Program Overview
Contract renewals under MAHRA can be one of the most misunderstood areas of HUD Multifamily compliance. Choosing the wrong renewal option, or requesting the wrong rent adjustment, can lead to delays, rejected submissions, lost revenue opportunities, and long-term operational challenges.
This webinar provides a practical, step-by-step explanation of every MAHRA contract renewal option, the rent adjustment methods available under each, and the decision-making framework used by HUD and PBCAs. Participants will learn how market rents, Rent Comparability Studies (RCS), Operating Cost Adjustment Factors (OCAF), Budget-Based Rent Adjustments (BBRA), fifth-year adjustments, and exception projects all fit together to create a defensible renewal strategy. Through real-world examples and common rejection scenarios, attendees will gain the knowledge needed to prepare stronger renewal packages and make informed decisions that support both compliance and long-term property performance.
Areas Covered:-
- Understanding MAHRA and how it changed Project-Based Section 8 contract renewals
- The six MAHRA contract renewal options and when each applies
- Differences between Pre-MAHRA and Post-MAHRA contracts
- How Rent Comparability Studies (RCS) affect contract renewals and rent increases
- Operating Cost Adjustment Factors (OCAF), Budget-Based Rent Adjustments (BBRA), Annual Adjustment Factors (AAF), and Special Adjustments
- Fifth-Year Adjustments and Mark-to-Comparable requirements
- Option 4 Exception Projects and Preservation/Demonstration renewals
- Short-term contracts and when HUD uses them
- The complete contract renewal and rent adjustment processing workflow
- Common reasons contract renewals and rent adjustment requests are rejected
- HUD's decision-making framework for selecting the correct renewal option
- Strategies for aligning contract renewals with long-term property performance and financial sustainability
Background:-
Every HUD Multifamily Project-Based Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract eventually expires and must be renewed under the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act (MAHRA). Selecting the correct renewal option is far more than an administrative exercise. It determines future rent adjustment opportunities, long-term funding, regulatory obligations, and the financial stability of the property. This session explains the complete contract renewal framework, the relationship between renewal options and rent adjustments, and how to navigate the requirements with confidence.
Why Should You Attend:-
A HAP contract renewal affects far more than the next contract term. It influences your property's financial health for years to come. Whether you prepare renewal packages, review them, or oversee property operations, understanding the relationship between contract renewal options and rent adjustment pathways is essential. This session will help you avoid common mistakes, improve the quality of renewal submissions, understand HUD's decision-making process, and confidently select the most appropriate renewal strategy for your property.
You'll leave with practical knowledge that can reduce processing delays, strengthen compliance, and support better long-term financial planning.
Who Should Attend:-
This webinar is designed for professionals responsible for the financial, operational, and compliance aspects of HUD Multifamily Project-Based Section 8 properties, including:
- Executive Directors
- Property Owners
- Management Agents
- Regional Managers
- Property Managers
- Occupancy Specialists
- Compliance Specialists
- HUD Multifamily Administrators
- Asset Managers
- Contract Administrators
- Affordable Housing Consultants
- Housing Directors
- Portfolio Managers
- Financial Managers and Controllers
- PBCA Staff
- HUD Multifamily Professionals involved in contract renewals or rent adjustment request.
About the Speaker
Rhanda McKown is a seasoned affordable housing professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Currently, she serves as Director of Affordable Housing for a non-profit organization covering four states. She spent 15 years working for a Performance Based Contract Administrator (PBCA), ...
Rhanda McKown is a seasoned affordable housing professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Currently, she serves as Director of Affordable Housing for a non-profit organization covering four states. She spent 15 years working for a Performance Based Contract Administrator (PBCA), where she conducted Management and Occupancy Reviews across Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Rhanda has developed specialized expertise in processing Auto-OCAF rent adjustments, Special Claims, Budget-Based Rent Adjustments, and Contract Renewals. Her background in HUD funded multifamily affordable housing subsidy programs is extensive, with a specialization in properties that follow HUD Handbook 4350.3 for occupancy guidelines. In addition to her technical expertise, Rhanda has a strong track record in building and coordinating educational programs focused on affordable housing. She has also served as the Director of the Affordable Housing Study Commission for Florida, where she played a key role in understanding and reporting on affordable housing policy and statistics in the state. Rhanda’s experience also includes managing the records retention program for a state housing finance agency (HFA), where she was instrumental in developing the agency’s records retention strategy and served as a liaison for the OnBase© software system.