24 C.F.R. § 5.1003
§ 5.1003 Use of a universal identifier for organizations applying for HUD grants. (24 CFR Part 5)
Operative Text
(a) Every application for a new or renewal of a grant, cooperative agreement, capital fund or operating fund subsidy, capital advance, or other assistance, including an application or plan under a grant program that is classified by OMB as including formula grant programs, must include a unique entity identifier number for the applicant. (b)(1) Applicants or groups of applicants under a consortium arrangement must have a unique entity identifier for the organization that is submitting the application for federal assistance as the lead applicant on behalf of the other applicants. If each organization is submitting a separate application as part of a group of applications, then each organization must include its unique entity identifier with its application submission. (2) If an organization is submitting an application as a sponsor or on behalf of other applicants, and the other entities will be receiving funds directly from HUD, then the applicant or sponsor must submit an application for funding that includes the unique entity identifier of each applicant that would receive funds directly from HUD. (3) If an organization is managing funds for a group of organizations, a unique entity identifier must be submitted for the managing organization, if it is drawing down funds directly from HUD. (4) If an organization is drawing down funds directly from HUD and subsequently turning the funds over to a management organization, then the management organization must obtain a unique entity identifier and submit the number to HUD. (c) Individuals who would personally receive a grant or other assistance from HUD, independent from any business or nonprofit organization with which they may operate or participate, are exempt from this requirement. (d) In cases where individuals apply for funding, but the funding will be awarded to an institution or other entity on the individual's behalf, the institution or entity must obtain a unique entity identifier and the individual must submit the institution's unique entity identifier number with the application. (e) Unless an exemption is granted by OMB, HUD will not consider an application as complete until a valid unique entity identifier is provided by the applicant. For classes of grants and grantees subject to this part, exceptions to this rule must be submitted to OMB for approval in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Department.
Under 24 CFR Part 5 § 5.1003, any organization seeking HUD funding—whether through a new grant, renewal, cooperative agreement, capital fund, or similar assistance—must include a recognized unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application. The rule spells out how this requirement applies across different funding arrangements, such as consortium lead applicants, sponsors acting on behalf of others, and organizations that manage or draw down funds directly from HUD. Individuals applying for personal assistance are generally exempt, but when funding flows to an institution on an individual's behalf, that institution must obtain and supply the identifier. An application is not considered complete by HUD until a valid UEI is on file, unless OMB has granted a specific exemption.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing providers and property management organizations applying for HUD grants or subsidy programs covered by 24 CFR Part 5 § 5.1003 generally ensure that a valid unique entity identifier is registered and included with every application submission before the deadline. When an organization acts as a lead applicant for a consortium, manages funds on behalf of others, or draws down HUD funds directly, compliant operators confirm that the correct UEI—whether their own or that of each direct fund recipient—is documented in the application package. Keeping UEI registrations current and verifying that any management or sub-recipient organizations have obtained their own identifiers helps prevent an application from being deemed incomplete under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants and individuals who would personally receive HUD assistance independent of any business or nonprofit entity are explicitly exempt from the UEI requirement established by 24 CFR Part 5 § 5.1003. However, if HUD funding tied to an individual's application is actually awarded to an institution or other entity on that person's behalf, the institution—not the individual—bears the responsibility of obtaining and submitting the identifier. Individuals who believe an application was improperly rejected or delayed due to identifier issues may find it helpful to contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on navigating the application process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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