ATCOG Policy
HCV Basics
Show Me The Money
Abatement
Inspection: HQS/NSPIRE
100

An RFTA arrives on the 27th for a family hoping for assistance beginning on the first of the following month. Under ATCOG's normal processing procedure, they have missed this cutoff date.

The 20th

100

A family has a 2-bedroom voucher but chooses to lease a 3-bedroom unit. This payment standard is used to calculate the family's subsidy.

Two bedroom payment standard

100

This payment is made by the PHA directly to the owner on behalf of an assisted family.

HAP

100

When a unit fails an annual inspection and repairs are not completed in the required timeframe, the PHA may stop assistance payments through this process

Abatement

100

A receptacle tester reading like the one pictured, indicates this wiring issue

Outlet is ungrounded.

The inspector should check for GFCI protection prior to citing a deficiency 

200

For a January effective date, ATCOG requires the owner's rent increase request to be received before this date.

November 1st

200

This HUD form records the family's household, income, rent, and subsidy information for HCV actions.

HUD-50058

200

This amount is used as a starting point for determining the maximum proposed contract rent available to an HCV family.

Payment Standard

200

True or False:

If a unit fails an second reinspection, the unit remains in abatement and is ineligible to lease-up for a period of six months

False

Once the HAP contract terminates the landlord may submit a new RFTA. A new inspection process may begin

200

Landlord or Tenant?

The client complains of mice. At the time of inspection, this is the only evidence found. Which party is cited and given a correction timeframe?

Neither. 

This is an item for comment.  

300
Rather than relying solely on calls to Housing staff, ATCOG encourages owners and participants to use these resources to access program information.

Landlord and Tenant Portals

300

A family moves from one PHA's jurisdiction to another while maintaining HCV assistance, but the initial PHA continues funding the assistance.

Portability by billing

300

A family is responsible for paying the water bill, but the owner begins paying the water instead. This financial component may need to be updated because responsibility for the utility changed

Utility allowance

300

True or False:

An assisted family may move immediately once a unit goes into abatement status

False

The family must notify their landlord prior to voucher issuance and vacating the unit

300

  FIND THE DEFICIENCY

Relief valve discharge piping is too small.

Discharge line should be the same size as the TPR, usually 3/4 in.

400

ATCOG requires staff to routinely monitor and respond through these three primary forms of workplace communication.

Email, phone, and Microsoft Teams

400
A participant disagrees with certain PHA decisions affecting their assistance. This process provides the family an opportunity to challenge the decision.

Informal hearing

400

A tenant's calculated utility allowance exceeds their tenant rent to the owner. The resulting amount may be paid to the family.

Utility reimbursement

400

True or False:

If the tenant portion is $0, the family may remain in an abated unit until repairs are complete or the landlord forces a move

False

A unit may remain in abatement status for up to 60 days

400

True or False: 

Inspection documents, for initial lease-up, must be submitted to the specialist on or before the first of the month

False.

The unit must pass inspection on or before the first of the month. Inspection documents should be submitted to the specialist promptly, after the landlord is added to HAP accounting and the documents are complete and correct.

500

A landlord was told HAP would be paid beginning May 1, but the unit was not inspected until July. A verbal promise does not give ATCOG authority to do this for May and June.

Make retroactive HAP payments for the period before the unit met program requirements

500

These three parties make up the basic contractual relationships in the HCV program: one pair executes the lease, another executes the HAP contract, and the third relationship is established through the voucher.

Owner, PHA, and Family

500

A landlord requests a rent increase and provides proof that taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs have increased. Despite those expenses, the PHA still cannot approve a rent that fails this test

Rent reasonableness

500

A unit is recommended for abatement and repairs were not completed within the required timeframe. The client remains in the unit and the landlord completed repairs on day 70. What may ultimately happen with the HAP contract? 

HAP contract terminates!

The family must be issued a voucher.

500

Initial Inspection: PASS or FAIL

A RFTA is received for a 1 bedroom unit. During the inspection, you find this secondary room. What are the next steps?

Fail the inspection for EGRESS. Send the repair letter with comments. VOID the incorrect RFTA. If the landlord and tenant choose to proceed, the process must begin again.