HUD's Web Publication Procedures and Style Guide

Appendix E: State Page Rules

4. Rules for the Rental Help Topic

a. Top Section

• Mandatory links:
  • Search for a subsidized apartment: Link to section 8 search - (http://www.hud.gov/sec8/sec8.cfm)
  • PHAs in state Link directly to the PHAs in your state from the HQ page (PIC) - (http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/index.cfm)
  • Contact a housing counseling agency: Same link as under "buying" - (http://www.hud.gov/local/XX/homeownership/hsgcounseling.cfm).
• Optional links:
  • Links to PHA websites: Collaborate with the local Public Housing office to create a page of PHA websites and/or email addresses in each state.

b. Other state resources section

• Mandatory links:
  • Tenant rights, laws & protections – linked page
  • Help with your utility bills - linked page
  • Find rural units for rent - link directly to your state in the USDA rural apartment search - ( http://rdmfhrentals.sc.egov.usda.gov/RDMFHRentals/select_state.jsp)
  • Independent living centers - link directly to your state from the ILRU clearinghouse ( http://www.ilru.org/jump1.htm)
• Optional links:
  • Emergency rental assistance - external link
  • State housing finance commission - external link
  • State office of community development - external link
  • LIHTC apartment search - link ( http://lihtc.huduser.org/)
  • Apartment finder (only if HUD-sponsored or -funded)

c. More from HUD box is standard for all states and contains the following links:

• Fair Housing
• Renter's checklist
• What are Housing Choice Vouchers?
• Income limits
• Landlords
• Tenants
• Senior citizens
• People with disabilities

d. Help with Your Utility Bills (sub-page): All center links optional depending on the resources available in each state, but at a minimum should link to utility companies and any state energy info, rebates, payment help, etc.

• Links box is standard for all states and contains the following links:
  • Energy Star (http://www.energystar.gov/)
  • Energy-saving tips (http://www.eere.energy.gov/)
  • Home Energy Saver (http://www.homeenergysaver.lbl.gov/)

e. Tenant Rights, Laws and Protections (sub-page): All center links optional depending on the resources available in each state. Where available include links to state landlord/tenant laws, Attorney General, and Legal assistance

• Make sure the phone number in the Need Help section is that of the local Fair Housing Hub for that state.
• More from HUD box is standard for all states and contains the following links:
  • Renter's Kit
  • Homebuyer's Kit
• Links box is standard for all states and contains the following links:
  • Fair Housing Accessibility First (http://www.fairhousingfirst.org/)
  • FairHousingLaw.org (http://www.fairhousinglaw.org)
  • Americans with Disabilities Act: (http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm)
  • National Consumer Law Center ( http://www.consumerlaw.org/)