HOTMA Regulations, Proposed Ruling On Section 504 & HUD Tax Credit Audit - Latest Updates

Session 1 - Recent Changes to the HOTMA Regulations

Simplifying Medical Expense Deductions & Enhancing Standard Deduction under HOTMA

Recently, Douglas Rice, special policy adviser at HUD, unveiled the latest updates to the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA). Among the key changes, the new rule introduces an across-the-board increase in the standard deduction for all individuals. Moreover, it raises the threshold for public housing and Section 8 residents to claim additional medical expenses deductions.

This implementation, known as the Final Rule for Sections 102, 103, and 104 of HOTMA, brings several notable advantages to tenants while significantly easing administrative burdens for public housing agencies (PHAs), multifamily housing owners (MFH owners), and participating jurisdictions.

One of the primary benefits of this new rule is the reduction of paperwork and complexity surrounding medical deductions for eligible households. This streamlined approach ensures a more straightforward and accessible process for those seeking medical expense deductions.

Join this webinar on the latest updates on HOTMA regulations with industry expert Paul Flogstad to understand the positive impact of these regulatory changes on both tenants and housing authorities, fostering a more efficient and equitable system within the housing sector.

Webinar Objectives

In this session, Paul will focus on a comprehensive examination of the proposed changes, particularly those related to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Specifically, Paul will delve into the adjustments that affect their ability to deduct a specified level of medical expenses from their income.

Webinar Highlights

• Income reviews – self certification
• Streamlines verification
• Use of Income determinations from other programs
• Increased standard deduction
• Medical disability expenses
• Higher threshold for imputing income
• Hardship relief
• Asset limits
• Exclusions to income

Session 2 - How to Prepare For A HUD Or Tax Credit Audit With New Updates

This webinar will have all the new updates from HUD which are effective in September of 2022. These changes will give direction on many facets for a MOR audit. These are new guidelines from HUD having to do with a scheduled audit. This session will review and provide tips on file management as well as the physical inspection items to watch for during a MOR or tax credit audit.

In this session our expert speaker will review best practices.  There are many sections to a MOR or Tax Credit review. By attending you will learn from actual examples of pictures of “real world” mistakes.

Speaker will discuss file organization and set up. The major item in and audit are the tenant files. Each program has its own file setup, and we will cover what is needed for compliance.

Also covered is this session is physical inspection of the property. What items to look for and how they affect the overall score on the audit.

Session will also review best practices. This is important for landlords to understand to keep them from doing something that will result in a fair housing violation.

Webinar Agenda

Many audits of both HUD and Tax Credit focus on file management. If the files are not in order you will have a finding. Each type of financing has a specific order of content for their files. A discussion of this topic will let you know what is needed to be compliant.

Webinar Highlights

This session will give you strategies for you to get an “A” on your audit. Many tools will be added to your toolbox of options for a good audit.

Session 3 - Proposed New Ruling on Section 504

In announcing its planned overhaul, HUD acknowledged that its existing Section 504 rules need to be updated to address emerging issues and solicited comments on a variety of questions about the current Section 504 rules and how they should be revised. These include, among others, questions about whether the current definition of an “individual with disabilities” should be changed; whether the current new construction rules, requiring 5% of units be mobility-accessible and 2% of units be visual- and hearing-accessible, adequately meet the needs of persons with disabilities; and whether the accessibility needs of persons receiving housing choice vouches and other tenant-based assistance are being met.

This webinar will cover many of these proposed rule changes. These include:

• Revisions to the definition of “individuals with disabilities” to be consistent with the ADA Amendment Acts of 2008 and DOJ’s Title II ADA regulations.
• Examples of direct and indirect discrimination against those with mental or physical disabilities in securing affordable housing.
• Auxiliary Aids and Services in Housing and Community Development Programs and Activities. Revisions to the definition of “individuals with disabilities” to be consistent with the ADA Amendment Acts of 2008 and DOJ’s Title II ADA regulations.504

Webinar Agenda

This webinar will cover all 13 proposed rule changes. HUD is still accepting comments from the public as to how the rule changes will affect the properties.

Webinar Highlights

• The definition of “individual with disabilities”
• Prohibitions on discrimination and include examples of discriminator
• Ensure effective communication with applicants
• Newly constructed housing and non-housing facilities be designed and constructed to be readily accessible.
• Vouche Tenant-based
• One Federal accessibility law and architectural standard
• Deeming Notice
• Administering the Nation's federally assisted housing programs
• Considering how advances in the design and construction field impact accessible housing developments
• Reasonable accommodation
• Two types of investigations under its Section 504

Who Should Attend

• Property owners
• Property managers
• Leasing agents
• Builders
• Developers
• Realtors
• Housing Authorities
• Managers
• Owners
• Attorneys
• Compliance staff
• Maintenance Staff
• Individuals involved or interested in housing policies, public housing agencies (PHAs)
• Multifamily housing owners (MFH owners)
• Policymakers
• Advocacy groups working on housing and disability issues
• Senior citizen organizations
• Social Worker
• Anyone concerned about the welfare and rights of seniors and people with disabilities in relation to housing and medical expense deductions.