PART 903—PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY PLANS Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1437c; 42 U.S.C. 1437c-1; Pub. L. 110-289; 42 U.S.C. 3535d. Source: 65 FR 81222, Dec. 22, 2000, unless otherwise noted. Subpart A—Deconcentration of Poverty § 903.1 What is the purpose of this subpart? The purpose of this subpart is to specify the process which a Public Housing Agency, as part of its annual planning process and development of an admissions policy, must follow in order to develop and apply a policy that provides for deconcentration of poverty and income mixing in certain public housing developments. [80 FR 42368, July 16, 2015] § 903.2 With respect to admissions, what must a PHA do to deconcentrate poverty in its developments? (a) General. (1) The provisions of this section apply to applicants to and residents seeking voluntary transfers within covered public housing developments (“covered developments” as specified in paragraph (b) of this section). (2) The statutory requirement to design a policy to provide for deconcentration and income mixing is not to be construed to impose or require any specific income or racial quotas for any development or developments. (b) Applicability of deconcentration of poverty and income mixing requirements Developments subject to deconcentration of poverty and income mixing requirements. (2) Developments not subject to deconcentration of poverty and income mixing requirements. (i) Public housing developments operated by a PHA with fewer than 100 public housing units; (ii) Public housing developments operated by a PHA which house only elderly persons or persons with disabilities, or both; (iii) Public housing developments operated by a PHA which consist of only one general occupancy, family public housing development; (iv) Public housing developments approved for demolition or for conversion to tenant-based assistance; and (v) Public housing developments which include public housing units operated in accordance with a HUD-approved mixed-finance plan using HOPE VI or public housing funds awarded before the effective date of this rule, provided that the PHA certifies (and includes reasons for the certification) as part of its PHA Plan (which may be accomplished either in the annual Plan submission or as a significant amendment to its PHA Plan) that exemption from the regulation is necessary to honor an existing contractual agreement or be consistent with a mixed finance plan, including provisions regarding the incomes of public housing residents to be admitted to that development, which has been developed in consultation with residents with rights to live at the affected development and other interested persons. (c) Deconcentration of poverty and income mixing Steps for implementation. (i) Step 1. (ii) Step 2. (iii) Step 3. (iv) Step 4. (A) The covered development or developments are subject to consent decrees or other resident selection and admission plans mandated by court action; (B) The covered development or developments are part of PHA's programs, strategies or activities specifically authorized by statute, such as mixed-income or mixed-finance developments, homeownership programs, self-sufficiency strategies, or other strategies designed to deconcentrate poverty, promote income mixing in public housing, increase the incomes of public housing residents, or the income mix is otherwise subject to individual review and approval by HUD; (C) The covered development's or developments' size, location, and/or configuration promote income deconcentration, such as scattered site or small developments; (D) The income characteristics of the covered development or developments are sufficiently explained by other circumstances. (v) Step 5. (A) Providing incentives designed to encourage families with incomes below the Established Income Range to accept units in developments with incomes above the Established Income Range, or vice versa, including rent incentives, affirmative marketing plans, or added amenities; (B) Targeting investment and capital improvements toward developments with an average income below the Established Income Range to encourage applicant families whose income is above the Established Income Range to accept units in those developments; (C) Establishing a preference for admission of working families in developments below the Established Income Range; (D) Skipping a family on the waiting list to reach another family in an effort to further the goals of the PHA's deconcentration policy; (E) Providing such other strategies as permitted by statute and determined by the PHA in consultation with the residents and the community, through the PHA Annual Plan process, to be responsive to the local context and the PHA's strategic objectives. (2) Determination of compliance with deconcentration requirement. (i) The PHA's income analysis shows that the PHA has no general occupancy family developments to which the deconcentration requirements apply; that is, the average incomes of all covered developments are within the Established Income Range; (ii) The PHA has covered developments with average incomes above or below the Established Income Range and the PHA provides a sufficient explanation in its Annual Plan that supports that the income mix of such development or developments is consistent with and furthers the goal of deconcentration of poverty