FAQ

I need the Federal Register notice regarding the public comment period for proposed changes to multifamily housing regulations.

1.   I am trying to find out HUD’s definition of low-and moderate-income and to determine if I will qualify for the Section 8 program. Can you either tell me how HUD determines if someone’s income is low enough or give me some guidance as to where I can find that information?

Income limits are shown on the HUD USER website (http://www.huduser.org) broken down by year and by county. To view the income limits for a particular county, click on the following link: datasets/il.html . Once open, select the year for which you would like to see the Income Limit, and on the following page, scroll down to the U.S. map and select the state in which you want a Section 8 voucher. You will see an alphabetical listing of counties by state and their income limits.

2.   What is the approval procedure for a multi-unit residential property that wishes to participate in the Section 8 program / accept Section 8 tenants?

The Section 8 program is managed by your local public housing authority. You need to contact them directly to inquire about their process for becoming a Section 8-qualified property. In addition, the following link will provide more detailed information about the Section 8 program: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/index.cfm

3.  I am trying to find median family incomes for my state. Can you help me?

To obtain information on median family incomes, please go to datasets/il.html. After opening this link, select the year, and click on the PDF file link located at the first bulleted item that starts with "Transmittal notice…"

4.   I would like to know what the income limit is for my county for one person.

The income limit for one person in a particular county can be found at the following website: datasets/il.html.

5.   We are in the process of preparing a rent survey for an affordable housing complex in our area. Please provide HUD’s guidelines for a rent comparison analysis.

The link listed below should provide you with the information you’ve requested.
datasets/fmr.html

6.   I need the Federal Register notice regarding the public comment period for proposed changes to multifamily housing regulations.

You can find the Federal Register on either http://www.hud.gov/hudclips or http://www.gpo.gov. Once you’re on one of those sites, you can perform a search for your particular topic.

7.   I need to get a copy of HUD form X-XXX (form number).

You can find HUD forms on http://www.hud.gov/hudclips. Once you’re at the site, you can search for the particular form number you’re looking for.

8.   When I try to find the Valuation Analysis for Home Mortgage 41.50.2 Handbook on the HUD USER Website no titles come up when I enter "evaluation analysis".

HUD handbooks and notices can be accessed through HUD Clips, HUD’s online document library. The HUD Clips link is http://www.hud.gov/hudclips.

9.   I was wondering if you could provide me with a list of low-income housing in my area, and possibly within a 45-mile radius of where I live.

HUD has local offices around the country and they are a good source of information about HUD’s programs and local efforts. Each state has a least one office, and some states have more than one. Please contact your state’s field office to obtain the information you need. You can find the contact information on the HUD website at http://www.hud.gov/localoffices.cfm. Once you’ve arrived at this page, Click the link for "Local Info" on the right-hand side. Then select your state and field office.

10.   Can you tell me what types of housing your program allows for a single, 58-year old disabled woman? I would like to locate a small 1-bedroom with a small yard.

The link below will provide more detailed information about the Section 8 program: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/index.cfm.

Another resource you may find useful is your local housing counseling agency. You can locate your local counseling agency by visiting http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm or calling toll-free, 1-800-569-4287. These are HUD-approved organizations that can give you advice on buying, renting, defaults and foreclosures, reverse mortgages, etc.

11.   I am a single parent with two young children, and am currently renting in a low-income apartment with two bedrooms and with electric heat. The rent is very high and the apartment is too small for the three of us. I’m interested in buying a home, something that would be cheaper and that belongs to me. Can you help me?

To assist people in finding homes, HUD funds housing counseling agencies throughout the country. You can locate a counseling agency near you by looking at the following website: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm or by calling toll-free 1-888-569-4287. You can also try contacting the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-225-5342 or on the web at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/fharesourcectr.cfm.

12.   Is there a website that lists foreclosed HUD property? How can I get the listing?

The following website will provide you with the information you are looking for: http://www.hud.gov/homes/index.cfm. Simply click on the state in which you are located or want to buy a HUD foreclosed property.

13.   Does the U.S. Census use the same data as the U.S. Housing Market Conditions publication?

Yes, the Census uses the same data, but they revise the monthly information on a quarterly basis. Census’ monthly data, therefore, is preliminary and often changes as they revisit and refine their data. Once a year, they make a final revision to their data in an annual report.

