MULTIFAMILY HOUSING SPECIALIST EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ State responsibilities. Answer: Passes legislation establishing PHAS
◉ PHA administrative plan. Answer: establishes local policies for
administering the HCV program
◉ HUD vs ADA definition of disability. Answer: HUD definition is
more specific, used for eligibility determination and
allowances/deductions
ADA definition - broader, used for reasonable accommodations
◉ Live in aide. Answer: would not be living in the unit except to provide
necessary supportive services
◉ Occupancy cycle. Answer: Intake - preapplication, waiting list, needs
estimation, final eligibility determination
,Initial lease-up - briefing & voucher issuance, RFTA and lease approval
submitted, HQS inspection, approval & execution, moves
Annual Activities - recerts, HQS (biennially), rent adjustment
Moves
Interim activities - interem recerts, HQS compliance
Terminations - HCV violation, lease termination, HAP contract
termination
◉ Certification of preference + waitlist addition. Answer: At time of
initial app, need only certify preference eligibility (not verify)
Place on waitlist according to preference claimed
◉ eligibility verification requirement: X number of days. Answer: 60
day window to obtain verification docs
◉ elderly family: Answer: head or spouse is 62+
◉ disabled family: Answer: head/spouse is disabled
,two+ people in hh are disabled
one+ people w/ one+ live-in aides
◉ exemptions from SSN disclosure. Answer: Noncontending family
member (someone not declaring citizenship/eligible non-citizen status)
◉ Noncontending family member. Answer: someone not declaring
citizenship/eligible non-citizen status
exempt from SSN disclosure
◉ Mixed family. Answer: Citizens + eligible noncitizens/non-eligible
non-citizens
◉ To declare citizenship/national status: Answer: complete signed
declaration (section 214 status)
◉ Section 214. Answer: to declare citizenship/national status
◉ When is income eligibility not tested? Answer: After lease-
up/admission
, ◉ Student rule for eligibility. Answer: Cannot give assistance to
someone who:
• Is enrolled as a student at an
institution of higher education;
• Is under the age of 24;
• Is not a veteran of the United
States military;
• Is unmarried;
• Does not have a dependent
child;
• Is not a person with disabilities,
• Student and parents are both income eligible (80% AMI) or student is
independent/absent from their parents
◉ Before beginning denial on basis of criminal/sex-offender status, PHA
must. Answer: Notify household and provide an opportunity to dispute
◉ PHA must deny if applicant fails to: Answer: sign consent forms
not disclose SSN
no citizens/eligible nationals
STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ State responsibilities. Answer: Passes legislation establishing PHAS
◉ PHA administrative plan. Answer: establishes local policies for
administering the HCV program
◉ HUD vs ADA definition of disability. Answer: HUD definition is
more specific, used for eligibility determination and
allowances/deductions
ADA definition - broader, used for reasonable accommodations
◉ Live in aide. Answer: would not be living in the unit except to provide
necessary supportive services
◉ Occupancy cycle. Answer: Intake - preapplication, waiting list, needs
estimation, final eligibility determination
,Initial lease-up - briefing & voucher issuance, RFTA and lease approval
submitted, HQS inspection, approval & execution, moves
Annual Activities - recerts, HQS (biennially), rent adjustment
Moves
Interim activities - interem recerts, HQS compliance
Terminations - HCV violation, lease termination, HAP contract
termination
◉ Certification of preference + waitlist addition. Answer: At time of
initial app, need only certify preference eligibility (not verify)
Place on waitlist according to preference claimed
◉ eligibility verification requirement: X number of days. Answer: 60
day window to obtain verification docs
◉ elderly family: Answer: head or spouse is 62+
◉ disabled family: Answer: head/spouse is disabled
,two+ people in hh are disabled
one+ people w/ one+ live-in aides
◉ exemptions from SSN disclosure. Answer: Noncontending family
member (someone not declaring citizenship/eligible non-citizen status)
◉ Noncontending family member. Answer: someone not declaring
citizenship/eligible non-citizen status
exempt from SSN disclosure
◉ Mixed family. Answer: Citizens + eligible noncitizens/non-eligible
non-citizens
◉ To declare citizenship/national status: Answer: complete signed
declaration (section 214 status)
◉ Section 214. Answer: to declare citizenship/national status
◉ When is income eligibility not tested? Answer: After lease-
up/admission
, ◉ Student rule for eligibility. Answer: Cannot give assistance to
someone who:
• Is enrolled as a student at an
institution of higher education;
• Is under the age of 24;
• Is not a veteran of the United
States military;
• Is unmarried;
• Does not have a dependent
child;
• Is not a person with disabilities,
• Student and parents are both income eligible (80% AMI) or student is
independent/absent from their parents
◉ Before beginning denial on basis of criminal/sex-offender status, PHA
must. Answer: Notify household and provide an opportunity to dispute
◉ PHA must deny if applicant fails to: Answer: sign consent forms
not disclose SSN
no citizens/eligible nationals
