NAN MCKAY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER SPECIALIST EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS, GRADED A+
Question 1
In the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which of the following is a primary responsibility
of the owner?
A) Conducting annual recertifications of the family's income.
B) Paying the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
C) Screening and selecting tenants based on their suitability.
D) Issuing the housing choice voucher to the family.
E) Establishing local policies for the HCV program.
Correct Answer: C) Screening and selecting tenants based on their suitability.
Rationale: The study guide states that one of the owner's responsibilities is to "Select and
screen tenants." The Public Housing Authority (PHA) determines eligibility for the program,
but the owner has the right and responsibility to screen applicants for factors like credit
history, rental history, and criminal background, just as they would for an unassisted tenant.
Question 2
Which document, established by the local Public Housing Authority (PHA), outlines the local
policies for administering the HCV program?
A) The lease agreement
B) The HUD rulebook
C) The PHA administrative plan
D) The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract
E) The voucher (HUD-52646)
Correct Answer: C) The PHA administrative plan
Rationale: The guide defines the PHA administrative plan as the document that "establishes
local policies for administering the HCV program." This plan details the PHA's discretionary
policies on topics like waiting list management, inspections, and portability.
Question 3
What is a key difference between the HUD definition of disability and the Americans with
,Disabilities Act (ADA) definition of disability?
A) The HUD definition is broader and used for reasonable accommodations.
B) The HUD definition is more specific and is used for eligibility determination and calculating
allowances/deductions.
C) There is no difference; the definitions are identical.
D) The ADA definition is used to determine a family's rent portion.
E) The HUD definition only applies to physical disabilities.
Correct Answer: B) The HUD definition is more specific and is used for eligibility
determination and calculating allowances/deductions.
Rationale: The text clarifies this distinction: "HUD definition is more specific, used for
eligibility determination and allowances/deductions" while the "ADA definition - broader,
used for reasonable accommodations."
Question 4
A person who would not be living in an HCV-assisted unit except to provide necessary
supportive services for a family member with a disability is known as a:
A) Foster child
B) Head of household
C) Noncontending family member
D) Live-in aide
E) Remaining member of a tenant family
Correct Answer: D) Live-in aide
Rationale: The definition provided is that a live-in aide "would not be living in the unit except
to provide necessary supportive services." Their income is not counted towards the family's
income.
Question 5
The HCV program occupancy cycle includes Intake, Initial Lease-Up, Annual Activities, Moves,
Interim Activities, and:
A) Terminations
,B) Briefings
C) HQS Inspections
D) Portability
E) Waiting List Management
Correct Answer: A) Terminations
Rationale: The study guide lists the full occupancy cycle, with "Terminations" being the final
stage, covering violations, lease terminations, and HAP contract terminations.
Question 6
When an applicant is first placed on the waiting list, what is the PHA's responsibility regarding
their claimed preference status?
A) The PHA must fully verify the preference with third-party documentation.
B) The PHA must deny the preference until it can be verified.
C) The PHA need only certify the family's claim of preference eligibility, with verification to come
later.
D) The PHA must conduct a home visit to verify the preference.
E) The PHA must require the family to provide a notarized statement.
Correct Answer: C) The PHA need only certify the family's claim of preference eligibility, with
verification to come later.
Rationale: The guide states that at the time of the initial application, the PHA need only
"certify preference eligibility (not verify)." The family is placed on the waitlist according to
their self-certified preference, and full verification occurs when they are pulled from the list.
Question 7
A family whose head, co-head, or spouse is 62 years of age or older is defined as a(n):
A) Disabled family
B) Elderly family
C) Near-elderly family
D) Mixed family
E) Working family
, Correct Answer: B) Elderly family
Rationale: The guide provides this specific definition: "head or spouse is 62+."
Question 8
Under what circumstance is a household member exempt from the requirement to disclose and
provide a Social Security Number?
A) If they are a minor under the age of 18.
B) If they are a live-in aide.
C) If they are a noncontending family member.
D) If they are the head of household.
E) There are no exemptions.
Correct Answer: C) If they are a noncontending family member.
Rationale: The text lists exemptions from SSN disclosure, including "Noncontending family
member (someone not declaring citizenship/eligible non-citizen status)." This allows mixed-
status families to receive prorated assistance.
Question 9
A family that includes U.S. citizens, eligible noncitizens, and/or non-eligible non-citizens is
referred to as a:
A) Disabled family
B) Mixed family
C) Blended family
D) Portability family
E) Noncontending family
Correct Answer: B) Mixed family
Rationale: The definition of a mixed family is one that includes "Citizens + eligible
noncitizens/non-eligible non-citizens." These families are eligible for prorated housing
assistance.
