Public Housing

HUD writes and publishes regulations to implement public housing laws enacted by Congress. HUD contracts with the Public Housing Authority (PHA) to administer programs in accordance with HUD regulations and provides an operating subsidy to the PHA. The PHA must create written policies that are consistent with HUD regulations. Among these policies is the PHA's Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP). The ACOP must be approved by the board of commissioners of the PHA.

The job of The Bluefield Housing Authority (BHA) pursuant to HUD regulations is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing, in good repair, to low-income families at an affordable rent. BHA screens applicants for public housing and, if they are found eligible and accepted, BHA offers the applicant a unit. If the applicant accepts the offer, BHA will enter into a contract with the applicant known as the lease. At this point, the applicant becomes a tenant of the public housing program.

Since BHA owns the public housing development, BHA is the landlord. BHA must comply with all the legal and management responsibilities of a landlord in addition to administering the program in accordance with HUD regulations and BHA policy.

BHA receives its operating subsidy for the public housing program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. BHA is not a federal department or agency. A Public Housing Agency (PHA) is a governmental or public body, created through state-enabling legislation to develop and operate housing and housing programs for low-income families. BHA enters into an Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) with HUD to administer the public housing program. BHA must ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and notices and must establish policies and procedures to clarify federal requirements and to ensure consistency in program operation.