- Guides and Training Manuals
Date Published: April 2022
The purpose of the HCV Landlord Strategies Guidebook for PHAs is to share strategies that public housing agencies (PHAs) can implement to improve landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
In an attempt to provide all PHAs regardless of size or location with tools they can use, the Guidebook includes a range of strategies that vary in cost and complexity.
View additional HCV Landlord Resources.
This Guidebook is part of the work being done by the HCV Landlord Task Force, which was launched in 2018. As part of this initiative, the Task Force conducted several landlord listening forums nationwide as well as multiple focus groups and interviews with individual PHAs. The information contained in this Guidebook is designed to help address many of the concerns voiced by landlords and PHAs by sharing landlord engagement strategies that PHAs have noted as being effective.
The strategies broadly aim to:
PHAs are encouraged to read the entire chapter, and not just an individual strategy, as many strategies in a chapter are related information that is transferrable.
Each strategy begins with a snapshot that PHAs can use to help them determine if the strategy fits the PHA and its resources.
The snapshot includes:
These items are included to provide PHAs with an indication of the amount of resources that a strategy might require. They are not intended to discourage strategy implementation as there are variations of each strategy that can be suited to a range of PHAs and modified to fit different budgets and PHA resources.
For the purposes of this Guidebook, the term “landlord” includes rental property owners, managers, assistant managers, and real estate brokers who are involved in rental housing.
Below are general guidelines on using HCV program funding for implementing financial incentives as part of your strategies to improve landlord participation in your HCV programs. These guidelines are applicable for non-Moving To Work (MTW) agencies. Any use of funds must be consistent with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Choosing the Right Strategies for Your Community
Administrative Flexibilities to Enhance Landlord Satisfaction
Entry Points into the Guidebook
Landlord-Focused Customer Service
Monetary Incentives and Reimbursement Funds
Appendix A: Data Points for Measuring Progress
Appendix B: Sample Sign-In Sheet
Appendix C: Sample Tenant Training Certificate
Appendix D: Sample PHA Website
This Guidebook was developed between 2020-2022. Information in this Guidebook is subject to change. Please consult the most current rules and regulations to ensure compliance.
This Guidebook and the strategies recommended throughout the Guidebook would not have been possible without the thoughtful input from PHAs from around the country. These PHAs, both big and small, urban, and suburban, include:
Thank you for your participation in the series of focus groups and interviews that led to the development of the Guidebook. The strategies developed through your input has the propensity to impact PHAs around the country for many years to come.
Comments or questions about the guidebook can be sent to landlordtaskforce@hud.gov.
Additionally, HUD would love to hear about innovative strategies that PHAs are using to increase landlord participation and satisfaction in the HCV program. If you have a strategy, or an innovative twist on a strategy, that is not included in this Guidebook, please send an email to landlordtaskforce@hud.gov.