Community Service Policy

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2021-04-05)

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Community Service Compliance Certification 
 
 
I/We have received a copy of, have read, and understand the contents of the City of Chandler 
Housing and Redevelopment’s Community Service Policy. 
 
I/We understand that this is a requirement of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act 
of 1998 and that, if we do not comply with this requirement, our lease will not be renewed. 
 
 
________________________________________________ 
 
___________________________ 
Head of Household Signature 
 
 
Date 
 
 
_________________________________________________ 
 
___________________________ 
Other Household Member Signature 
 
 
Date 
 
 
_________________________________________________ 
 
___________________________ 
Other Household Member Signature 
 
 
Date 
 
 
_________________________________________________ 
 
___________________________ 
Other Household Member Signature 
 
 
Date 
 
 
_________________________________________________ 
 
___________________________ 
Other Household Member Signature 
 
 
Date 
 
 
 
Attachment H

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Admissions and Continued Occupancy (ACOP) 
Community Service Policy 
 
Introduction 
 
This chapter explains HUD regulations requiring PHAs to implement a community service program for all 
nonexempt adults living in public housing.  
 
This chapter describes HUD regulations and PHA policies related to these topics in two parts: 
 
Part I: Community Service Requirements. This part describes who is subject to the community 
service requirement, who is exempt, and HUD’s definition of economic self-sufficiency. 
 
Part II: PHA Implementation of Community Service. This part provides PHA policy regarding PHA 
implementation and program design. 
 
 
Part I: Community Service Requirement 
 
11-I.A. Overview 
 
HUD regulations pertaining to the community service requirement are contained in 24 CFR 960 Subpart F 
(§960.600 through §960.609). PHAs and residents must comply with the community service requirement, 
effective with PHA fiscal years that commenced on or after October 1, 2000. Per §903.7(l)(1)(iii), the PHA 
Plan must contain a statement of how the PHA will comply with the community service requirement, 
including any cooperative agreement that the PHA has entered into or plans to enter into.  
Community service is the performance of voluntary work or duties that are a public benefit, and that 
serve to improve the quality of life, enhance resident self-sufficiency, or increase resident self-
responsibility in the community. Community service is not employment and may not include political 
activities [24 CFR §960.601(b)]. 
 
In administering community service requirements, the PHA must comply with all nondiscrimination and 
equal opportunity requirements [24 CFR §960.605(c)(5)]. 
 
11-I.B. Requirements 
 
Each adult resident of the PHA, who is not exempt, must [24 CFR §960.603(a)]: 
 
Contribute 8 hours per month of community service; or

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 
Participate in an economic self-sufficiency program (as defined in the regulations) for 8 hours per 
month; or 
 
Perform 8 hours per month of combined activities (community service and economic self-
sufficiency programs). 
 
The required community service or self-sufficiency activity may be completed 8 hours each 
month or may be aggregated across a year. Any blocking of hours is acceptable as long as 96 
hours is completed by each annual certification of compliance [Notice PIH 2015-12]. 
 
 
Definitions 
 
Exempt Individual [24 CFR §960.601(b), Notice PIH2015-12] 
 
An exempt individual is an adult who: 
 
Is age 62 years or older 
 
Is blind or disabled (as defined under section 216[i][l] or 1614 of the Social Security Act), and who 
certifies that because of this disability s/he is unable to comply with the service provisions 
 
Is a primary caretaker of such an individual 
 
Is engaged in work activities 
 
PHA Policy 
The PHA will consider 30 hours per week as the minimum number of hours needed to qualify for 
a work activity exemption.  
 
Is able to meet requirements of being exempted under  a state program funded under part A 
of title IV of the Social Security Act, or under any other welfare program of the state in which 
the PHA is located, including a state-administered welfare-to-work program 
 
This exemption applied to anyone whose characteristics or family situation meet the welfare 
agency exemption criteria and can be verified. 
 
Is a member of a family receiving assistance, benefits, or services under a state program 
funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, or under any other welfare program 
of the state in which the PHA is located, including a state-administered welfare-to-work 
program and the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), and has not been found 
by the state or other administering entity to be in noncompliance with such program. 
 
