Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 9— - HOUSING OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN NATIONAL DEFENSE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER VII— - DISPOSAL OF WAR AND VETERANS’ HOUSING › § 1586
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may give the specific housing projects listed in the law to the named local public housing agencies if three things happen: the city or county government asks for the transfer on or before January 30, 1953 and the local agency shows a need for low-rent housing not met by private builders; the Secretary finds the project will help meet that need and is suitable for low-rent use; and, on or before June 30, 1953, the city or county agrees to cooperate and make limited payments in place of taxes and the local agency signs an agreement with the Secretary for running the project. The law lists many projects and agencies across many States. Once transferred, the project is treated as low-rent housing under the 1937 Housing Act and must be run that way for 40 years unless the Secretary and the local agency agree it is no longer suitable. The local agency must start a program within six months to remove any tenants who are not eligible under the 1937 Act and must have them leave within 18 months after starting the program (military personnel named by the Secretary of Defense are not removed until 18 months after the transfer). Each year the agency must pay to HUD any income left over after approved operating costs, payments in lieu of taxes, reserves, and approved debt payments. The project is exempt from local property taxes. For the tax year of transfer and the next year, payments in lieu may be up to the full real property taxes; after that they may not exceed 10% of the annual shelter rents. The agency must follow tenant preference rules in the 1937 Act and give certain military personnel special preference for one year after transfer. If the agency seriously defaults, HUD can require it to give title or possession to HUD, and HUD may run the project until defaults are fixed and then return it. Annual payments to HUD go into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
Full Legal Text
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 1586
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73