OPM Compliance
February 15, 2017
2017 DCA Utility Allowances Published
New Allowance Coverage Map
The 2017 DCA Utility Allowances effective 1/1/17 have been posted to the DCA website, and must be implemented by 4/1/17.

The DCA Utility Regions are broken into two sections: North and South. The allowances and the new Utility Region Map may be found here.

If you have questions, please direct emails to compliance@dca.ga.gov.
The Annual Owner Certification Report (AOC)
Due 3/31/17
The Annual Owner Certification report, (AOC) has been posted to the DCA Compliance website, here, under the Electronic Notifications and Reporting section. Owners must complete the AOC for all projects with a tenant as of 12/31/2016.

Which properties must complete the AOC?
1.  Tax Credit Properties in the Compliance Period with tenants (1-15 years)
2.  Tax Credit properties in the Extended Use Period (16+)
3.  HOME only properties in the affordability period or with a loan balance

The Owner signature page must be signed and attached to the completed AOC report. Change the date in the top right corner of the form to reflect the correct reporting year. If you have questions, please direct emails to compliance@dca.ga.gov.
Model forms for VAWA available on HUD Website
HUD has created Microsoft Word files for the four model forms included in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) final rule that was published in the Federal Register on November 16, 2016.

These forms are now available on the Office of Multifamily Housing's web page. These forms are as follows
 
  • VAWA Appendix A: Notice of Occupancy Rights Under the Violence Against Women Act, form HUD-5380
  • VAWA Appendix B: Model Emergency Transfer Plan for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking, form HUD-5381
  • VAWA Appendix C: Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking and Alternate Documentation, form HUD-5382and 
  • VAWA Appendix D: Emergency Transfer Request for Certain Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking, form HUD-5383

Reminder- HOME Rents must be approved by DCA Annually.
An updated version DCA HOME Rent Approval Form has been posted to the DCA Website.  Please use this form for all new submissions.

Owners must seek review and approval of HOME rents at all DCA HOME funded properties on an annual basis, as directed in the HOME Final Rule of 2013. The DCA Rent Approval Form must be submitted at least once annually after the release of the HOME published rent limits.  

The form may be found on our website: DCA Compliance

 If you have questions, please direct emails to compliance@dca.ga.gov.
Previous Notifications
Development Construction - Notice to Owners
DCA should be notified using the Placed In Service Notification no later than 30 days after the first building in your development is placed in service.  The required notification form can be found on the  DCA website under Mandatory Forms.
 
The form includes instructions for setting the development up in MITAS and obtaining initial access to MITAS for the property.  For questions about the form or set up, contact  Stephen.Vlkovic@dca.ga.gov.
DCA Limited English Proficiency Guidance Available
On September 15, 2016, HUD released guidance addressing how the Fair Housing Act applies to claims of housing discrimination brought by people because they do not speak, read, or write English proficiently. While limited English proficiency is not a protected class under the Fair Housing Act, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin which is closely linked to the ability to communicate proficiently in English.  DCA encourages its partners to review this guidance and has posted it on the DCA Compliance website under
News, Notices, Events and Mitas.
You can find the document using the link below.

 

Guidance on Fair Housing Act Protections for Persons with Limited English Proficiency 

Notice of Casualty Loss, Management and Mitas Change Requests, and Notice of Ending Recertification
Notifying DCA Compliance has never been Easier!
 
Owners and managers may now easily submit requests for Management and Mitas Changes, Ending Recertification, and Notice of Casualty Loss, by using our electronic notification service on the main Compliance Web page.  Simply go to the Compliance Website and look under Electronic Notifications and Reporting.   
Disparate Impact & use of Arrest Records in Tenant Selection.
Portfolio Management team members recently attended a webinar which examined HUD's recent guidance on how Disparate Impact may used in Fair Housing Act actions based on tenant selection plans and determining eligibility for occupancy. A link to the webinar has been posted on the DCA website. The ancillary HUD documents are also posted. We encourage owners and managers to review their tenant selection plans and screening processes in light of the new guidance from HUD.

You may find the documents and links here:
News Events and Notices 
8609s Must be Submitted to DCA Electronically

Effective immediately, please submit an electronic copy of executed Form(s) 8609 with a completed Part II to compliance@dca.ga.gov.

Include the project number, project name (abbreviated) and 8609 in the email subject line;

 (example: ##-### project name, 8609)
 
The submission of the completed Form(s) 8609 to DCA must be made no later than the project owner's filing of such forms with the IRS.

This notice covers all projects going forward as they claim credits for the first time.  
 


The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is committed to providing all persons with equal access to its services, programs, activities, education and employment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
  
For reasonable accommodations or alternate format information please contact compliance@dca.ga.gov
 

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Quick Links 
 
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Housing Finance and Development Division
60 Executive Park South, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
404-679-4840