94-259. Designated Housing; Public Housing Designated for Occupancy by Disabled, Elderly, or Disabled and Elderly Families  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 1994)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 1244-1257]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-259]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: January 7, 1994]
    
    
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    Part V
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Housing and Urban Development
    
    
    
    
    
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    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    24 CFR Parts 945 and 960
    
    
    
    Public Housing Designated for Occupancy by Disabled, Elderly, or 
    Disabled and Elderly Families; Proposed Rule
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    DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
    
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing
    
    24 CFR Parts 945 and 960
    
    [Docket No. R-94-1694; FR-3425-P-01]
    RIN 2577-AB27
    
     
    
    Designated Housing; Public Housing Designated for Occupancy by 
    Disabled, Elderly, or Disabled and Elderly Families
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
    Housing, HUD.
    
    ACTION: Proposed rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This proposed rule would implement section 622(a) of the 
    Housing and Community Development Act of 1992. Section 622(a) provides 
    public housing agencies (PHAs) with the option, subject to certain 
    requirements, to designate public housing projects, or portions of 
    public housing projects, for occupancy by disabled families; elderly 
    families; or disabled families and elderly families.
        This proposed rule would also amend existing regulations, which 
    currently provide for preference for elderly families and disabled 
    families, and discretionary preference for near-elderly families in 
    ``public housing projects for the elderly''--that is, public housing 
    projects that house both elderly families and disabled families. The 
    regulations would continue to provide for preference for disabled 
    families and elderly families in public housing projects that house a 
    population of disabled families and elderly families. However, certain 
    amendments would be made to include new and revised definitions 
    pertaining to ``family'' as set forth in section 621 of the 1992 Act, 
    and to provide for recognition of the designated housing process.
    
    DATES: Comment due date: March 8, 1994.
    
    ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
    this proposed rule to the Office of General Counsel, Rules Docket 
    Clerk, room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 
    Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410. Communications should refer 
    to the above docket number and title. A copy of each communication 
    submitted will be available for public inspection and copying on 
    weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the above address.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Whipple, Director, Occupancy 
    Division, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh 
    Street, SW., room 4206, Washington, DC 20410. Telephone number (202) 
    708-0744 (this is not a toll-free number). Hearing-impaired persons may 
    contact these offices via TDD by calling (202) 708-9300 or 1-(800) 877-
    8339.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
    
        The information collection requirements contained in this proposed 
    rule have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for 
    review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. No person may be 
    subjected to a penalty for failure to comply with these information 
    collection requirements until the requirements have been approved and 
    assigned an OMB control number. The OMB control number, when assigned, 
    will be announced by separate notice in the Federal Register. The 
    public reporting burden for the collection of information requirements 
    contained in this proposed rule is estimated to include the time for 
    reviewing the instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering 
    and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
    collection of information.
        Information on the estimated public reporting burden is provided 
    under the preamble heading, Other Matters. Send comments regarding this 
    burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
    including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Department of 
    Housing and Urban Development, Rules Docket Clerk, 451 Seventh Street, 
    SW., room 10276, Washington, DC 20410; and to the Office of Information 
    and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive 
    Office Building, room 3001, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: HUD Desk 
    Officer.
    
    II. Overview of Section 622(a) of the 1992 Act
    
        Section 622(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 
    (Pub.L. 102-550, approved October 28, 1992) (the 1992 Act) amended 
    section 7 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (the 1937 Act) (42 
    U.S.C. 1437e) to provide public housing agencies (PHAs)1 with the 
    option, subject to certain requirements, to designate public housing 
    projects, or portions of public housing projects for occupancy by (1) 
    disabled families; (2) elderly families; or (3) disabled families and 
    elderly families. (Section 7 of the 1937 Act, previously titled 
    ``Congregate Housing'' was retitled ``Designated Housing'' by the 1992 
    Act. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the references to section 
    7 in this preamble are to section 7 as amended by section 622(a) of the 
    1992 Act.)
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        \1\Section 626 of the 1992 Act provides that the amendments made 
    by subtitle B of title VI of the 1992 Act (which amendments pertain 
    to the authority of PHAs to provide designated housing) shall not 
    apply to lower income housing developed or operated pursuant to a 
    contract between HUD and an Indian housing authority.
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        Section 7 provides for designation of public housing projects, or 
    portions of public housing projects (see section 7(a)(1)). Section 7 
    further provides that in determining priority for occupancy in 
    designated projects, a PHA may make units in the designated project 
    available only to the types of families for whom the project is 
    designated (see section 7(a)(2)).
        Section 7(f) provides that a project may be designated following 
    HUD review and approval of the PHA's written plan for allocating its 
    housing resources among the various populations that it serves, and its 
    plan for securing additional housing resources sufficient to provide 
    housing assistance to not less than the number of non-elderly disabled 
    families that would have been housed by the PHA if occupancy in a 
    project, or portion thereof, was not restricted to certain families as 
    a result of a PHA's designation of a project. The information, at a 
    minimum, to be contained in the allocation plan, and which is listed in 
    section 7(f)(2), is information pertaining to current residents of the 
    project to be designated, the PHA's current housing inventory, families 
    on waiting lists, and future demand for particular types of housing. 
    Section 7(f)(4) establishes the criteria by which the Department will 
    approve or disapprove a PHA's allocation plan.
        In connection with allocating its housing resources among the 
    various populations that it serves, section 7(d) provides that each PHA 
    shall meet, to the extent practicable, the housing and service needs of 
    eligible families applying for assistance under this title, as provided 
    in any allocation plan of the PHA. (This ``title'' refers to title VI 
    of the 1992 Act--``Housing for Elderly Persons and Persons with 
    Disabilities.'') To meet such needs, section 7(d) provides that PHAs, 
    wherever practicable and in accordance with any allocation plan, may: 
    (1) Provide housing in which supportive services are provided, 
    facilitated, or coordinated, such as mixed housing, shared housing, 
    family housing, group homes, congregate housing and other housing as 
    the PHA considers appropriate; (2) carry out major reconstruction of 
    obsolete public housing projects and reconfiguration of public housing 
    dwelling units; and (3) provide tenant-based assistance under section 
    811(b)(1) of the National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA) (Pub. L. 101-
    625, approved November 28, 1990; see 42 U.S.C. 8013).
        With respect to projects to be designated for occupancy by disabled 
    families, section 7(e) requires the PHA to comply with all the 
    requirements of section 7 (which include submission of the allocation 
    plan) and to submit for HUD review and approval an ``application for 
    designated housing for disabled families.'' This application requires 
    the PHA to include a supportive services plan, which describes the 
    needs of the disabled families that the designated housing is expected 
    to serve, and provides for delivery of supportive services appropriate 
    to meet the disabled family's needs.
        Section 7(f)(5) requires PHAs that receive permission to operate 
    designated housing to submit not less than once every two years, an 
    updated allocation plan, and describes the information that must be 
    included, at a minimum, in the updated plan. This information is 
    directed to helping the PHA and the Department determine whether the 
    initial data and projections provided in the allocation plan were 
    accurate.
        Section 7 establishes certain requirements that must be followed in 
    the PHA's operation of designated housing. (See sections 7(a)(4), 7(b), 
    7(c) and 7(g).) These requirements address, among other things, such 
    issues as (1) tenant choice to live in designated projects; (2) 
    vacancies in designated projects (i.e., units that are vacant for more 
    than 60 consecutive days), and (3) prohibition against requiring 
    tenants (who are not members of the group for whom a project was 
    designated) to vacate designated housing.
    
    III. Proposed Rule
    
        This section of the preamble provides a summary of the proposed 
    organization and principal provisions of new part 945, and the proposed 
    conforming amendments that would be made to 24 part 960, subpart D.
    
    Proposed Part 945--Designated Housing--PHA Housing Designated for 
    Occupancy by Disabled, Elderly, or Disabled and Elderly Families
    
        New part 945 would be divided into three subparts: Subpart A--
    General; Subpart B--Application and Approval Procedures; and Subpart 
    C--Operating Designated Housing.
    