 
Community Service [24 CFR §960.601(b), Notice PIH2015-12] 
 
Community service is the performance of voluntary work or duties that are a public benefit, and that serve 
to improve the quality of life, enhance resident self-sufficiency, or increase resident self-responsibility in 
the community.  Community service is not employment and may not include political activities.   
Eligible community service activities include, but are not limited to, work at: 
 
Local public or nonprofit institutions  such as schools, head start programs, before or after school 
programs, child care centers, hospitals, clinics, hospices, nursing homes, recreation centers, 
senior centers, adult day care programs, homeless shelters,  feeding programs, food banks, 
distribution either donated or commodity foods), or clothes closets,(distributing donated 
clothing.).

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 
Nonprofit organizations serving PHA residents or their children such as: Boy or Girl Scouts, Boys 
or Girls Club, 4-H clubs, Police Assistance League (PAL), organized children’s recreation, 
mentoring or education programs, Big Brothers or Big Sisters, garden centers, community clean-
up programs, beautification programs. 
 
Programs funded under the Older Americans Act, such as Green Thumb Service Corps of Retired 
Executives, senior meals programs, senior centers, Meals on Wheels. 
 
Serve as member of the  resident organization (Tenant Community Builders) or resident advisory 
board. 
 
Public or nonprofit organizations dedicated to seniors, youth, children, residents, citizens, special-
needs populations or with missions to enhance the environment, historic resources, cultural 
identities, neighborhoods, or performing arts 
 
Caring for the children of other residents so parent may volunteer. 
 
PHA Policy 
Community Service must be only in the City of Chandler or serving citizens from the City of 
Chandler. 
 
 
Economic Self-Sufficiency Program [24 CFR §5.603(b), Notice PIH 2015-12] 
 
For purposes of satisfying the community service requirement, an economic self-sufficiency program is 
defined by HUD as any program designed to encourage, assist, train, or facilitate economic 
independence of assisted families or to provide work for such families. 
 
Eligible self-sufficiency activities include but are not limited to:  
 
Job readiness or job training 
 
Training programs through local one-stop career centers, workforce investment boards (local 
entities administered through the U.S. Department of Labor), or other training providers 
 
Employment counseling, work placement, or basic skills training 
 
Education, including higher education (junior college or college), GED classes, or reading financial, 
or computer literacy classes 
 
Apprenticeships (formal or informal) 
 
English proficiency or English as a second language classes 
 
Budgeting and credit counseling 
 
Any other program necessary to ready a participant to work (such as substance abuse or mental 
health counseling) 
 
 
Work Activities [42 U.S.C. 607(d)] 
 
As it relates to an exemption from the community service requirement, work activities means: 
 
Unsubsidized employment 
 
Subsidized private sector employment 
 
Subsidized public sector employment 
 
Work experience (including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing) if

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sufficient private sector employment is not available 
 
On-the-job training 
 
Job search and job readiness assistance 
 
Community service programs 
 
Vocational educational training (not to exceed 12 months with respect to any individual) 
 
Job skills training directly related to employment 
 
Education directly related to employment, in the case of a recipient who has not received a high 
school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency 
 
Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of 
general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or 
received such a certificate 
 
Notification Requirements [24 CFR §960.605(c)(2), Notice PIH2015-12, Notice PIH 2016-06] 
 
The PHA must give each family a written description of the community service requirement, the process 
for claiming status as an exempt person, and the process for PHA verification of exempt status. The PHA 
must also notify the family of its determination identifying the family members who are subject to the 
service requirement, and the family members who are exempt.  In addition, the family must sign a 
certification, such as Attachment A of Notice PIH 2015-12, that they have received and read the policy and 
understand that if they are not exempt, failure to comply with the requirement will result in nonrenewal 
of their lease. The family must also sign a certification at annual reexamination, such as Attachment B of 
Notice PIH 2015-12, certifying that they understand the requirement. 
 
PHA Policy 
The PHA will provide the family with a copy of the Community Service Policy at lease-up, lease 
renewal, when a family member is determined to be subject to the community service 
requirement during the lease term, and at any time upon the family’s request. The policy will 
notify the family that self-certification forms are subject to review by the PHA. 
 
