Chapter I: General Information


Section D: Roles and Responsibilities

To administer the HCV program, MSHDA enters into contractual relationships with three parties: HUD, the owner, and the participant. The roles and responsibilities of HUD, MSHDA, the owner, and the participant are defined in the federal regulations and in the legal documents which the parties execute in order to participate in the program.

1. The Role of HUD

HUD has four major responsibilities:

  1. Develop policy, regulations, handbooks, notices, and other guidance which interpret housing legislation;
  2. Allocate housing assistance funds;
  3. Provide technical assistance and training to Housing agencies (HAs); and
  4. Monitor MSHDA compliance with program requirements and production goals.
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2. The Role of MSHDA

MSHDA serves as a contract administrator for HUD and has the following broad areas of responsibility:

  1. Examination and re-examination of tenants;
  2. Outreach to owners outside of areas of poverty or racial concentration;
  3. Compliance with equal opportunity requirements;
  4. Assistance to disabled persons to help them find satisfactory housing;
  5. Approval of units and leases;
  6. HAP to owners;
  7. Informal reviews and hearings;
  8. Compliance with federal and local rules;
  9. Administration of the FSS program;

MSHDA must comply with HUD regulations and requirements, the consolidated ACC, the HUD-approved applications for program funding, and MSHDA’s Administrative Plan.

MSHDA does not act as the owner, as occurs in the public housing program.

MSHDA’s responsibilities are defined in the Consolidated ACC, the Voucher, the Housing Voucher Contract, and the Code of Federal Regulations.

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3. The Role of the Owner

The owner has the following major responsibilities:

  1. Tenant selection (screening) and leasing;
  2. Compliance with the HCV contract;
  3. Normal owner functions during the lease term
  4. Maintaining the unit in accordance with HQS;
  5. Complying with equal opportunity requirements;
  6. Paying for utilities and services (unless paid for by the participant under the lease);
  7. Collection of amounts due from the participant under the lease.
  8. Enforcement of the lease.
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4. The Role of the Participant

The participant must:

  1. Supply required information which is true and complete including:
    1. Any information that MSHDA or HUD determines is necessary in the administration of the program including evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status;
    2. Information as requested for regular or interim re-examinations;
    3. Social Security numbers and signed consent forms for obtaining and verifying information.
  2. Rectify any breach of HQS caused by the participant.
  3. Allow MSHDA to inspect the unit at reasonable times and after reasonable notice.
  4. Not commit any serious or repeated violation of the lease.
  5. Not engage in drug-related or violent criminal activity.
  6. Notify MSHDA and the owner before moving or terminating the lease with the owner.
  7. Promptly give MSHDA a copy of an eviction notice from the owner.
  8. Use the assisted unit only as a residence and as the only residence of the family. Members of the household may engage in legal profit making activities within the unit, but only if those activities are incidental to the primary use of the unit as a residence. The members of the family also may not receive another housing subsidy.
  9. Promptly inform MSHDA of any change in household composition and obtain MSHDA and landlord approval to add a family member by any means other than birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child.
  10. Notify MSHDA of any absence from the unit and comply with MSHDA policies governing absence from the unit.
  11. Not sublet the unit or assign the lease or have any interest in the unit.
  12. Not commit fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with assisted housing programs.

Family obligations are defined in the Housing Voucher, and in the Code of Federal Regulations.


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