Report Fraud

Report Fraud

The Housing Authority is committed to protecting the integrity of the housing programs that we administer and ensuring that benefits are received only by eligible households and participating owners in accordance with federal regulations.

If you have reason to believe that any fraudulent activity is taking place in connection with any of the agency’s housing programs, we ask that you promptly bring the matter to our attention. You can report fraud anonymously.

What is fraud?

Fraud involves false statements, omissions, or actions made with the intent to deceive or mislead, resulting in funds being misused or program rules violated or circumvented

Examples of owner fraud include:

  • Offering bribes to Housing Authority employees.
  • Accepting housing assistance payments for properties that one does not own or represent as the legal agent.
  • Accepting housing assistance payments for vacant apartments/homes.
  • Requesting rent payments from tenants in excess of the amount stated in the lease.
  • Renting to relatives without prior approval from the Housing Authority.

Examples of voucher holder or  resident fraud include:

  • Not reporting income or total amount of income.
  • Subletting a subsidized apartment/home.
  • Having a voucher issued by the Housing Authority and another agency/owner.
  • Allowing people not on the lease to live in the apartment.

How to report housing fraud:

Please be specific regarding the problems you have seen and provide as much information as possible, including the persons you suspect of committing fraud, where they live (if known), and when the alleged incident occurred.

These are the ways to report suspected fraud:

  1. Call our Fraud Hotline at 713.260.0724
  2. Email allegations to fraud@housingforhouston.com
  3. Fax the information to us at 713.260.0828 to the attention of Fraud/Compliance
  4. Mail written allegations of fraud to:

Houston Housing Authority
Attn: Fraud/Compliance
2640 Fountainview Drive,
Houston, TX 77057

The Appeals Process

REQUEST AN INFORMAL REVIEW

An informal review is not a hearing. In an informal review, a person who is a program supervisor, but not the supervisor of the person who made the decision upon which the request is based, reviews all the facts upon which the decision was based and issues a notice of decision which may uphold or overturn the original decision.

An applicant may request an informal review if the applicant:

  1. Is denied a voucher;
  2. Is denied participation in the Program;
  3. Has assistance denied or delayed because of the immigration status of a family member?

Informal reviews will not be granted to applicants who dispute:

  1. Their lottery number;
  2. The number of bedrooms stated on the voucher;
  3. A determination that a unit does not meet or comply with Housing Quality Standards;
  4. A determination that a proposed lease is unacceptable;
  5. A decision to not approve a request for an extension of the term of the voucher;
  6. General policy issues or class grievances.

To request an Informal Review on the closing of your HCV Application:

You have the right to request an Informal Review of the closing of your application file.  A written request for an Informal Review must be submitted within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date you receive the Closed File Report Letter.  The written request may be submitted in one (1) the four (4) following ways:

  • In-Person: Submit your written request at our office
  • Facsimile (fax): Submit your written request by fax to (713) 260-0785
  • Email: Submit your written request by email: informalhearing@housingforhouston.com
  • Traditional Mail: Submit your written request by USPS, UPS, or FedEx
  • Dropbox: Submit your written request via the dropbox located outside the main entrance

Verbal requests will not be accepted.  You are strongly encouraged to select a method that will provide you with proof of transmission/mailing. Please attach a copy of the Closed File Report Letter with your Informal Review Request.

REQUEST AN INFORMAL HEARING

To request an Informal Hearing on a Termination, you must submit a written request to the Hearing Officer within fifteen (15) calendar days of the Notice of Termination of Assistance Letter.  The written request may be submitted in one (1) of the four (4) following ways:

  • In-Person: Submit your written request at our office
  • Facsimile (fax): Submit your written request by fax to (713) 260-0785
  • Email: Submit your written request by email: informalhearing@housingforhouston.com
  • Traditional Mail: Submit your written request by USPS, UPS, or FedEx
  • Dropbox: Submit your written request via the dropbox located outside the main entrance

Verbal requests will not be accepted.  You are strongly encouraged to select a method that will provide you with proof of transmission/mailing. Please attach a copy of the Notice of Termination of Assistance Letter with your Informal Hearing Request.

If your request is timely and you qualify for a hearing, the termination will be suspended until the completion of the hearing process.  Note that you are not responsible for and cannot be evicted for non-payment of Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) by the Houston Housing Authority prior to the effective date of the termination.

If you are a person with a disability and your program violation is related to your disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation from the Housing Authority’s 504/ADA Administrator. Click here to download a Reasonable Accommodation form.