On an annual basis, at the time of lease renewal, the PHA will notify the family in writing of the 
family members who are subject to the community service requirement and the family members 
who are exempt. If the family includes nonexempt individuals the notice will include a list of 
agencies in the community that provide volunteer and/or training opportunities, as well as a 
documentation form on which they may record the activities they perform and the number of 
hours contributed. The form will also have a place for a signature by an appropriate official, who 
will certify to the activities and hours completed. 
 
11-I.C. Determination of Exemption Status and Compliance [24 CFR §960.605(c)(3)] 
 
The PHA must review and verify family compliance with service requirements annually at least thirty days 
before the end of the twelve month lease term. The policy for documentation and verification of 
compliance with service requirements may be found at Section 11-I.D., Documentation and Verification. 
 
PHA Policy 
Where the lease term does not coincide with the effective date of the annual reexamination, the 
PHA will change the effective date of the annual reexamination to coincide with the lease term. In

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making this change, the PHA will ensure that the annual reexamination is conducted within 12 
months of the last annual reexamination.  
 
 
Annual Determination 
 
Determination of Exemption Status 
 
An exempt individual is excused from the community service requirement [24 CFR §960.603(a)]. 
 
PHA Policy 
At least 60 days prior to lease renewal, the PHA will review and verify the exemption status of all 
adult family members. This verification will only be done on an annual basis unless the family 
reports a change or the PHA has reason to believe that an individual’s exemption status has 
changed. For individuals who are exempt because they are 62 years of age and older, or disabled, 
verification of exemption status will be done only at the initial examination. 
 
Upon completion of the verification process, the PHA will notify the family of its determination in 
accordance with the policy in Section 11-I.B., Notification Requirements. 
 
 
Determination of Compliance  
 
The PHA must review resident family compliance with service requirements annually at least 30 days 
before the end of the 12-month lease term [24 CFR §960.605(c)(3)]. As part of this review, the PHA must 
verify that any family member that is not exempt from the community service requirement has met his 
or her service obligation.  
 
PHA Policy 
Approximately 90-120 days prior to the end of the lease term, the PHA will provide written notice 
requiring the family to submit documentation that all subject family members have complied 
with the service requirement. The family will have 10 business days to submit the PHA required 
documentation form(s). 
 
If the family fails to submit the required documentation within the required timeframe, or PHA 
approved extension, the subject family members will be considered noncompliant with 
community service requirements, and notices of noncompliance will be issued pursuant to the 
policies in Section 11-I.E., Noncompliance.  
 
 
Change in Status between Annual Determinations  
 
PHA Policy 
Exempt to Nonexempt Status: 
If an exempt individual becomes nonexempt during the twelve month lease term, it is the 
family’s responsibility to report this change to the PHA within 10 business days.  
 
Within 10 business days of a family reporting such a change, or the PHA determining such 
a change is necessary, the PHA will provide written notice of the effective date of the

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requirement, a list of agencies in the community that provide volunteer and/or training 
opportunities, as well as a documentation form on which the family member may record 
the activities performed and number of hours contributed.  
 
The effective date of the community service requirement will be the first of the month 
following 30 day notice. 
 
Determination of Initial Compliance    
When an adult family member becomes subject to community service, he or she must 
perform 8 hours of community service for the months he or she is subject to the 
requirement before the end of the lease term (anniversary date). 
 
Example 1: Alberto Jones turns 18 on 5/10/15 and is not exempt from the community 
service requirement. His community service requirement begins on 6/1/15, and his initial 
compliance is reviewed before the end of the lease term (anniversary date), which is 
11/30/15. 
Alberto must perform 6 months of community service in his initial compliance period, 
before the end of the lease term (anniversary date). 
 
 
Example 2: Lisa Dewhurst leaves her job on 9/20/14 and is not exempt from the 
community service requirement. Her community service requirement begins on 10/1/14, 
and her initial compliance is reviewed before the end of the lease term (anniversary date), 
which is 6/30/15. 
 
