WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a new opportunity for communities to expedite housing assistance for people experiencing homelessness in the Housing Choice Voucher program. Housing agencies can now request to accept self-certification of income to determine program eligibility for people experiencing homelessness. This can help shorten the amount of time it takes to move into healthy, stable homes.

“Broadening the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to keep American’s housed, HUD is doing all we can to support communities’ actions to end homelessness and transition into affordable homes.” Said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “Today’s announcement of flexibilities helps to make federal rental assistance more accessible and more quickly available to the individuals and families that need it the most.”

People experiencing homelessness often may not have the necessary documents readily available that are typically required to establish their eligibility for voucher assistance such as social security cards or pay stubs. Because missing documents can significantly delay assistance and timely access to housing, these Housing Choice Voucher waivers will allow housing agencies to accept self-certification of income, disability status, and other specific information to expedite assistance to people experiencing homelessness. Agencies must then verify tenants’ eligibility within 90 days after they begin receiving assistance.

Housing Choice Vouchers help low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities accessibility to decent and safe rental housing in the private market, and are an important part of federal, state, and local strategies to reduce homelessness. The waivers that HUD has approved are available to communities experiencing significant or rising rates of homelessness.