Q: A site cannot be liable for housing discrimination based on sexual orientation unless the applicant or resident is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. True or false?

One in four nonsmokers—58 million people—are still exposed to the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke, even though cigarette-smoking rates have dropped and smoking in public places has been banned in many states, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although HUD has given wide discretion to public housing authorities and federally subsidized project owners to admit low-income tenants with criminal records, many continue to deny these individuals, according to a new report by the Shriver Center. Overly restrictive policies against people with criminal records can violate civil rights laws, increase homelessness, and otherwise impede a person's chance to reintegrate into society.

On Jan. 9, Rep. Al Green (D-TX) introduced two bills aimed to address homelessness among low-income veterans and their families. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, on any given night in the United States, 49,933 veterans experience homelessness. Additionally, approximately 12 percent of the homeless adult population are veterans.

Representatives Earl Perlmutter (D-OR) and Steve Stivers (R-OH) recently reintroduced H.R. 233, Tenant Income Verification Relief Act of 2015. It amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with respect to annual review of low-income families' income for eligibility requirements for certain federal assisted housing programs.

HUD’s Housing Notice 2014-15 established a new Passbook Savings Rate of 0.06 percent effective Feb. 1, 2015, which supersedes the rate published in paragraph 5-7(F) of HUD Handbook 4350.3. To comply with the requirements of the notice, owners are required to use the new Passbook Savings Rate of 0.06 percent for all certifications effective Feb. 1, 2015, and later. If owners have already completed a certification to be...

Q: Since many states began passing laws allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, you must allow residents who have a prescription for medical marijuana to use it as a reasonable accommodation for a disability. True or false?

Recently, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) and Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15) introduced H.R. 5776, the Tenant Income Verification Relief Act, to allow tenants on a fixed income to have their income certified and/or verified once every three years rather than annually. The legislation also calls for the HUD secretary to define the term “fixed income,” which has generally included Social Security or Supplemental Secur...

On Dec. 13, the Senate passed by a vote of 56 to 40 the FY 2015 omnibus appropriations bill, H.R. 83. The House approved the same bill on Dec. 11, 219 to 206. The President is expected to sign the bill soon.

HUD and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that they will partner to provide resources to help nearly 2,000 homeless veterans find and sustain permanent housing. The two agencies will be providing help for homeless veterans through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, combining HUD's rental assistance with the VA's case management and clinical services. In October 2...