Each PHA must require all adult public housing tenants, not just heads of household, to give 8 hours per month of service to the community in which they reside, unless they meet one of several exceptions.1 Residents can also perform “economic self-sufficiency” activities instead of community service.2 PHAs must address the community service work requirement in their PHA plan.
A nonexempt family member’s violation of the community work requirements prevents automatic renewal of the lease at the end of the standard 12-month term.3 Noncompliance at lease expiration can lead to eviction unless the tenant and noncomplying family member sign an agreement to cure the noncompliance within subsequent 12 months or the noncomplying adult leaves the household.4 The head of household cannot make up hours for the noncompliant household member. A family retains its rights to an administrative grievance if found to be noncompliant.
Exempt tenants include but are not limited to those aged 62 or over, blind, or disabled; primary caretakers of persons who are blind or disabled; and those engaged in “work activities” under the TANF definition or who are exempt from work requirements under the state TANF program.
The PHA must provide a general notice to all residents of the community service work requirement along with a description of the exemptions and permissible work activities. The notice must also state the date by which a resident must start doing community service. This date is generally the recertification date.