A. J. Johnson Consulting Services, Inc.

Posts by A. J. Johnson

A. J. Johnson

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A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for Training on Affordable Housing – March 2026

February 9, 2026

In March 2026, A. J. Johnson will partner with the MidAtlantic Affordable Housing Management Association for six live webinar training sessions for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing field. The following sessions will be presented:…

HUD Publishes 2026 Operating Cost Adjustment Factors (OCAFs)

February 7, 2026

What Section 8 Owners and Asset Managers Need to Know On February 3, 2026, HUD released the annual Operating Cost Adjustment Factors (OCAFs) to adjust rents for eligible Section 8 contracts. These factors apply to properties with contract anniversaries on…

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for Training on Affordable Housing – February 2026

January 11, 2026

In February 2026, A. J. Johnson will partner with the MidAtlantic Affordable Housing Management Association to host a series of live webinars for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing field. The following sessions will be presented:…

Many States Increase Minimum Wage for 2026

January 3, 2026

In 2026, 21 states will have new minimum wage rates. The federal minimum wage remains unchanged at $7.25 and applies in 20 states, mainly in the South. It was last raised on July 24, 2009. Affordable housing managers responsible for…

HUD Extends HOTMA Compliance Deadline for CPD Programs to January 1, 2027

December 31, 2025

On December 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a Final Rule in the Federal Register, further extending the compliance deadline for implementing key provisions of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA)…

Medical Marijuana Reclassified – What Trump’s Executive Order Means for Affordable Housing Providers

December 21, 2025

President Trump has signed an Executive Order directing the federal government to reclassify medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act—placing it in the same category as prescription drugs such as Tylenol with codeine and…

HUD Pushes HOTMA Multifamily Compliance to January 1, 2027 – Another Troubling Delay

December 18, 2025

HUD Pushes HOTMA Multifamily Compliance to January 1, 2027 – Another Troubling Delay HUD has issued yet another extension of the HOTMA multifamily compliance deadline—this time pushing the mandatory implementation of Sections 102 and 104 to January 1, 2027. The…

DOJ Final Rule Eliminating Disparate Impact Liability- What It Means for Fair Housing Enforcement

December 13, 2025

On December 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final rule rescinding parts of its Title VI regulations that had long allowed enforcement actions based on disparate impact—policies that are neutral on their face but disproportionately harm…

HUD Income Limits Likely to Be Delayed Following ACS Data Postponement

November 29, 2025

Census Bureau Delays ACS Data Release On November 26, 2025, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the release of the 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) data will be delayed from December 11, 2025, to January 29, 2026. The postponement, resulting…

HUD Rescinds Prior Criminal Screening Guidance: What PHAs and Owners Need to Know

November 27, 2025

On November 25, 2025, HUD issued an important policy letter announcing a significant shift in the approach to criminal background screening for HUD-assisted housing. The Department explains that previous guidance caused “confusion” and had a “chilling effect” on owners’ and…

Avoiding Fair Housing Violations When Establishing Rules for Apartment Common Areas

November 8, 2025

The Fair Housing Framework Modern apartment communities often offer a variety of shared amenities — such as fitness centers, pools, lounges, co-working spaces, dog parks, and community rooms. These features enhance the resident experience but also require clear rules to…

No Change in HOTMA Implementation Date as of Late October 2025

October 27, 2025

HUD Holds Firm — For Now — on January 1, 2026 HOTMA Implementation Deadline As of mid-October 2025, there is no indication that HUD will postpone the January 1, 2026, compliance deadline for the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA).…

Tenant Self-Certification in Affordable Housing Programs

October 25, 2025

Tenant self-certification is a critical component of income verification in various affordable housing programs across the United States. After initial move-in, when third-party documentation may be difficult to obtain or when changes in household composition or income occur, many federal…

2026 Social Security COLA Announced

October 24, 2025

The federal government announced on October 24, 2025, that the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 will be 2.8%, somewhat higher than the 2.5% increase for 2025. This increase will provide an additional $56 per month for…

HUD Delays Key HOME Rule Provisions to April 2026

October 22, 2025

HUD Delays Key HOME Rule Provisions to April 2026 Green Building Incentives and Tenant Protections Postponed On October 22, 2025, the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a Federal Register notice that extends the implementation of two key provisions…

