Screening

A review of an applicant's history to identify patterns of behavior that, if exhibited at the assisted housing development, would make the applicant an unsuitable tenant. Screening criteria may include consideration of drug-related or criminal activity, tenancy, credit and rent payment history, or other behaviors that may affect the rights of other residents and management.

Section 504 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794, as it applies to programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance. [24 CFR 8.3]

Section 8 The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note). [24 CFR 891.505]

Security Deposit A payment required by an owner to be held during the term of the lease (or the time period the tenant occupies the unit) to offset damages incurred due to the actions of the tenant. Such damages may include physical damage to the property, theft of property, and failure to pay back rent. Forfeiture of the deposit does not absolve the tenant of further financial liability.

• Security Personnel A qualified security professional with adequate training and experience to provide security services for project residents.

• Service Animals See Assistance Animals.

Service Bureaus

These organizations prepare:

1. Monthly subsidy voucher facsimiles based on the 50059 data requirements, and

2. Approved special claims and transmit them to the user’s Contract Administrator or TRACS for processing and payment.

Otherwise, the service bureau will follow instructions received from HUD or the Contract Administrator on special claim payments. In instances where the software being used to double-check calculations before transmission discovers errors in the 50059 data requirements provided, these organizations print out revised 50059 data requirements and return the revised documentation to their sites for appropriate action.

Service bureaus may provide their users with the monthly benefit history reports used in annual recertifications, as well as returning TRACS messages received from the Contract Administrator or TRACS.

NOTE: Service bureaus are organizations that provide a number of different services and are paid a fee to do so. Their users (owners

HUD Occupancy Handbook Glossary

8/13

32

Glossary and management agents) are responsible for the verification of information contained on the 50059 facsimiles they provide to their service bureau. The bureaus transmit tenant certifications to TRACS or to Contract Administrators using TRACS-compliant software. If a service bureau determines that data elements provided by the site are incorrect, the bureau will transmit the correct data to TRACS and return a correct facsimile to the sites for signature by the household and management and for copying and filing in the tenant file.