What is a PHA Plan

The Public Housing Agency Plan is a plan that informs HUD, residents, and the public of the Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) mission for serving the needs of low-income and very low-income families and the PHA?s strategy for addressing those needs. PHAs must submit 5-year plans for tenant-based assistance and public housing programs. Some PHAs are also required to submit annual plans to supplement the 5-year plans.

Background

The PHA Plan process was established by section 5A of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.). Section 5A(b) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1(b)) was amended by the 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), Sections 2701 and 2702, Small Public Housing Authorities Paperwork Reduction Act. This amendment provided an exemption of certain qualified PHAs from the annual plan requirement.

Components of the PHA Plan

The PHA Plan consists of either one or two elements:

1. A Five Year Plan that describles the mission of the agency and its goals and objectives.
2. An Annual Plan that covers policies and procedures of the agency.

Qualified PHAs

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), Title VII, Small Public Housing Authorities Paperwork Reduction Act exempted qualified PHAs from the annual plan requirement.

A qualified PHA is a PHA that:

1. has a combined unit total of 550 or less public housing units and section 8 vouchers; and
2. is not designated troubled under section 6(j)(2) of the 1937 Act, the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS), as a troubled public housing agency during the prior 12 months; and
3. does not have a failing score under the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) during the prior 12 months.

Non-Qualified PHAs

PHAs that do not meet the defrinition of a qualified PHA are required to fully comply with all provisions of the PHA Plan including the submission a five year plan and annual plan.