Policy Guidance: Maintenance Entry When Only Minors Are Present

October 18, 2025

Overview Maintenance employees working in resident units must behave with the highest level of professionalism and caution. One of the most sensitive—and potentially risky—situations arises when a technician arrives for a maintenance request and finds that the only people at…

A. J. Johnson to Participate in 30th Annual Mid-Atlantic AHMA Fall Conference

October 12, 2025

A. J. Johnson will participate in the Mid-Atlantic Affordable Housing Management Association (AHMA) 30th Annual Fall Conference, scheduled to take place in Richmond, VA, from November 18-2, 2025. This year marks a significant milestone: Mid-Atlantic AHMA is celebrating 30 years…

IRS Publishes Final Regulation on Average Income Set-Aside

October 4, 2025

Key Takeaway On October 7, 2025, the IRS will publish its long-awaited final regulation governing the Average Income Minimum Set-Aside Test for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). The rule clarifies how owners identify and report “qualified groups” of units,…

USDA Rural Housing Service Streamlines Reserve Request Process for Multifamily Housing

October 3, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development’s Office of Multifamily Housing has announced significant changes to how borrowers submit reserve request withdrawals, marking a major step toward modernizing government services. What’s Changing As part of ongoing efforts to…

Termination of Assistance in Section 8 Properties: The Impact of Homeownership

September 20, 2025

One of the lesser-known provisions in the recently revised HUD Model Lease for Subsidized Programs addresses the termination of rental assistance when a resident owns real property that could be used as a residence. Although this requirement may not arise…

USDA Issues 2026 Budget Requirements for Section 515 Multifamily Housing Projects

September 14, 2025

The USDA Rural Housing Service has issued updated guidance for multifamily housing owners and property managers preparing their 2026 operating budgets. This detailed guidance emphasizes the importance of cost-effectiveness and responsible management of taxpayer funds, while ensuring that rural residents…

Courts Provide Conflicting VAWA Decisions

September 13, 2025

VAWA Notices in Eviction Cases: Conflicting Court Interpretations and Best Practices for Owners & Managers Recent court decisions reveal conflicting interpretations of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) related to eviction and termination notices. Although the statute itself is clear,…

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for Training on Affordable Housing – October 2025

September 7, 2025

In October 2025, A. J. Johnson will partner with the Mid-Atlantic Affordable Housing Management Association for a live webinar designed for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing sector. The following session will be presented: October…

Federal Court Orders HUD to Release Withheld Fair Housing Funds

September 6, 2025

Background of the Case At the core of the litigation is HUD’s decision to stop the distribution of funds under the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP)—the main source of federal support for local nonprofits investigating and combating housing discrimination. Congress…

HUD Abandons Fair Housing Enforcement

August 31, 2025

HUD Retreats from Fair Housing Enforcement: Why Compliance Still Matters The federal Fair Housing Act requires the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to enforce laws prohibiting discrimination in housing. However, by late 2025, it has become increasingly…

HUD Releases 2026 Inflationary Adjustments

August 16, 2025

HUD’s 2026 Housing Program Adjustments: Partial Release Status HUD has not yet released the major 2026 program adjustments that housing providers typically need for annual planning, including Fair Market Rents (FMRs), income limits, and payment standards. However, the department…

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for Training on Affordable Housing – September 2025

August 12, 2025

In September 2025, A. J. Johnson will partner with the MidAtlantic Affordable Housing Management Association for four live webinar training sessions for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing field. The following sessions will be presented: September…

Historic Housing Expansion in Reconciliation Act

July 14, 2025

Since being signed into law on July 4, I have read the “One Big Beautiful Bill” twice, in an effort to determine its impact on housing – especially affordable housing. What follows is my take on the impact of the…

USDA Proposes Mandatory Market Studies for Section 538 Projects

July 5, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) is tightening requirements for project feasibility under its Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). In a newly proposed rule, RHS will require all applicants seeking loan guarantees for new…

RD to Implement HOTMA Income and Certification Rules on July 1, 2025

June 28, 2025

Although HUD has postponed implementation of HOTMA for its Multifamily Housing Programs until January 1, 2026, the USDA Rural Housing Service (RHS) Office of Multifamily Housing has announced that the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) will take effect on…

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