How to Report Housing Fraud
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and lots of state agencies provide housing assistance to needy individuals and their families. In some instances, though, the people who receive assistance do this under false pretenses. Housing fraud comes in many forms. There are people who make false statements or conceal facts knowingly in communications with housing authorities in order to get benefits like low-income housing and Section 8 housing vouchers. Benefits are also misused by some people. For example, a recipient of low-cost housing might rent out an apartment for a profit to another person. When such incidents are occurring, they may be reported through the appropriate channels.
Gather information. Obtain information occurred. Pictures are helpful.
Write down the details before you report the fraud. Contain the name or names and addresses of people involved and specify who perpetrated the fraud. Provide details of exactly what the person did that constitutes fraud. Explain where and when it occurred and why the person committed the fraud. Supply the names of different people who are conscious of the fraud.
Report the fraud by calling your regional or city housing authority or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You may contact these agencies by mail, telephone or email. In San Francisco, you can get in touch with the HUD Regional Office by telephone in 415-489-6400 or by seeing 600 Harrison Street. The HUD Regional Office is on the third floor. The San Francisco Housing Authority’s telephone number is 415-715-3280. To contact HUD nationwide, phone the Office of Inspector General at Washington, D.C. in 800-347-3735 or send email to [email protected]. You also can write to the OIG’s office in HUD OIG Hotline, 451 7th St. SW, Washington, DC 20410.
Provide additional information. HUD will contact you when a case is closed together with information on how to acquire the case results.
Followup, if desired, by obtaining the case results under the Freedom of Information Act.