CHA Housing Policies

Columbia Housing Authority > What We Do > CHA Housing Policies

The CHA provides housing assistance through two major programs, 1) Public Housing; and 2) the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Each program is governed by a set of established policies which cover everything from program eligibility and admissions, to the termination of assistance.

The Public Housing program is governed by the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is governed by the Administrative Plan.

Each program is briefly described below along with a link to each policy.

Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy

The Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) is CHA’s written statement of policies used to carry out the housing program in accordance with federal law and regulations, and HUD requirements. In other words, it covers all the rules from who is eligible for public housing and how we manage our waiting lists to resident responsibilities and what kind of pet you can have. The public housing lease is based on the policies in the ACOP. HUD requires every housing agency to develop an ACOP and to make it available for public review [CFR 24 Part 903]. The policies in the ACOP support the objectives contained in CHA’s Agency Plan.

All issues related to public housing not addressed in this ACOP are governed by federal regulations, HUD handbooks and guidebooks, notices and applicable state and local laws. The policies in this ACOP have been designed to ensure compliance with the consolidated ACC and all HUD-approved applications for program funding. CHA is responsible for complying with all changes in HUD regulations pertaining to public housing. If such changes conflict with this plan, HUD regulations will have precedence.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan.

Section 8 HCV Administration Plan

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan is required by HUD. The purpose of the Administrative Plan is to establish policies for carrying out the programs in a manner consistent with HUD requirements and local goals and objectives contained in CHA’s agency plan. This Administrative Plan is a supporting document to CHA’s agency plan, and is available for public review as required by CFR 24 Part 903.

This Administrative Plan defines CHA’s local policies for operation of the housing programs in the context of federal laws and regulations. All issues related to Section 8 not addressed in this document are governed by such federal regulations, HUD handbooks and guidebooks, notices and other applicable law. The policies in this Administrative Plan have been designed to ensure compliance with the consolidated Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) and all HUD-approved applications for program funding.

CHA is responsible for complying with all changes in HUD regulations pertaining to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. If such changes conflict with this plan, HUD regulations will have precedence.

Administration of the HCV program and the functions and responsibilities of CHA staff shall be in compliance with CHA’s personnel policy and HUD’s Section 8 regulations as well as all federal, state and local fair housing laws and regulations.

HUD Acronyms and Abbreviations

HUD Acronyms

For help understanding the alphabet-soup of HUD terms and program names, click on the link above. You’ll also find this under our “Helpful Links” heading on our Home page.