For low-income families and other protected groups struggling to afford housing, the Section 8 program can be a blessing. However, you must adhere to the rules and responsibilities set by the FHA to continue receiving assistance. Here is a look at 11 things that can cause you to lose your Section 8 voucher.
hash-markSection 8 Violations That Can Cause You To Lose Your Voucher
- Non-Reporting
- Alcohol Abuse
- Illegal Drug Use
- Violent Crime
- Domestic Abuse
- Evictions
- Inspections
- Lease Violations
- Other Housing Assistance
- Fraud or Bribery
- Failing to Meet Responsibilities
1. Non-Reporting
Non-reporting can cause you to lose your Section 8 voucher. As a requirement to receive a Section 8 voucher, you must supply the information required by the PHA or HUD. Common information these agencies request includes the social security numbers of any program applicants, household income, and evidence of citizenship or immigration status. Failure to provide the required information can lead to the termination of your Section 8 voucher for non-compliance.
2. Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse can also disqualify you from public housing and Section 8. All household members must abstain from abusing alcohol in a way that violates the health, safety, and right to peaceful enjoyment of the property of other residents in the household or living in the vicinity. Responsible alcohol consumption is permitted, but if it causes issues with other tenants, this can be grounds to terminate your voucher.
3. Illegal Drug Use
Any applicants receiving Section 8 assistance who are engaging in illegal drug use or a pattern of drug use that interferes with the health and safety of other residents can have their voucher terminated. Many criminal charges stemming from illegal drug use or distribution can disqualify you from Section 8. The housing authority will automatically terminate the Section 8 voucher if any household member has been convicted of the manufacture or production of methamphetamine. The rules around other types of drug use are not as clear cut but can result in termination if the behavior is destructive and presents a danger to other residents.
4. Violent Crime
Another disqualification for Section 8 public housing can be a criminal history of violent crime. Any families receiving Section 8 have a responsibility not to engage in violent crime. If any violent behavior is reported to the housing authority, they will investigate to determine whether the behavior is cause for termination of your Section 8 voucher. They have specific policies regarding what crimes constitute immediate removal from the program.
5. Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking are strictly prohibited and can lead to the termination of a Section 8 voucher. However, if one member of the household abuses another, the victim of the infraction will not have their voucher terminated. Instead, the housing authority will investigate and may require the abusive person to leave.
6. Evictions
Evictions will also result in losing a Section 8 voucher most of the time. It's important to respect all of the landlords rules and requirements as laid out in the lease. If you do not and they decide they want to evict you, your Section 8 voucher will be in jeapordy.If the landlord gives them an eviction notice, the family must supply the housing authority with a copy.
7. Inspections
Families receiving Section 8 must let the PHA inspect their unit at reasonable times with reasonable notice. This ensures that the property manager or landlord follows the inspection standards set by the housing authority. The family is also required to supply any information requested by the PHA or HUD for use in the regular reexamination of the property, and failure to do so can be cause for termination.
8. Lease Violations
Families receiving Section 8 assistance are prohibited from committing serious or repeated lease violations. Examples include doing significant damage to the property or engaging in illegal activity in the unit. If the landlord wants you out because of lease violations, it can cause you to lose your Section 8 voucher. Voucher holders are also required to notify the housing authority before moving out of the unit or breaking the lease.
9. Other Housing Assistance
Family members cannot receive Section 8 if they are actively receiving assistance as part of another program. This could be for the same unit or an entirely different unit. This rule is to prevent anyone from abusing the system and attempting to receive more assistance than what is permitted by the housing authority.
10. Fraud or Bribery
Acts of fraud, bribery, or any other criminal activity in connection with the program are strictly prohibited. Examples of actions that might constitute fraud include knowingly withholding information on income or assets, using fake identification or social security numbers, falsifying legal records, or tenants entering into outside agreements with the landlord. One of the penalties for not reporting income to Section 8 is that you can lose your voucher.
11. Failing to Meet Responsibilities
Failing to meet your required responsibilities can also cause you to lose your Section 8 voucher. The Housing Authority also has a list of other miscellaneous responsibilities voucher recipients are required to meet. The exact policies and requirements may vary depending on the location of the housing program. Still, recipients have a duty to make a reasonable effort to obey all the program requirements, or they can lose their voucher.
hash-markWhat Can Cause You to Lose Your Section 8 Voucher Bottom Line
If you want to remain in good standing with the housing authority and keep your Section 8 voucher, it’s essential to understand the rules and obey them to the best of your ability. Most of the rules are fairly straightforward, and as long as you’re cooperative and make a consistent effort to be cooperative, you shouldn’t have an issue.