    Subpart A--General
    
        Subpart A would set forth the purpose of part 945, and the general 
    policies applicable to the designated housing process. These general 
    policies include, among others, that designation of projects is limited 
    to PHAs, and ``projects'' eligible for designation are limited to 
    public housing projects.
        Subpart A also would define the principal terms used in part 945. 
    Several terms proposed to be included in the definition section of 
    subpart A are those defined in section 621 of the 1992 Act, which 
    amended section 3(b) of the 1937 Act. Section 3(b) contains the 
    statutory definitions for certain terms used in the 1937 Act. Several 
    of the terms defined in section 621 are applicable to the designated 
    housing process, such as: ``family,'' ``elderly person,'' ``near-
    elderly person,'' and ``person with disabilities.''
        The definitions for ``family'' and ``elderly person'' and other 
    related terms (e.g., ``single person'') are currently contained in 24 
    CFR part 912, entitled ``Definition of Family and Other Related Terms; 
    Occupancy by Single Persons.'' Part 912, however, has not yet been 
    amended to reflect the revised definitions provided by section 621 or 
    to add the new terms defined in section 621. (For example, the 
    definition of ``person with disabilities'' would replace two 
    definitions in part 912--``disabled person'' and ``handicapped 
    person.'') Under separate final rulemaking, part 912 will be amended to 
    include several of the revised and new definitions set forth in section 
    621 (and which are proposed by this rule to be included in part 945). 
    If the part 912 final rule is published before the part 945 final rule, 
    the part 945 final rule, rather than define terms such as ``family,'' 
    and ``elderly person,'' will list these terms in the part 945 
    definition section, and cross-reference to the definitions provided in 
    part 912. If the part 945 final rule is published before the part 912 
    final rule, the definition section of the part 945 will be amended at 
    the time of publication of the part 912 final rule to cross-reference 
    to the definitions provided in part 912. The advantage in keeping these 
    definitions in part 912 (which was established to define ``family'' and 
    related terms) is that part 912 offers a convenient location to place 
    the definitions for terms that are applicable to all public housing 
    programs. Additionally, by placing these definitions in one location, 
    it reduces the number of program regulations that must be amended to 
    reflect changes in these terms as a result of statutory amendments, or 
    administrative policy decisions.
        Other terms defined in part 945 include ``housing,'' ``project,'' 
    ``portion of project,'' ``public housing,'' ``service provider,'' 
    ``supportive services,'' and ``public housing projects for disabled 
    families and elderly families.''
        ``Housing,'' and ``public housing'' would have the same meaning as 
    ``project'' in part 945 to reflect the interchangeable use of these 
    terms in section 7. ``Project'' would be defined to mean low-income 
    housing developed, acquired or assisted by a PHA under the U.S. Housing 
    Act of 1937 (other than section 8) and for which there is an Annual 
    Contributions Contract (ACC) between HUD and the PHA.
        The definition for ``project'' would provide that, unless otherwise 
    indicated in part 945, wherever the term ``project'' appears in part 
    945 it includes the plural, and also includes the term ``portion of a 
    project.'' Project is defined in this encompassing manner because a PHA 
    may request designation of one or more of the following: A single 
    project, one or more projects, a portion of a project, or portions of 
    several projects.
        The term ``portion of a project'' would be defined to include a 
    building or buildings (in a multi-building project), a floor or floors 
    of a building or buildings, or a certain number of dwelling units in a 
    project or projects. The definition would clarify that designation of a 
    portion of a project does not require that the buildings, floors, or 
    units designated for occupancy by disabled families or elderly families 
    be contiguous. The buildings, floors, and units may be scattered 
    throughout PHA projects.
        The definition for ``service provider'' would be modeled on the 
    definition provided for this term in the Congregate Housing Service 
    Program interim rule published in the Federal Register on December 8, 
    1992 (57 FR 58042).
        With respect to ``public housing projects for disabled families and 
    elderly families,'' part 945 will include this term in its definition 
    section, and cross-reference to the definition provided in part 960, 
    subpart D. As will be discussed later in this preamble under the 
    proposed amendments to part 960, the term ``public housing project for 
    disabled families and elderly families'' will be defined to mean (1) a 
    public housing project or portion of a project that was reserved for 
    occupancy by disabled families and elderly families at its inception 
    (and has retained that character), or (2) although not so reserved at 
    its inception, a public housing project or portion of a project for 
    which the PHA has obtained HUD's approval to give preference in tenant 
    selection for all units in the project to disabled families and elderly 
    families. Subpart D currently uses the term ``designated'' and not 
    ``reserved.'' However, to avoid confusion with the designated housing 
    process provided by new part 945, a process which requires the 
    submission of an allocation plan, HUD proposes to use the term 
    ``reserved'' in connection with projects for which a PHA provides 
    preference for disabled families and elderly families in accordance 
    with part 960, subpart D.
    
