General Requirements

(1) Each LHA shall administer its operations in a fair and consistent manner. Such administration shall include but not be limited to; (a) creating and maintaining a website or web page and keeping and posting key information on its website, in its central office and on the wall of the community center or other conspicuous location for each of its developments in accordance with the Department's guidelines, so that tenants, applicants, local and state officials and the general public have a reasonably convenient means to communicate with the LHA and to take steps necessary to access the LHA's programs and opportunities. Information to be posted by the LHA shall include: LHA office hours, the names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or other means of contact for the LHA's Executive Director and Assistant Director (if any), all LHA board members, and senior staff; information for tenants on how to report maintenance problems; copies of its Annual Plan, and; any other items required under 760 CMR 4.00. (b) properly maintaining its property within budget. (c) using administrative and financial procedures and policies prescribed in the Department’s guidelines. (d) posting in a conspicuous place in the LHA's central office and on its website or webpage, a notice stating that any individual who believes he or she has been denied employment or housing, discharged, or has suffered discrimination in compensation or in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment or housing on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, ancestry, disability, marital status, veteran status, membership in the armed forces, presence of children, or political beliefs, receipt of public assistance rental assistance or housing subsidy or any other basis prohibited by law, has the right to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). (e) adopting and enforcing appropriate anti-discrimination policies, which meet the requirements of applicable law, including, a policy against sexual and other discriminatory harassment, a language access plan, and a policy for reasonable accommodation on account of disability. 4.02: continued (f) giving to an applicant or tenant, who is known not to speak English, information in commonly spoken foreign languages that states that “this is an important document, please contact the (name of the local housing authority) at (phone number of local housing authority) for language assistance”. (g) participating in the Capital Assistance Program as described in 760 CMR 11.08: Capital Assistance Program, when required to do so or when such participation would be beneficial to the operation of the LHA. (2) The LHA shall post and shall keep posted in a conspicuous place in its central office, on its website or webpage, and, if practical, in each development, all rules and policies of the LHA and the regulations of the Department which affect the rights, status, duties or welfare of tenants and their households, together with such other information as required to be posted by Department guidelines. All posted rules and policies shall state the date of last revision and identify a contact person and the means of contact. If postings are repeatedly removed, destroyed or defaced, the LHA shall take reasonable alternative measures to make the material conveniently available to tenants. Absence of a posting shall not affect the validity or applicability of rules, policies or regulations. Upon request, a tenant shall, without charge, be provided with one copy of an applicable rule, policy or regulation; the LHA may charge a reasonable fee for providing a duplicate copy or copies to the tenant. (3) From time to time the Department may develop and issue guidelines and/or standard forms to be used by the LHA in connection with the provisions of 760 CMR 4.00, 5.00: Eligibility and Selection Criteria, 6.00: Occupancy Standards and Tenant Participation for State-aided Housing, 8.00: Privacy and Confidentiality, 11.00: Modernization and Development of State-aided Public Housing, 49.00: Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program and 53.00: Alternative Housing Voucher Program and with reports required by the Department. Each LHA shall employ the current guidelines and the current forms.