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In today's struggling economy, providing affordable housing to low-income families is more important than ever. There may be plenty of qualified applicants, but there are also considerable challenges in keeping up with rising operational costs and program compliance requirements. Last month, the Insider conducted a survey of assisted housing managers across the country to find out about their biggest budget concerns and toughest management challenges.

Taking over the management of an assisted site from its owner or from another management company is a tricky procedure. Unlike at conventional sites, there are many compliance issues at assisted sites that can complicate the transition. You need to get up to speed quickly on how the site is regulated and operated, says management consultant Doug Chasick. And you'll need to show HUD that you know what you're doing, so you can get HUD approval to manage the site.

As we approach the end of spring and anticipate the coming summer months, you may be directing more of your attention to your site's curb appeal. Well-maintained lawns, trees, and shrubs help create the crucial first impressions that potential residents form of your site. And certain landscaping problems, such as penetrating or overgrown vegetation, can violate HUD's Uniform Physical Condition Standards.

This month marks the 44th anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which protects individuals against discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. In honor of Fair Housing Month, we'll focus on reasonable accommodation requests by individuals with disabilities. This can be a confusing topic, so we're going to go over the rules and dispel common misconceptions about how to handle ...

Security deposits provide owners with some degree of financial protection when a resident moves out of a unit and fails to fulfill obligations under the lease. Security deposits can be used toward reimbursing unpaid rent or repairing any damage the outgoing resident may have left behind.

Some managers may not bother to collect security deposits from move-ins or the full amount due. Maybe that's because they don't fully understand HUD's rules on setting the amounts of security deposits, or they just simply forgot to do it. Whatever the reason, not collecting the full amount due is risky and can jeopardize your right to file special claims with HUD for reimbursement of unpaid rent or damages. Also, security deposits give you a financial cushio...

As manager of an assisted site, one of your most important jobs is to keep the owner updated on how well you're managing the site. The owner wants to know on a monthly or quarterly basis how well the site is doing financially and that there's no major occupancy or other problems affecting the site. To convey this information most effectively, you should prepare a written management report giving the owner the kind of information that he or she needs to make info...

HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) conducts approximately 20,000 physical inspections of sites each year to ensure that residents are living in assisted housing units that are “decent, safe, sanitary, and in good repair.” During an investigation, REAC inspectors will look at specific areas of the site for any health or safety hazards. Problems that are uncovered can cost you points on your inspection score. If enough points are deducted, there co...

You may have some assisted residents who don't pay their utility bills for electricity, gas, or water. This can create a dangerous situation at your site. If the utility company shuts off service to the resident's unit, the resident may try to make do with candles, use the oven for heat, or cobble together some other quick remedy that could cause a fire.

The stock market has been incredibly volatile this past year. As a result, some of your residents may have experienced significant reductions in the value of their stock portfolio and may be asking for interim recertifications. Others may have had the benefit of a positive swing in their portfolio's value or are enjoying more household income from dividends that cash-rich companies have increased as they've become more confident in the economy.