- 
Ms. Dewhurst must perform 9 months of community service in her initial compliance 
period, before the end of the lease term (anniversary date). 
 
 
 
Nonexempt to Exempt Status 
If a nonexempt person becomes exempt during the twelve month lease term, it is the 
family’s responsibility to report this change to the PHA within 10 business days. Any claim 
of exemption will be verified by the PHA in accordance with the policy at 11-I.D., 
Documentation and Verification of Exemption Status. 
 
Within 10 business days of a family reporting such a change, or the PHA determining such 
a change is necessary, the PHA will provide the family written notice that the family 
member is no longer subject to the community service requirement, if the PHA is able to 
verify the exemption.  
 
The exemption will be effective immediately. 
 
11-I.D. Documentation And Verification [24 CFR §960.605(c)(4)], §960.607, Notice PIH 2016-08]

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The PHA must retain reasonable documentation of service requirement performance or exemption in 
participant files. 
 
 
Documentation and Verification of Exemption Status 
 
PHA Policy 
All family members who claim they are exempt from the community service requirement will be 
required to sign the community service exemption certification form found in Exhibit 11-3. The 
PHA will provide a completed copy to the family and will keep a copy in the tenant file. 
 
The PHA will verify that an individual is exempt from the community service requirement by 
following the verification hierarchy and documentation requirements in Chapter 7. 
 
The PHA makes the final determination whether or not to grant an exemption from the 
community service requirement. If a resident does not agree with the PHA’s determination, s/he 
can dispute the decision through the PHA’s grievance procedures (see Chapter 14). 
 
 
Documentation and Verification of Compliance 
 
At each regularly scheduled reexamination, each nonexempt family member presents a signed 
standardized certification form developed by the PHA of community service and self-sufficiency activities 
performed over the last 12 months [Notice PIH 2015-12]. 
 
If qualifying community service activities are administered by an organization other than the PHA, a 
family member who is required to fulfill a service requirement must provide documentation required by 
the PHA.  The PHA may require a self-certification or certification form a third party [24 CFR §960.607]. 
If the PHA accepts self-certification of compliance with the community service requirement, it must 
provide a form which includes a statement that the client performed the required hours, contact 
information for the community service provider, a description of activities performed, and dates of 
service. 
If the PHA accepts self-certification, it must validate a sample of certifications through third-party 
documentation. The PHA must notify families that self-certification forms are available and that a sample 
of self-certifications will be validated.  
HUD strongly encourages PHAs to investigate community service compliance when there are questions 
of accuracy. 
 
 
PHA Policy 
Each individual who is subject to the community service requirement will be required to record 
their community service or self-sufficiency activities and the number of hours contributed on the 
required form. The certification form will also include places for signatures and phone numbers 
of supervisors, instructors, and counselors certifying to the number of hours contributed. 
Families will be required to submit the documentation to the PHA, upon request by the PHA, at 
least annually.

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If the PHA has reasonable cause to believe that the certification provided by the family is false or 
fraudulent, the PHA has the right to require additional third-party verification. 
 
11-I.E. Noncompliance 
 
Noncompliant Residents 
 
The lease specifies that it is renewed automatically for all purposes, unless the family fails to comply with 
the community service requirement. Violation of the service requirement is grounds for nonrenewal of 
the lease at the end of the twelve month lease term, but not for termination of tenancy during the course 
of the twelve month lease term [24 CFR §960.603(b)]. 
PHAs may not evict a family due to CSSR noncompliance. However, if PHA finds a tenant is noncompliant 
with CSSR, the PHA must provide written notification to the tenant of the noncompliance which must 
include:  
 
A brief description of the finding of non-compliance with CSSR.  
 
A statement that the PHA will not renew the lease at the end of the current 12-month lease term 
unless the tenant enters into a written work-out agreement with the PHA or the family provides 
written assurance that is satisfactory to the PHA explaining that the tenant or other noncompliant 
resident no longer resides in the unit. Such written work-out agreement must include the means 
through which a noncompliant family member will comply with the CSSR requirement [24 CFR 
§960.607(c), Notice PIH 2015-12]. 
 
