Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP)

Information by State  Print version   jump to...   What is the Section eight management assessment program?   How does SEMAP improve program performance?   What are the 14 key indicators of performance?   How does SEMAP work?   What happens if a PHA does not perform adequately on any of the 14 indicators or is assigned an overall performance rating of troubled?   What regulations cover this program? Related Information   SEMAP forms and guidance   24 CFR Part 985   PIH Notices

How does SEMAP improve program performance?
SEMAP will help HUD target monitoring and assistance to PHA programs that need the most improvement.

What are the 14 key indicators of performance?
The 14 indicators of performance show whether PHAs help eligible families to afford decent rental units at a reasonable subsidy cost as intended by Federal housing legislation.

The 14 key indicators of PHA performance are:

• Proper selection of applicants from the housing choice voucher waiting list
• Sound determination of reasonable rent for each unit leased
• Establishment of payment standards within the required range of the HUD fair market rent
• Accurate verification of family income
• Timely annual reexaminations of family income
• Correct calculation of the tenant share of the rent and the housing assistance payment
• Maintenance of a current schedule of allowances for tenant utility costs
• Ensure units comply with the housing quality standards before families enter into leases and PHAs enter into housing assistance contracts
• Timely annual housing quality inspections
• Performing of quality control inspections to ensure housing quality
• Ensure that landlords and tenants promptly correct housing quality deficiencies
• Ensure that all available housing choice vouchers are used
• Expand housing choice outside areas of poverty or minority concentration
• Enroll families in the family self-sufficiency (FSS) program as required and help FSS families achieve increases in employment income.

How does SEMAP work?
SEMAP is used to remotely measure PHA performance and administration of the housing choice voucher program. SEMAP uses HUD's national database of tenant information and information from audits conducted annually by independent auditors. HUD will annually assign each PHA a rating on each of the 14 indicators and an overall performance rating of high, standard, or troubled. Metropolitan PHAs will also be able to earn bonus points for their achievements in encouraging assisted families to choose housing in low poverty areas.

What happens if a PHA does not perform adequately on any of the 14 indicators or is assigned an overall performance rating of troubled?
Either of these cases requires corrective action. HUD will conduct on-site reviews of PHAs rated troubled to assess the magnitude and seriousness of the problems. The PHA must implement a thorough corrective action plan that HUD will monitor, to ensure improvement in program management.

What regulations cover this program?
Regulations are found at 24 CFR 985.