Repositioning Public Housing

Demolition and Disposition Applications (Section 18)

The demolition and disposition of public housing is authorized under Section 18 of the Housing Act of 1937 (the Act), as amended. The implementing regulation, 24 CFR part 970, was published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2006, and took effect on November 24, 2006. Minor corrections to the regulation were published in the Federal Register on January 23, 2008. HUD reviews these applications in accordance with the guidance in PIH Notice 2024-40.

SECTION 18 APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Demolition Application

Removal of public housing units or other property from the public housing stock by demoing (in whole or part). Demolished property must be obsolete as to physical condition, location, or other factors.

Disposition Application

Transfer of public housing units or other property via sale, lease or other transaction, if the transfer is justified under statutory, regulatory, notice, and other HUD criteria.

Demolition and Disposition Application

Removal of public housing units from the public housing stock by demolishing first and followed by the sale or lease of the now vacant land (in whole or part). Demolition will occur prior to the disposition of the public housing property.

Removal of public housing units from the public housing stock by demolishing first and followed by the sale or lease of the now vacant land (in whole or part). Demolition will occur prior to the disposition of the public housing property.

If demolition will occur after the proposed disposition to an acquiring entity for the demolition, then submit a disposition only application.

De Minimis Demolition (Section 18)

De Minimis Demolition authorizes PHA to demolish units under Section 18(f) of the Housing Act of 1937 (the Act) and pursuant to 24 CFR 970.27. PHAs are required to provide formal notice to the SAC prior to demolition. The PHA should look at other repositioning options before using the De Minimis.

DE MINIMIS DEMOLITION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST >

Requirements

24 CFR 970.27(a) & (b)

In any 5-year period a PHA may demolish no more than 5 dwelling units OR 5% of the total dwelling units owned by the PHA, which ever is fewer.

24 CFR 970.27(c)

The demolished unit is for meeting the service or other needs of the public housing residents (i.e., community center, laundry facility, office space, etc.) OR Beyond repair

Required Conversion (Section 33)

Conversion of public housing to tenant-based assistance is authorized through Section 22 (Voluntary Conversion) and Section 33 (Required Conversion) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, (42 U.S.C. 1437t) (the 1937 Act) and its implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 972. Conversion means the removal of public housing developments (or portions of developments) from a PHA’s public housing inventory and ACC and the provision of tenant-based assistance for the residents who lived in those developments.

Section 33 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 requires PHAs to identify developments (or parts of developments) that must be removed from the stock of public housing operated under an Annual Contributions Contracts (ACC) with HUD.

REQUIRED CONVERSION CHECKLIST

HUD's rule implementing Section 33 was published in the Federal Register via 24 CFR Part 972, Subpart A. Learn more about the Required Conversion Program, PIH Notice 2019-10.

The cost methodology that PHAs must use to compare the cost of continuing to operate developments as public housing to the cost of providing tenant-based assistance was subsequently published as an appendix to the final rule on March 21, 2006, with an effective date of April 20, 2006.

Blends RAD /Section 18 Blends

On December 26, 2024, HUD issued PIH Notice 2024-40 on the Demolition and Disposition of Public Housing under Section 18 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937. This Notice supersedes and replaces Notice PIH 2021-07.

RAD/Section 18 Process

 

Eminent Domain

Eminent Domain is an exercise of the power of government or quasi-government agencies (such as airport authorities, highway commissions, community development agencies, and utility companies) to take private property for public use. Sometimes these entities may propose to use their eminent domain authority to take public housing property.

EMINENT DOMAIN CHECKLIST

Eminent Domain takings are exempt from the requirements of Section 18 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 and 24 CFR 970. Taking bodies can proceed with a court proceeding or enter into a settlement agreement with the PHA. However, because of the federal government interest in public housing property, HUD's consent to the taking of public housing property is necessary, if a PHA would like to enter into a settlement agreement with a taking body in lieu of a court proceeding. PIH Notice 2012-08 provides guidance on the factors that HUD will consider in its decision to approve a settlement agreement. Alternatively, a PHA may choose to dispose property to a taking body under Section 18 if the disposition meets Section 18 justification criteria.

Voluntary Conversion (Section 22)

Conversion of public housing to tenant-based assistance is authorized through Section 22 (Voluntary Conversion) and Section 33 (Required Conversion) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, (42 U.S.C. 1437t) (the 1937 Act) and its implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 972. Conversion means the removal of public housing developments (or portions of developments) from a PHA’s public housing inventory and ACC and the provision of tenant-based assistance for the residents who lived in those developments.

Section 22 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 authorizes PHAs to voluntary convert public housing to tenant-based assistance.

VOLUNTARY CONVERSION CHECKLIST

Conversions must be cost-effective. HUD’s rule implementing Section 22 was published in the Federal Register on September 17, 2003, with an effective date of March 15, 2004 as 24 CFR Part 972, Subpart B.

The cost methodology that PHAs must use to compare the cost of continuing to operate developments as public housing to the cost of providing tenant-based assistance was also published as a final rule on March 21, 2006. Notice PIH 2011-62 which indefinitely extends Notice PIH 2008-35 (HA), assists PHAs in completing the cost-test analysis and in complying with the applicable cost-test requirements. Excel spreadsheets containing the calculations associated with the cost methodology are available below.

Homeownership (Section 32)

The sale of public housing units to qualifying families is authorized under Section 32 of the Housing Act of 1937 (the Act), as amended. The final rule for Section 32 Homeownership was published March 11, 2003, and became effective April 10, 2003.* Learn More.

*Homeownership programs approved before April 10, 2003, will continue to operate under the previous Section 5(h) rule. Please note that both regulations have the same number, 24 CFR 906, and are accessible from this site.

SECTION 32 APPLICATION CHECKLIST

The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA) permits PHAs, through Section 32 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, to make public housing dwelling units available for purchase by low-income families as their principal residence. Under Section 32, a PHA may do any of the following:

Public Housing Sold to Residents

The sale of an existing or newly acquired public housing unit to eligible public housing or non-public housing resident.

Financing Only Homeownership Plan

Homeownership Plan would approve a PHA's use of Capital Funds to assist public housing families in purchasing a home.

Homes Sold to Low-Income Families

Provide Capital Fund assistance to acquire homes that will be sold to eligible low-income families.

 

Retention of Public Housing Property (Part 200)

Part 200 may allow PHAs to retain public housing property after a disposition if certain criteria are met.

PART 200 RETENTION CHECKLIST

HUD PIH Notice 2016-20 (HA) provides disposition instructions for the retention of Certain Public Housing Real Property (that is no longer used or was never used for public housing dwelling purposes) Free from Public Housing Use Restrictions in accordance with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.311(c)(1)