Virginia Public Housing Manager Certification Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A
1. A Virginia public housing manager is reviewing the mission of the housing
authority and must ensure that operations align with housing objectives.
Which primary goal best reflects the public housing programs administered
under federal housing regulations?
A. Maximizing property tax revenue for local governments
B. Providing safe, decent, and affordable housing to eligible low-income
households
C. Increasing private-sector rental rates within urban areas
D. Eliminating all privately owned rental housing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of public housing programs is to provide safe,
sanitary, and affordable housing opportunities for eligible low-income families,
elderly persons, and individuals with disabilities while maintaining compliance
with federal housing requirements.
2. A housing manager is evaluating applications for admission to a housing
development. Which factor is generally the most significant when determining
eligibility for admission?
A. Applicant's favorite neighborhood
B. Household income and program eligibility requirements
C. Ownership of a personal vehicle
D. Educational attainment of the head of household
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eligibility for public housing is primarily based on income limits,
family composition, citizenship or eligible immigration status, and other federally
established requirements.
,3. During a compliance review, a public housing manager discovered
maintenance work orders have remained open for several months. What is the
most appropriate management action?
A. Ignore the backlog until annual inspections occur
B. Close the work orders without completing repairs
C. Prioritize repairs according to urgency and health or safety risks
D. Transfer responsibility entirely to residents
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Effective public housing management requires timely maintenance,
especially for conditions affecting resident health, safety, habitability, and
regulatory compliance.
4. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides
funding to public housing authorities primarily through which mechanism?
A. Direct cash payments to residents
B. Annual contributions contracts
C. Tax credits to private developers
D. Local government subsidies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HUD provides funding to public housing authorities through Annual
Contributions Contracts (ACC), which establish the terms and conditions for
operating public housing programs.
5. What is the maximum income limit for eligibility in most public housing
programs?
A. 30% of the area median income (AMI)
B. 50% of the area median income (AMI)
C. 80% of the area median income (AMI)
D. 100% of the area median income (AMI)
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Generally, public housing is available to families with incomes at or
below 80% of the area median income (AMI), with preferences often given to
those at 30% or 50% of AMI.
6. What is the primary purpose of the Public Housing Assessment System
(PHAS)?
A. To evaluate the financial performance of housing authorities
B. To assess the physical condition, financial operations, and management of
public housing
C. To determine resident eligibility for housing assistance
D. To establish rent amounts for public housing units
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PHAS is HUD's system for assessing the physical condition, financial
operations, and management performance of public housing agencies.
7. Which federal law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability?
A. The Fair Housing Act
B. The Americans with Disabilities Act
C. The Civil Rights Act of 1964
D. The Housing and Community Development Act
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968)
prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, familial status, and disability.
8. A public housing manager receives a complaint from a resident about a
broken stove that has not been repaired for two weeks. What is the manager's
most appropriate response?
A. Tell the resident to purchase a new stove themselves
B. Inform the resident that repairs are not a priority
, C. Enter the work order into the maintenance system and prioritize it according to
urgency
D. Ask the resident to move to another unit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Public housing managers must ensure that maintenance requests are
properly logged, prioritized, and addressed in a timely manner to maintain
habitability and compliance.
9. Under HUD regulations, how often must public housing units be inspected
for physical condition?
A. Annually
B. Semi-annually
C. Quarterly
D. Every two years
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: HUD requires that public housing units be inspected at least annually
to ensure they meet physical condition standards.
10. The term "Section 8" housing refers to:
A. Public housing owned and operated by local housing authorities
B. Housing vouchers that subsidize rent in the private market
C. Housing for elderly residents only
D. Emergency housing for homeless individuals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 8 refers to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which
provides rental assistance to eligible low-income families to rent housing in the
private market.
11. What is the purpose of a "resident council" in public housing?
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A
1. A Virginia public housing manager is reviewing the mission of the housing
authority and must ensure that operations align with housing objectives.
Which primary goal best reflects the public housing programs administered
under federal housing regulations?
A. Maximizing property tax revenue for local governments
B. Providing safe, decent, and affordable housing to eligible low-income
households
C. Increasing private-sector rental rates within urban areas
D. Eliminating all privately owned rental housing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of public housing programs is to provide safe,
sanitary, and affordable housing opportunities for eligible low-income families,
elderly persons, and individuals with disabilities while maintaining compliance
with federal housing requirements.
2. A housing manager is evaluating applications for admission to a housing
development. Which factor is generally the most significant when determining
eligibility for admission?
A. Applicant's favorite neighborhood
B. Household income and program eligibility requirements
C. Ownership of a personal vehicle
D. Educational attainment of the head of household
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eligibility for public housing is primarily based on income limits,
family composition, citizenship or eligible immigration status, and other federally
established requirements.
,3. During a compliance review, a public housing manager discovered
maintenance work orders have remained open for several months. What is the
most appropriate management action?
A. Ignore the backlog until annual inspections occur
B. Close the work orders without completing repairs
C. Prioritize repairs according to urgency and health or safety risks
D. Transfer responsibility entirely to residents
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Effective public housing management requires timely maintenance,
especially for conditions affecting resident health, safety, habitability, and
regulatory compliance.
4. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides
funding to public housing authorities primarily through which mechanism?
A. Direct cash payments to residents
B. Annual contributions contracts
C. Tax credits to private developers
D. Local government subsidies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HUD provides funding to public housing authorities through Annual
Contributions Contracts (ACC), which establish the terms and conditions for
operating public housing programs.
5. What is the maximum income limit for eligibility in most public housing
programs?
A. 30% of the area median income (AMI)
B. 50% of the area median income (AMI)
C. 80% of the area median income (AMI)
D. 100% of the area median income (AMI)
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Generally, public housing is available to families with incomes at or
below 80% of the area median income (AMI), with preferences often given to
those at 30% or 50% of AMI.
6. What is the primary purpose of the Public Housing Assessment System
(PHAS)?
A. To evaluate the financial performance of housing authorities
B. To assess the physical condition, financial operations, and management of
public housing
C. To determine resident eligibility for housing assistance
D. To establish rent amounts for public housing units
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PHAS is HUD's system for assessing the physical condition, financial
operations, and management performance of public housing agencies.
7. Which federal law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability?
A. The Fair Housing Act
B. The Americans with Disabilities Act
C. The Civil Rights Act of 1964
D. The Housing and Community Development Act
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968)
prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, familial status, and disability.
8. A public housing manager receives a complaint from a resident about a
broken stove that has not been repaired for two weeks. What is the manager's
most appropriate response?
A. Tell the resident to purchase a new stove themselves
B. Inform the resident that repairs are not a priority
, C. Enter the work order into the maintenance system and prioritize it according to
urgency
D. Ask the resident to move to another unit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Public housing managers must ensure that maintenance requests are
properly logged, prioritized, and addressed in a timely manner to maintain
habitability and compliance.
9. Under HUD regulations, how often must public housing units be inspected
for physical condition?
A. Annually
B. Semi-annually
C. Quarterly
D. Every two years
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: HUD requires that public housing units be inspected at least annually
to ensure they meet physical condition standards.
10. The term "Section 8" housing refers to:
A. Public housing owned and operated by local housing authorities
B. Housing vouchers that subsidize rent in the private market
C. Housing for elderly residents only
D. Emergency housing for homeless individuals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 8 refers to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which
provides rental assistance to eligible low-income families to rent housing in the
private market.
11. What is the purpose of a "resident council" in public housing?