    Subpart B--Application and Approval Procedures
    
        Subpart B would incorporate the requirements established by section 
    7 for obtaining HUD approval to designate public housing for occupancy 
    by disabled families or elderly families. Consistent with section 7, 
    subpart B would provide that to designate a public housing project for 
    occupancy by disabled families or elderly families, a PHA must submit 
    to HUD, and receive HUD approval of, the allocation plan required by 
    section 7(f).
        The allocation plan would consist of the data required to be 
    included by section 7(f), and includes additional items added by the 
    Department, which items are consistent with the type of information 
    solicited under section 7(f). The information solicited by section 7(f) 
    is intended to help the PHA and HUD determine whether designation of a 
    project will (1) benefit the group for whom the project is proposed to 
    be designated, and (2) not adversely affect families who are not 
    members of the group for whom the project is to be designated.
        In incorporating the statutory components of the allocation plan, 
    the Department has altered the statutory language of an information 
    item only where the Department considered further clarification or 
    elaboration was needed. The Department does not propose through this 
    rule to prescribe methods by which the PHA should calculate the number 
    of families, number of units, or the number of times housing assistance 
    may be denied or delayed to a family in order to arrive at the 
    information required to be included in the allocation plan. The 
    Department prefers to allow each PHA to rely on its own occupancy 
    policies and procedures (including procedures for maintaining waiting 
    lists) and other methods that may be derived by the PHA for producing 
    the information required to be included in the allocation plan.
        * * * The Department, however, specifically requests comment from 
    PHAs on whether additional guidance is needed on how to determine one 
    or more of the information items required to be included in the 
    allocation plan.
        The Department added to the allocation plan requirements the goals 
    or objectives which the PHA should strive to achieve in allocating its 
    housing resources among the population it serves. These goals or 
    objectives include the following.
        First, the PHA should strive to provide, regardless of the 
    designation proposed to be made, as broad a range of housing choices 
    (with respect to types of housing, types of housing features (e.g. 
    accessible units for persons with disabilities) and accessible location 
    to social, commercial facilities, such as shopping markets) that would 
    be available to elderly families and disabled families if there was no 
    designation of projects in accordance with part 945.
        Second, the PHA should strive to provide its disabled families with 
    the most integrated setting possible. Under the designated housing 
    process, the PHA only should seek to provide public housing that 
    separates families on the basis of disability when the types of 
    supportive services required by disabled families necessitate the 
    concentration of families in a single location (i.e., a building, 
    contiguous floors or units). An example of a supportive service that 
    may require the concentration of families in a single location is the 
    service of a live-in attendant, and to achieve efficiency in cost and 
    delivery of this service, several families may share the services of 
    this attendant.
        The Department may disapprove an allocation plan which fails to 
    indicate that the PHA strived to (1) provide as broad a range of 
    housing choices that would have been available to elderly families and 
    disabled families if there had been no designation, or (2) provide its 
    disabled families with the most integrated setting possible.
        In addition to the above two objectives, section 7 requires that 
    the allocation plan disclose the PHA's strategy for securing additional 
    housing resources that will be sufficient to provide housing assistance 
    to not less than the number of non-elderly disabled families that would 
    have been housed by the PHA if there was no designated project. The 
    proposed rule would provide, consistent with section 7(f)(2)(G) that 
    these resources must be owned or controlled by the PHA, or that the PHA 
    has received preliminary notification that it will obtain these 
    resources, or the PHA intends to apply for these resources. The 
    requirement to secure housing resources sufficient to address the 
    housing needs of the PHA's non-elderly disabled families who would have 
    been housed but for the designation of a project is not to be construed 
    as a requirement for one-for-one replacement of housing assistance. 
    Rather, this requirement is intended to ensure that persons with 
    disabilities not be under-served by the PHA that designates a project 
    for occupancy only by elderly families. The types of housing resources 
    available to the PHA, and the methods by which a PHA may obtain 
    additional housing resources include the following:
        The PHA may utilize vacancies and turnover in other public housing 
    projects that are not designated and that are not intended to be 
    designated, as well as turnover in section 8 certificates and vouchers.
        The PHA may provide local preferences for a specific number of non-
    elderly disabled persons, in accordance with 24 CFR 960.211, for public 
    housing general occupancy projects, public housing projects for 
    disabled families and elderly families as provided in 24 CFR part 960, 
    subpart D, or for the section 8 certificate or voucher program. In 
    choosing this method, the PHA must demonstrate that the preference will 
    result in the desired increase in the number of non-elderly disabled 
    persons housed.
        The PHA may provide for allocation of a certain number of public 
    housing units (existing or new) or section 8 certificates or vouchers, 
    which will be accompanied by a supportive services package. This may be 
    achieved by the PHA entering into an agreement with a supportive 
    service provider to make available a certain number of units in 
    exchange for the provider delivering supportive services to disabled 
    families. In accordance with the objective to maintain the most 
    integrated housing setting, public housing units allocated for this 
    purpose should not be contiguous, except where the type of supportive 
    services to be provided require that the families be concentrated in a 
    single location. The units or certificates or vouchers provided under 
    this method would be allocated to non-elderly disabled families in the 
    order of their application date on the waiting list. Clients of the 
    service provider delivering the supportive services would not be 
    provided these units, or certificates or vouchers, before other non-
    elderly disabled families already on the PHA's waiting list who need 
    the supportive services being offered with this housing assistance. 
    Additionally, occupancy of these units may not be limited to members of 
    a particular disability group, but may be limited to persons who need 
    the available supportive services (as will be discussed later in this 
    preamble, projects designated for disabled families may not be 
    designated for occupancy only by persons with a specific disability). 
    This type of additional housing resource may be selected by a PHA that 
    has a population of non-elderly disabled families who would not 
    otherwise benefit from the housing without the supportive services.
        The PHA may use modernization funds to reconfigure units and 
    buildings to appropriate sizes or uses for non-elderly disabled 
    families.
        The PHA may designate projects, or portions of projects, for 
    occupancy by disabled families (note that projects designated for 
    occupancy by disabled families must have a supportive service plan).
        The PHA may allocate to non-elderly disabled families the units 
    vacated in other PHA projects by elderly families who intend to 
    relocate to a project designated for occupancy by elderly families.
        Consistent with section 7(d)(1), the PHA may utilize housing owned 
    or controlled by the PHA in which supportive services are provided, 
    facilitated, or coordinated, such as mixed housing, shared housing, 
    family housing, group homes, congregate housing, and other housing as 
    the PHA considers appropriate.
        Consistent with section 7(d)(2), the PHA may use development funds 
    or funds for major reconstruction of obsolete public housing (MROP) to 
    provide housing for disabled families in accordance with section 624 of 
    the 1992 Act, which provides for development and reconstruction of 
    housing for disabled families from funds, which may be not less than 
    five percent, of funds reserved, respectively, for public housing 
    development and for MROP.
        Consistent with section 7(d)(3), the PHA may provide tenant-based 
    assistance under the Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities 
    Program (section 811 of the NAHA).
        Additionally, a PHA may use all or a portion of net increases in 
    units available for occupancy in a project as a result of the 
    rehabilitation of vacant units in the project which previously had been 
    uninhabitable.
        The foregoing provides a few examples of ways in which PHAs may 
    secure additional housing resources for non-elderly disabled families.
        * * * The Department specifically requests comment from PHAs on any 
    problems they may foresee with the above examples provided by the 
    Department, and suggestions for other methods by which PHAs may obtain 
    additional housing resources.
        In securing additional housing resources, PHAs must take into 
    account the supportive service needs of disabled persons, especially 
    those persons with disabilities who require units with accessible 
    features. The PHA should be able to make this assessment on information 
    provided by its public housing waiting list, and from information 
    collected in the comprehensive housing affordability strategy (CHAS) 
    provided in accordance with section 105 of the NAHA. Consideration of 
    the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities is not a new 
    requirement proposed to be imposed on PHAs through this proposed rule. 
    The Department's regulations at 24 CFR part 8 implementing section 504 
    of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) require PHAs to 
    assess, on a PHA-wide basis, the needs of current tenants and 
    applicants on its waiting list for accessible units. In reiterating 
    this requirement in this proposed rule, the Department seeks to ensure 
    that PHAs will not reduce the availability of accessible units that 
    would have been allocated to persons with disabilities were it not for 
    the designation of a project as elderly-only.
        In reviewing a PHA's strategy for addressing the current and future 
    housing needs of the families in the PHA's jurisdiction, HUD will 
    examine closely both the PHA's proposed allocation of its immediately 
    available housing resources (e.g., vacancies in projects, available 
    section 8 certificates or vouchers), and the PHA's plan to secure and 
    allocate additional housing resources that it owns or controls. HUD 
    will not approve an allocation plan that does not adequately provide 
    for the housing needs of (1) families who are members of the group for 
    whom a project was designated, (2) families who are not members of the 
    group for whom a project was designated, or (3) both of these groups. 
    In deciding how its housing resources will be allocated, the PHA should 
    strive to provide disabled families and elderly families with dwelling 
    units, whether in designated housing or non-designated housing, that 
    are comparable to units that would have been offered to them if there 
    were no designated project.
        HUD also will not approve an allocation plan that reduces the 
    available current supply of housing for non-elderly disabled families, 
    and provides for increased housing for these families at some distant, 
    or indefinite, point in the future. For example, HUD will not approve 
    an allocation plan submitted by a PHA that has a percentage of non-
    elderly disabled families on its waiting list that is two to three 
    times the percentage residing in public housing, and through which plan 
    the PHA (1) requests designation of an elderly-only project, and (2) 
    proposes, as its only additional housing resource for non-elderly 
    disabled families on its waiting list, a public housing project that 
    has yet to be built. Since development of public housing is a complex 
    and competitive process, such a proposal falls substantially short of 
    adequately addressing the housing needs of non-elderly disabled 
    families on a PHA's waiting list.
        An approvable allocation plan is one that, given the housing 
    inventory of the PHA and the population it serves, provides its 
    disabled families and elderly families with as broad a range of housing 
    choice as possible, with respect to the level of supportive services 
    provided, the availability of accessible units, and integration with 
    other family groups (i.e., non-elderly families, non-disabled families, 
    and families with children).
        Subpart B would not require a PHA to submit an allocation plan and 
    seek formal designation for public housing projects which currently 
    house a combination of disabled families and elderly families, or for a 
    project in which the PHA intends to house a combination of disabled 
    families and elderly families. The Department does not seek to impose 
    on PHAs the administrative burden of preparing an allocation plan for 
    providing housing to a combination of disabled families and elderly 
    families where no administrative burden of this type is currently 
    imposed on PHAs for this type of housing. (As will be discussed later 
    in this preamble, PHAs must, however, obtain approval for this type of 
    housing under 24 part 960, subpart D.) To require submission of an 
    allocation plan solely for the purpose that the PHA may provide, 
    continue to provide, or provide in the future, public housing projects 
    that house a combination of disabled families and elderly families may 
    discourage PHAs from continuing to provide this type of housing.
        The proposed rule, however, would require that public housing 
    projects for disabled families and elderly families must obtain 
    designation as housing for disabled families and elderly families when 
    a PHA decides to submit an allocation plan for designation of a public 
    housing project, or portion thereof, for occupancy by disabled 
    families, or by elderly families. In its allocation plan, the PHA would 
    identify any public housing projects that house disabled families and 
    elderly families and that were approved as housing for these two types 
    of families in accordance with 24 CFR part 960, subpart D. 
    ``Designation'' as housing for disabled families and elderly families 
    would be granted to these projects when designation is granted for the 
    PHA's proposed housing for disabled families or housing for elderly 
    families. If a PHA does not seek designation of housing for elderly 
    families or for disabled families, the PHA is not required to obtain 
    designation for its mixed housing of disabled families and elderly 
    families.
        For designation of housing for occupancy by disabled families, 
    section 7(e) requires submission and approval of an ``application for 
    designated housing for disabled families'' in addition to the PHA 
    meeting the other requirements imposed by section 7, which requirements 
    include the submission of the allocation plan. The information required 
    by section 7(e) to be contained in this application largely focuses on 
    the PHA's supportive services plan. Section 7(e) requires that the PHA 
    describe the supportive service needs of the persons with disabilities 
    that the proposed designated project is expected to serve, and the 
    manner in which these services will be provided to the disabled 
    families; and identify the service provider who will provide the 
    supportive services to the designated housing population. (The service 
    provider is the person or entity licensed under applicable State or 
    local law to provide the supportive services for the designated housing 
    population.)
        The application for designated housing for disabled families should 
    not be construed to mean, and subpart B would clarify that it does not 
    mean, that PHAs only may provide supportive services to disabled 
    families occupying designated projects for disabled families. As 
    discussed earlier in Section II of this preamble, section 7(d) provides 
    that PHAs shall meet, to the extent practicable, the housing and 
    supportive service needs of eligible families applying for assistance 
    under this title. Since eligible families applying for assistance under 
    title VI of the 1992 Act include elderly families, the regulation 
    encourages PHAs to provide supportive services to projects designated 
    for occupancy by elderly families, and by disabled families and elderly 
    families, in addition to providing supportive services to those 
    projects designated for occupancy by disabled families. The Department 
    recognizes that PHAs have been providing supportive services to elderly 
    families occupying public housing. A supportive services plan is not 
    necessary to continue the delivery of these services to elderly 
    families, or to initiate the delivery of supportive services to elderly 
    families occupying designated housing for elderly families.
        In designating a project (or portion thereof) for occupancy by 
    disabled families, a PHA may not designate the project for occupancy by 
    persons who have a specific disability. For example, PHAs may not 
    designate a project for occupancy only by persons who have 
    developmental disabilities, or by persons with HIV disease. PHAs may 
    limit access to a designated project to only those persons who need the 
    types of services that are being provided.
        In addition to listing the information required to be contained in 
    the allocation plan and in the application for designated housing for 
    disabled families, subpart B would list the information to be included 
    in the PHA's updated allocation plan. Consistent with section 7, 
    subpart B requires each PHA that owns or operates a designated housing 
    project to update its allocation plan not less than once every two 
    years. The updated allocation plan allows HUD to determine whether the 
    projections made by the PHA (e.g., with respect to occupancy in the 
    designated housing project, availability of housing for families who 
    are not members of the group for whom the project was designated) were 
    accurate.
        Subpart B also would specify the criteria governing approval of 
    these documents, and the procedures applicable to the submission of 
    these documents to HUD, and notification of approval or disapproval by 
    HUD.
        * * * The Department specifically invites PHAs and other interested 
    members of the public to comment on the requirements of the allocation 
    plan and of the application for designated housing for disabled 
    families, and to offer any suggestions on how these requirements may be 
    revised in a way that will facilitate the production of this 
    information by the PHA without, however, forfeiting any information 
    that is necessary to accurately assess the impact of designated housing 
    on the families served by the PHA. As noted earlier in this preamble, 
    the purpose of the information required to be submitted in subpart B is 
    to assist the PHA and the Department in assessing the advantages and 
    disadvantages, if any, of designated housing. Therefore, in commenting 
    on the requirements of subpart B, the Department requests the 
    commenters to be mindful of this purpose, and of those requirements 
    that are statutorily imposed.
    
