Section 30. Administration of the program

The administrative agent shall conduct an outreach program satisfactory to the authority and in compliance with the HUD approved equal opportunity housing plan for the purpose of attracting the participation in the program of owners of rental housing units and eligible families and individuals. The administrative agent shall then receive applications from families and individuals who desire to qualify for assistance under the program. The application shall be on such form(s) and shall include such documentation as may be required by the authority and HUD. Based upon such application, the administrative agent shall verify income, family composition, medical and other expenses, and other relevant factors and shall determine whether the family or individual is eligible for assistance under the program. If such family or individual is determined to be eligible, the administrative agent shall calculate such family's or individual's contribution ("total tenant payment") to be made for rent and utilities and shall issue such family or individual a certificate of family participation or housing voucher which shall be valid for 60 days. The administrative agent shall also advise and brief the family or individual on the procedures and requirements under the program in such manner as the authority shall require.

The family or individual shall locate and select the rental housing unit and shall submit to the administrative agent such forms and documents as may be required by the authority or HUD. The administrative agent shall thereafter meet with the owner of the rental housing unit and complete an inspection of each unit. The administrative agent shall determine if the rental housing unit meets the housing quality standards established by HUD, shall review the terms of the proposed lease for compliance with the requirements of the program and shall determine rent reasonableness. If the rental housing unit and proposed lease are approved by the administrative agent and if the rent is determined by the administrative agent to be reasonable, the owner and the family or individual may execute the approved lease, and the owner shall sign the HAP contract with VHDA. Within such time period as the authority shall require, the administrative agent shall submit to the authority all forms and documents required by the authority for its final approval.

Upon final approval, the authority shall make monthly payments to the owner (and, where required, the tenant) of the rental housing unit in accordance with the terms of the HAP contract. The balance, if any, of the rent shall be paid by the tenant in accordance with the terms of the lease. The owner of the rental housing unit shall comply with all of the terms and conditions of the HAP contract and in the event of a breach thereof, shall be subject to the exercise by the authority of the rights and remedies provided therein. The tenant shall comply with all requirements imposed on him under the section 8 rules and regulations and with all other applicable procedures and requirements established by HUD and the authority with respect to the program.

Persons holding the following offices and positions may not participate as owners in the program during their tenure and for one year thereafter because their relationship with the authority or the program would constitute a prohibited interest under the ACC and HAP contracts: (i) present or former members or officers of the authority or the administrative agent, (ii) employees of the authority or the administrative agent who formulate policy or influence decisions with respect to the program, and (iii) public officials or members of a governing body or state or local legislators who exercise functions or responsibilities with respect to the program. In addition, current members of or delegates to the Congress of the United States of America or resident commissioners are not eligible to participate in the programs as owners.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR400-02-0006 § 3, eff. July 1, 1989; amended, Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. May 1, 1995.

Statutory Authority

§ 36-55.30:3 of the Code of Virginia.