HUD Publishes Notice Outlining Responses to Extreme Heat in Public Housing

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has published PIH Notice 2024-20, “Responding to Extreme Heat in Public Housing – Eligible Expenses and Individual Relief for Excess Utilities Consumption.” The notice outlines strategies PHAs operating public housing can take using the Public Housing Capital Fund and, in some cases, the Operating Fund.

The notice concludes with the following steps PHAs can immediately take this year: “grant individual relief requests on the basis of severe or extreme heat before providing a new utility allowance notice or updating their ACOP or lease,” “immediately announce their intention to approve all requests for individual relief from severe or extreme heat,” and “provide residents streamlined request forms.” These flexibilities come with several requirements, detailed in the notice.

There are multiple strategies PHAs can take based on their context and policies. The notice covers the following topics:

• A review of the guidance HUD has previously put out on using the Capital Fund for air conditioning and other cooling methods in public housing,
• How to use the Operating Fund for cooling public housing with individual relief policies,
• Communication requirements with residents regarding utility allowances and surcharges,
• Strategies for maximizing the impact of energy programs via existing energy incentive programs,
• Guidance on implementing individual relief policies,
• An appendix of relevant cooling system definitions, and
• Steps PHAs can take in 2024 without updating ACOPs or policies.

See the notice and the July 15 edition of The NAHRO Monitor for more detail.