Laserfiche WebLink
5-LB. BRIEFING [24 CFR 982.301] <br />SAHA must give the family an oral briefing and provide the family with a briefing packet <br />containing written information about the program. Families maybe briefed individually or in <br />groups. At the briefing, SAHA must ensure effective communication in accordance with Section <br />504 requirements (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), and ensure that the briefing <br />site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. For a more thorough discussion of accessibility <br />requirements, refer to Chapter 2. <br />Briefings will be conducted in group meetings, or under special circumstances, individually. <br />Generally, the head of household is required to attend the briefing. If the head of household is <br />unable to attend, SAHA may approve another adult family member to attend the briefing. <br />Families that attend group briefings and still need individual assistance will be referred to an <br />appropriate SAHA staff person. <br />Briefings will be conducted in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. For other limited English <br />proficient (LEP) applicants, SAHA will provide translation services in accordance with SAHA's <br />LEP plan (See Chapter 2). <br />Notification and Attendance <br />Families will be notified of their eligibility for assistance at the time they are invited to attend a <br />briefing. The notice will identify who is required to attend the briefing, as well as the date and <br />time of the scheduled briefing. <br />If the notice is returned by the post office with no forwarding address, a notice of denial (see <br />Chapter 3) will be sent to the family's address of record, as well as to any alternate address <br />provided on the initial application, and they will be removed from the wait list. <br />If the notice is returned by the post office with a forwarding address, a notice will be re-sent to <br />the address indicated. <br />Applicants who fail to attend a scheduled briefing will automatically be scheduled for a final <br />briefing. SAHA will notify the family of the date and time of the second scheduled briefing. <br />Applicants who fail to attend two scheduled briefings, without SAHA approval, will be denied <br />assistance (see Chapter 3) and removed from the wait list. <br />Oral Briefing [24 CFR 982.301(a)] <br />Each briefing must provide information on the following subjects: <br />~ How the Housing Choice Voucher program works; <br />~ Family and owner responsibilities; <br />~ Where the family can lease a unit, including renting a unit inside or outside SAHA's <br />jurisdiction; <br />~ For families eligible under portability, an explanation of portability. SAHA will not <br />discourage eligible families from moving under portability; <br />~ For families living in high-poverty census tracts, an explanation of the advantages of moving <br />to areas outside of high-poverty concentrations; and <br />iii29iio Page 5-2 <br />