Delaware County Section 8 Fraud Lawyers

The United States is very strict about how social programs are used. Section 8 housing is governed by hundreds of pages of legal code governing almost every aspect of the home, the landlord, and the renters. Many people do not realize how easy it is to be charged with Section 8 fraud, even unwittingly.

Because the laws regarding Section 8 rentals are so strict, it is almost impossible to defend yourself against fraud charges. You need an experienced Delaware County Section 8 lawyer on your case.

What You Need to Know About Section 8

Section 8 was created in 1937 as a way to help poor people find stable and affordable housing. Decades later, more than three million Americans live in this type of housing. In addition, thousands of landlords throughout the country receive funds from this program for renting to people who otherwise might be without a home.

This program is managed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD. It pays landlords directly to help cover part of the expenses of housing an underserved family, particularly rent.

Although this can seem like a simply arrangement, it is easy to run awry of the many laws and regulations governing Section 8 housing. If the government believes that you did this knowingly, you are likely to be charged with fraud. These charges can lead to high fines, a loss of ability to receive funds from HUD programs, and even prison time.

What Constitutes Section 8 Fraud

Anyone who interacts with the Section 8 program can be charged with fraud. This includes:

• People who receive housing through the program
• People who are applying to receive housing funds
• Landlords who receive Section 8 payments
• People who help applicants to get through the process, such as social workers
• Anyone who knows someone in Section 8 housing

In general, fraud is an allegation that means you tried to take funds from the government without providing the necessary goods or services. For a landlord, this could mean charging the government more than you should for rent or misrepresenting the type of space you are renting. People also may be charged with fraud if they lied on their Section 8 application. Last, if you were aware of or helped someone in either of these circumstances, you may be charged.

Defending yourself against the team of lawyers representing a large and well-funded government program can be extremely difficult. It is important to have a lawyer on your side to help you defend yourself.

Penalties for Section 8 Fraud

The penalties for Section 8 fraud in Delaware County vary widely. In most cases, the consequences will defend on the severity of the fraud and how much money was involved. Penalties will be particularly harsh if you have been convicted of similar crimes in the past. The punishment can be:

• Eviction from your home
• Being barred from receiving public assistance or funds in the future
• Being forced to pay back the money you are accused of receiving fraudulently
• Additional fines of up to $10,000
• Up to five years in prison

In addition, you will have a fraud charge that can be seen on any background check. This can affect your ability to obtain future employment.

Everybody makes mistakes. It is very easy to accidentally break one of the many detailed rules governing Section 8 housing. If you have been accused of Section 8 crime, you need an experienced lawyer by your side.

How Delaware County Section 8 Lawyers Can Help

As experienced Section 8 lawyers, we can help you to prepare a winning defense. Call our offices today for a free consultation to see how we can help.