24 C.F.R. § 982.554
§ 982.554 Informal review for applicant. (24 CFR Part 982)
Operative Text
(a) Notice to applicant. The PHA must give an applicant for participation prompt notice of a decision denying assistance to the applicant. The notice must contain a brief statement of the reasons for the PHA decision. The notice must also state that the applicant may request an informal review of the decision and must describe how to obtain the informal review. (b) Informal review process. The PHA must give an applicant an opportunity for an informal review of the PHA decision denying assistance to the applicant. The Administrative Plan must state the PHA procedures for conducting an informal review. The PHA review procedures must comply with the following: (1) The review may be conducted by any person or persons designated by the PHA, other than a person who made or approved the decision under review or a subordinate of this person. (2) The applicant must be given an opportunity to present written or oral objections to the PHA decision. (3) The PHA must notify the applicant of the PHA final decision after the informal review, including a brief statement of the reasons for the final decision. (c) When informal review is not required. The PHA is not required to provide the applicant an opportunity for an informal review for any of the following: (1) Discretionary administrative determinations by the PHA. (2) General policy issues or class grievances. (3) A determination of the family unit size under the PHA subsidy standards. (4) A PHA determination not to approve an extension of the voucher term. (5) A PHA determination not to grant approval of the tenancy. (6) An PHA determination that a unit selected by the applicant is not in compliance with HQS. (7) An PHA determination that the unit is not in accordance with HQS because of the family size or composition. (d) Restrictions on assistance for noncitizens. The informal hearing provisions for the denial of assistance on the basis of ineligible immigration status are contained in 24 CFR part 5.
Under 24 CFR Part 982 § 982.554, when a Public Housing Authority (PHA) denies an applicant's request for housing assistance, it must promptly send a written notice explaining the reasons for that denial and informing the applicant of their right to request an informal review. The informal review must be conducted by a neutral party—someone not involved in the original denial decision—and the applicant has the opportunity to present written or oral objections. However, § 982.554(c) carves out several categories of PHA decisions, such as discretionary administrative determinations, voucher term extensions, and housing quality standard (HQS) compliance findings, for which no informal review is required.
Plain English — not legal advice.
While § 982.554 primarily governs the relationship between PHAs and voucher applicants rather than private landlords, property owners and managers who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program benefit from understanding this process. A PHA operating in compliance with § 982.554 maintains an Administrative Plan that details its informal review procedures, ensuring that denial decisions are made and communicated through a documented, structured process. Operators working with voucher holders can generally expect that applicants who have been denied assistance have had, or had the opportunity for, a review before a voucher is issued or withheld.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 982.554, if a PHA denies your application for housing assistance, you have the right to receive a written notice stating the reasons for that denial and explaining how to request an informal review. During that review, you are entitled to present written or oral objections to the PHA's decision before a neutral reviewer who was not involved in the original determination. If you believe a denial was improper, general paths available to applicants include submitting a timely informal review request as described in the PHA's notice, consulting a local tenant-rights organization familiar with HUD regulations, or contacting a HUD field office—keeping in mind that § 982.554(c) lists specific decision types for which no informal review is available.
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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