Procedure on Waiting List Closure
General
Keeping the entire public housing waiting list open when an applicant's average wait exceed two years consumes an excessive amount of staff time.
Housing authorities are permitted to close all or a part of their public housing waiting list, depending on factors such as their turnover rate, existing vacancy patterns, and the way Preferences are structured in their Admission and Occupancy Policy.
The waiting list may only be closed if there are sufficient applications in the top priority category to fill projected vacancies for several months. The Admissions and Occupancy Policy calls for one year's worth of applicants.
It is permissible to have only preference lists open, to close lists by bedroom size, by unit type (Mixed population, general occupancy), etc. (See 24 CFR § 960.207(b)
The PHA will use the following method to determine whether the waiting list(s) may be partially or completely closed. The PHA may elect to close lists by program (public housing or Section 8/Vouchers), type (elderly or nonelderly) or by bedroom size.
1.01 How to Determine When the Waiting List May Be Closed
a. Staff will compute the average number of moveins per year by type and size of unit over the past two years. (See 24 CFR 960.211 (b) (2) (ii)
b. The waiting list will then be examined to determine how many applicants there are already in the "top priority" categories established by the PHA's preference system in the A & O Policy, and the category of Preferences for which applicants qualify.
c If the number of "top priority" applicants in the highest preference categories is less than the average number of moveins per year, the waiting list may not be closed.
d. If the number of "top priority" applicants is equal to or greater than the average number of moveins per year, the waiting list may be closed because the average wait of a new applicant in the "top priority" category would be more than one year. (See 7465.1 REV1 23(3)
e. At any point after the waiting list has been closed, if the number of applicants on the "top priority" category drops below the average number of moveins per year, the PHA will reopen the waiting list and begin to take new applications. The PHA may elect to accept applications only from individuals who qualify for the "top priority" preference categories.
f. When the waiting list is to be closed or reopened, a sign will be placed in the lobby and an advertisement will be placed in the newspaper. The sign and ad will indicate which waiting lists are affected (By program, type and bedroom size) and what restrictions apply (e.g. Preference holders).
Abt Associates Procedure on Closing the Waiting List Page 1