HUD HCV Guidebook § 10
Background Screening (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
PHAs are required57 to conduct criminal background screenings to determine if any household member is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement for all states in which the household members are known to have lived. PHAs are also required58 to obtain a criminal background check at the request of the owner. PHAs are also required to utilize the Debts Owed to PHAs & Terminations Report to identify any previous evictions that are listed on HUD or the PHA’s required reasons for denial of admission.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 10, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) must perform criminal background screenings on all household members to check for lifetime sex offender registration requirements across every state where those members are known to have lived. PHAs are also obligated to run a criminal background check when a property owner requests one, and they must consult the Debts Owed to PHAs & Terminations Report to identify prior evictions that appear on HUD's or the PHA's list of mandatory denial reasons. These requirements establish a baseline screening process that PHAs must follow when evaluating applicants for the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 10, owners participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program have the right to request that the PHA conduct a criminal background check on prospective tenants. Compliant operators typically communicate this request to the PHA during the tenant screening process and keep records of any such requests. Understanding what the PHA is required to screen for can help owners align their own screening policies with the program's standards.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 10 governs how PHAs must screen applicants, including checks for lifetime sex offender registration status and review of the Debts Owed to PHAs & Terminations Report for prior evictions. Applicants who believe a screening determination was made in error may have the right to request an informal hearing or review through the PHA's grievance process. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid providers can help applicants understand what information was used in a denial decision and what options may be available to challenge it.
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 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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