and income mixing and also the locally determined goals of the PHA's Annual and Five Year Plans, and the PHA therefore need not take further action to deconcentrate poverty and mix incomes; or (iii) The PHA's deconcentration policy provides specific strategies the PHA will take that can be expected to promote deconcentration of poverty and income mixing in developments with average incomes outside of the Established Income Range. (3) Right of return. (4) Family's discretion to refuse a unit. (5) Relationship to income targeting requirement. (d) Relationship between poverty deconcentration and fair housing. [65 FR 81222, Dec. 22, 2000, as amended at 67 FR 51033, Aug. 6, 2002; 80 FR 42368, July 16, 2015] Subpart B—PHA Plans and Fair Housing Requirements § 903.3 What is the purpose of this subpart? (a) This subpart specifies the requirements for PHA plans, required by section 5A of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1) (the Act), as amended. (b) The purpose of the plans is to provide a strategic planning framework for PHA management operations and capital planning: (1) Local accountability; and (2) An easily identifiable source by which public housing residents, participants in the tenant-based and project-based assistance program, and other members of the public may locate basic PHA policies, rules and requirements concerning the PHA's operations, programs and services. (c) Title VII of the Housing and Economic Reform Act, Public Law 110-289, section 2702, amends 42 U.S.C. 1437c-1(b) to provide qualified PHAs an exemption from the requirement of section 5A of the Act to submit an annual PHA Plan. The term “qualified PHA” means a public housing agency that meets the following requirements: (1) The sum of the number of public housing dwelling units administered by the agency, and the number of vouchers under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) administered by the agency, is 550 or fewer; and (2) The agency is not designated under section 42 U.S.C. 1437d(j)(2) as a troubled public housing agency, and does not have a failing score under SEMAP during the prior 12 months. [78 FR 63770, Oct. 24, 2013, as amended at 89 FR 38292, May 7, 22024] § 903.4 What are the public housing agency plans? (a) Types of plans. (1) The 5-Year Plan (the 5-Year Plan) that a public housing agency (PHA) must submit to HUD once every five PHA fiscal years. The 5-Year Plan covers the five PHA fiscal years immediately following the date on which the 5-Year Plan is due to HUD; and (2) The Annual Plan (Annual Plan) that the PHA must submit to HUD for each fiscal year immediately following the date on which the Annual Plan is due to HUD and for which the PHA receives: (i) Section 8 assistance (tenant-based assistance (24 CFR part 982) and project-based assistance (24 CFR part 983) under Section 8(o) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)); or (ii) Amounts from the public housing operating fund or capital fund (under section 9 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g) (public housing)). (b) Format. (c) Applicability. (d) Authority for waivers. [65 FR 81222, Dec. 22, 2000, as amended 89 FR 38292, May 7, 2024] § 903.5 When must a PHA submit the plans to HUD? (a) 5-Year Plan. (2) For all PHAs, the first 5-Year Plans are due 75 days before the commencement of their fiscal year. (3) For all PHAs, after submission of their first 5-Year Plan, all subsequent 5-Year Plans must be submitted once every 5 PHA fiscal years, no later than 75 days before the commencement of the PHA's fiscal year. However, HUD may require that half of all PHAs with less than 250 public housing units submit their 5-Year Plan one fiscal year in advance (in the fourth PHA fiscal year rather than the fifth PHA fiscal year). (4) PHAs may choose to update their 5-Year Plans every year as good management practice and must update their 5-Year Plans that were submitted for PHA fiscal years beginning before October 1, 2001, to comply with the requirements of this part as amended on December 22, 2000, at the time they submit their next Annual Plan for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2001. PHAs must explain any substantial deviation from their 5-Year Plans in their Annual Plans. (Substantial deviation is determined by the PHA in accordance with criteria provided by the PHA in its Annual Plan in accordance with § 903.7(r).) (b) The Annual Plan. (2) For all PHAs, the first Annual Plans are due 75 days before the commencement of their fiscal year. (3) For all PHAs, after submission of the first Annual Plan, all subsequent Annual Plans will be due no later than 75 days before the commencement of their fiscal year. [64 FR 56862, Oct. 21, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 8898, Mar. 7, 2001; 68 FR 37671, June 24, 2003] § 903.6 What information must a PHA provide in the 5-Year Plan? (a) A PHA must include in its 5-Year Plan a statement of: (1) The PHA's mission for serving the needs of low-income, very low-income and extremely low-income families in the PHA's jurisdiction; and (2) The PHA's goals and objectives that enable the PHA to serve the needs of the families identified in the PHA's Annual Plan. For HUD, the PHA and the public to better measure the success of the PHA in meeting its goals and objectives, the PHA must adopt quantifiable goals and objectives for serving those needs wherever