§ 902.67 - Score and designation status.

A PHA will receive a status designation corresponding to its final PHAS score as follows:

(a) High performer. (1) A PHA that achieves a score of at least 60 percent of the points available under each of the four PHAS Indicators (addressed in subparts B through E of this part) and achieves an overall PHAS score of 90 percent or greater of the total available points under PHAS shall be designated a high performer.

(2) A PHA shall not be designated a high performer if it scores below the threshold established for any indicator.

(3) High performers will be afforded incentives that include relief from reporting and other requirements, as described in § 902.71.

(b) Standard performer. (1) A PHA that is not a high performer shall be designated a standard performer if:

(i) The PHA achieves a total PHAS score of not less than 60 percent of the total available points under PHAS; and

(ii) The PHA does not achieve less than 60 percent of the total points available under one of the following indicators, PHAS Indicators #1, #2, or #3

(2) All standard performers must correct reported deficiencies.

(3) A PHA that achieves a total PHAS score of less than 70 percent, but not less that 60 percent, is required by the HUB/Program Center to submit an Improvement Plan to correct identified deficiencies.

(4) A PHA that achieves a total PHAS score of less than 70 percent but not less than 60 percent is at risk of being designated troubled.

(c) Troubled performer. A PHA that is designated as troubled may be:

(1) Overall troubled. A PHA that achieves an overall PHAS score of less than 60 percent or achieves less than 60 percent of the total points available under more than one of the following indicators, PHAS Indicators #1, #2, or #3, shall be designated as troubled (overall), and referred to the TARC as described in § 902.75.

(2) Troubled in one area. (i) A PHA that achieves less than 60 percent of the total points available under only one of the following indicators, PHAS Indicators #1, #2, or #3, shall be considered a substandard physical, substandard financial, or substandard management performer, and referred to the TARC as described in § 902.75.

(ii) In accordance with section 6(j)(2) of the Act, a PHA that receives less than 60 percent of the maximum calculation for the Capital Fund sub-indicator under PHAS Indicator #3 (Management Operations, subpart D of this part; see § 902.43(a)) will be subject to the sanctions, provided in section 6(j)(4), as appropriate.

(d) Withholding designation. (1) In exceptional circumstances, even though a PHA has satisfied all of the PHAS Indicators for high performer or standard performer designation, HUD may conduct any review as it may determine necessary, and may deny or rescind incentives or high performer designation or standard performer designation, in the case of a PHA that:

(i) Is operating under a special agreement with HUD;

(ii) Is involved in litigation that bears directly upon the physical, financial or management performance of a PHA;

(iii) Is operating under a court order;

(iv) Demonstrates substantial evidence of fraud or misconduct, including evidence that the PHA's certifications, submitted in accordance with this part, are not supported by the facts, as evidenced by such sources as a HUD review, routine reports, an Office of Inspector General investigation/audit, an independent auditor's audit or an investigation by any appropriate legal authority; or

(v) Demonstrates substantial noncompliance in one or more areas of a PHA's required compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including areas not assessed under the PHAS. Areas of substantial noncompliance include, but are not limited to, noncompliance with civil rights, nondiscrimination and fair housing laws and regulations, or the Annual Contributions Contract. Substantial noncompliance casts doubt on the capacity of a PHA to preserve and protect its public housing developments and operate them consistent with Federal laws and regulations.

(2) If high performer designation is denied or rescinded, the PHA shall be designated either a standard performer or troubled performer depending on the nature and seriousness of the matter or matters constituting the basis for HUD's action. If standard performer designation is denied or rescinded, the PHA shall be designated troubled.

(3) The denial or rescission of a designation of high performer or standard performer does not affect the PHA's numerical PHAS score.

(4) A PHA that disagrees with the basis for denial or rescission of the designation may make a written request for reinstatement of the designation to the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing which request shall include reasons for the reinstatement.