This final rule amends the regulations for the public housing and Section 8 assisted housing programs, and for other HUD assisted housing programs, such as the Section 221(d)(3) below market interest rate (BMIR) program, Section 202 program for the elderly, and Section 811 program for persons with disabilities, and Section 236 interest reduction program. All of these programs were affected by 1998 amendments to the statute authorizing the public housing and Section 8 programs. These amendments give Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and assisted housing owners the tools for adopting and implementing fair, effective, and comprehensive policies for screening out programs applicants who engage in illegal drug use or other criminal activity and for evicting or terminating assistance of persons who engage in such activity.