Family Obligations / Do's and Don'ts

Family obligations are described in the voucher itself. They include responsibilities the family is required to fulfill, as well as prohibited actions. Violation of any family obligation may result in termination of assistance.

When the family's unit is approved and the HAP contract executed, the family must follow the rules listed below in order to continue participating in the Section 8 Rental Voucher Program.

The family must:

1. The family must supply any information that the HHA or HUD determines to be necessary, including submission of required evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status.
2. The family must supply any information requested by the HHA or HUD for use in a regularly scheduled reexamination or interim reexamination of family income and composition.
3. Disclose and verify social security numbers and sign and submit consent forms for obtaining information.
4. Any information supplied by the family must be true and complete.
5. The family is responsible or any HQS breach by the family caused by failure to pay tenant­ provided utilities or appliances, or damages to the dwelling unit or premises beyond normal wear and tear caused by any member of the household or guest.
6. The family must allow the HHA to inspect the unit at reasonable times and after reasonable notice.
7. The family must not commit any serious or repeated violation of the lease.
8. Notify the HHA and the owner in writing before moving out of the unit or terminating the lease.
9. Give the HHA a copy of any owner eviction notice.
10. Use the assisted unit for residence by the family. The unit must be the family's only residence.
11. The composition of the assisted family residing in the unit must be approved by the HHA. The family must promptly notify the HHA in writing of the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child.
12. The family must promptly notify the HHA in writing, within 10 days, if any family member no longer lives in the unit.
13. The family must advise the HHA within ten (10) days of any criminal activity of any household member including, but not limited to, promises to appear, citations, arrests, indictments, convictions, placement on probation regardless of whether adjudication was withheld, charges were dropped for any drug related, violent criminal activity, or felony charge.
14. The family must not sublease the unit, assign the lease, or transfer the unit.
15. The family must supply any information requested by the HHA to verify that the family is living in the unit or information related to family absence from the unit.
16. Pay utility bills and provide and maintain appliances that the owner is not required to provide under the lease.
17. The family must not own or have any interest in the unit.
18. Family members must not commit fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with the program.
19. Family members must not engage in drug-related criminal activity or violent criminal activity or other criminal activity that threatens the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of other residents and persons residing in the premises.
20. Members of the household must not engage in abuse of alcohol in a way that threatens the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of the other residents and persons residing on the premises.
21. An assisted family or member of the family must not receive HCV program assistance while receiving another housing subsidy, for the same unit or a different unit under any other federal, state or local housing assistance program.
22. Families must demonstrate that they are presently collecting child support, have an open child support enforcement case and are cooperating with the enforcement agency, or provide documentation showing that the absent parent resides in an unenforceable area.

Do's and Don'ts List

• Do; give the owner and the HHA a 30 days written notice if )OU plan to move.
• Do; keep your apartment neat and clean. ]t's your home, and you want to be proud of it.
• Do; notify the Owner or Manager if you have a maintenance problem.
• Do; notify the HHA if you have a change in income of $25.00 a month or more or any changes in family composition within 10 calendar days.
• Do; give the Owner your security deposit before you move into your unit.
• Do; pay your portion of the rent on time.
• Do; plan to have a family budget.
• Do; be conservative with your utilities, especially air conditioning and heating.
• Do; leave the apartment clean and in good condition when you move.
• Do; advise the HHA within 10 days of any criminal activity of any adult household member.
• Don't; move other families or individuals into ;0ur apartment or home.
• Don't; allow anyone to use your unit for unlawful or immoral purposes.
• Don't; sub-lease your apartment, or any part of it.
• Don't; damage your apartment or house in any way or make additions or alterations without the Owner's permission.
• Don't; leave your apartment unoccupied for weeks at a time.
• Don't; plan to have guests or visitors without the written consent of the Owner and the HHA. Guests can remain in the assisted unit no longer than 14 cumulative calendar days during any 12- month period with the written permission of the HHA.
• Don't; permit loud noises or any disturbances in your apartment that may interfere with the peace of your neighbors.