possible. (3) A statement about goals, activities, objectives, policies, or programs that will enable a PHA to serve the needs of child and adult victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. (b) After submitting its first 5-Year Plan, a PHA in its succeeding 5-Year Plans, must address: (1) The PHA's mission, goals and objectives for the next 5 years; and (2) The progress the PHA has made in meeting the goals and objectives described in the PHA's previous 5-Year Plan. (c) If a PHA intends to select one or more projects for project-based assistance without competition in accordance with § 983.51(c), the PHA must include a statement of this intent in its 5-Year Plan (or an amendment to the 5-Year Plan) in order to notify the public prior to making a noncompetitive selection. [65 FR 81222, Dec. 22, 2000, as amended at 73 FR 72344, Nov. 28, 2008; 75 FR 66262, Oct. 27, 2010; 89 FR 38292, May 7, 2024] § 903.7 What information must a PHA provide in the Annual Plan? With the exception of the first Annual Plan submitted by a PHA, the Annual Plan must include the information provided in this section. HUD will advise PHAs by separate notice, sufficiently in advance of the first Annual Plan due date, of the information, described in this section that must be part of the first Annual Plan submission, and any additional instructions or directions that may be necessary to prepare and submit the first Annual Plan. The information described in this section applies to public housing, tenant-based assistance, and project-based assistance except where specifically stated otherwise. The information that the PHA must submit for HUD approval under the Annual Plan includes the discretionary policies of the various plan components or elements (for example, rent policies) and not the statutory or regulatory requirements that govern these plan components and that provide no discretion on the part of the PHA in implementation of the requirements. The PHA's Annual Plan must be consistent with the goals and objectives of the PHA's 5-Year Plan. (a) A statement of housing needs. (i) Families meeting the definition of extremely low-income families in 24 CFR 5.603. (ii) Elderly families; (iii) Households with individuals with disabilities and households of various races and ethnic groups residing in the jurisdiction or on the waiting list. (2) A PHA must make reasonable efforts to identify the housing needs of each of the groups listed in paragraph (a)(1) of this section based on information provided by the applicable consolidated plan, information provided by HUD, and other generally available data. (i) The identification of housing needs must address issues of affordability, supply, quality, accessibility, size of units, and location. (ii) The statement of housing needs also must describe the ways in which the PHA intends, to the maximum extent practicable, to address those needs and the PHA's reasons for choosing its strategy. (b) A statement of the PHA's deconcentration and other policies that govern eligibility, selection, and admissions. (1) Deconcentration Policy. (2) Waiting List Procedures. (i) The PHA regularly submits required occupancy data to HUD's Multifamily Tenant Characteristics Systems (MTCS) in an accurate, complete and timely manner; (ii) The system of site-based waiting lists provides for full disclosure to each applicant of any option available to the applicant in the selection of the development in which to reside, including basic information about available sites (location, occupancy, number and size of accessible units, amenities such as day care, security, transportation and training programs) and an estimate of the period of time the applicant would likely have to wait to be admitted to units of different sizes and types (e.g., regular or accessible) at each site; (iii) Adoption of site-based waiting lists would not violate any court order or settlement agreement, or be inconsistent with a pending complaint brought by HUD; (iv) The PHA includes reasonable measures to assure that adoption of site-based waiting lists is consistent with affirmatively furthering fair housing, such as reasonable marketing activities to attract applicants regardless of race or ethnicity; (v) The PHA provides for review of its site-based waiting list policy to determine if the policy is consistent with civil rights laws and certifications through the following steps: (A) As part of the submission of the Annual Plan, the PHA shall assess changes in racial, ethnic or disability-related tenant composition at each PHA site that may have occurred during the implementation of the site-based waiting list, based upon MTCS occupancy data that has been confirmed to be complete and accurate by an independent audit (which may be the annual independent audit) or is otherwise satisfactory to HUD; (B) At least every three years the PHA uses independent testers or other means satisfactory to HUD, to assure that the site-based waiting list is not being implemented in a discriminatory manner, and that no patterns or practices of discrimination exist, and providing the results to HUD; (C) Taking any steps necessary to remedy the problems surfaced during the review; and (D) Taking the steps necessary to affirmatively further fair housing. (3) Other admissions policies. (c) A statement of financial resources. (d) A statement of the PHA's rent determination