The notice must also state that the tenant may request a grievance hearing on the PHA’s determination, 
in accordance with the PHA’s grievance procedures, and that the tenant may exercise any available 
judicial remedy to seek timely redress for the PHA’s nonrenewal of the lease because of the PHA’s 
determination. 
 
PHA Policy 
The notice of noncompliance will be sent at least 45 days prior to the end of the lease term. 
 
The family will have 10 business days from the date of the notice of noncompliance to enter into 
a written work-out agreement to cure the noncompliance over the 12 month term of the new 
lease, provide documentation that the noncompliant resident no longer resides in the unit, or to 
request a grievance hearing. 
 
If the family reports that a noncompliant family member is no longer residing in the unit, the 
family must provide documentation that the family member has actually vacated the unit before 
the PHA will agree to continued occupancy of the family. Documentation must consist of a 
certification signed by the head of household as well as evidence of the current address of the 
family member that previously resided with them. 
 
If the family does not request a grievance hearing, or does not take either corrective action 
required by the notice of noncompliance within the required 10 business day timeframe, the PHA 
will terminate tenancy in accordance with the policies in Section 13-IV.D. 
 
 
Continued Noncompliance and Enforcement Documentation [24 CFR §960.607(b)]

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Should a family member refuse to sign a written work-out agreement, or fail to comply with the terms of 
the work-out agreement, PHAs are required to initiate termination of tenancy proceedings at the end of 
the current 12-month lease (see 24 CFR §966.53(c)) for failure to comply with lease requirements. When 
initiating termination of tenancy proceedings, the PHA will provide the following procedural safeguards:  
 
Adequate notice to the tenant of the grounds for terminating the tenancy and for non-renewal of 
the lease;  
 
Right of the tenant to be represented by counsel;  
 
Opportunity for the tenant to refute the evidence presented by the PHA, including the right to 
confront and cross-examine witnesses and present any affirmative legal or equitable defense 
which the tenant may have; and,  
 
A decision on the merits.  
 
PHA Policy 
Notices of continued noncompliance will be sent at least 30 days prior to the end of the lease 
term and will also serve as the family’s termination notice. The notice will meet the requirements 
for termination notices described in Section 13-IV.D, Form, Delivery, and Content of the Notice. 
 
The family will have 10 business days from the date of the notice of non-compliance to provide 
documentation that the noncompliant resident no longer resides in the unit, or to request a 
grievance hearing. 
 
If the family reports that a noncompliant family member is no longer residing in the unit, the 
family must provide documentation that the family member has actually vacated the unit before 
the PHA will agree to continued occupancy of the family. Documentation must consist of a 
certification signed by the head of household as well as evidence of the current address of the 
noncompliant family member that previously resided with them. 
 
If the family does not request a grievance hearing, or provide such documentation within the 
required 10 business day timeframe, the family’s lease and tenancy will automatically terminate 
at the end of the current lease term without further notice. 
 
 
Part II: Implementation of Community Service 
11-II.A. Overview 
 
Each PHA must develop a policy for administration of the community service and economic self-
sufficiency requirements for public housing. It is in the PHA’s best interests to develop a viable, effective 
community service program, to provide residents the opportunity to engage in the community and to 
develop competencies. 
 
PHA Implementation of Community Service 
 
The PHA may not substitute any community service or self-sufficiency activities performed by residents 
for work ordinarily performed by PHA employees, or replace a job at any location where residents 
perform activities to satisfy the service requirement [24 CFR §960.609]. 
 
PHA Policy

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If a disabled resident certifies that s/he is able to perform community service, the PHA will ensure 
that requests for reasonable accommodation are handled in accordance with the policies in 
Chapter 2.  
 
PHA Program Design 
 
The PHA may administer qualifying community service or economic self-sufficiency activities directly, or 
may make community service activities available through a contractor, or through partnerships with 
qualified organizations, including resident organizations, and community agencies or institutions [24 CFR 
§960.605(b)]. 
 
PHA Policy 
The PHA will attempt to provide the broadest choice possible to residents as they choose 
community service activities.  
 
