Chapter 1 - San Diego Housing Commission

Chapter 6 – Request for Approval of Tenancy and Contract Execution
[24 CFR Part 982, Subpart G]
A. INTRODUCTION
SDHC’s program operations are designed to utilize available resources in a manner that is efficient and
provides eligible families timely assistance based on the number of units that have been budgeted.
SDHC’s objectives include maximizing HUD funds by providing assistance to as many eligible families and
for as many eligible units as the budget will allow.
After families are issued a voucher, they may search for a unit anywhere within the jurisdiction of SDHC,
or outside of SDHC's jurisdiction if they qualify for portability. The family must find an eligible unit under
the program rules with an owner who is willing to enter into a Housing Assistance Payments Contract
with SDHC. This Chapter defines the types of eligible housing and SDHC's policies that pertain to initial
inspections, lease requirements, owner disapproval, and the processing of Requests for Tenancy
Approval.
B. MOVING FORWARD: AFFORDABILITY CAP ON FAMILY SHARE AT THE TIME OF
INITIAL UNIT LEASING IN LOW-POVERTY NEIGHBORHOODS
SDHC is committed to assisting families who choose to move into low-poverty areas within SDHC’s
jurisdiction. In support of this objective, the 40% cap on the amount the family may pay of their
adjusted income will not apply for participating families. Families who move into targeted low-poverty
neighborhoods will be allowed to pay up to 50% of their adjusted income. In order to qualify for this
benefit, the family must demonstrate that it has the ability to pay the higher rent burden and may be
required to enroll and participate in a budgeting workshop.
All other procedures and policies described in this Chapter will apply to Moving Forward participants.
C. REQUEST FOR TENANCY APPROVAL [24 CFR 982.54(d)(8), 982.161, 982.302, 982.305(b), 982.306,
982.308(e)]
The Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) and a copy of the proposed Lease, including the HUD
prescribed tenancy addendum, must be submitted by the family during the term of the voucher. The
family must submit the RFTA in the form and manner required by SDHC.
Both the owner and voucher holder must sign the Request for Tenancy Approval.
SDHC will not permit the family to submit more than one RFTA at a time.
SDHC will review the proposed lease and the RFTA documents to determine whether they can be
approved.
The request will be approved if:
- The unit is an eligible type of housing.
- The unit meets HUD's Housing Quality Standards (and any additional criteria as identified in this
Administrative Plan).
- The rent has been determined to be reasonable based on the current fair market rents.
- The proposed lease complies with HUD and SDHC requirements (See "Lease Review" section below).
- The owner is approved and there are no conflicts of interest.
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