    Subpart C--Operating Designated Housing
    
        Subpart C would require designated projects to be operated in 
    conformity with all applicable public housing regulations and 
    requirements, including compliance with nondiscrimination and 
    accessibility requirements and regulations. Subpart C also would 
    incorporate the special admission and occupancy requirements imposed by 
    section 7.
        The special admission and occupancy requirements applicable to 
    designated housing include, among others, that in determining priority 
    for admission to occupancy in projects that have been designated in 
    accordance with the procedures established in section 7, the PHA may 
    make units in such projects available only to the types of families for 
    whom the project is designated. For designated projects for elderly 
    families, section 7 permits PHAs to make units available to near-
    elderly families if there are an insufficient number of elderly 
    families to fill all the units in a designated project.
        The special admission and occupancy requirements applicable to 
    designated housing also include a provision that, notwithstanding the 
    authority to make units in a designated project available only to the 
    types of families for whom the project is designated, the PHA shall 
    make any dwelling unit that is ready for occupancy in such a project 
    and that has been vacant for more than 60 consecutive days generally 
    available for occupancy without regard to the types of families for 
    whom the project was designated.
        Compliance with Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Requirements in 
    the Designated Housing Process.
        With respect to compliance with nondiscrimination and accessibility 
    requirements, the proposed rule would provide that the approval to 
    operate a designated project does not relieve a PHA of its obligations 
    to comply with the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601-3619) and with 
    section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794). While a 
    PHA may designate a project or portion thereof for occupancy solely by 
    disabled families and/or elderly families, in accordance with the 
    procedures of part 945, the PHA also must administer the designated 
    project, as well as its additional housing resources, in a manner that 
    does not violate either section 504 or the Fair Housing Act.
        An example of application of the Fair Housing Act requirements is 
    as follows. A person with a disability who is residing in a project 
    designated for occupancy by disabled families requires an accommodation 
    in service that differs from the supportive services provided to the 
    designated project. If it is determined that the accommodation (1) may 
    be necessary to afford the individual equal opportunity for the use and 
    enjoyment of a dwelling unit or public and common use areas, and (2) is 
    reasonable (i.e., a reasonable accommodation), the accommodation must 
    be provided by the PHA in accordance with the requirements of the Fair 
    Housing Act. Alternatively, if a person with a disability requires a 
    reasonable accommodation and has been offered, but has declined, to 
    live in a designated project where supportive services are provided, 
    the PHA must provide the reasonable accommodation, even if the 
    accommodation is identical or similar to the services provided in the 
    designated project.
        An example of the application of section 504 requirements is as 
    follows. A PHA designates a certain number of units scattered within a 
    public housing project for occupancy by persons with disabilities, some 
    of whom are in need of various features of accessible design within the 
    dwelling units and premises, and all of whom are in need of a range of 
    regularly provided supportive services, such as meal services, 
    transportation, nonmedical counseling, and assistance with housekeeping 
    and other chores. The PHA cannot require a person who uses a wheelchair 
    to live in the designated project. Section 504 requires, to the maximum 
    extent feasible, and subject to reasonable health and safety 
    requirements, that accessible dwelling units be made available 
    throughout the PHA's projects, and in a range of sizes and amenities. 
    Section 504 also requires housing adjustments when such adjustments to 
    policies and practices do not change the basic nature of the program, 
    or result in undue financial and administrative burdens. Section 504 
    also requires PHAs to operate each existing housing program or activity 
    receiving Federal financial assistance so that the program or activity, 
    when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible to and usable by 
    individuals with disabilities. Providing the person who uses a 
    wheelchair with an accessible unit (other than a unit in the designated 
    project) that accommodates the individual's needs would comply with the 
    requirements of section 504. Further, it should be noted that section 
    7(b)(1) provides that the decision of any disabled family not to accept 
    occupancy in an appropriate type of project shall not adversely affect 
    the family's opportunities to be offered other appropriate housing 
    assistance.
        In addition to compliance with the Fair Housing Act and section 504 
    requirements, the Department has determined that title II of the 
    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. 12101-12165) applies 
    to all PHAs, regardless of their source of funding. Title II of the ADA 
    (``Public Services'') applies to any program, service, or activity 
    provided or made available by States and local governments or any 
    department, agency, special purpose district or other instrumentality 
    of a State or local government. (The Department will be publishing 
    guidance for PHAs with respect to title II of the ADA in the near 
    future.)2
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \2\The Department notes that title III of the ADA (Public 
    Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities) may apply 
    to PHAs in certain situations. Although title III pertains to 
    private entities, and not public entities (which include PHAs), the 
    applicability of title III to PHAs may arise in the designated 
    housing process in connection with housing at which certain 
    activities are conducted that would cause the housing to be 
    classified as a ``place of accommodation'' under title III. PHAs are 
    encouraged to obtain further information from the Department of 
    Justice about the possible applicability of title III.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    IV. Proposed Amendments to Part 960, Subpart D
    
        Subpart D of part 960, titled ``Preference for Elderly Families and 
    Discretionary Preference for Near Elderly Families in Public Housing 
    Projects for the Elderly,'' establishes a preference for elderly 
    families and disabled families in ``public housing projects for the 
    elderly.'' Under existing subpart D, the term ``elderly family'' is 
    defined to include ``disabled family,'' and although subpart D is 
    titled ``preference for elderly families,'' subpart D in fact 
    establishes a preference for elderly families and disabled families in 
    projects that house a combination of elderly families and disabled 
    families. Subpart D also permits a PHA to give preference to near-
    elderly families for admission to public housing projects for elderly 
    families and disabled families when the PHA determines, in accordance 
    with Sec. 960.407 (Selection Preference), that there are not enough 
    elderly families and disabled families to fill all the units in the 
    project that are currently vacant, or that are expected to be vacant in 
    the next 12 months.
        Existing subpart D provides that a public housing project, or 
    portion of a project, acquires the identity of a public housing project 
    that is reserved for occupancy by elderly (and disabled) families if 
    the project (1) was ``designated for occupancy by the elderly at its 
    inception (and has retained that character),'' or (2) ``although not so 
    designated, for which the PHA gives preference in tenant selection 
    (with HUD approval) for all units in the project (or for a portion of 
    units in the project) to elderly families.''
        Because section 621 of the 1992 Act distinguishes between elderly 
    families and disabled families, and because section 622 provides for a 
    ``designated housing process,'' changes are required to be made to 
    subpart D. This proposed rule would amend subpart D to clarify that the 
    preference established by subpart D for elderly families for admission 
    to ``public housing projects for elderly families'' is a preference for 
    elderly families and disabled families, and that projects for elderly 
    families are projects for elderly families and disabled families. 
    Accordingly, subpart D would be retitled ``Preference for Disabled 
    Families and Elderly Families in Public Housing Projects for Elderly 
    Families and Disabled Families.''
        As noted earlier in this preamble, a public housing project for 
    disabled families and elderly families is a public housing project, or 
    portion of a project, that was reserved for occupancy by disabled 
    families and elderly families at its inception (and has retained that 
    character), or although it was not so reserved at its inception, the 
    PHA has obtained HUD approval to give preference in tenant selection 
    for all units in the project to disabled families and elderly families. 
    As also noted earlier in this preamble, although subpart D uses the 
    term ``designated'' and not ``reserved'' HUD proposes to use 
    ``reserved'' in connection with the preference process provided by 
    subpart D to avoid confusion with ``designated housing process'' 
    provided by new part 945. Additionally, to date, the public housing 
    projects for disabled families and elderly families provided in 
    accordance with subpart D have not established a limit on the number or 
    percentage of disabled families that may be admitted to these projects.
        Subpart D, as proposed to be revised by this rule, would continue 
    this practice, and would not establish a limitation or cap on the 
    number of disabled families that may be admitted to these projects, but 
    would clarify that the absence of such a limitation is a condition for 
    approval to operate public housing reserved for occupancy by disabled 
    families and elderly families. For example, approval to operate a 
    public housing project for disabled families and elderly families would 
    not be granted or would be withdrawn if the PHA establishes a policy of 
    admitting disabled families to only 10 percent of the units with the 
    remaining 90 percent of the units reserved for elderly families.
        The discretionary preference which subpart D currently provides for 
    near-elderly families in public housing projects for elderly families 
    (as this term is used in existing subpart D) would be removed. The 
    discretionary preference for near-elderly families would be limited to 
    admission to housing designated for occupancy by elderly families under 
    part 945, in accordance with the requirements of amended section 7, 
    which imposes such limit.
        The amendments that would be made to part 960, subpart D, would 
    provide for the definitions of ``family'' and related terms to cross-
    reference to the definitions for these terms provided in part 945. 
    Again, however, if the part 912 final rule is published before the part 
    945 final rule, then subpart D would provide for a cross-reference to 
    the definition section in part 912.
    
    V. Submission of Allocation Plans in Advance of Final Rulemaking
    
        Allocation plans submitted to HUD before final rulemaking is 
    completed will be required to comply with the final regulations.
    
    VI. Other Matters
    
    Environmental Impact
    
        A Finding of No Significant Impact with respect to the environment 
    has been made in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 50, 
    which implements section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy 
    Act of 1969 (NEPA). This Finding of No Significant Impact is available 
    for public inspection between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays in the 
    Office of the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of the General Counsel, 
    Department of Housing and Urban Development, room 10276, 451 Seventh 
    Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410.
    
    Executive Order 12866
    
        This proposed rule was reviewed by the Office of Management and 
    Budget under Executive Order 12866 as a significant regulatory action.
    
    Impact on Small Entities
    
        The Secretary, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
    U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this proposed rule before publication and 
    by approving it certifies that the proposed rule will not have a 
    significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. The 
    proposed rule would establish the requirements and procedures by which 
    PHAs may designate projects, or portions of projects, for occupancy 
    only by: (1) Elderly families, (2) disabled families, or (3) disabled 
    families and elderly families. The proposed rule would incorporate the 
    requirements established by statute for such designation. The 
    designation of housing for occupancy by elderly families, disabled 
    families, or disabled families and elderly families is an option 
    provided to, not a requirement imposed on, PHAs by this proposed rule.
    
    Executive Order 12606, The Family
    
        The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under Executive 
    Order 12606, The Family, has determined that this proposed rule would 
    not have potential for significant impact on family formation, 
    maintenance, and general well-being within the meaning of the order. 
    This proposed rule would implement the designation process provided by 
    section 622 of the 1992 Act, the purpose of which is to assist PHAs in 
    meeting the housing and supportive service needs of disabled families 
    and elderly families. The supportive services provided by PHAs to 
    disabled and elderly families are expected to assist these families in 
    avoiding possible institutionalization, and to reduce unnecessary 
    stress and financial burden on these families. Thus, the supportive 
    services component of the program is anticipated to have a beneficial 
    impact on disabled families and elderly families.
        Since the designation process, however, provides for elderly-only 
    housing and disabled-only housing, there is the possibility that the 
    designation process authorized by section 622 of the 1992 Act would 
    limit the availability of housing for (1) disabled families (if a PHA 
    designates elderly family-only housing), (2) elderly families (if a PHA 
    designates disabled family-only housing) or (3) families with children 
    (if a PHA designates disabled families and/or elderly family-only 
    housing), and thus adversely impact the maintenance and well-being of 
    these families. (Although it should be noted that PHAs would be 
    required to admit eligible elderly families with children to designated 
    projects for elderly families, and admit eligible disabled families 
    with children to projects designated for disabled families.) The 
    proposed rule, however, would provide certain protections for all 
    family types, including the protection provided by HUD's review and 
    approval of a PHA's housing allocation plan. The purpose of this review 
    is to ensure that the availability of public housing, and other housing 
    resources available to the PHA, is not reduced for any of these 
    families, especially non-elderly disabled families. Thus, the impact on 
    family maintenance and well being that may result from the designation 
    process, as proposed to be implemented by the Department through this 
    rule, would not be significant within the meaning of the order.
    
