HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 4-19
Updating Waiting List Information (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
A. The owner should update the waiting lists annually or semi-annually to ensure
that applicant information is current and that any names that should no longer be
on the list are removed.
B. If the household composition changes, the owner must update the waiting list
information and decide whether the household needs the same or a different unit
size. The owner’s written policy will determine if the family maintains the original
application date or if the place on the waiting list is based on the date of the new
determination of family composition.
C. The owner must establish occupancy standards as part of the property’s tenant
selection plan and consistently apply those standards in assigning unit size to
applicants. (See paragraph 3-23 for more information about occupancy
standards.)
Example - Applicant Change in Household Composition
The Chiu family applied to the Dogwood Apartments project on 5/12/01. They
have been assigned to the two-bedroom waiting list. The family includes Liang
and Jun Chiu and a 3-year-old daughter. On 2/21/02, Jun Chiu gives birth to
twins. The family notifies Dogwood of this change in family composition on
2/25/02. The family is now in need of a three-bedroom unit.
The owner's policy in the tenant selection plan for the property allows a family to
have as many as two-persons per bedroom, but permits larger units based on the
age differences between children and the relationships of adults.
Because the family size now results in more than two persons per bedroom in a
two-bedroom unit, the owner must now move the family to the three-bedroom
waiting list, with an application date of 5/12/01. The owner’s written policy allows
the applicant to retain the original application date.
If there are no three-bedroom units in the property, the family must be notified that
they are not eligible for the property and removed from further consideration on
the waiting list. This action must be documented on the waiting list, and proper
written notification must be provided to the family.
D. If the applicant contact information changes, such as the address or phone
number, the owner must note the new information and the date it was received
on the application submitted by the family and must ensure that the waiting list
(either manual or electronic) is accurately updated.HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 4-19 establishes how property owners participating in HUD-assisted housing programs must maintain their waiting lists. Waiting lists should be reviewed and refreshed at least once or twice a year to keep applicant information accurate and remove outdated entries. When a household's composition or contact details change, the owner is required to update the waiting list accordingly and reassess whether the household qualifies for the same unit size or a different one. Occupancy standards must be set in writing and applied consistently to all applicants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 4-19, compliant operators typically conduct annual or semi-annual waiting list reviews to remove stale entries and verify applicant data. When a household reports a change in family composition or contact information, operators document the change on the original application and update the waiting list promptly, then reassess unit-size eligibility against their written occupancy standards. The property's tenant selection plan should clearly state whether a household retains its original application date or receives a new date when a composition change triggers a unit-size reassignment, and that policy must be applied consistently across all applicants.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4-19 of HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 gives applicants on HUD-assisted housing waiting lists certain protections when their circumstances change. If your household grows or shrinks, or if your contact information changes, notifying the property owner in writing creates a record that the owner is required to reflect on the waiting list, and the property's written policy governs whether your original application date is preserved. If you believe your waiting list position was incorrectly changed or that you were improperly removed following a household change, tenant-rights organizations and HUD's complaint process are among the general paths available 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 25, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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