policies. (e) A statement of the PHA's operation and management. (2) The policies listed in this statement must include a description of any measures necessary for the prevention or eradication of pest infestation. Pest infestation includes cockroach infestation. (3) This statement must include a description of PHA management organization, and a listing of the programs administered by the PHA. (4) The information requested on a PHA's rules, standards and policies regarding management and maintenance of housing applies only to public housing. The information requested on PHA program management and listing of administered programs applies to public housing, tenant-based assistance, and project-based assistance. (f) A statement of the PHA grievance procedures. (g) A statement of capital improvements needed. (h) A statement of any demolition and/or disposition Plan for Demolition/Disposition. (2) Interim Plan for Demolition/Disposition. (A) The required description of the action to be taken; (B) A certification of consistency with the Consolidated Plan; (C) A description of how the plan is consistent with the Consolidated Plan; (D) A relocation plan that includes the availability of units in the area and adequate funding; and (E) Confirmation that a public hearing was held on the proposed action and that the resident advisory board was consulted. (ii) Interim plans for demolition/disposition are subject to PHA Plan procedural requirements in this part (see §§ 903.13, 903.15, 903.17, 903.19, 903.21, 903.23, 903.25), with the following exception. If a resident advisory board has not yet been formed, the PHA may seek a waiver of the requirement to consult with the resident advisory board on the grounds that organizations that adequately represent residents for this purpose were consulted. (iii) The actual application for demolition or disposition may be submitted at the same time as submission of the interim plan or at a later date. (i) A statement of the public housing developments designated as housing for elderly families or families with disabilities or elderly families and families with disabilities. (i) The PHA has designated for occupancy by: (A) Only elderly families; (B) Only families with disabilities; or (C) Elderly families and families with disabilities; and (ii) The PHA will apply for designation for occupancy by: (A) Only elderly families; (B) Only families with disabilities; or (C) Elderly families and families with disabilities as provided by section 7 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437e). (2) The designated housing application and approval process is a separate process. Approval of the PHA Plan does not constitute approval of these activities. (j) A statement of the conversion of public housing to tenant-based assistance. (i) Any building or buildings that the PHA is required to convert to tenant-based assistance under section 33 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437z-5); (ii) The status of any building or buildings that the PHA may be required to convert to tenant-based assistance under section 202 of the Fiscal Year 1996 HUD Appropriations Act (42 U.S.C. 14371 note); or (iii) The PHA's plans to voluntarily convert under section 22 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437t). (2) The statement also must include an analysis of the developments or buildings required to be converted under section 33. (3) For both voluntary and required conversions, the statement must include the amount of assistance received commencing in Federal Fiscal Year 1999 to be used for rental assistance or other housing assistance in connection with such conversion. (4) The application and approval processes for required or voluntary conversions are separate approval processes. Approval of the PHA Plan does not constitute approval of these activities. (5) The information required under this paragraph (j) of this section is applicable to public housing and only that tenant-based assistance which is to be included in the conversion plan. (k) A statement of homeownership programs administered by the PHA. (i) Any homeownership programs administered by the PHA under section 8(y) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f(y)); (ii) Any homeownership programs administered by the PHA under an approved section 5(h) homeownership program (42 U.S.C. 1437c(h)); (iii) An approved HOPE I program (42 U.S.C. 1437aaa); or (iv) Any homeownership programs for which the PHA has applied to administer or will apply to administer under section 5(h), the HOPE I program, or section 32 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437z-4). (2) The application and approval process for homeownership under the programs described in paragraph (k) of this section, with the exception of the section 8(y) homeownership program, are separate processes. Approval of the PHA Plan does not constitute approval of these activities. (l) A statement of the PHA's community service and self-sufficiency programs. (i) Any PHA programs relating to services and amenities coordinated, promoted or provided by the PHA for assisted families, including programs provided or offered as a result of the PHA's partnership with other entities; (ii) Any PHA programs coordinated, promoted or provided by the PHA for the enhancement of the economic and social self-sufficiency of assisted families, including programs