HUD PIH Notice § 2025-08
Statutory and Regulatory Waivers for Family Unification Program (FUP) and Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Vouchers (HUD PIH Notices)
HUD guidance — not codified law
In Force
Verified 10/26/2026 · Next check 11/2/2026
effective 10/6/2026FederalAffordable Housing ProgramsOperative Text
HUD PIH Notice § 2025-08
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON, DC 20410-5000
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING
______________________________________________________________________
Special Attention of: Notice PIH 2025-08
Directors of HUD Regional and Field
Offices of Public Housing; Issued: April 9, 2025
Agencies that Administer the Housing
Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Expires: This notice remains in effect until
amended, superseded, or rescinded.
Cross References: Notice PIH 2023-04.
____________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Statutory and Regulatory Waivers for Family Unification Program (FUP) and
Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Vouchers
1. Purpose
Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42), this notice
establishes both mandatory and optional waivers, and alternative requirements for the
Family Unification Program (FUP) and Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers.
2. Background
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42) (“2024 Act”)
authorized the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish
waivers and alternative requirements for FUP and FYI vouchers that are necessary for the
effective delivery and administration of funds. Per section 243 of the 2024 Act, HUD
may waive or specify alternative requirements for Section 8(o)(6)(A) of the United States
Housing Act of 1937 (1937 Act) (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(6)(A)) and regulatory provisions
related to the administration of waiting lists, local preferences, and the initial term and
extensions of tenant-based vouchers. Additionally, HUD may also waive or specify
alternative requirements for Section 8(x)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437f(x)(2)) regarding the timing of referral of youth1 leaving foster care. HUD
is not permitted to waive requirements related to tenant rights and protections, rent
setting, fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment.
FUP vouchers are special purpose vouchers for the following two populations:
a. Families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in:
1
Throughout this notice, the term youth refers to young adults (including pregnant and parenting youth) who are
age-eligible for FUPY or FYI.
www.hud.gov espanol.hud.gov
i. The imminent placement of the family’s child or children in out-of-home care,
or
ii. The delay in the discharge of the child or children to the family from out-of-
home care.
b. Youth who have attained at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (i.e.,
have not reached their 25th birthday) and who have left foster care, or will leave foster
care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section
475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act, and are homeless or are at risk of becoming
homeless at age 16 or older.
FUP vouchers issued to families are known as FUPF, while FUP vouchers issued to
youth are known as FUPY. FYI was created in 2019 to provide additional resources and
assistance for otherwise FUP-eligible youth. As a result, FUPY and FYI vouchers serve
the same youth population identified above in Section 2.b. FUPF, FUPY and FYI are
also special program codes used when reporting on line 2n of the Family Report (Form
HUD-50058).
FUP and FYI vouchers are subject to the requirements in Section 8(x) of the 1937 Act
and Title 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 982, 983 (as applicable) for Project-
based voucher (PBV) units and the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities (FSHO)
Amendments Federal Register (FR) Notice except as provided in this notice and any
subsequent notice issued by HUD.2
Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) administer the FUP and FYI programs in partnership
with Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs). The PCWA certifies that a family or
youth meets the eligibility requirements in Section 8(x) of the 1937 Act and refers the
family or youth to the PHA. The PHA receives the referral and determines whether the
family or youth meets HCV program eligibility requirements. The PHA conducts all
other processes relating to voucher issuance and administration. Referrals may also be
received from other agencies such as the Continuum of Care (CoC), or a State, local,
educational, philanthropic, or faith-based organization. In cases where the referral comes
from a third-party partner, the PCWA and PHA will still be responsible for determining
eligibility as outlined above, including the PCWA’s written certification that the youth is
eligible.
The alternative requirements and optional waivers described below are intended to
provide programmatic flexibilities to help FUP and FYI voucher holders lease up and
maintain stable housing. These flexibilities will increase opportunities for FUP and FYI
voucher holders to secure a decent and safe unit by reducing barriers and challenges
2
FUP and FYI vouchers can be project-based under section 8(o)(13) of the 1937 Act. If these
vouchers are project-based, the requirements in 24 CFR part 983 apply, except to the extent that
PBV requirements are modified by the waivers or alternative requirements in this notice or any
subsequent notice issued by HUD.
when searching for a unit. More importantly, they will help FUPY and FYI-eligible
youth lease a unit before reaching their 25th birthday and aging out of eligibility for the
program.
