Two New HUD Notices Rescind Flexibilities for HCVs, Public Housing, EHVs, and Stability Vouchers

By: Tushar Gurjal, Senior Policy Manager

March 6, 2026 – Earlier today, HUD published two notices. The first notice is titled “Rescission of Notice PIH 2024-17” (Notice PIH 2026-04), while the second notice is titled “Revision to Emergency Housing Voucher and Stability Voucher Program” (Notice PIH 2026-05). The collective effect of both notices is to rescind flexibilities that HUD had accorded to housing agencies in administering these programs.

Rescission of Notice PIH 2024-17

The first notice rescinds Notice PIH 2024-17 titled “Streamlined Review Process for Regulatory Waivers to Expedite Admission to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-based Voucher (PBV), and Public Housing Programs for Persons Experiencing Homelessness.” The rescinded notice discusses flexible verification policies that PHAs were previously allowed to use. They include the following:

1. The Verification of Social Security Numbers – this—now rescinded—notice allowed PHAs to accept self-certification of social security numbers if the individual provided a third-party document (e.g., bank statement, utility bill, cell phone bill, etc.) with the name of the individual, if the person was unable to get their social security card or an original document with that information from the government. If the tenant passed an Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) check, no additional verification was needed, but if the tenant did not, then they would have to provide appropriate social security documentation.
2. Date of Written, Third-Party Verification – the rescinded notice allowed housing agencies to use third-party income documentation dated with 120 days of when the PHA received it and for fixed income sources within the benefit year. Previously the requirement was 60 days.
3. Self-Certification of Zero Income – the rescinded notice stated that PHAs may accept self-certification of zero income prior to admission, but the PHA had to verify using the EIV system within 120 days.

This rescinded notice also created a streamlined process to apply for waivers related to the following:

1. Third-Party Verification of Date of Birth and a Person’s Disability Status – the rescinded notice previously allowed PHAs to request a waiver to allow people experiencing homelessness to provide self-certification for date of birth or disability status, though the PHA would have to verify that status within 90 days.
2. Third-Party Verification of Income and Assets – the rescinded notice previously allowed PHAs to request a waiver to allow self-certification for income and assets to families experiencing homelessness (if the family is not able to immediately provide third-party documentation when asked) to verify eligibility. Nonetheless, the PHA would need to verify within 90 days of entering into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract or being admitted to a Public Housing or Project-Based Voucher property.

Waivers that have already been approved remain active until their expiration dates.

Revision to Emergency Housing Voucher and Stability Voucher Program

The second notice rescinds the flexibility in the Emergency Housing Voucher program and the Stability Voucher program that allowed housing agencies to delay collecting social security documentation and citizenship documentation within 180 days of admission. Instead, those programs must now follow the regulations in the regular program regarding submission of evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status.

The first notice titled “Rescission of Notice PIH 2024-17” (Notice PIH 2026-04) can be found here.

The second notice titled “Revision to Emergency Housing Voucher and Stability Voucher Program” (Notice PIH 2026-05) can be found here.