    Executive Order 12612, Federalism
    
        The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under section 6(a) 
    of Executive Order 12612, Federalism, has determined that this proposed 
    rule would not have substantial, direct effects on States, on their 
    political subdivisions, or on their relationship with the Federal 
    government, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
    the various levels of government. The proposed rule is limited to 
    implementing the procedures under which PHAs may opt, subject to 
    certain requirements and procedures, to designate public housing 
    projects, or portions of public housing projects, for occupancy by 
    elderly families, disabled families, or disabled families and elderly 
    families.
    
    Regulatory Agenda
    
        This proposed rule was listed as sequence number 1635 in the 
    Department's Semiannual Agenda of Regulations, published on October 25, 
    1993 (58 FR 56402, 56448) under Executive Order 12866 and the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    
    Public Reporting Burden
    
        The information collection requirements contained in this proposed 
    rule have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for 
    approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
    3520). The following provisions of the proposed rule have been 
    determined by the Department to contain collection of information 
    requirements:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Number of                           
                                                      Reference    Number of    responses    Hours per      Total   
           Information collection requirement        in proposed  respondents      per        response     hours\1\ 
                                                         rule                   respondent                          
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Allocation plan................................  Sec. 945.20                                                    
                                                               3          795            1           20       15,900
    Application for designated housing for disabled                                                                 
     families......................................  Sec. 945.20                                                    
                                                               5           80            1           30        2,400
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------
        Total burden hours.........................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       18,300
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\There is no annual submission requirement. A PHA may submit an allocation plan or application for designated 
      housing anytime the PHA seeks to designate a housing project for occupancy by disabled families or elderly    
      families. Additionally, a PHA may seek designation of more than one project in one allocation plan or one     
      application.                                                                                                  
    
    List of Subjects
    
    24 CFR Part 945
    
        Aged, Grant programs--housing and community development, 
    Individuals with disabilities, Public housing, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements.
    
    24 CFR Part 960
    
        Aged, Grant programs--housing and community development, 
    Individuals with disabilities, Public housing.
        Accordingly, chapter IX of title 24 of the Code of Federal 
    Regulations would be amended as follows:
        1. A new part 945, consisting of Secs. 945.101 through 945.303, 
    would be added to read as follows:
    
    PART 945--DESIGNATED HOUSING--PUBLIC HOUSING DESIGNATED FOR 
    OCCUPANCY BY DISABLED, ELDERLY, OR DISABLED AND ELDERLY FAMILIES
    
    Subpart A--General
    
    Sec.
    945.101  Purpose.
    945.103  General policies.
    945.105  Definitions.
    
    Subpart B--Application and Approval Procedures
    
    945.201  Approval to designate housing.
    945.203  Allocation plan.
    945.205  Application for designated housing for disabled families.
    
    Subpart C--Operating Designated Housing
    
    945.301  General requirements.
    945.303  Requirements governing occupancy in designated housing.
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1473e and 3535(d).
    
    Subpart A--General
    
    
    Sec. 945.101  Purpose.
    
        The purpose of this part is to implement the designated housing 
    process established by section 7 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (42 
    U.S.C. 1437e). Section 7 provides public housing agencies with the 
    option, subject to the requirements and procedures of this part, to 
    designate public housing projects, or portions of public housing 
    projects, for occupancy by disabled families, elderly families, or 
    disabled families and elderly families.
    
    
    Sec. 945.103  General policies.
    
        (a) Agency participation. Participation in this program is limited 
    to public housing agencies (PHAs) (as this term is defined in 24 CFR 
    913.102) that elect to designate public housing projects for occupancy 
    by disabled, elderly, or disabled and elderly families, as provided by 
    this part.
        (b) Eligible housing. (1) Designation of public housing. Projects 
    eligible for designation under this part are public housing projects as 
    described in the definition of ``project'' in Sec. 945.105.
        (2) Additional housing resources. To meet the housing and 
    supportive service needs of elderly families, and disabled families, 
    including non-elderly disabled families, who will not be housed in a 
    designated project, PHAs shall utilize housing resources which they 
    own, control, or have received preliminary notification that they will 
    obtain (e.g., section 8 certificates and vouchers). PHAs also may 
    utilize any housing facilities which they own or control and in which 
    supportive services are already provided, facilitated or coordinated, 
    such as mixed housing, shared housing, family housing, group homes, and 
    congregate housing.
        (3) Exemption of public housing projects for disabled families and 
    elderly families. Except as provided in Sec. 945.201, a PHA which seeks 
    to house all of its disabled families and elderly families in public 
    housing projects that have been reserved for occupancy by both disabled 
    families and elderly families is not required to meet the designation 
    requirements of this part, but is required to meet the requirements of 
    24 CFR part 960, subpart D.
        (c) Family participation in designated housing. (1) Voluntary 
    participation. The election to reside in designated housing is 
    voluntary on the part of a family. No disabled family or elderly family 
    may be required to reside in designated housing, nor shall a decision 
    not to reside in designated housing adversely affect the family with 
    respect to occupancy of another appropriate project.
        (2) Meeting stated eligibility requirements. Nothing in this part 
    shall be construed to require or permit a PHA to accept for admission 
    to a designated project a disabled family or elderly family who does 
    not meet the stated eligibility requirements for occupancy in the 
    project (for example, income), as set forth in HUD's regulations in 24 
    CFR parts 912 and 913, and in the PHA's admission policies.
        (d) Supportive services. The requirement in Sec. 945.205 to submit 
    a supportive services plan for approval to designate housing for 
    disabled families shall not be construed to mean that PHAs only may 
    provide supportive services to disabled families occupying designated 
    housing for disabled families. In accordance with section 7(d) of the 
    Act, PHAs should seek to provide supportive services to all families 
    occupying designated housing which need such services.
    
    
    Sec. 945.105  Definitions.
    
        As used in this part:
        Act means the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437-
    1440).
        Allocation Plan. See Sec. 945.201.
        CHAS means the comprehensive housing affordability strategy 
    required by section 105 of the National Affordable Housing Act (42 
    U.S.C. 12705).
        Designated housing or designated project means a project (or 
    projects), or a portion of a project (or projects) (as these terms are 
    defined in this section), that has been designated for occupancy by 
    either disabled families, elderly families, or disabled families and 
    elderly families, in accordance with the requirements of this part.
        Disabled families means families whose heads (or their spouses), or 
    whose sole members are persons with disabilities. The term ``disabled 
    families'' includes a person with disabilities, two or more persons 
    with disabilities living together, and one or more persons with 
    disabilities living with one or more persons who are determined to be 
    essential to the care or well-being of the person or persons with 
    disabilities.
        Elderly families means families whose heads (or their spouses), or 
    whose sole members are elderly persons. The term ``elderly families'' 
    includes an elderly person, two or more elderly persons living 
    together, and one or more elderly persons living with one or more 
    persons who are determined to be essential to the care or well-being of 
    the elderly person or persons.
        Elderly person means a person who is at least 62 years of age.
        Families includes but is not limited to a single person (as defined 
    in 24 CFR part 912), one or more single persons, a displaced person (as 
    defined in 24 CFR part 912), disabled families, elderly families, near-
    elderly families, and families with children.
        FY means Federal Fiscal Year (starting with October 1, and ending 
    September 30, and designated by the calendar year in which it ends).
        Housing has the same meaning as ``project,'' which is defined in 
    this section.
        HUD or Department means the Department of Housing and Urban 
    Development including its Regional and Field Offices to which authority 
    has been delegated to perform functions under this part.
        NAHA means the National Affordable Housing Act (Pub. L. 101-625, 
    approved November 28, 1990).
        Near-elderly families means families whose heads (or their 
    spouses), or whose sole members are near-elderly persons. The term 
    ``near-elderly families'' includes two or more near-elderly persons 
    living together, and one or more near-elderly persons living with one 
    or more persons who are determined to be essential to the care or well-
    being of the near-elderly person or persons.
        Near-elderly person means a person who is at least 50 years of age 
    but below the age of 62.
        Person with disabilities means a person who:
        (1) Has a disability as defined in section 223 of the Social 
    Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423); or
        (2) Is determined, pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary, 
    to have a physical, mental, or emotional impairment which:
        (i) Is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration,
        (ii) Substantially impedes his or her ability to live 
    independently, and
        (iii) Is of such a nature that such ability could be improved by 
    more suitable housing conditions, or
        (3) Has a developmental disability as defined in section 102 of the 
    Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 
    6001(5)).
        The term ``person with disabilities'' shall not exclude persons who 
    have the disease of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or any 
    conditions arising from the etiologic agent for acquired 
    immunodeficiency syndrome.
        Portion of project includes but is not limited to: one or more 
    buildings in a multi-building project; one or more floors of a project 
    or projects; a certain number of dwelling units in a project or 
    projects. (Designation of a portion of a project does not require that 
    the buildings, floors or units be contiguous.)
        Project means low-income housing developed, acquired, or assisted 
    by a PHA under the U.S. Housing Act for 1937 (other than section 8) for 
    which there is an Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) between HUD and 
    the PHA. For purposes of this part, the terms ``housing'' and ``public 
    housing'' mean the same as project. Additionally, as used in this part, 
    and unless the context indicates otherwise, the term ``project'' when 
    used in the singular includes the plural, and when used in the plural, 
    includes the singular, and also includes a ``portion of a project,'' as 
    defined in this section.
        Public housing or public housing project. See definition of 
    ``project'' in this section.
        Public housing agency or PHA means any State, county, municipality 
    or other governmental entity or public body (or agency or 
    instrumentality thereof) which is authorized to engage in or assist in 
    the development or operation of low-income housing.
        Public housing project for disabled families and elderly families. 
    See definition in 24 CFR part 960, subpart D.
        Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
        Service provider means a person or organization licensed or 
    otherwise approved in writing by a State or local agency (e.g., 
    Department of Health, Department of Human Services or Welfare) to 
    provide supportive services. The service provider may provide the 
    service on either a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
        Single person includes a person who lives alone or intends to live 
    alone, and includes an elderly person, a disabled person, a displaced 
    person, and the remaining member of a tenant family.
        Supportive service plan. See Sec. 945.205.
        Supportive services means services designed to meet the special 
    needs of tenants, and may include meal services, health-related 
    services, mental health services, services for nonmedical counseling, 
    meals, transportation, personal care, bathing, toileting, housekeeping, 
    chore assistance, safety, group and socialization activities, 
    assistance with medications (in accordance with any applicable State 
    laws), case management, personal emergency response, and other 
    appropriate services.
    