The PHA’s goal is to design a service program that gives residents viable opportunities to become 
involved in the community and to gain competencies and skills. The PHA will work with resident 
organizations and community organizations to design, implement, assess and recalibrate its 
community service program. 
 
The PHA will make every effort to identify volunteer opportunities throughout the community, 
especially those in proximity to public housing developments. To the greatest extent possible, the 
PHA will provide names and contacts at agencies that can provide opportunities for residents, 
including persons with disabilities, to fulfill their community service obligations.  
 
The PHA will provide in-house opportunities for volunteer work or self-sufficiency programs when 
possible. 
 
If a member of the family is participating in the FSS program, the regular meetings with the FSS 
Specialist will satisfy community service activities. 
 
 
 
Reference: 
City of Chandler, Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy

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Exhibit 11-1: Community Service and Self-Sufficiency 
 
 
A. Background 
 
The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 requires that all nonexempt (see definitions) 
public housing adult residents (18 or older) contribute eight (8) hours per month of community service 
(volunteer work) or participate in eight (8) hours of training, counseling, classes or other activities that 
help an individual toward self-sufficiency and economic independence. This is a requirement of the 
public housing lease. 
 
B. Definitions 
 
Community Service – community service activities include, but are not limited to, work at: 
 
Local public or nonprofit institutions such as schools, head start programs, before or after 
school programs, child care centers, hospitals, clinics, hopices, nursing homes, recreation 
centers, senior centers, adult day care programs, homeless shelters, feeding programs, food 
banks (distributing either donated or commodity foods), or clothes closets (distributing 
donated clothing). 
 
Nonprofit organizations serving PHA residents or their children such as: Boy or Girl Scouts, 
Boys or Girls Club, 4-H clubs, Police Assistance League (PAL), organized children’s recreation, 
mentoring or education programs, Big Brothers or Big Sisters, garden centers, community 
clean-up programs, beautification programs. 
 
Programs funded under the Older Americans Act, such as Green Thumb, Service Corps of 
Retired Executives, senior meals programs, senior centers, Meals on Wheels. 
 
Public or nonprofit organizations dedicated to seniors, youth, children, residents, citizens, 
special-needs populations or with missions to enhance the environment, historic resources, 
cultural identities, neighborhoods, or performing arts. 
 
PHA housing to improve grounds or provide gardens (so long as such work does not alter the 
PHA’s insurance coverage); or work through resident organizations to help other residents 
with problems, including serving on the Resident Advisory Board. 
 
Care for the children of other residents so parent may volunteer. 
 
NOTE: Political activity is not acceptable for community service. 
 
PHA Policy 
Community Service must be only in the City of Chandler or serving citizens from the City 
of Chandler. 
 
Self-Sufficiency Activities – self-sufficiency activities include, but are not limited to: 
 
Job readiness or job training 
 
Training programs through local one-stop career centers, workforce investment boards (local 
entities administered through the U.S. Department of Labor), or other training providers 
 
Employment counseling, work placement, or basic skills training 
 
Education, including higher education (junior college or college) or reading, financial, or 
computer literacy classes

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 
Apprenticeships (formal or informal) 
 
English proficiency or English as a second language classes 
 
Budgeting and credit counseling 
 
Any other program necessary to ready a participant to work (such as substance abuse or 
mental health counseling) 
 
Exempt Adult – an adult member of the family who meets any of the following criteria: 
 
Is 62 years of age or older 
 
Is blind or a person with disabilities (as defined under section 216[i][l] or 1614 of the Social 
Security Act), and who certifies that because of this disability he or she is unable to comply 
with the service provisions, or is the primary caretaker of such an individuals 
 
Is engaged in work activities 
 
 Is able to meet requirements under a state program funded under part A of title IV of the 
 
Social Security Act, or under any other welfare program of the state in which the PHA is 
 
located, including a state-administered welfare-to-work program; or 
 
Is a member of a family receiving assistance, benefits, or services under a state program 
 
funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, or under any other welfare 
 
program of the state in which the PHA is located, including a state-administered welfare-to 
work program and the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), and has not been 
found by the state or other administering entity to be in noncompliance with such program. 
 
