Section 8 Landlord Required to Pay Restitution

 

Los Angeles County Community Development Commission

 

 

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Elisa Vásquez, (323) 890-7415, elisa.vasquez@lacdc.org

 

 

Section 8 Landlord Required to Pay Restitution

 

Annual Inspection Leads to $86,000 in Restitution to the

Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles

 

March 24, 2010 – During an annual inspection of a Section 8 assisted home in Claremont that was conducted in 2009, an inspector from the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (Housing Authority) saw evidence of an unapproved adult male living in the home.  Under the contract obligations of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program, a person not listed on the family composition, who has been in the unit more than 30 calendar days (or more than 60 days in a 12-month period), is considered an unauthorized household member, thereby violating the Section 8 rules.

The subsidized home was located on the border of the cities of Pomona and Claremont.  The participant’s home was on the Claremont side of the street and the landlord lived across the street in Pomona.  The Housing Authority investigator conducted an investigation and found that the "landlord" was the mother of the Section 8 participant.  

 

Over the years, the landlord collected nearly $86,000 in fraudulent subsidies.   After being made aware of the findings, the landlord agreed to pay an initial sum of $50,000 in restitution.  The balance of the amount will be repaid pursuant to a repayment agreement that was recently executed. 

Under the leadership of the new Executive Director, Sean Rogan, the Housing Authority continues to take a zero-tolerance stand on Section 8 Program participants and owners who fail to meet the program’s Federal requirements or contractual obligations. Through the dedication of the Housing Authority leadership, and the tireless efforts of staff, the Housing Authority continues to make strides in maintaining the integrity of the Section 8 Program, and in reserving the funding for the individuals and families within the County who should truly benefit from the program’s assistance.

 

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