THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW WHEN APPLYING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Don't risk your chances for federally assisted housing by providing false, incomplete, or inaccurate information on your application and re-certification forms.

Purpose

This is to inform you that there is certain information you must provide when applying for assisted housing. There are penalties that apply if you knowingly omit information or give false information.

Penalties for Committing Fraud

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) places a high priority on preventing fraud. If your application or re-certification forms contain false or incomplete information, you may be:

  • Evicted from your apartment or house;
  • Required to repay all overpaid rental assistance you received;
  • Fined up to $10,000;
  • Imprisoned for up to 5 years, and/or
  • Prohibited from receiving future assistance.
  • Your state and local governments may have other laws and penalties as well.

Completing the Pre-Application or Update Forms

When you give your answers to application questions, you must include all sources of money you and any member of your family receive (wages, welfare payments, alimony, social security, pension, etc.)

  • Any money you receive on behalf of your children (child support, social security, etc.);
  • Income from assets (interest from a savings account, credit union, or certificate of deposit, dividends from stocks, etc.);
  • Earnings from a second job or part-time job;
  • Any anticipated income (such as a bonus or pay raise you expect to receive);
  • All bank accounts, savings bonds, certificates of deposit, stocks, real estate, etc., that are owned by you or any adult member of your family/household who will be living with you;
  • Any business or asset you sold in the last 2 years for less than its full value, such as your home to your children; and
  • The names of all of the people (adults and children) who will actually be living with you, whether or not they are related to you.
  • All sources of money you and any member of your family receive (wages, welfare payments, alimony, social security, pension, etc.

Beware of Fraud

  • Do not pay any money to file an application
  • Do not pay any money to move up on the waiting list
  • Do not pay for anything not covered by your lease
  • Get a receipt for any money you pay
  • Get a written explanation if you are required to pay any money other than rent (such as maintenance charges.)

Reporting Abuse

If you are aware of anyone who has falsified an application, or if anyone tries to persuade you to make false statements, report them to the Carlsbad Housing Authority at (760) 434-2810. If you cannot report this to the Housing Authority, call the HUD Office or the HUD Hotline at (800) 795-7915. You can also write to the HUD HOTLINE, Room 8254, 451 SW Seventh Street, Washington, DC 20410.