Notice of Request for Public Comment

PROPERTY:
Norton Apartments at Bellevue
1450 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33756

ITEM:
Revised Tenant Selection Plan (TSP)

The revised TSP, along with an itemized listing of all changes can be viewed online at the links below or onsite at the Norton Apartments Leasing Office located at 1450 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756.

Click here to review the Tenant Selection Plan Document.

Click here to review the Tenant Selection Plan Spreadsheet.

SUMMARY:
On July 29, 2016, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development signed into law the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA). The HOTMA statue (Public Law 114-201, 130 Stat.782), updates and creates new rules for programs administered by the Office of Multifamily Housing (MFH). Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA) is required to update their Tenant Selection Plan to reflect HOTMA rules and discretionary policies by March 31, 2024.

In accordance with HOTMA rules, the PCHA request public comment on the revised TSP for Norton Apartments at Bellevue from all interested individuals. The purpose of this notice is to allow 30 days for public comment.

DATES:
Send comments by March 31, 2024.

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS:
All comments must be in writing and submitted through the methods specified in the Addresses section below. Please include your name, postal address, telephone number, and email address in the text of the message. Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are public record. We recommend that you do not submit detailed personal information or any information that is otherwise protected from disclosure by statute.
The contract administrator for Norton Apartments at Bellevue will only address comments that explain why the revised Tenant Selection Plan would be inappropriate, ineffective, or unacceptable without a change. Comments that are insubstantial or outside the scope of the notice of request for public comment may not be considered.

ADDRESSES:
You may submit comments by MAIL to:

North Tampa Housing Development Corporation (NTHDC)
4300 West Cypress Street, Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33607

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

North Tampa Housing Development Corporation (NTHDC)
Phone: 813-873-8200

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The purpose of this notice is to provide information on the implementation of the many program changes brought about by the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) sections 102 and 104 and detailed in the final rule published in Federal Register Notice 88 FR 9600 on February 14, 2023.

HUD is modernizing its documentation requirements to reduce the burden on families accessing housing assistance in support of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memo M-22-10, Improving Access to Public Benefits Programs Through the Paperwork Reduction Act.

HOTMA was signed into law on July 29, 2016 (Public Law 114–201, 130 Stat. 782). The HOTMA statute consists of 14 sections of law that affect the Public Housing and Section 8 rental assistance programs. On September 17, 2019, HUD issued a proposed rule to update its regulations according to HOTMA’s statutory mandate. The proposed rule may be found at 84 FR 48820 (September 17, 2019).

Sections 102 and 104 of HOTMA make sweeping changes to the United States Housing Act of 1937 (1937 Act), particularly those affecting income calculations and reviews. Section 102 changes requirements related to income reviews for Public Housing and Section 8 programs. Section 104 sets maximum asset limits for Public Housing and Section 8 applicants and participants.

Because these HOTMA changes apply to all current participants and new admissions, implementation of the HOTMA final rule cannot be achieved immediately on a universal basis but rather is an ongoing process that will happen over the course of a year as routine program activities occur.

Compliance Date and Required Actions for Multifamily Owners (Office of Multifamily Housing)

By March 31, 2024:

• By March 31, 2024, MFH Owners must update their Tenant Selection Plans and EIV policies and procedures to reflect HOTMA rules and discretionary policies.
• MFH Owners must make the revised Tenant Selection Plan publicly available.

Note: MFH Owners must continue to follow their existing Tenant Selection Plans and EIV policies & procedures until the MFH Owner’s software is compliant with TRACS 203A.

What Multifamily Owners must do once their software is HOTMA compliant:

Once a MFH Owner’s software is HOTMA compliant (i.e., TRACS 203A system requirements have been fully implemented), the following things must happen:

• MFH Owners must provide tenants at least 60 days’ notice that their lease will be modified at the end of the lease term after the expiration of the 60 days’ notice. Once proper notice is given, MFH Owners must begin using the revised Model Leases at the expiration of a family’s lease term.
• MFH Owners must implement their revised Tenant Selection Plans and EIV policies and procedures.
• All tenant data submissions must comply with the HOTMA regulations. Prior to their first reexaminations under HOTMA, MFH Owners must inform families that their income determinations will be conducted in accordance with the HOTMA final rule. As a best practice, HUD recommends that MFH Owners describe to families how their income determinations will change with the implementation of the final rule.
• MFH Owners must use the revised Tenant Consent form (form HUD–9887/9887A) and Fact Sheets (“How Your Rent is Determined”). Note: These documents have not been updated by HUD by time of this notice.

Full compliance with the HOTMA final rule is mandatory effective January 1, 2025.