24 C.F.R. § 982.160
§ 982.160 HUD determination to administer a local program. (24 CFR Part 982)
Operative Text
If the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing determines that there is no PHA organized, or that there is no PHA able and willing to implement the provisions of this part for an area, HUD (or an entity acting on behalf of HUD) may enter into HAP contracts with owners and perform the functions otherwise assigned to PHAs under this part with respect to the area.
Under 24 CFR Part 982 § 982.160, when the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing finds that no Public Housing Authority (PHA) exists, or that no PHA is capable and willing to run the Housing Choice Voucher program in a given area, HUD itself—or an entity acting on its behalf—may step in to fill that role. In practice, this means HUD can sign Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts directly with property owners and carry out all the administrative functions that a PHA would normally handle. This provision ensures that the voucher program can continue operating in an area even when local PHA administration is unavailable.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in areas covered by § 982.160 should be aware that their HAP contract counterpart may be HUD or a HUD-designated entity rather than a local PHA. Compliant operators in these situations generally direct all program-related communications, inspections, and payment inquiries to whichever entity HUD has identified as the administering authority for that area. Keeping clear records of which agency issued the HAP contract and serves as the administering contact helps ensure smooth compliance with program requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 982.160, tenants in areas where HUD has assumed direct administration of the voucher program hold the same basic rights as those served by a traditional PHA, but their point of contact for program matters is HUD or its designated entity rather than a local housing authority. Tenants who believe program rules are not being followed in such an area can reach out to HUD directly, contact a local tenant-rights organization, or explore whether a formal complaint process applies to their situation. Understanding which entity is administering the program in a given area is an important first step in identifying the appropriate channel for raising concerns.
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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