Failure to properly report any change is cause for termination of tenancy and/or housing assistance payments; and, if applicable, shall require a retroactive rent charge.

Whenever additional members are being added to the household (other than newborn children), written permission must be obtained (in advance) from the Housing Authority and the landlord. A person being added to the household must meet the Housing Authority's eligbility requirements and standards prior to being added to the household. The same standards of eligbility and tenant suitability that the Housing Authority uses for applicants shall be used in evaluating a person who is joining a Family already in occupancy.

Processing Interims

Upon receipt of the reported information, the changes will be processed in the following manner:

If the change qualifies for an interim review, the Housing Authority will:

1. Consider all changes (current and previous).
2. Notify the tenant within 14 business days that the review will be conducted.
3. Always give the tenant 30 days written notice of a rent increase.

If the changes do not qualify for an interim review, the authority will notify the tenance within 30 calendar days that the review will not be conducted.

Whenever there is evidence that additional changes to income for family composition will occur as a result of the reported changes, the Housing Authority reserves the right to delay processing an interim review for a period not to exceed 30 days.

Effective Date of Rent Changes

Increased Tenant Rent

1. If the change has been reported as required, the increased rent shall be made effective the first of the second month following the month in which the change in family income or composition occurred.

2. If the change has been reported as required, and the processing of the interim review is delayed due to the fault of the Housing Authority, the rent increase shall be effective the first of the month 30 days following the processed change.

3. If the change has not been reported as required, or if the tenant fails to provide the required information, the family shall be determined to have caused an unreasonable delay in the interim review process. The rent will be increased the first of the month 30 days following the processed change. However, the effective date of the increase will be the first of the month following the date the change occurred. Any money due the Housing Authority as a result of the difference between the date the rent was increased and the effective date of the increase will be charged to the tenant as retroactive rent.

Decreased Tenant Rent

1. If the change has been reported as required prior to the 20th day of the month, a decrease in tenant rent shall be effective the first of the month following the change. If the change has been reported after the 20th day of the month, a decrease in rent shall be effective the first of the second month following the month in which the change occurred. However, no downward rent adjustments shall be processed until all of the facts have been verified, even if a retroactive adjustment results.

The Housing Authority will not reduce the total tenant payment because of a reduction in the family's welfare assistance specifically because of fraud or failure to participate in an economic self-sufficiency program or to comply with a work activities requirement. This exception does not apply if the reduction results from:

a. The expiration of a lifetime limit on receiving benefits;
b. When a family has sought, but cannot find, employment;
c. The family has complied with welfare program requirements but loses welfare because of a durational time limit such as a cap on welfare benefits for a period of no more than two years in a five-year period; or

2. If the change has not been reported as required, a decrease in tenant rent shall be effective the first of the second month following the date the change was reported.