    Subpart B--Application and Approval Procedures
    
    
    Sec. 945.201  Approval to designate housing.
    
        (a) Designated housing for elderly families. To designate a project 
    for occupancy by elderly families, a PHA must have a HUD-approved 
    allocation plan that meets the requirements of Sec. 945.203.
        (b) Designated housing for disabled families. To designate a 
    project for occupancy by disabled families, a PHA must have a HUD-
    approved allocation plan that meets the requirements of Sec. 945.203, 
    and a HUD-approved application, which includes a supportive service 
    plan, as required by Sec. 945.205.
        (c) Designated housing for disabled families and elderly families. 
    (1) A PHA which seeks to provide a project for occupancy by only 
    disabled families and elderly families is not required to meet the 
    requirements of this part, but is required to meet the requirements of 
    24 CFR part 960, subpart D.
        (2) Designation of a project that already has been approved for 
    occupancy by disabled families and elderly families under 24 CFR part 
    960, subpart D is not necessary unless a PHA seeks to provide 
    designated housing for disabled families or designated housing for 
    elderly families.
        (3) A PHA which seeks to provide designated housing for disabled 
    families or designated housing for elderly families must identify in 
    its allocation plan, in accordance with Sec. 945.203(6), any public 
    housing projects that have been reserved for occupancy by disabled 
    families and elderly families under 24 CFR part 960, subpart D. 
    Designation of projects approved under 24 CFR part 960, subpart D, as 
    designated housing for disabled families and elderly families will be 
    made automatically upon HUD's approval of:
        (i) The PHA's allocation plan, in the case of designated housing 
    for elderly families; and
        (ii) The PHA's allocation plan and application, in the case of 
    designated housing for disabled families.
    
    
    Sec. 945.203  Allocation Plan.
    
        (a) General. (1) Applicable terminology. As used in this section, 
    the terms ``initial allocation plan'' refers to the PHA's first 
    submission of an allocation plan, and ``updated allocation plan'' 
    refers to the biennial update (once every two years) of this plan, 
    which is described in paragraph (f) of this section. As provided in 
    Sec. 945.105, the term ``project'' includes the plural (``projects'') 
    and includes a portion of a project.
        (2) Allocation of housing resources. The PHA, in developing a plan 
    to allocate its housing resources among the population it serves:
        (i) Should strive to provide, regardless of the designation 
    proposed to be made, as broad a range of housing choice as possible to 
    elderly families and disabled families with respect to the level of 
    supportive services, and the availability of accessible units;
        (ii) Should strive to provide, regardless of the designation 
    proposed to be made, housing for disabled families in the most 
    integrated setting possible (designated units need not be contiguous);
        (iii) For designated housing for disabled families, may make units 
    available in conjunction with a specific package of services (such 
    units may not be limited to persons with a specific disability, but 
    rather must be made available to all disabled persons who need the 
    types of services that are being offered).
        (b) Consultation in plan development. In preparing the initial 
    allocation plan, or any update of the allocation plan as provided in 
    paragraph (f) of this section, the PHA shall consult with:
        (1) The State or unit of general local government in whose 
    jurisdiction the area served by the PHA is located;
        (2) Public and private service providers;
        (3) Advocates for the interests of disabled families, elderly 
    families, and families with children;
        (4) Representatives of the residents of the PHA's projects, 
    including representatives from resident councils or resident management 
    corporations where they exist; and
        (5) Other interested parties, including management and residents of 
    independent living centers, congregate housing and group homes.
        (c) Contents of initial plan. The initial allocation plan shall 
    contain, at a minimum, the information set forth in paragraph (c) of 
    this section:
        (1) Identification of the project to be designated and type of 
    designation to be made. The first item to be addressed in the 
    allocation plan is identification of the project to be designated and 
    the type of designation to be made. The PHA must describe the building 
    or buildings, floor or floors or units which will comprise the 
    ``designated project'' and their location in the PHA's jurisdiction. 
    (In providing the identification or location of floors or units to be 
    designated, the PHA need not identify the precise floors or units to be 
    designated (e.g., units 202-208, but should identify the projects in 
    which the designated floors or units are located. The floors or units 
    need not be contiguous.) The PHA also must state the type of 
    designation to be made (i.e., housing for disabled families or housing 
    for elderly families) and the reasons for designation. In discussing 
    the reasons for the designation, the PHA may refer to data that will be 
    provided in other parts of the allocation plan.
        (2) Identification of groups and persons consulted and comments 
    submitted. This component of the plan documents that the PHA's proposal 
    to designate housing under this part was based on consideration of 
    comments, suggestions and recommendations of all interested parties. 
    This component of the plan must:
        (i) Identify the groups and persons with whom the PHA has consulted 
    in the development of the allocation plan;
        (ii) Include a summary of comments received on the plan from the 
    groups and persons consulted (these comments, and transcripts of any 
    meetings that may have been held on the PHA's proposal to designate a 
    project, must be maintained for a period of five years from the date of 
    submission of the allocation plan, and must be available for review by 
    HUD, if HUD requests review); and
        (iii) Describe how the plan addresses these comments.
        (3) Profile of proposed designated project in its pre-designation 
    state. This component of the plan provides information on the project 
    proposed to be designated as the project exists and operates in its 
    pre-designation stage. This component of the plan must include:
        (i) The total number of families currently occupying the project; 
    and
        (A) The number of families who are members of the group for whom 
    the project is to be designated; and
        (B) The number of families who are not members of the group for 
    whom the project is to be designated;
        (ii) An estimate of the total number of elderly families and of 
    disabled families who are potential tenants of the project (i.e., as 
    the project now exists), based on information provided by:
        (A) The waiting list for the project; and
        (B) The Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) for the 
    jurisdiction within which the area served by the PHA is located;
        (iii) If the project is proposed to be designated as housing for 
    elderly families, an estimate of the number of potential tenants who 
    are non-elderly disabled families based on the same sources of 
    information provided in paragraphs (c)(3)(ii) (A) and (B) of this 
    section.
        (iv) An estimate of the number of potential tenants who will need 
    accessible units based on information provided by:
        (A) The needs assessment prepared in accordance with 24 CFR 8.25, 
    and
        (B) The CHAS for the jurisdiction within which the area served by 
    the PHA is located;
        (v) The number of units in the project which became vacant and 
    available for occupancy during the year preceding the date of 
    submission of the allocation plan to HUD;
        (vi) The average length of vacancy for dwelling units in the 
    project for the year preceding the date of submission of the allocation 
    plan to HUD;
        (vii) An estimate of the number of units in the project that are 
    anticipated to become vacant and available for occupancy during the 
    two-year period following the date of submission of the allocation plan 
    to HUD.
        (viii) An estimate of the average length of time all applicants 
    currently have to wait for a dwelling unit in the project.
        (4) Projected profile of project in designated stage. This 
    component of the plan provides information on projected or anticipated 
    changes of the information provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section 
    as a result of designation of the project. This component of the plan 
    must:
        (i) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages that the choice of 
    designation is expected to have on families who are members of the 
    group for whom the project is to be designated for occupancy, and 
    families who are not members of the group for whom the project is to be 
    designated;
        (ii) Identify the source of selection of families for the 
    designated project (e.g., from current residents of the project, 
    families currently on the waiting list for the project, residents of 
    other projects, and potential tenants for the project based on 
    information provided by the CHAS);
        (iii) For projects proposed to be designated for occupancy by 
    elderly families, provide an estimate of the number of near-elderly 
    families who may be needed to fill units in the designated project for 
    elderly families, as provided in Sec. 945.303(c);
        (iv) Describe how the PHA will document:
        (A) The number of families who are members of the designated group 
    who will be denied or delayed housing because of a lack of a sufficient 
    number of designated units; and
        (B) The number of families who are not members of the designated 
    group who will be denied or delayed housing because of an insufficient 
    number of non-designated units as a result of the designation;
        (v) Provide an estimate of the average length of time all 
    applicants will have to wait for a dwelling unit as a result of 
    designation of a project (i.e., this information should be given both 
    for applicants who are members of the group for whom the project is to 
    be designated, and for applicants who are not members of the group for 
    whom the group to be designated).
        (5) PHA occupancy policies and procedures. This component of the 
    plan provides information on the PHA's existing occupancy policies and 
    procedures, and how these policies and procedures may need to be 
    altered for purposes of operating designating housing. This component 
    of the plan must:
        (i) Contain a description of the PHA's HUD-Approved Tenant 
    Selection and Assignment Plan, admission policies and procedures, 
    including:
        (A) How these policies and procedures apply to disabled families 
    and elderly families, especially the preference system and the transfer 
    policy;
        (B) How the waiting list is maintained; and
        (C) How dwelling units are assigned;
        (ii) Describe any changes the PHA intends to make in its admission 
    policies to accommodate the designation.
        (6) Strategy for addressing the current and future housing needs of 
    the families in the PHA's jurisdiction. This component of the plan 
    describes the PHA's strategy for meeting the current and future housing 
    needs of the families in the PHA's jurisdiction. This component of the 
    plan must:
        (i) Identify any ``public housing projects for disabled families 
    and elderly families,'' planned or in existence, as provided in 24 CFR 
    part 960, subpart D;
        (ii) Describe the steps to be taken by the PHA to ensure that 
    disabled families (if a project is to be designated for occupancy by 
    elderly families) or elderly families (if a project is to be designated 
    for occupancy by disabled families) maintain access to services and 
    housing facilities similar to those that otherwise would have been 
    available to them if the project had not been designated, and a 
    description of the housing choices currently available, and anticipated 
    to be available to these families;
        (iii) Describe the steps to be taken by the PHA to replace any 
    accessible units (accessible to persons with varying types of 
    disabilities) that will be unavailable (as a result of the designation 
    of a project that contained such units) to families who need accessible 
    units;
        (iv) In the case of designation of a project for elderly families, 
    identify the additional housing resources which the PHA determines will 
    be sufficient to provide assistance to not less than the number of non-
    elderly disabled families that would have been housed by the PHA if 
    occupancy in units in the designated project were not restricted to 
    elderly families, and the PHA's plan for securing these additional 
    housing resources (one-for-one replacement is not required). These 
    additional housing resources may include but are not limited to:
        (A) Providing local preferences for a specific number of non-
    elderly disabled persons for general occupancy projects in accordance 
    with the preference provisions of 24 CFR 960.211; for public housing 
    projects for disabled families and elderly families, as provided in 24 
    CFR part 960, subpart D; or for section 8 certificates and vouchers. 
    Within the context of the PHA's overall preference system, there must 
    be a demonstration that the preference will result in the desired 
    increase in the number of non-elderly disabled persons housed;
        (B) Allocation of a certain number of existing or new public 
    housing units or section 8 certificates or vouchers, which will be 
    accompanied by a supportive services package, which may be achieved by 
    the PHA entering into an agreement with a supportive service provider 
    to make these units or certificates or vouchers available in exchange 
    for the provider delivering supportive services to disabled families. 
    Clients of the service provider delivering the supportive services may 
    not be provided these units or certificates or vouchers before other 
    non-elderly disabled families already on the PHA's waiting list.
        (C) Use of modernization funds to reconfigure units and buildings 
    to appropriate sizes or uses for non-elderly disabled families;
        (D) Designation of projects for occupancy only by disabled families 
    (projects designated for occupancy by disabled families must have a 
    supportive services plan in accordance with the requirements of 
    Sec. 945.205);
        (E) Allocation to non-elderly disabled families those units in 
    other projects owned or controlled by the PHA that will be vacated by 
    elderly families who will relocate to the project designated for 
    occupancy by elderly families;
        (F) Use of public housing development funds, or funds appropriated 
    for major reconstruction of obsolete public housing to provide housing 
    for disabled families;
        (G) Use of all or a portion of net increases in units available for 
    occupancy in a project as a result of the rehabilitation of vacant 
    units in this project which had been uninhabitable.
        (v) Describe any incentives that the PHA intends to offer:
        (A) To families who are members of the group for whom a project was 
    designated for occupancy to achieve voluntary transfers to the 
    designated project; and
        (B) To families who are not members of the group for whom a project 
    was designated for occupancy to achieve voluntary transfers from the 
    project proposed to be designated;
        (vi) Summarize how the PHA's allocation plan strives to meet the 
    objectives described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
        (d) Criteria for allocation plan approval. HUD shall approve an 
    initial allocation plan, or updated allocation plan, if HUD determines 
    that:
        (1) The information contained in the plan is complete and accurate 
    (a plan that is incomplete, i.e., missing required statements or items, 
    will be disapproved), and the projections are reasonable;
        (2) Implementation of the plan will not result in excessive vacancy 
    rates in the project identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section;
        (3) Implementation of the plan will not result in excessive denial 
    or delay in housing assistance to families on the PHA's waiting list;
        (4) The plan for securing sufficient additional housing resources 
    for non-elderly disabled persons, as provided under paragraph (c)(6) of 
    this section, can reasonably be achieved; and
        (5) The plan conforms to the requirements of this part.
        (e) Allocation plan approval or disapproval. (1) Written 
    notification. HUD shall notify each PHA, in writing, of approval or 
    disapproval of the initial or updated allocation plan.
        (2) Timing of notification. An allocation plan, which meets the 
    requirements and contains the information required by paragraphs (b) 
    through (d) of this section, shall be considered to be approved by HUD 
    if HUD fails to provide the PHA with notification of approval or 
    disapproval of the plan, as required by paragraph (e)(1) of this 
    section, within:
        (i) 90 days after the date of submission of an allocation plan that 
    contains comments, as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section; or
        (ii) 45 days after the date of submission of all other plans, 
    including
        (A) Initial plans for which no comments were received;
        (B) Updated plans, as provided in paragraph (f) of this section; 
    and
        (C) Revised initial plans or revised updated plans, as provided in 
    paragraph (e)(4) of this section.
        (3) Approval limited solely to approval of designated housing. 
    HUD's approval of an initial plan or updated allocation plan under this 
    section may not be construed to constitute approval of any request for 
    assistance for major reconstruction of obsolete projects, assistance 
    for development or acquisition of public housing, or assistance under 
    24 CFR part 890 (supportive housing for persons with disabilities).
        (4) Resubmission following disapproval. If HUD disapproves an 
    initial allocation plan, a PHA shall have a period of not less than 45 
    days following notification of disapproval as provided in paragraph 
    (e)(2) of this section, to submit amendments to the plan, or to submit 
    a revised plan.
        (f) Biennial update of plan. (1) General. Each PHA that owns or 
    operates a public housing project that is designated for occupancy 
    under this part shall update its allocation plan not less than once 
    every two years, from the date of HUD approval of the initial 
    allocation plan.
        (2) Failure to submit updated plan. Failure by the PHA to submit 
    the updated plan as required by paragraph (f) of this section shall 
    result in the PHA's designated housing losing its designation in 
    accordance with the provisions of paragraph (f)(4)(ii) of this section.
        (3) Contents of updated plan. The updated allocation plan shall 
    contain, at a minimum, the following information:
        (i) A review of the data and projections contained in the 
    allocation plan, and the most recent update of the data and 
    projections;
        (ii) An assessment of the accuracy of the projections contained in 
    the initial allocation plan and in the updated allocation plan;
        (iii) The number of times a vacancy was filled in accordance with 
    Sec. 945.303(d);
        (iv) The number of times an application for housing assistance by a 
    disabled family or elderly family was denied or delayed because of a 
    lack of appropriately designated units;
        (v) The number of times an application for housing assistance by 
    any family type (disabled, elderly, non-elderly, non-disabled, families 
    with children, etc.) was denied or delayed because of a lack of an 
    appropriate number of non-designated units;
        (vi) A plan for adjusting the allocation of designated units, if 
    necessary. This adjustment or reallocation plan shall reflect:
        (A) the use of and demand for the designated and non-designated 
    dwelling units, as revealed by the information submitted as part of the 
    updated allocation plan; and
        (B) An assessment of the availability and adequacy of the 
    supportive services; and
        (4) Criteria for approval of updated plan. (i) HUD shall approve an 
    updated allocation plan based on HUD's review and assessment of the 
    updated plan, and where HUD considers appropriate or necessary, any on-
    site review and monitoring of PHA performance in the administration of 
    its designated housing and in the allocation of the PHA's housing 
    resources. Notification of approval or disapproval of the updated 
    allocation plan shall be provided in accordance with Sec. 945.203(e);
        (ii) If a PHA's updated plan is not approved, existing projects 
    that have been designated for occupancy by disabled families or elderly 
    families will revert to their project type before designation. New 
    projects (for which there was no previous project type) designated for 
    occupancy by disabled families or elderly families, will be considered 
    general occupancy projects. PHAs may request that an existing or new 
    project which lost its designation as a result of disapproval of the 
    updated plan be approved as a public housing project for disabled 
    families and elderly families in accordance with 24 CFR part 960, 
    subpart D.
        (5) Notification of approval or disapproval of updated plan. HUD 
    shall notify each PHA submitting an updated plan of approval or 
    disapproval of the updated plan, in accordance with the form of 
    notification and within the time periods required by paragraph (e) of 
    this section.
    
