Resources
Practical guides, regulatory updates, and answers to the questions we hear most often — everything you need to stay informed and ahead of your compliance obligations.
Compliance Guides
A comprehensive breakdown of the Housing Quality Standards inspection criteria — organized by unit, building systems, and common failure points — so you can prepare your properties before the PHA inspector arrives.
Request Consultation→How HUD calculates Area Median Income, how state housing finance agencies apply it to LIHTC rent and income limits, and what changes each year mean for your tenant certifications.
Request Consultation→What the AOC requires, common errors that trigger state agency findings, and how to prepare a complete, accurate submission that minimizes your audit risk.
Request Consultation→A plain-language guide to Housing Assistance Payment contracts — what landlords are required to do, what PHAs are required to do, and how to navigate contract renewals and rent adjustments.
Request Consultation→Many affordable housing properties combine HOME and LIHTC funding — each with its own compliance requirements. This guide explains how to manage both programs simultaneously without creating conflicts.
Request Consultation→What state housing finance agencies look for during compliance monitoring visits, how to organize your files and documentation, and how to respond if a finding is issued.
Request Consultation→Frequently Asked Questions
Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) compliance is administered by Public Housing Authorities and focuses on unit quality standards (HQS), tenant eligibility, and HAP contract requirements. LIHTC compliance is administered by state housing finance agencies and focuses on income and rent limits, tenant certifications, and long-term affordability requirements. Many properties participate in both programs simultaneously, which requires managing two separate compliance frameworks.
HUD publishes updated Area Median Income figures annually, typically in the spring. State housing finance agencies then release updated income and rent limits based on these figures. Property owners and managers must review their tenant certifications and rent schedules each year to ensure continued compliance with the new limits. Bell Compliance Solutions monitors these annual updates and notifies clients of any changes that affect their properties.
A compliance finding from a state housing finance agency or PHA is serious but manageable. The agency will typically issue a finding letter specifying the violation and a deadline for corrective action. You will need to submit a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) detailing how you will resolve the issue. Bell Compliance Solutions specializes in CAP development and implementation — we help you respond promptly, resolve the finding, and put systems in place to prevent recurrence.
Many property management companies handle day-to-day operations effectively but lack deep expertise in affordable housing compliance regulations. Compliance errors — even unintentional ones — can jeopardize tax credits, HAP contracts, and regulatory standing. A specialized compliance consultant provides an independent review, catches issues before they become findings, and ensures your management company's processes meet program requirements.
Ideally, compliance preparation is ongoing rather than event-driven. However, if you know a monitoring visit is scheduled, we recommend beginning preparation at least 60–90 days in advance. This allows time for a thorough file review, identification and correction of any deficiencies, and organization of documentation. Bell Compliance Solutions offers pre-audit preparation services that can be initiated at any point.
Yes. We provide compliance consulting services nationwide, across all 50 states. Our remote-first model allows us to serve clients regardless of location, and we have experience with the compliance requirements of housing finance agencies in multiple states. We are familiar with the variations in state-specific requirements that go beyond federal baseline standards.
Regulatory Updates
HUD has published updated Area Median Income figures for FY2026. Property owners with LIHTC and HOME-funded properties should review their income and rent limit schedules and update tenant certifications accordingly.
HUD has issued updated guidance on Housing Quality Standards inspection procedures, including clarifications on electrical safety requirements and smoke detector placement standards. PHAs are expected to implement the updated protocols in upcoming inspection cycles.
HUD has clarified requirements for written agreements between participating jurisdictions and project owners under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Owners with HOME-funded properties should review their agreements for compliance with the updated standards.
Our team is available to discuss your specific situation. Schedule a consultation and get answers tailored to your properties and programs.