3. Applicability
The waivers and alternative requirements listed below are applicable to all PHAs
awarded FUP and FYI vouchers and PHAs that administer FUP and/or FYI vouchers
through a portability billing arrangement.
Moving to Work (MTW) agencies may not apply any flexibilities that are inconsistent
with the alternative requirements described in Section 6 below.
4. Effective Date
This notice is effective upon publication.
5. Compliance Date
PHAs must adopt the mandatory alternative requirements described in Section 6 within
120 days from publication of this notice.
6. Mandatory Program Policies. This section describes the mandatory waivers and
alternative requirements that HUD is establishing for FUP and FYI vouchers. A
summary of the mandatory waivers and alternative requirements is included in
Attachment I at the end of this notice.
a. Timing of Referral of Youth Leaving Foster Care. HUD is waiving Section
8(x)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(x)(2)), which
allows in part, for otherwise eligible youth to be referred if they will leave foster care
within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of
the Social Security Act. HUD is establishing an alternative requirement to ensure
otherwise eligible youth to be referred when leaving foster care within 180 days, in
accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social
Security Act. This alternative requirement will allow more time for the youth to find
housing with a FUPY or FYI voucher and prevent the youth from entering into
homelessness.
HUD recognizes that a longer referral timeframe may increase the likelihood that a
youth lease a unit prior to their exit from foster care. A FUPY or FYI youth may
lease a unit prior to officially leaving foster care in order to ensure a smooth transition
from foster care to independence, as long as all requirements of the FUP and FYI
programs and HCV program are met. Please note that while a youth may be referred
for a FUPY or FYI voucher before reaching the age of 18, the PHA must not enter
into a HAP contract on behalf of the youth until the youth reaches the age of
18. Further, the FUP and FYI programs are subject to the prohibition of a family
receiving “any other duplicative federal, State, or local housing subsidy, as
determined by HUD” so any arrangements made to help the youth secure a unit and
avoid any lapse in housing must be consistent with that requirement (24 CFR
982.352(c)(12)) and state law regarding the provision of foster care.
b. Initial Search Term. HUD is waiving 24 CFR 982.303(a) and 24 CFR 982 subpart
H, which requires an initial search term of at least 60 days which also applies to a
participant’s request to move to a new unit. HUD is establishing an alternative
requirement that the initial search term for FUP and FYI vouchers must be at least
120 days from the date the voucher is issued. The initial 120-day term also applies
when a family or youth chooses to move to a new unit with continued assistance
inside or outside the PHA’s jurisdiction. Many FUP and FYI applicants face
challenges in their housing search. On average, national voucher median search times
indicate that FUP and FYI applicants take longer to lease than other HCV applicants.
The lack of available affordable housing coupled with the challenges in finding units
and navigating the leasing process, especially for youth, experiencing or at risk of
homelessness, may require applicants to need additional time to search for a suitable
unit. Families may also experience additional delays due to finding a location that is
close to schools, transportation, services, and other family factors.
When issuing a FUP and/or FYI voucher to a family which includes an individual
with disabilities, PHAs also must include a current listing of available accessible units
known to the PHA, and if necessary, otherwise assist the family in locating an
available accessible dwelling unit (24 CFR 8.28(a)(3)). In HUD’s past FUP and FYI
Notices of Funding Availability/Opportunity (NOFA/NOFO), HUD stressed the
importance of housing search assistance for families and youth, as applicable, in the
form of landlord introductions, neighborhood tours and unit viewings, as best
practices to help youth and families quickly find housing that will meet their needs.
c. Extensions of Term. HUD is waiving 24 CFR 982.303(b)(1), which at its discretion,
the PHA may grant a family one or more extensions of the initial voucher term in
accordance with PHA policy as described in the PHA Administrative Plan. Any
extension of the term is granted by PHA notice to the family. HUD is establishing an
alternative requirement for the process of requesting search extensions. Given the
challenges FUP and FYI applicants may face in securing a unit, applicants should be
provided with flexible extension policies. PHAs must adopt an extension policy for
FUP and FYI applicants that includes the following: 1) each extension must be for a
minimum of 90 days, 2) the PHA must approve the first extension request, regardless
of how the request is made (written or oral) or when it is made, as long as the request
is made on or before the term expiration date and is consistent with applicable
requirements; subsequent requests should be processed in accordance with the PHA’s
administrative plan; and 3) the PHA must, on at least one occasion after voucher
issuance, notify the applicant prior to the initial term expiration, to remind them of
about the term expiration date and the process for requesting an extension of the
initial term, and to inquire if the applicant is in need of assistance with their housing
search.