PHAs can use reasonable guidelines in clarifying the work activities in coordination with TANF, as 
appropriate. 
 
Work Activities – as it relates to an exemption from the community service requirement, work 
activities means: 
 
Unsubsidized employment 
 
Subsidized private sector employment 
 
Subsidized public sector employment 
 
Work experience (including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted 
 
housing) if sufficient private sector employment is not available 
 
On-the-job training 
 
Job search and job readiness assistance 
 
Community service programs 
 
Vocational educational training (not to exceed 12 months with respect to any individual) 
 
Job skills training directly related to employment 
 
Education directly related to employment, in the case of a recipient who has not received a 
high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency 
 
Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of 
general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or 
received such a certificate

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 
Provision of child care services to an individual who is participating in a community service 
Program 
 
C. Requirements of the Program 
1. The eight (8) hours per month may be either volunteer work or self-sufficiency program activity, 
or a combination of the two. 
2. At least eight (8) hours of activity must be performed each month or may be aggregated across a 
year.  Any blocking of hours is acceptable as long as 96 hours is completed by each annual 
certification of compliance.  
3. Family obligation: 
 
At lease execution, all adult members (18 or older) of a public housing resident family 
must: 
o 
Sign a certification (Attachment A) that they have received and read this policy 
and understand that if they are not exempt, failure to comply with the community 
service requirement will result in a nonrenewal of their lease; and 
o 
Declare if they are exempt. If exempt, they must complete the Exemption Form 
(Exhibit 11-3) and provide documentation of the exemption. 
 
Upon written notice from the PHA, nonexempt family members must present complete 
documentation of activities performed during the applicable lease term. This 
documentation will include places for signatures of supervisors, instructors, or 
counselors, certifying to the number of hours contributed. 
 
If a family member is found to be noncompliant at the end of the 12-month lease term, 
he or she, and the head of household, will be required to sign an agreement with the 
housing authority to make up the deficient hours over the next twelve (12) month period, 
or the lease will be terminated. 
 
At annual reexamination, the family must also sign a certification certifying that they 
understand the community service requirement. 
 
4. Change in exempt status: 
 
If, during the twelve (12) month lease period, a nonexempt person becomes exempt, it is 
his or her responsibility to report this to the PHA and provide documentation of exempt 
status. 
 
If, during the twelve (12) month lease period, an exempt person becomes nonexempt, it is 
his or her responsibility to report this to the PHA. Upon receipt of this information the 
PHA will provide the person with the appropriate documentation form(s) and a list of 
agencies in the community that provide volunteer and/or training opportunities. 
 
D. Authority Obligation 
 
1. To the greatest extent possible and practicable, the PHA will: 
 
Provide names and contacts at agencies that can provide opportunities for residents, 
including residents with disabilities, to fulfill their community service obligations. 
 
Provide in-house opportunities for volunteer work or self-sufficiency activities.

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2. The PHA will provide the family with a copy of this policy, and all applicable exemption verification 
forms and community service documentation forms, at lease-up, lease renewal, when a family 
member becomes subject to the community service requirement during the lease term, and at 
any time upon the family’s request. 
3. Although exempt family members will be required to submit documentation to support their 
exemption, the PHA will verify the exemption status in accordance with its verification policies. 
The PHA will make the final determination as to whether or not a family member is exempt from 
the community service requirement. Residents may use the PHA’s grievance procedure if they 
disagree with the PHA’s determination. 
4. Noncompliance of family member: 
 
At least thirty(30) days prior to the end of the 12-month lease term, the PHA will begin 
reviewing the exempt or nonexempt status and compliance of family members; 
 
If, at the end of the initial 12-month lease term under which a family member is subject to 
the community service requirement, the PHA finds the family member to be 
noncompliant, the PHA will not renew the lease unless: 
o 
The head of household and any other noncompliant resident enter into a written 
agreement with the PHA, to make up the deficient hours over the next twelve (12) 
month period; or 
o 
The family provides written documentation satisfactory to the PHA that the 
noncompliant family member no longer resides in the unit. 
 
