers, agencies must demonstrate as good cause that either:

1. Fewer than 80% of families issued a voucher during the last 12-month period for which there is adequate success rate data became participants in the voucher program; or, 
2. More than 40% of families with vouchers pay more than 30% of adjusted income as the family share of rent.  

Good cause for the fourth waiver includes, but is not limited to, an increase in family rent burdens, anticipation of potential negative impacts to tenants or the onset of housing instability.  

Streamlined Processing

The streamlined process requires the HA to submit an email request to: PIH_Expidted_Waivers@hud.gov with basic information on the agency, point of contact, waiver(s) being requested, a good cause justification (why it is needed and impact if not granted), and the requested duration of the waiver. Review the notice for more detailed instructions if considering submitting a streamlined waiver request.  

HUD also notes that waiver requests submitted through the standard process under Notice PIH 2018-16, or requests for exception payment standard SAFMR under Notice PIH 2018-01, should not combine those requests with requests under this notice.