provided or offered as a result of the PHA's partnerships with other entities, and activities under section 3 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1968 and under requirements for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and others. The description of programs offered shall include the program's size (including required and actual size of the Family Self-Sufficiency program) and means of allocating assistance to households. (iii) How the PHA will comply with the requirements of section 12(c) and (d) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437j(c) and (d)). These statutory provisions relate to community service by public housing residents and treatment of income changes in public housing, tenant-based assistance, and project-based assistance recipients resulting from welfare program requirements. PHAs must address any cooperation agreements, as described in section 12(d)(7) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437j(d)(7)), that the PHA has entered into or plans to enter into. (2) The information required by paragraph (l) of this section is applicable to public housing, tenant-based assistance, and project-based assistance, except that the information regarding the PHA's compliance with the community service requirement applies only to public housing. (m) A statement of the PHA's safety and crime prevention measures. (2) The statement regarding the PHA's safety and crime prevention plan must include the following information: (i) A description of the need for measures to ensure the safety of public housing residents; (ii) A description of any crime prevention activities conducted or to be conducted by the PHA; and (iii) A description of the coordination between the PHA and the appropriate police precincts for carrying out crime prevention measures and activities. (3) If the PHA expects to receive drug elimination program grant funds, the PHA must submit, in addition to the information required by paragraph (m)(1) of this section, the plan required by HUD's Public Housing Drug Elimination Program regulations (see part 761 of this title). (4) If HUD determines at any time that the security needs of a public housing development are not being adequately addressed by the PHA's plan, or that the local police precinct is not assisting the PHA with compliance with its crime prevention measures as described in the Annual Plan, HUD may mediate between the PHA and the local precinct to resolve any issues of conflict. (5) A statement of any domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking prevention programs: (i) A description of any activities, services, or programs provided or offered by an agency, either directly or in partnership with other service providers, to child or adult victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; (ii) Any activities, services, or programs provided or offered by a PHA that help child and adult victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to obtain or maintain housing; and (iii) Any activities, services, or programs provided or offered by a PHA to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or to enhance victim safety in assisted families. (n) A statement of the PHA's policies and rules regarding ownership of pets in public housing. (o) Civil rights certification. et seq. (2) The certification is applicable to both the 5-Year Plan and the Annual Plan, including any plan incorporated therein. (p) Recent results of PHA's fiscal year audit. (q) A statement of asset management. (r) A statement of participation in the project-based assistance program. (s) Additional information to be provided. (2) A PHA must identify the basic criteria the PHA will use for determining: (i) A substantial deviation from its 5-Year Plan; and (ii) A significant amendment or modification to its 5-Year Plan and Annual Plan. (3) A PHA must include such other information as HUD may request of PHAs, either on an individual or across-the-board basis. HUD will advise the PHA or PHAs of this additional information through advance notice. [65 FR 81222, Dec. 22, 2000, as amended at 73 FR 72344, Nov. 28, 2008; 75 FR 66262, Oct. 27, 2010; 80 FR 42368, July 16, 2015; 81 FR 12372, Mar. 8, 2016; 85 FR 47911, Aug. 7, 2020; 86 FR 30792, June 10, 2021; 89 FR 38292, May 7, 2024; 90 FR 11025, Mar. 3, 2025; 90 FR 56687, Dec. 8, 2025] § 903.9 May HUD request additional information in the Annual Plan of a troubled PHA? HUD may request that a PHA that is at risk of being designated as troubled or is designated as troubled in accordance with section 6(j)(2) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437d(j)(2)), the Public Housing Management Assessment Program (part 901 of this title) or the Public Housing Assessment System (part 902 of this chapter) include its operating budget. The PHA also must include or reference any applicable memorandum of agreement with HUD or any plan to improve performance, and such other material as HUD may prescribe. § 903.11 Are certain PHAs eligible to submit a streamlined Annual Plan? (a) Yes, the following PHAs may submit a streamlined Annual Plan, as described in paragraph (b) of this section: (1) PHAs that are determined to be high performing PHAs as of the last annual or interim assessment of the PHA before the submission of the 5-Year or Annual Plan; (2) PHAs with less than 250 public housing units (small