    
    Sec. 945.205  Application for designated housing for disabled families.
    
        (a) General. To designate a project for occupancy by disabled 
    families, a PHA must submit an application, which shall consist of the 
    allocation plan required by Sec. 945.203, and the supportive service 
    plan described in paragraph (b) of this section. A project may not be 
    designated for occupancy by persons with a specific disability. A PHA, 
    however, may limit access to a designated project for disabled families 
    to only those persons who need the types of services that are being 
    offered.
        (b) Supportive service plan. The supportive service plan shall 
    describe how the PHA will provide or arrange for the provision of 
    supportive services appropriate to meet the needs of the disabled 
    families who will occupy the designated housing. The supportive service 
    plan, at a minimum, must:
        (1) Identify the number of disabled families that will need 
    supportive services;
        (2) Describe the types of supportive services that will be needed, 
    and, where known, the length of time the supportive services will be 
    needed;
        (3) Identify the service provider, and describe the experience of 
    the service provider in providing supportive services;
        (4) Describe the manner in which the supportive services will be 
    provided to the disabled families that the designated housing is 
    expected to serve (the manner in which the services will be provided 
    depends upon the type of service offered; e.g., if the package includes 
    transportation assistance, how will transportation assistance be 
    provided to disabled families);
        (5) If applicable, explain why the supportive services to be 
    provided require that the disabled families to be served live in 
    contiguous units;
        (6) Identify all sources of funding available to the PHA (State, 
    local, other Federal, or private funding) for providing supportive 
    services to residents of the proposed designated housing, or the 
    supportive service resources to be provided in lieu of funding;
        (7) Submit evidence of the commitment(s) provided to the PHA by 
    these sources to make the funds, or the delivery of supportive services 
    available to the PHA for at least two calendar years, and evidence of a 
    general ongoing commitment from these or other sources to continue to 
    provide funding or supportive services relevant to the needs of the 
    families that the designated housing is expected to serve;
        (8) Identify any public and private service providers, advocates 
    for the interests of designated housing families, and other interested 
    parties with whom the PHA consulted in the development of this 
    supportive service plan, and summarize the comments and recommendations 
    made by these parties (these comments must be maintained for a period 
    of five years from the date of submission of the application, and be 
    available for review by HUD, if HUD requests review of the comments);
        (9) If applicable, address the ability to provide residential 
    supervision of disabled families (on-site supervision within the 
    designated housing);
        (10) Include any other information which the PHA determines would 
    assist HUD in assessing the suitability of the PHA's supportive service 
    plan; and
        (11) Include any additional information which HUD may request, and 
    which is appropriate to a determination of the suitability of the 
    supportive services plan.
        (c) Approval. HUD shall approve an application for designated 
    housing for disabled families if the allocation plan meets the 
    requirements of Sec. 945.203, and if HUD determines on the basis of the 
    information provided in the supportive services plan that:
        (1) The persons with disabilities who will occupy the designated 
    project will receive supportive services based on their individual 
    needs;
        (2) The supportive services are adequately designed to meet the 
    special needs of the disabled families;
        (3) The service provider has sufficient experience in providing 
    supportive services (i.e., the service provider currently administers 
    or has past experience administering an effective supportive service 
    delivery program for persons with disabilities, or has demonstrated 
    capability to obtain expertise based on other supportive service 
    program delivery experience;
        (4) Residential supervision will be provided in the designated 
    housing sufficient to facilitate the provision of supportive services, 
    if necessary. (If residential supervision is to be provided, the 
    supportive plan includes written commitments from the providers of 
    supportive services to provide appropriate resident supervision);
        (5) Written commitment(s) of support from organizations and 
    entities appear to be sufficient to provide, or fund the cost of 
    providing, the supportive services needed by the disabled families that 
    are expected to occupy the designated housing.
    
