---
title: "Part XIII, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section A Certificate of Preference for Public Housing"
document: "M-21-1"
section: "Part XIII, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section A"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/xiii.ii.3.a-certificate-of-preference-for-public-housing"
source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000173822/M21-1-Part-XIII-Subpart-ii-Chapter-3-Section-A-Certificate-of-Preference-for-Public-Housing"
updated: "2026-09-07T14:38:13.674349Z"
---

February 19, 2019  

### XIII.ii.3.A.1.a. Establishment of Criteria for Preference in Admissions to Public Housing

Local public housing authorities establish the criteria for preference in admissions to public housing.  

### XIII.ii.3.A.1.b. When Certification May Be Required for Preference for Public Housing

A public housing authority may require Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) certification if the established criteria allow preference to Veterans or their dependents because of service-connected (SC) disability or death.  

### XIII.ii.3.A.1.c. When to Issue a Certificate for Preference for Public Housing

Use the table below to determine when to issue a certificate for preference for public housing. |  **If …** |  **Then …**  
service connection (SC) for the disability or cause of death has been established |  issue a certificate at the request of the

  * public housing authority
  * person seeking preference, or
  * his/her representative.

**Note:** If issued at the request of a representative, address and forward the certificate to the person seeking preference.  
a claim for benefits

  * has **_not_** been filed, and
  * **_no_** determination of SC for disability or death has been made

|  furnish a statement that **_no_**

  * determination of SC for disability or death has been made, and
  * explain that in the absence of a claim, VA **_cannot_** furnish a certificate.

### XIII.ii.3.A.1.d. Filing the Request for Preference for Public Housing

Do **_not_** add the request for, or a copy of, the certificate for preference for public housing to the claims folder.  

### XIII.ii.3.A.1.e. Who May Issue a Certificate for Preference for Public Housing

A Veterans Service Center Manager, Pension Management Center Manager, or a designee may issue the certificate.  

### XIII.ii.3.A.1.f. What the Certificate for Preference for Public Housing Must Contain

The certificate for preference for public housing must contain the

  * name of the Veteran
  * VA claims folder number, and
  * date of preparation.

### XIII.ii.3.A.1.g. Wording on the Certificate for Preference for Public Housing

Use the following wording on the certificate, unless a variation is required by local criteria: **Disability certification:** “ _This is to certify that medical records acceptable to the Department of Veterans Affairs disclose the present existence of service-connected disability or disabilities for_**[name of Veteran]**_based on active service in the_ **[branch of service]**_from_ **[date]** _to_ **[date]**.” **Death certification:** “ _This is to certify that the records of the Department of Veterans Affairs disclose that the death of_ **[name of Veteran]** _was due to active service in_ **[branch of service]** _from_ **[date]** _to_ **[date]**.”