PHAs) and that have not been designated as troubled in accordance with section 6(j)(2) of the 1937 Act; and (3) PHAs that only administer tenant-based assistance and/or project-based assistance and do not own or operate public housing. (b) All streamlined plans must provide information on how the public may reasonably obtain additional information on the PHA policies contained in the standard Annual Plan, but excluded from their streamlined submissions. (c) A streamlined plan must include the information provided in this paragraph (c). The Secretary may reduce the information requirements of streamlined Plans further, with adequate notice. (1) For high performing PHAs, the streamlined Annual Plan must include the information required by § 903.7(a), (b), (c), (d), (g), (h), (k), (m), (n), (o), (p), (r), and (s). The information required by § 903.7(m) must be included only to the extent this information is required for PHA's participation in the public housing drug elimination program and the PHA anticipates participating in this program in the upcoming year. The information required by § 903.7(k) must be included only to the extent that the PHA participates in homeownership programs under section 8(y). (2) For small PHAs that are not designated as troubled (see § 902.67(c)) or that are not at risk of being designated as troubled (see § 902.67(b)(4) of this chapter) under section 6(j)(2) of the 1937 Act, the requirements for streamlined Annual Plans are described in § 903.12. (3) For PHAs that administer only tenant-based assistance and/or project-based assistance, the streamlined Annual Plan must include the information required by § 903.7(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (k), (l), (o), (p), (r), and (s). [65 FR 49484, Aug. 14, 2000, as amended at 65 FR 55161, Sept. 12, 2000; 68 FR 37671, June 24, 2003; 89 FR 38292, May 7, 2024] § 903.12 What are the streamlined Annual Plan requirements for small PHAs? (a) General. (b) Streamlined Annual Plan requirements for fiscal years in which its 5-Year Plan is also due. § 903.7(r) (c) Streamlined Annual Plan requirements for all other fiscal years. (1) The information required by § 903.7(g) and (o) and, if applicable, § 903.7(b)(2) with respect to site-based waiting lists, § 903.7(k)(1)(i) with respect to homeownership programs under Section 8(y) of the 1937 Act, and § 903.7(r) with respect to participation in the project-based assistance program; (2) A certification from the PHA that lists the policies and programs covered by § 903.7(a), (b), (c), (d), (h), (k), and (s) that the PHA has revised since submission of its last Annual Plan and provides assurance by the PHA that: (i) The Resident Advisory Board had an opportunity to review and comment on the changes to the policies and programs before implementation by the PHA; (ii) The changes were duly approved by the PHA board of directors (or similar governing body); and (iii) The revised policies and programs are available for review and inspection at the principal office of the PHA during normal business hours. [68 FR 37671, June 24, 2003, as amended at 89 FR 38292, May 7, 2024] § 903.13 What is a Resident Advisory Board and what is its role in development of the Annual Plan? (a) A Resident Advisory Board refers to a board or boards, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, whose membership consists of individuals who adequately reflect and represent the residents assisted by the PHA. (1) The role of the Resident Advisory Board (or Resident Advisory Boards) is to assist and make recommendations regarding the development of the PHA plan, and any significant amendment or modification to the PHA plan. (2) The PHA shall allocate reasonable resources to assure the effective functioning of Resident Advisory Boards. Reasonable resources for the Resident Advisory Boards must provide reasonable means for them to become informed on programs covered by the PHA Plan, to communicate in writing and by telephone with assisted families and hold meetings with those families, and to access information regarding covered programs on the internet, taking into account the size and resources of the PHA. (b) Each PHA must establish one or more Resident Advisory Boards, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section. (1) If a jurisdiction-wide resident council exists that complies with the tenant participation regulations in part 964 of this title, the PHA shall appoint the jurisdiction-wide resident council or the council's representatives as the Resident Advisory Board. If the PHA makes such appointment, the members of the jurisdiction-wide resident council or the council's representatives shall be added or another Resident Advisory Board formed to provide for reasonable representation of families receiving tenant-based assistance and/or project-based assistance where such representation is required under paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (2) If a jurisdiction-wide resident council does not exist but resident councils exist that comply with the tenant participation regulations, the PHA shall appoint such resident councils or their representatives to serve on one or more Resident Advisory Boards. If the PHA makes such appointment, the PHA may require that the resident councils choose a limited number of representatives. (3) Where the PHA has a tenant-based assistance and/or project-based