    Subpart C--Operating Designated Housing
    
    
    Sec. 945.301  General requirements.
    
        Designated projects shall be operated in conformity with the 
    regulations of this part, and the regulations applicable to PHAs in 24 
    CFR chapter IX, including 24 CFR parts 913, 960 and 966, and, in 
    particular, the nondiscrimination requirements of 24 CFR 960.211(b)(3), 
    which include but are not limited to section 504 of the Rehabilitation 
    Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601-3619), 
    title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d), section 3 
    of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u), the 
    Age Discrimination Act (42 U.S.C. 6101-6107), Executive Order 11246 (3 
    CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339), Executive Order 11063, as amended by 
    Executive Order 12259 (3 CFR, 1958-1963 Comp., p. 652 and 3 CFR, 1980 
    Comp., p. 307), the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101-
    12213) (to the extent the Americans with Disabilities Act is 
    applicable) and the implementing regulations of these statutes and 
    authorities; and other applicable Federal, State, and local laws 
    prohibiting discrimination and promoting equal opportunity.
    
    
    Sec. 945.303  Requirements governing occupancy in designated housing.
    
        (a) Priority for occupancy. Except as provided in paragraphs (c) 
    and (d) of this section, in determining priority for admission to 
    designated housing, the PHA shall make units in the designated housing 
    available only to the category of families for whom the project has 
    been designated for occupancy.
        (b) Compliance with preference regulations. Among the category of 
    families for whom a project has been designated for occupancy, the PHA 
    shall give preference for occupancy in accordance with the occupancy 
    preferences set forth in 24 CFR part 960, subpart B.
        (c) Eligibility of near-elderly families for designated housing for 
    the elderly. If a PHA determines that there are insufficient numbers of 
    elderly families to fill all the units in a project designated for 
    occupancy by elderly families, the PHA may, in accordance with an 
    approved allocation plan, provide that near-elderly families, who 
    qualify for preferences for occupancy under 24 CFR part 960, subpart B, 
    may occupy dwelling units in the project. If there are insufficient 
    numbers of near-elderly families to fill all the units in a project 
    designated for elderly families, the provisions of paragraph (d) of 
    this section shall apply.
        (d) Vacancies in designated housing. Notwithstanding the authority 
    provided by this part to designate housing for occupancy by disabled 
    families, elderly families, or disabled families and elderly families, 
    a PHA shall make available to families, other than the category of 
    families for whom occupancy in the project has been designated, any 
    dwelling unit in the designated housing that is:
        (1) Ready for re-rental and for a new lease to take effect; and
        (2) Vacant for more than 60 consecutive days.
        (e) Tenant choice of housing. (1) Subject to paragraph (e)(2) of 
    this section, the decision of any disabled family or elderly family not 
    to occupy or accept occupancy in designated housing shall not adversely 
    affect:
        (i) The family's right to continued occupancy in public housing; or
        (ii) The family's admission to public housing; or
        (iii) The family's place on a public housing waiting list or the 
    family's placement on a public housing waiting list.
        (2) The protection provided by paragraph (e)(1) of this section 
    shall not apply to any family whose refusal to occupy or accept 
    occupancy in designated housing is based on the race, color, religion, 
    sex, disability, familial status, or national origin of the occupants 
    of the designated housing or the surrounding area. The protection 
    provided by paragraph (e)(1) of this section shall apply to an elderly 
    family or disabled family that declines to accept occupancy, 
    respectively, in a designated project for elderly families or a 
    designated project for disabled families, and requests occupancy in a 
    general occupancy project or a project that houses both disabled 
    families and elderly families.
        (f) Appropriateness of dwelling unit to family size. This part may 
    not be construed to require a PHA to offer occupancy in a designated 
    housing dwelling unit to any family who is not of appropriate family 
    size for the dwelling unit. The temporary absence of a child from the 
    home due to placement in foster care is not considered in determining 
    family composition and family size.
        (g) Prohibition of evictions. Any tenant who is lawfully residing 
    in a dwelling unit in a public housing project may not be evicted or 
    otherwise required to vacate the unit because of the designation of the 
    project, or because of any action taken by HUD or the PHA in accordance 
    with this part.
        (h) Reserved.
        (i) Prohibition of coercion to accept supportive services. As with 
    other HUD-assisted housing, no disabled family or elderly family 
    residing in designated housing may be required to accept supportive 
    services made available by the PHA under this part.
        (j) Availability of grievance procedures in 24 CFR part 966. The 
    grievance procedures in 24 CFR part 966, subpart B, are applicable to 
    this part.
    
    PART 960--ADMISSION TO, AND OCCUPANCY OF, PUBLIC HOUSING
    
        2. The authority citation for part 960 would continue to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1437a, 1437c, 1437d, 1437n, 3535(d).
    
        3. The heading of subpart D would be revised, Sec. 960.409 would be 
    removed, and Secs. 960.401, 960.403, 960.405, and 960.407 would be 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    Subpart D--Preference for Disabled Families and Elderly Families in 
    Public Housing Projects for Disabled Families and Elderly Families
    
    Sec.
    960.401  Purpose.
    960.403  Applicability.
    960.405  Definitions.
    960.407  Selection preference; other preferences; single person 
    occupancy.
    
    
    Sec. 960.401  Purpose.
    
        This subpart establishes a preference for disabled families and 
    elderly families for admission to public housing projects for disabled 
    families and elderly families, as defined in Sec. 960.405.
    
    
    Sec. 960.403  Applicability.
    
        This subpart applies to all dwelling units in public housing 
    projects, or portions of public housing projects, for disabled families 
    and elderly families assisted under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937. This 
    subpart does not apply to section 23 and section 10(c) leased housing 
    projects or the section 23 Housing Assistance Payments Program where 
    the owners enter into leases directly with the tenants, or to the 
    Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program, the Low-Rent Housing 
    Homeownership Opportunities Program (Turnkey III), the Mutual Help 
    Homeownership Opportunities Program, or to Indian Housing Authorities. 
    (For applicability to Indian Housing Authorities, see part 905 of this 
    chapter.) Additionally, this subpart is not applicable to projects 
    designated for occupancy by disabled families or elderly families in 
    accordance with 24 CFR part 945.
    
    
    Sec. 960.405  Definitions.
    
        Designated housing. See definition of ``designated housing'' in 24 
    CFR part 945.
        Disabled families. See definition of ``disabled families'' in 24 
    CFR part 945.
        Elderly families. See definition of ``elderly families'' in 24 CFR 
    part 945.
        Public housing project for disabled families and elderly families 
    means a public housing project, or portion of a project, that was 
    reserved for occupancy by disabled families and elderly families at its 
    inception (and has retained that character), or although it was not so 
    reserved at its inception, the PHA has obtained HUD approval to give 
    preference in tenant selection for all units in the project to disabled 
    families and elderly families.
    
    
    Sec. 960.407  Selection preference; other preferences; single person 
    occupancy.
    
        (a) A PHA must give preference to disabled families and elderly 
    families in determining priority for admission to public housing 
    projects for disabled families and elderly families. A PHA may not 
    establish a limit on the number of disabled families or elderly 
    families who may be accepted for occupancy in a public housing project 
    for disabled families and elderly families.
        (b) The PHA must follow its policies and procedures for applying 
    the Federal preferences contained in subpart B of this part when 
    selecting applicants for admission from among disabled families and 
    elderly families.
        (c) Disabled families and elderly families who do not qualify for a 
    Federal preference contained in subpart B of this part, and who are 
    given preference for admission under paragraph (a) of this section over 
    non-elderly families and non-disabled families that qualify for such a 
    Federal preference, are not subject to the statutory 10 percent 
    limitation on admission of families without a Federal preference over 
    families with such a Federal preference that may initially receive 
    assistance in any one-year period, as provided in 24 CFR 
    960.211(b)(2)(ii).
        (d) If a disabled or elderly applicant is a single person, as this 
    term is defined in 24 CFR part 912, the disabled single person or the 
    elderly single person shall be given a preference for admission to 
    public housing projects for disabled families and elderly families.
        (e) In offering available units to disabled families and elderly 
    families in public housing projects for disabled families and elderly 
    families, units with accessible features should first be offered to 
    persons with disabilities that require the accessibility features of 
    the unit in accordance with the requirements of 24 CFR 8.27 and 24 CFR 
    100.202(c)(3).
    
    
        Dated: November 18, 1993.
    Joseph Shuldiner,
    Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
    [FR Doc. 94-259 Filed 1-6-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4210-33-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
01/07/1994
Department:
Housing and Urban Development Department
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Proposed rule.
Document Number:
94-259
Dates:
Comment due date: March 8, 1994.
Pages:
1244-1257 (14 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: January 7, 1994, Docket No. R-94-1694, FR-3425-P-01
RINs:
2577-AB27
CFR: (22)
24 CFR 945.205)
24 CFR 913.102)
24 CFR 945.303(d)
24 CFR 945.205
24 CFR 945.301
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