The PHA’s administrative plan must describe its policies for granting extensions of
the initial 120-day term (24 CFR 982.303(b)(1)) and provide clear instructions to the
family and/or youth on the procedures for requesting an extension. Median days from
issuance to lease up for both FUP and FYI is longer than for other HCV families. As
discussed above in Section 6(b), multiple circumstances may contribute to the barriers
that FUP and FYI applicants experience in successfully leasing.
PHAs are encouraged to remind FUP and FYI applicants of the housing search
assistance that is available to them as set forth in their partnership agreements
(Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and letters of intent (LOIs)) with the PCWA
and, as applicable, other third-party entities. PHAs should be aware that the applicant
may require more than the minimum required initial extension to successfully lease
up and must grant additional extensions, if requested, in accordance with the PHA’s
administrative plan.
As part of its search extension policy, PHAs may not restrict a first extension
approval to certain circumstances or require documentation from applicants. For all
extension requests, written or oral request is sufficient. Note that this alternative
requirement also applies to current FUP and FYI participants who choose to move to
a new unit with continued assistance inside or outside the PHA’s jurisdiction, in
accordance with 24 CFR 982 subpart H.
While HUD is establishing an alternative requirement to 24 CFR 982.303(b)(1), HUD
reminds PHAs that if a family or youth with a disability requires additional time to
search for their unit, 24 CFR 982.303(b)(2) requires PHAs to provide an extension as
a reasonable accommodation and PHAs must provide this information during the
family briefing (24 CFR 982.301(a)).
d. Residency Preference. HUD is waiving Section 8(o)(6)(A) of the 1937 Act and 24 CFR
982.207(b)(1), which establishes a residency preference for admission of persons who
reside in a specified geographic area. HUD is establishing an alternative requirement
under which a PHA cannot apply a residency preference to FUP or FYI applicants. FUP
and FYI vouchers are intended to facilitate access to housing for individuals with a lack
of adequate housing or at risk of or experiencing homelessness, including but not limited
to those who are transitioning from foster care, a residency preference may prevent an
otherwise eligible applicant from accessing FUP or FYI vouchers.
7. Discretionary Program Policies. This section describes the optional waivers that HUD
is establishing for FUP and FYI vouchers to better assist FUP and FYI participants.
PHAs may choose, but are not required, to adopt any of the optional waivers set forth
below. PHAs that choose to adopt any of the following optional waivers must describe
those policies in their administrative plan (24 CFR 982.54(d)(1)). A summary of the
optional waivers is included in Attachment I at the end of this notice.
a. Waiting Lists. HCV regulations require PHAs to use a single waiting list for
admission to its Section 8 tenant-based assistance program. Accordingly, PHAs
select FUP and FYI applicants from their HCV waiting list (24 CFR 982.204(f)). The
PHA, upon receipt of a referral(s) from the PCWA of an eligible family or youth,
must compare the name(s) with families and youth already on the PHA’s HCV
waiting list. Any family or youth on the PHA’s HCV waiting list that matches with
the PCWA’s referral must be assisted in order of their position on the waiting list in
accordance with PHA admission policies. Any family or youth certified by the
PCWA as eligible and not on the HCV waiting list must be placed on the waiting list
(pending HCV eligibility determination).
To enable PHAs to more effectively allocate FUP and FYI vouchers, HUD is waiving
24 CFR 982.204(f) and establishing an optional waiver to allow PHAs to maintain a
separate waiting list for FUP and FYI vouchers. If a PHA chooses to establish a
separate FUP and FYI waiting list, it must also place all FUP and FYI applicants on
its regular HCV waiting list to the separate FUP and FYI waiting list in accordance
with their respective position on the regular HCV waiting list. A PHA should be able
to identify all of the FUP and FYI applicants on its regular HCV waiting list, since
the PHA must receive a referral3 and/or certification of eligible FUP or FYI status
from the PCWA for each applicant. However, the PHA is encouraged to reach out to
its partnering PCWA to verify that its list of FUP and FYI applicants is complete and
accurate in accordance with their records. FUP and FYI applicants will not lose their
position on the general HCV waiting list even though they will now also be placed on
the separate FUP/FYI waiting list.
