Section 243 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act 2014 (2014 Appropriations Act) authorized HUD to implement certain statutory changes to the United States Housing Act of 1937 (1937 Act) made by the 2014 Appropriations Act through notice followed by notice and comment rulemaking. Notices implementing the changes were published on May 19 2014 and June 25 2014. Consistent with statutory direction this proposed rule commences the rulemaking process to codify in regulation the statutory changes made to the 1937 Act by the 2014 Appropriations Act and to solicit comment on HUDs implementation of these changes through the published notices.

In addition this rule also proposes changes to streamline regulatory requirements pertaining to certain elements of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Public Housing (PH) and Multifamily Housing (MFH) rental assistance programs covered by the 1937 Act; to reduce the administrative burden on public housing agencies (PHAs) and MFH owners; and to align where feasible requirements applicable to all programs. One of the proposed changes would also affect the following programs which are administered by HUDs Office of Community Planning and Development: the HOME Investment Partnerships Program Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS and the Supportive Housing Program.