Question 10
To declare their citizenship or eligible immigration status, applicants and participants in the HCV
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS, GRADED A+
Question 1
In the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which of the following is a primary responsibility
of the owner?
A) Conducting annual recertifications of the family's income.
B) Paying the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
C) Screening and selecting tenants based on their suitability.
D) Issuing the housing choice voucher to the family.
E) Establishing local policies for the HCV program.
Correct Answer: C) Screening and selecting tenants based on their suitability.
Rationale: The study guide states that one of the owner's responsibilities is to "Select and
screen tenants." The Public Housing Authority (PHA) determines eligibility for the program,
but the owner has the right and responsibility to screen applicants for factors like credit
history, rental history, and criminal background, just as they would for an unassisted tenant.
Question 2
Which document, established by the local Public Housing Authority (PHA), outlines the local
policies for administering the HCV program?
A) The lease agreement
B) The HUD rulebook
C) The PHA administrative plan
D) The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract
E) The voucher (HUD-52646)
Correct Answer: C) The PHA administrative plan
Rationale: The guide defines the PHA administrative plan as the document that "establishes
local policies for administering the HCV program." This plan details the PHA's discretionary
policies on topics like waiting list management, inspections, and portability.
Question 3
What is a key difference between the HUD definition of disability and the Americans with
,Disabilities Act (ADA) definition of disability?
A) The HUD definition is broader and used for reasonable accommodations.
B) The HUD definition is more specific and is used for eligibility determination and calculating
allowances/deductions.
C) There is no difference; the definitions are identical.
D) The ADA definition is used to determine a family's rent portion.
E) The HUD definition only applies to physical disabilities.
Correct Answer: B) The HUD definition is more specific and is used for eligibility
determination and calculating allowances/deductions.
Rationale: The text clarifies this distinction: "HUD definition is more specific, used for
eligibility determination and allowances/deductions" while the "ADA definition - broader,
used for reasonable accommodations."
Question 4
A person who would not be living in an HCV-assisted unit except to provide necessary
supportive services for a family member with a disability is known as a:
A) Foster child
B) Head of household
C) Noncontending family member
D) Live-in aide
E) Remaining member of a tenant family
Correct Answer: D) Live-in aide
Rationale: The definition provided is that a live-in aide "would not be living in the unit except
to provide necessary supportive services." Their income is not counted towards the family's
income.
Question 5
The HCV program occupancy cycle includes Intake, Initial Lease-Up, Annual Activities, Moves,
Interim Activities, and:
A) Terminations
,B) Briefings
C) HQS Inspections
D) Portability
E) Waiting List Management
Correct Answer: A) Terminations
Rationale: The study guide lists the full occupancy cycle, with "Terminations" being the final
stage, covering violations, lease terminations, and HAP contract terminations.
Question 6
When an applicant is first placed on the waiting list, what is the PHA's responsibility regarding
their claimed preference status?
A) The PHA must fully verify the preference with third-party documentation.
B) The PHA must deny the preference until it can be verified.
C) The PHA need only certify the family's claim of preference eligibility, with verification to come
later.
D) The PHA must conduct a home visit to verify the preference.
E) The PHA must require the family to provide a notarized statement.
Correct Answer: C) The PHA need only certify the family's claim of preference eligibility, with
verification to come later.
Rationale: The guide states that at the time of the initial application, the PHA need only
"certify preference eligibility (not verify)." The family is placed on the waitlist according to
their self-certified preference, and full verification occurs when they are pulled from the list.
Question 7
A family whose head, co-head, or spouse is 62 years of age or older is defined as a(n):
A) Disabled family
B) Elderly family
C) Near-elderly family
D) Mixed family
E) Working family
, Correct Answer: B) Elderly family
Rationale: The guide provides this specific definition: "head or spouse is 62+."
Question 8
Under what circumstance is a household member exempt from the requirement to disclose and
provide a Social Security Number?
A) If they are a minor under the age of 18.
B) If they are a live-in aide.
C) If they are a noncontending family member.
D) If they are the head of household.
E) There are no exemptions.
Correct Answer: C) If they are a noncontending family member.
Rationale: The text lists exemptions from SSN disclosure, including "Noncontending family
member (someone not declaring citizenship/eligible non-citizen status)." This allows mixed-
status families to receive prorated assistance.
Question 9
A family that includes U.S. citizens, eligible noncitizens, and/or non-eligible non-citizens is
referred to as a:
A) Disabled family
B) Mixed family
C) Blended family
D) Portability family
E) Noncontending family
Correct Answer: B) Mixed family
Rationale: The definition of a mixed family is one that includes "Citizens + eligible
noncitizens/non-eligible non-citizens." These families are eligible for prorated housing
assistance.
Question 10
To declare their citizenship or eligible immigration status, applicants and participants in the HCV