PHAs must establish their own policies regarding whether to remove the applicant
from the general HCV waiting list upon being issued a FUP/FYI voucher. PHAs
should inform a youth, before choosing to receive a FUP or FYI voucher, of the time-
limited nature of the voucher assistance and whether the youth will be able to remain
on the general HCV waiting list. For example, due to the time-limited nature of
FUP/FYI assistance, PHAs may wish to keep the FYI or FUP youth on the general
HCV waiting list upon being issued a FUP/FYI voucher, in accordance with their
own Administrative Plan. This enables a youth with a FYI voucher to remain on the
general waiting list and be selected for a regular HCV upon expiration of the 36-
month limit or the expiration of the maximum extension of assistance that the youth is
entitled to in accordance with the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities (FSHO)
amendments.
i. Notification of Separate FUP/FYI Waiting List
If a PHA chooses to create a separate FUP and FYI waiting list, the PHA must
ensure that all families on its HCV waiting list are informed of the separate
3
A referral may also come from agencies other than the PCWA. In cases where a referral comes from another
organization in the community, the PCWA must certify that the youth meets the eligibility requirements under the
notice, unless the PCWA has vested another organization with this authority.
FUP and FYI waiting list and also have an opportunity to be placed on the list
should the partnering PCWA certify to their eligibility for these special
purpose vouchers. PHAs must also inform individuals on the HCV waiting
list of the separate FUP and FYI waiting list by either posting the information
to their website or providing public notice in their communities.
PHAs must ensure effective communication of notice is provided by taking a
combination of actions, which may include:
ensuring outreach to organizations serving youth, families, and other
service organizations so there is widespread awareness of the
availability of a separate waiting list and how to access this resource;
providing information on social media sites; and
other communication methods.
While the PHA will already know about FUP or FYI-eligible families because
of the required certification/referral process, this notice will ensure that if
there are any other applicants on the general HCV waiting list that would also
qualify, that they are made aware of and have an opportunity to be placed onto
the separate waiting list. When providing notice, the PHA must describe the
eligibility criteria for FUP and FYI vouchers and describe the actions an
individual should take to be added to the FUP and FYI waiting list. The PHA
notice should also make clear to applicants that if they decide to be included
on the FUP and FYI waiting list, they will not lose their position on the HCV
waiting list.
PHAs must allow sufficient time for the communication of notice described
above before issuing vouchers from the separate FUP and FYI waiting list. In
the interim, PHAs may continue to use their HCV waitlist for issuing FUP and
FYI vouchers.
ii. FUP/FYI Waiting List Selection
If a PHA chooses to create a separate FUP and FYI waiting list, PHAs may
use date and time of application in selecting an applicant from the FUP and
FYI waiting list among applicants with the same preference status in
accordance with the PHA’s administrative plan. Alternatively, a drawing or
other random choice technique may be used, when determination of the date
and time cannot be established between applicants with the same preferences,
that both qualify to be selected next from the waiting list. For PHAs that rely
on the date and time of application in determining the order in which an
applicant is selected from the FUP and FYI waiting list, HUD is waiving
982.207(c)(1) and establishing as an alternative requirement that the
application date and time of the applicant’s prior HCV application must be
used for those FUP and FYI applicants that are already on the HCV waiting
list. For example, if the PHA uses the date of application to determine the
order of selection for applicants who qualify for the same FUP and FYI
waiting list local preference, the date used to determine an applicant’s place
on the waiting list compared to other applicants who qualify for that
preference is the date of their application for the HCV program. However, the
order in which an applicant may be reached on the FUP and FYI waiting list
compared to the regular HCV waiting list may be different depending on the
local preferences the PHA establishes for the FUP and FYI waiting list.
