title
Authorization to approve the FY2026 Administrative Plan.
presenter
Presenter: Cheryl Burns, Chief Housing Choice Voucher Officer
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Recommendation
The Chief Executive Officer recommends that the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Housing Authority approve the FY2026 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Administrative Plan.
The requested action complies in all material respects with applicable Chicago Housing Authority Board policies and applicable federal (HUD) regulations.
Background
Pursuant to HUD regulations, CHA is required to implement an Administrative Plan to govern its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. The HCV Administrative Plan provides the required information on the rules that CHA will follow in the administration of the HCV Program. The FY2026 HCV Administrative Plan contains updated policy changes as needed to be consistent with HUD requirements and current practice.
CHA held a 30-day public comment period from April 1, 2025, through April 30, 2025. Announcements for the public comment process appeared on CHA’s website, in the Chicago Reader, and Chicago Sun-Times. CHA also distributed resident notices across CHA properties and sent an email notification to HCV participants. Below is a brief overview of the changes.
Changes to Administrative Plan
Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA)
Per HUD guidance and Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Notice 2024-19, Public Housing Agencies must update their Administrative Plans to include HOTMA provisions by June 6, 2025. To achieve compliance with HOTMA regulations, HCV has incorporated the following changes into the Administrative Plan:
• Ch. 9 - Leasing
o Clarifies that CHA assists families finding units in Mobility areas and people with disabilities in locating units to accommodate accessibility-related needs.
• Ch. 16 - Program Administration & Ch. 17 - Project-Based Voucher Program
o Specifies that CHA does not use Small Area Fair Market Rents but offers exception payment standards in Mobility Areas.
• Ch. 17 - Project-Based Voucher Program
o Stipulates that CHA uses a noncompetitive selection process for PBV proposals if the proposed development site is on CHA-owned land.
o Stipulates that CHA may consider terminating or amending a contract if a unit no longer qualifies for excepted status or the increased program cap.
o Clarifies that in case of a family composition change where an elderly or disabled person is removed from an exempted unit, CHA will work with the participant family to identify a PBV relocation unit that meets their household needs.
Updated HUD-VASH Operating Requirements
The following change was incorporated per HUD guidance in FR-6476-N-01, which introduces new waivers and flexibilities related to HUD-VASH:
• Ch. 17 - Project-Based Voucher Program
o Stipulates that the CHA may use a noncompetitive selection process for PBV projects with units made exclusively available to HUD-VASH families on the site of a VA facility.
Respectfully Submitted:
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Angela Hurlock
Interim Chief Executive Officer