24 C.F.R. § 960.603
§ 960.603 General requirements. (24 CFR Part 960)
Operative Text
(a) Service requirement. Except for any family member who is an exempt individual, each adult resident of public housing must: (1) Contribute 8 hours per month of community service (not including political activities); or (2) Participate in an economic self-sufficiency program for 8 hours per month; or (3) Perform 8 hours per month of combined activities as described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section. (b) Family violation of service requirement. The lease shall specify that it shall be renewed automatically for all purposes, unless the family fails to comply with the service requirement. Violation of the service requirement is grounds for nonrenewal of the lease at the end of the twelve month lease term, but not for termination of tenancy during the course of the twelve month lease term (see § 966.4(l)(2)(i) of this chapter).
Under 24 CFR Part 960 § 960.603, each adult resident of public housing who is not exempt must fulfill 8 hours per month of community service, participation in an economic self-sufficiency program, or a combination of both. This rule does not apply to individuals who qualify as exempt under the regulation. Leases are set to renew automatically, but a family's failure to meet this service requirement gives the housing authority grounds to decline renewal at the end of a twelve-month lease term — though it does not constitute grounds for terminating the tenancy mid-lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Public housing authorities administering leases under 24 CFR Part 960 § 960.603 generally track each adult resident's compliance with the 8-hour monthly service or self-sufficiency requirement and maintain records distinguishing exempt from non-exempt household members. Compliant operators ensure lease language reflects the automatic renewal provision while also documenting any service requirement violations that may support a nonrenewal decision at the end of a twelve-month term. Nonrenewal based on this provision is distinct from mid-lease termination, and operators typically keep those two enforcement paths clearly separated in their procedures.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 24 CFR Part 960 § 960.603, adult public housing residents who are not exempt have a right to know whether they qualify for an exemption and what activities count toward the 8-hour monthly requirement. If a housing authority attempts to terminate a tenancy during an active lease term solely on the basis of this service requirement, that action falls outside what § 960.603 permits, and residents may be able to raise that distinction as a defense. Tenants who receive a nonrenewal notice related to this provision can explore their options by contacting their local public housing authority, a HUD-approved housing counselor, or a tenant-rights organization familiar with public housing regulations.
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 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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