Selection from the separate FUP and FYI waiting list will be in accordance
with local nondiscriminatory preferences that the PHA establishes for FUP
and FYI applicants. This may result in the selection of an applicant from the
FUP and FYI waiting list who was not previously on the HCV waiting list
ahead of those who were on the HCV waiting list based on the applicant’s
eligibility for a FUP and FYI waiting list preference.
b. Local Preferences. While PHAs may establish local preferences based on local
housing needs and priorities (24 CFR 982.207(a)), HCV regulations do not permit
PHAs to establish separate preferences for FUP and FYI applicants. Preferences
apply to all applicants on the waiting list. HUD is waiving 24 CFR 982.207(a)(1) and
establishing an optional waiver permitting PHAs to establish separate preferences for
FUP and FYI applicants. PHAs must ensure that their system of local preferences
and processes for accepting referrals from partners does not violate nondiscrimination
requirements under any applicable federal civil rights law, including but not limited
to, the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination Act.
8. Existing FYI Non-Competitive Requirements. As a reminder, PHAs must continue to
follow the requirements in the FYI Non-Competitive Notices. PHAs which have been
awarded non-competitive FYI vouchers may wish to consider these requirements on
selections and admissions when considering whether to implement discretionary program
policy flexibilities related to waiting list administration.
The 2024 Act and prior appropriations acts4 specified that FYI vouchers allocated
through the non-competitive process must be used to assist eligible youth who have been
identified and on whose behalf the assistance was requested. The FYI non-competitive
notices5 required that a PHA must have received a referral of an eligible youth from the
partnering PCWA before it could request an FYI voucher and that it must identify the
eligible youth by code, alias, initials, or full name in its request to HUD.
The intent of the FYI non-competitive process is to make FYI vouchers available to
4
The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116-94), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
(Pub. L. 116-260), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103), and the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328).
5
Notices PIH 2020-28, PIH 2021-26, and PIH 2023-04.
eligible youth on an on-demand basis. Therefore, the eligible youth on whose behalf the
FYI voucher was requested must be selected from the waiting list for that specific
voucher. This requirement only applies to the initial issuance of an FYI voucher allocated
through the non-competitive process. The FYI voucher must be issued to another eligible
youth upon turnover, including in instances where the youth on whose behalf the voucher
was requested does not lease with the FYI voucher.
9. Reasonable Accommodations and Effective Communication. As a reminder, PHAs
administering FUP and/or FYI vouchers and landlords receiving FUP and/or FYI
vouchers may need to provide various reasonable accommodations for individuals with
disabilities to ensure program access. HUD also reminds PHAs that all materials, notices,
and communication to families regarding the use of the waiver authorities must be
provided in a manner that is effective for persons with disabilities. This includes, but is
not limited to, the notice regarding the expiration date and extension request process.
10. Limited English Proficiency. As a reminder, PHAs must take reasonable steps to
ensure meaningful access to their programs and activities to Limited English Proficient
(LEP) individuals. As an aid to recipients, HUD published Final Guidance to Federal
Financial Assistance Recipients: Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin
Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons (LEP Guidance) in the
Federal Register on January 22, 2007 (72 FR 2732). LEP guidance and information is
available here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/01/22/07-217/final-
guidance-to-federalfinancial-assistance-recipients-regarding-title-vi-prohibition-against.
11. Information Contact. Inquiries about this notice should be directed to
FUPVouchers@hud.gov with subject field entitled “Flexibilities Notice.”
12. Paperwork Reduction Act. The information collection requirements contained in this
notice have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C 3520). In accordance with the PRA,
HUD may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection
of information unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. The
active information collections contained in this notice have been approved under the PRA
OMB Control Number 2577-0169.
__________________________
Benjamin R. Hobbs
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Public and Indian Housing
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON, DC 20410-5000
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING
Notice PIH 2025-XX
Issued: XX, 2025
Attachment I
FUP and FYI Vouchers Mandatory Alternative Requirements and Optional Waivers
Item Statutory or Brief Summary Mandatory Alternative Policy
Regulatory Use
Waiting 24 CFR Waives the requirement No PHAs may establish a waiting list separate from
Lists 982.204(f) that PHAs maintain one their HCV waiting list for FUP and FYI vouchers.
HCV waiting list. Section 7.a.
Waiting 24 CFR Waives the requirement No, unless For PHAs that opt to establish a separate FUP and
Lists 982.207(c)(1) that date and time of establishing FYI waiting list and rely on the date and time of
application, if used by the a separate application method, they must rely on the date and
PHA, applies only to the waiting list time of application for their FUP and FYI waiting
HCV waiting list. list as well. Section 7.a. ii.