14.   Does the US Housing Market Conditions have homeownership rates before 1994 based on ethnicity?

No, 1994 is the first year for which that information is available.

15.   I am looking for data on minority homeownership rates by state and by city. Can you refer me to a source?

We recommend you review the Housing Vacancies and Homeownership statistics, available from the U.S. Census Bureau at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/hvs.html.

16.   Is there a list of future Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis available? Is there a method for requesting such an analysis?

Currently, there is no Comprehensive Marketing Analysis Report list or timeframe for completing any reports. These reports are generated when funding is available, on an as-needed basis. You can submit a request for an analysis to HUD USER at helpdesk@huduser.org. We will forward your request to the appropriate office within HUD.

17.   I am a mortgage broker, licensed in Illinois, and I want to be an approved FHA broker in all 50 states. Is that possible?

Mortgage brokers, once certified as FHA-approved, must do business within a radius of 250 miles from their headquarters or office. You can also try contacting the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-225-5342 or on the web at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/fharesourcectr.cfm.

18.   I am a mortgage lender and am looking for your FHA Standards book and underwriting guidelines for FHA loans. Can you please help me find one or tell me where I can order one?

To obtain the information you are seeking, please use the link below and contact the FHA Resource Center.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/fharesourcectr.cfm

19.   I have found a document that’s listed on the HUD website as a publication, but cannot find it listed on HUD USER. How can I obtain a printed copy?

To order a publication or to inquire if one is available from HUD USER, please contact the HUD USER Clearinghouse at 1 (800) 245-2691. There may be a fee for the publication to cover shipping and handling, which you can securely pay using your Visa or MasterCard.

20.   Is there a link or printed material available showing the minimum foundation requirements for manufactured homes? We are looking for something to illustrate the requirements (or processes) to Realtors.

HUD USER has a publication, Permanent Foundations Guide to Manufactured Housing available that may provide you with the information you seek. To order that publication, please contact our Clearinghouse toll-free at 1(800) 245-2691. There will be a nominal fee for the publication to cover shipping and production, which you can pay using your Visa or MasterCard. You may also order this publication online at publications/destech/permfound.html. For additional information, please contact HUD's Manufactured Housing and Standards Division at 1-800-927-2891.

21.   I am looking for some rules and regulations that govern the actions of HUD renters.

The following links should provide answers to many of your questions regarding HUD renters, their rights, and regulations they need to follow:

http://www.hud.gov/renting/index.cfm

22.   I am a for-profit property owner and would like to have a document on the “Best Practices for Rental Properties." I want to give it to my property managers and tenants. Where can I find such a document?

The agency no longer publishes such information. However, you can contact the Institute of Real Estate Management, which may have documents similar to the one(s) you seek. Their website is http://www.irem.org.

23.   Our bank is interested in learning about any programs that provide benefits for persons with disabilities who are beneficiaries of a Special Needs Trust. We have learned of possible HUD benefits (mainly rental assistance) when the beneficiary “rents” the residential property owned by the Special Needs Trust. Can you please direct me to any available programs?

HUD has local offices around the country that are a good source of information about HUD’s programs and local efforts. Each state has at least one office and some states have more than one. We suggest that you contact your state’s office to obtain the information you’re looking for. You can get the contact information on the Web at http://www.hud.gov. Once you have arrived at the page, click the link for “Local Information” on the right-hand side. Then select your state and field office.

24.   How to open .exe self-extracting files on Unix and Mac operating systems?

Self-extracting .exe files are ZIP files with some additional code to enable automatic extraction for Windows machines. Most of the tools that can open a .zip file on Unix/Windows or a .sea file on Mac OS can extract the compressed contents from these files. However, these .exe files can't open automatically on Unix/Mac. These files have to be explicitly opened by tools like 'Stuffit Expander' on Mac OS or 'unzip' on Unix OS. Some of the other tools that can extract .exe self-extracting files are WinZip, ZipIt, or UnZip from Info-Zip.

25. I need help with printing pages from the browser.

If you print without setting your margins to "0" or the lowest default value, text on the right side of the page will be cut off.

Instructions for changing the margins in Firefox or MS Explorer: