This rule enhances and expands the rights of tenants in HUD- insured and assisted housing to organize and participate in project operation. Pursuant to statutory changes enacted in 1998, the rule expands the assistance programs in which tenants have rights to organize. The rule also defines general characteristics of a legitimate tenant organization, such as regularity of meeting and democratic organization, while leaving the specific organizational structures and procedures to local decisionmaking by the tenants themselves. The rule outlines examples of appropriate tenant organization activities that housing owners and managers must allow, and requires that tenants have input on certain management decisions. The rule sets parameters as well for the conditions under which tenant organizers may operate. Finally, in response to public comments, the rule clarifies that existing administrative enforcement mechanisms apply.