Preferences 24 CFR Waives the requirement No PHAs may establish separate preferences for FUP
982.207(a) that PHAs maintain one set and FYI vouchers applicants. Section 7.b.
of HCV preferences.
Preferences Section 8(o)(6)(A) Waives the ability for Yes A PHA may not apply any residency preference to
of the United PHAs to establish a FUP and FYI vouchers applicants. Section 6.d.
States Housing residency preference for
Act of 1937; 24 FUP and FYI vouchers
CFR 982.207(b) applicants.
Initial 24 CFR Waives the ability for Yes A PHA must provide a minimum initial search term
Search 982.303(a) PHAs to use a minimum of 120 days for FUP and FYI vouchers applicants.
Term initial search term of 60 Section 6.b.
days for FUP and FYI
vouchers applicants.
Term 24 CFR Waives the ability for Yes PHAs must adopt an extension policy that includes
Extensions 982.303(b)(1) PHAs to grant first the following features: 1) each extension must be
www.hud.gov espanol.hud.gov
Item Statutory or Brief Summary Mandatory Alternative Policy
Regulatory Use
extensions at its discretion. for a minimum of 90 days, 2) the PHA must
approve the first extension request, regardless of
how the request is made or when it is made (written
or oral), as long as the request is made on or before
the term expiration date and is consistent with
applicable requirements; subsequent requests
should be processed in accordance with the PHA’s
administrative plan; and 3) the PHA must, on at
least one occasion after voucher issuance, notify the
applicant prior to the initial term expiration to
remind them of the term expiration date, the
process for requesting an extension, and to inquire
if the applicant is in need of assistance with their
housing search.
Section 6.c.
Referral Section 8(x)(2) of Waives the ability for Yes PHAs must adopt a referral policy to accept
Timeline the United States PHAs to establish a timing referrals of youth, otherwise eligible for FUP and
Housing Act of of referral of youth leaving FYI vouchers, that are leaving foster care with 180
1937 (42 U.S.C. foster care from 90 days to days in accordance with a transition plan described
1437f(x)(2)) at least 180 days. in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act.
Section 6.a.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English
PIH Notice 2025-08, issued by HUD on April 9, 2025, establishes a set of mandatory and optional modifications to how Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) administer Family Unification Program (FUP) and Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. The mandatory changes include extending the foster care referral window from 90 to 180 days, setting a minimum initial housing search term of 120 days, requiring PHAs to approve first extension requests automatically and provide each extension for at least 90 days, and prohibiting residency preferences for FUP and FYI applicants. Optional flexibilities allow PHAs to maintain separate waiting lists and establish distinct local preferences for these voucher holders, provided nondiscrimination requirements are met.
Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 7, 2026
Plain English — not legal advice.
For Property Managers
Landlords and property owners who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program may encounter FUP and FYI voucher holders who have longer search periods and more flexible extension timelines under PIH Notice 2025-08. Because PHAs are now required to grant a minimum 120-day initial search term and automatically approve first extension requests, compliant operators generally account for these extended timelines when evaluating prospective tenants holding these vouchers. Landlords are also reminded under Section 9 of the notice that reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities remain required, and that nondiscrimination obligations under the Fair Housing Act and related federal civil rights laws continue to apply fully.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For Tenants
FUP and FYI voucher holders benefit from several strengthened protections under PIH Notice 2025-08, including a mandatory minimum 120-day initial housing search period and a requirement that PHAs automatically approve a first extension request of at least 90 days without requiring written documentation. Youth transitioning from foster care may now be referred up to 180 days before leaving care, providing more time to secure stable housing before aging out of eligibility. Voucher holders who believe a PHA is not following these requirements—such as improperly denying a first extension or applying a residency preference—may contact their PHA directly, reach out to HUD at FUPVouchers@hud.gov as noted in Section 11 of the notice, or seek assistance from a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
Current
Oct 6, 2026
Click on timeline segments to view historical versions.
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.
Related Rules
§ 574.605
§ 574.605 Applicability of uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for Federal awards.
§ 574.625
§ 574.625 Conflict of interest.
§ 574.645
§ 574.645 Coastal barriers.