assistance program of significant size (where tenant-based assistance and/or project-based assistance is 20% or more of assisted households), the PHA shall assure that the Resident Advisory Board (or Boards) has reasonable representation of families receiving tenant-based assistance and/or project-based assistance and that a reasonable process is undertaken to choose this representation. (4) Where or to the extent that resident councils that comply with the tenant participation regulations do not exist, the PHA shall appoint Resident Advisory Boards or Board members as needed to adequately reflect and represent the interests of residents of such developments; provided that the PHA shall provide reasonable notice to such residents and urge that they form resident councils with the tenant participation regulations. (c) The PHA must consider the recommendations of the Resident Advisory Board or Boards in preparing the final Annual Plan, and any significant amendment or modification to the Annual Plan, as provided in § 903.21 of this title. (1) In submitting the final plan to HUD for approval, or any significant amendment or modification to the plan to HUD for approval, the PHA must include a copy of the recommendations made by the Resident Advisory Board or Boards and a description of the manner in which the PHA addressed these recommendations. (2) Notwithstanding the 75-day limitation on HUD review, in response to a written request from a Resident Advisory Board claiming that the PHA failed to provide adequate notice and opportunity for comment, HUD may make a finding of good cause during the required time period and require the PHA to remedy the failure before final approval of the plan. [65 FR 81222, Dec. 22, 2000, as amended at 89 FR 38293, May 7, 2024] § 903.15 What is the relationship of the public housing agency plans to the Consolidated Plan and a PHA's Fair Housing Requirements? (a) The PHA must ensure that the Annual Plan is consistent with any applicable Consolidated Plan for the jurisdiction in which the PHA is located. (1) The PHA must submit a certification by the appropriate State or local officials that the Annual Plan is consistent with the Consolidated Plan and include a description of the manner in which the applicable plan contents are consistent with the Consolidated Plans. (2) For State agencies that are PHAs, the applicable Consolidated Plan is the State Consolidated Plan. (b) A PHA may request to change its fiscal year to better coordinate its planning with the planning done under the Consolidated Plan process, by the State or local officials, as applicable. (c) Fair housing requirements. (1) Nondiscrimination. (2) Affirmatively furthering fair housing. (i) HUD regulations provide that PHAs must take steps to affirmatively further fair housing. PHA policies should include affirmative steps to overcome the effects of discrimination and the effects of conditions that resulted in limiting participation of persons because of their race, national origin, disability, or other protected class. (ii) Such affirmative steps may include, but are not limited to, marketing efforts, use of nondiscriminatory tenant selection and assignment policies that lead to desegregation, additional applicant consultation and information, provision of additional supportive services and amenities to a development (such as supportive services that enable an individual with a disability to transfer from an institutional setting into the community), and engagement in ongoing coordination with state and local disability agencies to provide additional community-based housing opportunities for individuals with disabilities and to connect such individuals with supportive services to enable an individual with a disability to transfer from an institutional setting into the community. (3) Validity of certification. (A) Fails to meet the affirmatively furthering fair housing requirements at 24 CFR 5.150 through 5.151. (B) Takes action that is materially inconsistent with its obligation to affirmatively further fair housing; or (C) Fails to meet the fair housing, civil rights, and affirmatively furthering fair housing requirements in 24 CFR 903.7(o). (ii) If HUD challenges the validity of a PHA's certification, HUD will do so in writing specifying the deficiencies, and will give the PHA an opportunity to respond to the particular challenge in writing. In responding to the specified deficiencies, a PHA must establish, as applicable, that it has complied with fair housing and civil rights laws and regulations, or has remedied violations of fair housing and civil rights laws and regulations, and has adopted policies and undertaken actions to affirmatively further fair housing, including, but not limited to, providing a full range of housing opportunities to applicants and tenants in a nondiscriminatory manner. In responding to the PHA, HUD may accept the PHA's explanation and withdraw the challenge, undertake further investigation, or pursue other remedies available under law. HUD will seek to obtain voluntary corrective action consistent with the specified deficiencies. In determining whether a PHA has complied with its certification, HUD will review the PHA's circumstances relevant to the specified deficiencies, including characteristics of the population served by the PHA; characteristics of the PHA's existing housing stock; and