HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 2-9
Civil Rights Related Program Requirements (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
A. HUD-subsidized multifamily housing properties are subject to Civil Rights
Related Program Requirements developed under civil rights authorities. These
requirements reflect HUD’s obligation to ensure that the programs and activities
that receive federal funds comply with federal civil rights laws.
B. Some of the Civil Rights Related Program Requirements include, but are not
limited to, the items listed below.
1. Occupancy policies, which include the following:
a. Application requirements;
b. Waiting list requirements; and
c. Tenant selection requirements.
2. Use of residency preferences in a manner that does not have a disparate
impact on members of any class of individuals protected by federal civil
rights laws.
3. Consistent maintenance requirements; and
4. Consistent policies across properties owned by the same owner to ensure
against steering, segregation, or other discriminatory practices.
C. **Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English
Proficiency (LEP). Executive Order (E.O.) 13166 requires Federal agencies
and grantees to take affirmative steps to communicate with persons who need
services or information in a language other than English.
1. Housing owners must take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access
to the information and services they provide for persons with LEP. This
may include interpreter services and/or written materials translated into
other languages.
2. HUD specific LEP Guidance, “Final Guidance to Federal Financial
Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National
Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons” was
published in the Federal Register on January 22, 2007.”HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 2-9 establishes that federally subsidized multifamily housing must comply with a set of Civil Rights Related Program Requirements rooted in federal civil rights law. These requirements govern how properties handle applications, waiting lists, and tenant selection, and they prohibit practices that could have a disparate impact on protected classes or result in steering or segregation. Additionally, under Executive Order 13166, housing owners are required to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to information and services for people with limited English proficiency, which may include interpreter services or translated written materials.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of HUD-subsidized multifamily properties covered by § 2-9 of HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 generally maintain occupancy policies—including application procedures, waiting list management, and tenant selection criteria—that are applied consistently and do not produce disparate impacts on federally protected classes. Compliant operators also apply uniform maintenance standards and consistent policies across all properties they own to guard against steering or segregation. Where a property serves residents with limited English proficiency, operators typically arrange for interpreter services or translated materials to satisfy the affirmative access obligations imposed by Executive Order 13166 and HUD's 2007 LEP Guidance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 2-9, residents and applicants at federally subsidized multifamily properties have protections against discriminatory occupancy policies, unequal maintenance, and practices that steer or segregate tenants based on membership in a protected class. Individuals with limited English proficiency have a right to reasonable language access to the property's information and services, consistent with Executive Order 13166 and HUD's published LEP Guidance. Those who believe these civil rights requirements have been violated may consider filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with federal fair housing law.
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 25, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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