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Introduction

HUD Section 8 Renewal Policy Guidebook · 2026 edition · updated 2026-09-23 · United States

Since the mid-1990s, when long-term project-based Section 8 HAP contracts began expiring, Section 8 policy has evolved dramatically. For several years, HUD issued notices and other guidance in a piecemeal fashion to implement new policy related to renewing expiring Section 8 HAP contracts and preserving affordable housing.

To make Section 8 policy more effective and accessible for HUD’s partners, this Guide provides comprehensive guidance for renewing expiring Section 8 HAP contracts. It incorporates the procedures contained in previous Section 8 expiring contract Housing Notices, along with a number of changes. As a living document, over time this Guide is expected to contain nearly all of the information related to the renewal of expiring Section 8 HAP contracts.

To respond to the evolving nature of Section 8 renewal legislation and policy, the format of this Guide provides the opportunity to accommodate changes through revisions of one or more sections without a complete revision of the entire document. As is the case with HUD Handbooks, when legislation or policy decisions warrant modifications to this Guide, HUD will issue the revisions and make them available to all users. Only those portions of the Guide that are affected by the change will be modified. This Guide is on the web at:

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/administration/hudclips and https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/mfh/mfhsec8

The instructions in this Guide apply to all Contract Administrators who are responsible for overseeing Section 8 HAP contracts. This includes Contract Administrators who have performance based contracts with HUD. Contract Administrators with performance based contracts are also required to follow the Guidebook for the Section 8 Contract Administration Initiative.

To assist users, this Guide includes a List of Acronyms Used in this Guide (Attachment 1) and a Glossary of Terms Used in this Guide (Attachment 2).

This Section 8 Renewal Policy Guidebook is being published on March 27, 2023. This guidance will apply to renewal and amend rent packages received by the Department (or post-marked) on or after May 1, 2023.

Chapter One – Published March 2023

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▸Contents — HUD Section 8 Renewal Policy Guidebook
HUD Section 8 Renewal Policy Guidebook

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