1. (a) Assigning preferences to applicants who meet certain criteria is a method intended to provide housing opportunities to applicants based upon household characteristics. Entities may identify categories of preference for the selection of tenants subject to the approval of the housing agency, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local fair housing and civil rights laws.
2. (b) Entities shall inform all applicants about available preferences and give all applicants an opportunity to show that they qualify for available preferences.
3. (c) If an entity identifies a category or categories of preferences for the selection of tenants approved by the housing agency, the entity shall denote such preferences on the waitlist entry for applicants who qualify for such preference or preferences at the time of their application. The entity shall re-evaluate an applicant’s qualification for such preference or preferences at the time of tenant selection, pursuant to section 8-37ee-904(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
4. (d) Entities shall inform all applicants of the way in which persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation pursuant to section 46a-64c of the Connecticut General Statutes to provide such persons with an opportunity to show that they qualify for available preferences.
5. (e) Although an entity may establish preferences to admit households with specific characteristics from the waitlist, the entity shall not deny applicant selection or assistance based upon an applicant’s membership in a protected class set forth in section 46a-64c, 46a-80c or 46a-81e of the Connecticut General Statutes.
6. (f) The entity’s application of preferences shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local fair housing and civil rights laws and with all applicable civil rights related program requirements.

(Effective February 4, 2025)