Another news story from Antelope Valley Press columnist William P. Warford
July 20, 2007
In our ongoing effort to shine a light on the Section 8 Housing abuse, we present a couple of gems that were uncovered by investigators and law enforcement in the last few days.......
Acting on tips from the public, investigators accompanied by sheriff's deputies for protection go to the homes and check them to see if unauthorized persons such as parolees are living there, if the renter is receiving unreported income, or if drugs are in the home.
The toll free hotline to report abuse is 877-881-7233
If investigators find reason to recommend termination, the renter still has the right to a hearing before losing the housing voucher.
A woman in Quartz Hill lives with her 3 minor kids in a house that rents for $1,272 a month, with $974 of that being paid by the taxpayer subsidy. Her income, according to the housing authority reports on her application, is about $15,000 in welfare and social security payments. No one else is listed on the lease, just the woman and three kids.
Neighbors have noticed a husband/boyfriend living in the house and there are several nice vehicles including a 2006 Ford, a 2007 Dodge 35000 crew crab diesel truck, a 1999 Mercedes SUV and a customized 1970 Chevy El Camino. The man is also spotting driving a Hummer. The vehicles have a combined value of $200,000.
The woman and her husband/boyfriend, who is living there but is not on the lease, turn out to be the co owners of not one but two successful businesses. During and interview with welfare fraud investigators, the man admits that on a slow month he takes in $20,000 cash only.
So the income is at least $240,000 cash a year and cars worth 200 grand and they still feel compelled to take in an additional 15 grand in welfare and social security, and almost $12,000 a year in Section 8 housing subsidies.
The housing authority recommends termination from the Section 8 program, The LA County DA Welfare Fraud division is investigating and something tells me the IRS will want a word with these folks over the $240,000 a year cash only business.
Then theres the case of the woman who on her application checked the "No" box to the question "Have you or anyone in your family been convicted of a crime?" Criminals arent welcome on Section 8, and you can't lie on your application.
She maybe forgot her own arrrests on coke and marijuana busts. That could happen - anybody could forget that, huh? But how about her husbands either felony arrests and the three misdemeanor arrests? How about the husbands doing a murder as a 15 yr old juvenile? How about her husbands arrests since 2001, while theyve been on Section 8?
This lovely couple got a home in the Anaverde tract in Palmdale. They have a new Hummer and a Mercedes, and she works, making $33,000a year and they have two kids on Social Security payments.
They pay $1200 a month in rent, we the taxpayers pay $500. The couple were recommended for termination.
Other highlights of recent investigations have included a third generation Section 8 Voucher holders, and 2 cases of career criminals who were illegal immigrants living in Section 8 housing because their wives were somehow approved. The guys were documented gang members but their wives slipped through the application process.
As reported in Sundays Valley Press, housing investigators in the AV are making great progress in finding and booting out the abusers. Thats good because it saves taxpayers money and it also frees up housing for decent people who really need it as a way to get back on their feet, the way the program was intended. The inspections not only bust the one who are caught in the act, they also act as a deterrent to those who are also ripping off the system or thinking about it.
I know there's no cut and dry answer to solve these types of problems but some of the following should help improve the situation.
1. Better enforcement. Many people abuse the system because of the lack of enforcement.
2. Set time period of aide. If applicants don't show any progess after a certain time periord they should get kick off the system.
3. No tolerance policy on any violation. One mistake and you're out.
July 20, 2007
In our ongoing effort to shine a light on the Section 8 Housing abuse, we present a couple of gems that were uncovered by investigators and law enforcement in the last few days.......
Acting on tips from the public, investigators accompanied by sheriff's deputies for protection go to the homes and check them to see if unauthorized persons such as parolees are living there, if the renter is receiving unreported income, or if drugs are in the home.
The toll free hotline to report abuse is 877-881-7233
If investigators find reason to recommend termination, the renter still has the right to a hearing before losing the housing voucher.
A woman in Quartz Hill lives with her 3 minor kids in a house that rents for $1,272 a month, with $974 of that being paid by the taxpayer subsidy. Her income, according to the housing authority reports on her application, is about $15,000 in welfare and social security payments. No one else is listed on the lease, just the woman and three kids.
Neighbors have noticed a husband/boyfriend living in the house and there are several nice vehicles including a 2006 Ford, a 2007 Dodge 35000 crew crab diesel truck, a 1999 Mercedes SUV and a customized 1970 Chevy El Camino. The man is also spotting driving a Hummer. The vehicles have a combined value of $200,000.
The woman and her husband/boyfriend, who is living there but is not on the lease, turn out to be the co owners of not one but two successful businesses. During and interview with welfare fraud investigators, the man admits that on a slow month he takes in $20,000 cash only.
So the income is at least $240,000 cash a year and cars worth 200 grand and they still feel compelled to take in an additional 15 grand in welfare and social security, and almost $12,000 a year in Section 8 housing subsidies.
The housing authority recommends termination from the Section 8 program, The LA County DA Welfare Fraud division is investigating and something tells me the IRS will want a word with these folks over the $240,000 a year cash only business.
Then theres the case of the woman who on her application checked the "No" box to the question "Have you or anyone in your family been convicted of a crime?" Criminals arent welcome on Section 8, and you can't lie on your application.
She maybe forgot her own arrrests on coke and marijuana busts. That could happen - anybody could forget that, huh? But how about her husbands either felony arrests and the three misdemeanor arrests? How about the husbands doing a murder as a 15 yr old juvenile? How about her husbands arrests since 2001, while theyve been on Section 8?
This lovely couple got a home in the Anaverde tract in Palmdale. They have a new Hummer and a Mercedes, and she works, making $33,000a year and they have two kids on Social Security payments.
They pay $1200 a month in rent, we the taxpayers pay $500. The couple were recommended for termination.
Other highlights of recent investigations have included a third generation Section 8 Voucher holders, and 2 cases of career criminals who were illegal immigrants living in Section 8 housing because their wives were somehow approved. The guys were documented gang members but their wives slipped through the application process.
As reported in Sundays Valley Press, housing investigators in the AV are making great progress in finding and booting out the abusers. Thats good because it saves taxpayers money and it also frees up housing for decent people who really need it as a way to get back on their feet, the way the program was intended. The inspections not only bust the one who are caught in the act, they also act as a deterrent to those who are also ripping off the system or thinking about it.
I know there's no cut and dry answer to solve these types of problems but some of the following should help improve the situation.
1. Better enforcement. Many people abuse the system because of the lack of enforcement.
2. Set time period of aide. If applicants don't show any progess after a certain time periord they should get kick off the system.
3. No tolerance policy on any violation. One mistake and you're out.
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