2.1 Description of Services 2.1.1 Purpose of the Wait List A. The wait list establishes the order in which housing offers are made to qualified applicants. It is also the mechanism used to implement a Public Housing Authority’s (PHA) preference system. Setting up and maintaining the waiting list properly is essential to carrying out public housing admissions in accordance with HUD’s civil rights and program regulations and the PHA’s policies. B. Maintaining an up-to-date and well-managed waiting list promotes fair and consistent treatment of families, ensures that families receive assistance as quickly as possible, assists PHAs in complying with their fair housing and civil rights requirements, and is a first step in helping the PHA maintain high leasing and occupancy rates. C. PHAs must ensure effective communication with applicants, beneficiaries, and members of the public in all aspects of public housing program administration, including admissions and initial occupancy for individuals with disabilities. Similarly, PHAs must ensure meaningful program access for persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). D. A PHA has flexibility to determine whether to keep the waiting list open indefinitely or whether to open the waiting list periodically for defined application periods to refresh the applicant pool, serve particular outreach and diversity objectives, market particular bedroom size units, developments, or neighborhoods, or meet other admissions objectives. PHAs are encouraged to make this determination only after careful analysis and consideration of all circumstances, including whether the length of the waiting list makes the wait for housing unreasonably long or whether there is a sufficient number of eligible applicants to ensure that new and turnover units are occupied as quickly as possible.