If, at the end of the next 12-month lease term, the family member is still not compliant, a 
30-day notice to terminate the lease will be issued and the entire family will have to 
vacate, unless the family provides written documentation satisfactory to the PHA that the 
noncompliant family member no longer resides in the unit; 
 
The family may use the PHA’s grievance procedure to dispute the lease termination. 
 
All adult family members must sign and date below, certifying that they have read and received a copy of 
this Community Service and Self-Sufficiency Policy. 
 
 
__________________________________________________ 
 
 
Head of Household Signature 
 
Date 
 
 
__________________________________________________ 
 
 
Other Household Member Signature 
 
Date 
 
 
__________________________________________________ 
 
 
Other Household Member Signature 
 
Date 
 
 
__________________________________________________ 
 
 
Other Household Member Signature 
 
Date

Page 16 of 17 
Revised 7/1/20202021 
 
Exhibit 11-2: Definition of a Person with a Disability Under Social Security Acts 
216(i)(l) and Section 1416 (excerpt) for Purposes of Exemption from Community 
Service 
 
Social Security Act: 
 
216(i)(1): Except for purposes of sections 202(d), 202(e), 202(f), 223, and 225, the term “disability” means 
(A) inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical 
or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last 
for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (B) blindness; and the term “blindness” means 
central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens. An eye which is 
accompanied by a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field 
subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered for purposes of this paragraph as 
having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less. 
 
 
Section 1416 (excerpt): 
 
SEC. 1614. [42 U.S.C. 1382c] (a)(1) For purposes of this title, the term “aged, blind, or disabled individual” 
means an individual who—  
(A) is 65 years of age or older, is blind (as determined under paragraph (2)), or is disabled (as 
determined under paragraph (3)), and  
(B)(i) is a resident of the United States, and is either (I) a citizen or (II) an alien lawfully admitted 
for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of 
law (including any alien who is lawfully present in the United States as a result of the application 
of the provisions of section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), or  
(ii) is a child who is a citizen of the United States and, who is living with a parent of the child who 
is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States assigned to permanent duty ashore 
outside the United States.  
(2) An individual shall be considered to be blind for purposes of this title if he has central visual 
acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens. An eye which is 
accompanied by a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field 
subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered for purposes of the first 
sentence of this subsection as having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less. An individual shall 
also be considered to be blind for purposes of this title if he is blind as defined under a State plan 
approved under title X or XVI as in effect for October 1972 and received aid under such plan (on 
the basis of blindness) for December 1973, so long as he is continuously blind as so defined.  
(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), an individual shall be considered to be disabled for 
purposes of this title if he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any 
medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death 
or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve 
months.

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Exhibit 11-3: PHA Determination of Exemption for Community Service 
 
Family:  
 
 
Adult family member:  
 
 
This adult family member meets the requirements for being exempted from the PHA’s community 
service requirement for the following reason:  
 
 62 years of age or older. (Documentation of age in file) 
 
 Is a person with disabilities and self-certifies below that he or she is unable to comply with the 
community service requirement. (Documentation of HUD definition of disability in file) 
 
 
Tenant certification: I am a person with disabilities and am unable to comply with the 
community service requirement. 
 
             ____________________________________________              _________________________________    
Family Member Signature 
 
 
 
Date 
 
 
 Is the primary caretaker of such an individual in the above category. (Documentation in file) 
 
 Is engaged in work activities. (Employment Verification in file) 
 
 Is able to meet requirements under a state program funded under part A of title IV of the Social 
Security Act, or under any other welfare program of the state in which the PHA is located, 
including a state-administered welfare-to-work (Documentation in file) 
 
 Is a member of a family receiving assistance, benefits, or services under a state program funded 
under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, or under any other welfare program of the state 
in which the PHA is located, including a state-administered welfare-to-work program and the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), and has not been found by the state or other 
administering entity to be in noncompliance with such program (Documentation in file) 
 
 
_______________________________________________ 
             
 
Head of Household Signature 
 
Date 
 
 
_______________________________________________ 
             
 
Housing Administrative Supervisor Signature 
 
Date