The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act
Learn about how HOTMA will change Voucher regulations beginning January 1st, 2027.
HOTMA stands for the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016. It is a law that makes major changes to core rules of Section 8 and Public Housing programs.
Here are some of the ways HOTMA will change Section 8 programs:
- Updated definitions for terms related to income and assets
- New asset limits for applicants
- New rules and definitions for income deductions and hardship waivers
- New rules for processing interim reexaminations (such as income changes and household composition changes)
HUD created a page where participants can learn about these HOTMA changes. Go here to learn more: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/hotma/hotma-income-and-assets/#resident-resources
HOTMA impacts the Housing Choice Voucher program, including special voucher types like VASH, NED, Mainstream, or FYI vouchers.
If you live in a property with Project-Based Voucher assistance, HOTMA will impact your Project-Based Voucher.
If you are participating on the Homeownership Program option, HOTMA will impact your homeownership assistance.
Housing Authorities are required by law to follow the new HOTMA rules. Most HOTMA changes are mandatory. Some of the HOTMA changes are optional, and Housing Authorities can decide on those optional policies. Our updated Administrative Plan will tell you about the mandatory and optional policy changes.
Yes, HOTMA will impact your assistance if you have HCV or PBV assistance. Here are some changes you will notice:
- When it is time to reverify your income and assets, we may ask you for more or different verification documents.
- We will have new rules about when we can and cannot process a household income change (called an “interim reexamination”).
- We may calculate your household income differently.
Your household deductions for dependents, elderly/disabled families, childcare costs, medical expenses, and disability assistance expenses will change.
Most of these changes start on January 1st, 2027. Some of the changes are already in effect now.
You can read our proposed changes here: https://hoswwa.org/hcv-administrative-policy/