Question
1: How can I become a HUD grantee?
Answer: HUD offers numerous grants through annual competitions. Our
"Grants" page offers a wide
array of information about HUD's grant programs and funding opportunities.
When grants are awarded, they are announced on that page, as well.
We also have a special "one-stop"
page for HUD grantees that provides additional information about
HUD, its programs, and its requirements. You may want to bookmark
both of these pages, and return to them regularly.
Competition for our grants is very intense. There is much more demand
for our funding than there are funds available. As a rule, successful
applications must be accompanied by a demonstrable record of achievement
and success in their chosen fields of expertise. Often, organizations
must compete in two or three annual grant competitions before they
receive a HUD award.
Question 2: How can I find out about HUD contracts?
Answer: HUD posts all of its solicitations on our web site; so you
may want to check our contracting
page regularly. In addition, you can also subscribe
to a free email notification service for HUD contracting opportunities.
On our contracting page, you can view and/or download any HUD solicitation
for which you are interested in competing. Each solicitation contains
a detailed description of the contract work requirements as well as
instructions on how, when and where to submit your bid/proposal. You
might also want to check out our "Guide
to Contracting with HUD."
Question 3: How can I get a contract to do work on HUD-owned properties?
Answer: Most of the HUD-owned single family properties are sold "as-is".
HUD has contracts with management and marketing (M&M) companies
who are responsible for these services. You may want to contact the
M&M contractor in
your area to be placed on their bidders lists for possible future
subcontracting opportunities. The same holds true for multifamily
properties. You can view a list of HUD's prime
multifamily contractors, on our website.
Question 4: How can I get a contract to build new housing for HUD?
Answer: HUD does not build housing; however, we do award grants to
others who build housing. You may want to contact one of these entities
to see if you might find contracting opportunities with them.
- HUD awards grants for construction of elderly housing and housing
for people with disabilities. We announce the grantees on our website.
- HUD provides funding to local and State governments for economic
development programs. Some of their efforts might entail new
construction. You could contact your local
or State government purchasing offices and ask to be placed
on their bidders lists for possible future contracting opportunities.
- Public housing agencies receive funds from HUD to create and
maintain assisted. You also might want to contact your local public
housing agencies to see if they have any contracting opportunities
that would be of interest to you.
Question 5: How can I get a grant or loan to start my own business?
Answer: HUD does not offer any direct funding opportunities, grants,
or specific assistance for starting a new business. Your best source
of information is your
local
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) office. The SBA has many
programs available to assist you. One good place to start is to visit
the SBA's
"Starting Your Own Business" website.
Question 6: I own a property that I would like to rent to Section
8 tenants. How do I do that?
Answer: Contact your
local
public housing agency. They can tell you about the requirements
for renting to a Housing Choice (Section 8) voucher holder and place
you on their list of potential landlords.
Question 7: Are "third party tracers" legal?
The Department has stepped up its efforts to locate homeowners who are owed FHA refunds. We have hired Immediate System Resources, Incorporated (ISRI) to find homeowners who are owed money. This will save people the "finders fees" normally collected by third party tracers. If someone from Immediate System Resources, Incorporated (ISRI) contacts you, they are officially affiliated with HUD and will help you and won't charge you to get your refund.
Other "tracer" companies are legal. But they do not represent
HUD, and they will charge you a fee. You do not have to use a tracer
to get your refund, if you are owed one.
You can read about
HUD refunds, right on our home page, including how to get yours.
Question 8: How do I become an inspector of HUD assisted and insured
properties?
Answer: We have information about
how
to become an inspector on our website.
Question 9: How can I get on the mailing list for multifamily properties
for sale?
Answer: We publish the list of
multifamily
properties for sale on our website, so you can check them there.
You also can
subscribe
to our mailing list, online.
Question 10: How can I get funds to develop housing for the elderly
or for people with disabilities?
Answer: HUD awards grants under the
Section
202 program (Supportive Housing For the Elderly) and
Section
811 program (Supportive Housing For People with Disabilities)
annually, on a competitive basis.
Funding
opportunities are announced on our website and in the Federal
Register.
Question 11: I am a real estate broker, and I'd like to sell HUD
homes. What do I need to do?
Answer: We have a section just for
real
estate brokers. There, you can find out about the requirements
for certification, how to get listings, and more.
Question 12: I work for a state/local government, and I'd like
to know the requirements that apply to HOME downpayment assistance?
Answer: Be sure to design your program to meet requirements relating
to property values, eligible applicants and the recapture/resale provisions.
You can find the
HOME
program requirements on our website.
Question 13: In determining the rent for a HOME unit, are "enhanced
Section 8 vouchers" or "sticky vouchers" considered project-based
rental assistance or tenant-based rental assistance?
Answer: In determining the rent for a HOME unit, enhanced vouchers
are considered tenant-based rental assistance. You can find out
more
about HOME rents on our website.
Question 14: What changes have been made to the methodology for
calculating Section 8 income limits? What impact will these changes
have on the calculation of HOME income limits?
Answer: The HOME income limits are calculated using the same methodology
that HUD uses for calculating the income limits for the Section 8
program, in accordance with Section 3(b)(2) of the U.S. Housing Act
of 1937, as amended. You can find out
more
about HOME income limits on our website.
Question 15: May participating jurisdictions use Section 8 "exception
rent limits" as the basis for determining HOME program rents? What
is the difference between "exception rent limits" and "HOME rent exceptions"?
Answer: Section 8 "exception rent limits" do not apply to the HOME
program and cannot be used to determine the maximum HOME program rents.
You can
read
about HOME rents on our website.
Question 16: May I use the HUD logo on my website or business cards?
Answer: Please feel free to use any of the
equal
housing opportunity icons. HUD's official seal is used only by
the Department.
Question 17: Does HUD have any job opportunities where I can work
from home?
Answer: HUD does not have any jobs specifically for work-at-home employees,
although some existing HUD employees may have some limited permission
to work from home depending on the job type and situation. You may
have seen an advertisement for work tracking down people who are due
an FHA refund. While those ads sometimes sound as if you'd be working
for HUD from your home, this agency does not endorse, regulate, monitor,
or contract out for those services.
Question 18: How can I change my information and status as a housing couseling agency?
Answer: There is a new automated system for changing Housing Counseling Agency and HECM Counselor information. Please contact the Homeownership Center
in your area if your information needs to be updated. They will introduce you to the Housing Counseling system. Find out more about Housing Counseling.