decisions, plans, goals, priorities, strategies, and actions of the PHA, including those designed to affirmatively further fair housing. [85 FR 47911, Aug. 7, 2020, as amended at 86 FR 30793, June 10, 2021; 89 FR 38293, May 7, 2024; 90 FR 11025, Mar. 3, 2025] § 903.17 What is the process for obtaining public comment on the plans? (a) The PHA's board of directors or similar governing body must conduct a public hearing to discuss the PHA plan (either the 5-Year Plan and/or Annual Plan, as applicable) and invite public comment on the plan(s). The hearing must be conducted at a location that is convenient to the residents served by the PHA. (b) Not later than 45 days before the public hearing is to take place, the PHA must: (1) Make the proposed PHA plan(s), the required attachments and documents related to the plans, and all information relevant to the public hearing to be conducted, available for inspection by the public at the principal office of the PHA during normal business hours; and (2) Publish a notice informing the public that the information is available for review and inspection, and that a public hearing will take place on the plan, and the date, time and location of the hearing. (c) PHAs shall conduct reasonable outreach activities to encourage broad public participation in the PHA plans. § 903.19 When is the 5-Year Plan or Annual Plan ready for submission to HUD? A PHA may adopt its 5-Year Plan or its Annual Plan and submit the plan to HUD for approval only after: (a) The PHA has conducted the public hearing; (b) The PHA has considered all public comments received on the plan; (c) The PHA has made any changes to the plan, based on comments, after consultation with the Resident Advisory Board or other resident organization. § 903.21 May the PHA amend or modify a plan? (a) A PHA, after submitting its 5-Year Plan or Annual Plan to HUD, may amend or modify any PHA policy, rule, regulation or other aspect of the plan. If the amendment or modification is a significant amendment or modification, as defined in § 903.7(r)(2), the PHA: (1) May not adopt the amendment or modification until the PHA has duly called a meeting of its board of directors (or similar governing body) and the meeting, at which the amendment or modification is adopted, is open to the public; and (2) May not implement the amendment or modification, until notification of the amendment or modification is provided to HUD and approved by HUD in accordance with HUD's plan review procedures, as provided in § 903.23. (b) Each significant amendment or modification to a plan submitted to HUD is subject to the requirements of §§ 903.13, 903.15, and 903.17. § 903.23 What is the process by which HUD reviews, approves, or disapproves an Annual Plan? (a) Review of the plan. (1) The plan provides all the information that is required to be included in the plan; (2) The plan is consistent with the information and data available to HUD; (3) The plan is consistent with any applicable Consolidated Plan for the jurisdiction in which the PHA is located; and (4) The plan is not prohibited or inconsistent with the 1937 Act or any other applicable Federal law. (b) Scope of HUD review. (c) Disapproval of the plan. (i) Does not provide all the information that is required to be included in the plan; (ii) Is not consistent with the information and data available to HUD; (iii) Is not consistent with any applicable Consolidated Plan for the jurisdiction in which the PHA is located; or (iv) Is not consistent with applicable Federal laws and regulations. (2) Not later than 75 days after the date on which the PHA submits its plan or significant amendment or modification to the plan, HUD will issue written notice to the PHA if the plan or a significant amendment or modification has been disapproved. The notice that HUD issues to the PHA must state with specificity the reasons for the disapproval. HUD may not state as a reason for disapproval the lack of time to review the plan. (3) If HUD fails to issue the notice of disapproval on or before the 75th day after the date on which the PHA submits its plan or significant amendment or modification to the plan, HUD shall be considered to have determined that all elements or components of the plan required to be submitted and that were submitted, and to be reviewed by HUD were in compliance with applicable requirements and the plan has been approved. (4) The provisions of paragraph (b)(3) of this section do not apply to troubled PHAs. The plan of a troubled PHA must be approved or disapproved by HUD through written notice. (d) Designation of due date as submission date for first plan submissions. (e) Public availability of the approved plan. (f) Recordkeeping. [65 FR 81222, Dec. 22, 2000, as amended at 68 FR 37671, June 24, 2003; 80 FR 42371, July 16, 2015; 85 FR 47911, Aug. 7, 2020; 86 FR 30793, June 10, 2021; 90 FR 11025, Mar. 3, 2025] § 903.25 How does HUD ensure PHA compliance with its plan? A PHA must comply with the rules, standards and policies established in the plans. To ensure that a PHA is in compliance with all policies, rules, and standards adopted in the plan approved by HUD, HUD shall, as it deems appropriate, respond to any complaint concerning PHA noncompliance with its plan. If HUD should determine that a PHA is not in compliance with its plan, HUD will take whatever action it deems necessary and appropriate.