PHAs can deny applicants for admission for objective and reasonable reasons, but must still comply with fair housing and civil rights laws. If an applicant is rejected, the PHA must give the applicant written notification of the factual grounds for the denial and of the right to an informal hearing to contest the denial.1 This notification must contain enough detail so that the applicant can understand the reasons for the denial. If the denial is based on criminal activity, the PHA must provide the applicant with a copy the information the PHA used to determine that the criminal activity took place.2
The informal hearing must be before a person other than the individual who made the decision to reject the applicant. This type of hearing is not governed by the PHA’s grievance procedure.3