Section 8 is meant to help people who genuinely need safe, affordable housing. But sometimes, tenants or landlords try to take advantage of the program.
If you think someone is cheating the system, we’ll show you how to report someone abusing section 8, but there are a few things you should consider before you make that call.
How To Report Someone Abusing Section 8 – Step By Step
If you think someone is abusing the Section 8 program, there are several ways you can report Section 8 fraud to the authorities:
- Hotline: Call the Office Of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-347-3735
- HUD Website: Fill out the online form at https://www.hudoig.gov/hotline/hotline-form
- Local Housing Authority: Every area has a local office that handles Section 8. Find your housing authority here: https://www.hud.gov/contactus/public-housing-contacts
No matter which route you go — calling, online, or local office — they’ll ask for pretty much the same information. If you’re going to call in the Section 8 fraud report, take a look at the online form first to make sure you have all of the information ready.
What they’ll ask you on the phone:
- Who you’re reporting for Section 8 fraud (names of tenants, landlords, or housing employees)
- What happened (details of the suspected fraud or violation)
- When it happened or is happening (dates, frequency, timeline)
- Where it’s happening (full address, city/state, apartment number if possible)
- How you know about it (firsthand witness, heard it from someone else, etc.)
- Any supporting details or documents (if you have proof, they’ll tell you how to send it)
- Whether you want to stay anonymous
- How you can be reached
- Whether the issue has already been reported somewhere else
Basically, they’re trying to gather enough information to determine whether it’s worth opening an investigation.
If you don’t have specific details, chances are your report won’t go anywhere. Before you report Section 8 violations, make sure you’ve gathered enough information to backup your allegations.
Landlords reporting Section 8 fraud can also provide details to their Section 8 point of contact at the housing authority.
Caution: If you’re a federal employee, HUD automatically keeps your identity confidential. But if you’re not, you’ll need to request anonymity, otherwise, your name could be shared.
What Is Section 8 Fraud?
When people break the rules of the Section 8 program, it’s considered fraud. Here are some of the most common types of Section 8 fraud:
- Not reporting income: If someone is earning more money than they originally reported and doesn’t tell the housing office, that’s a violation of Section 8 rules.
- Letting people move in who aren’t on the lease: Everyone living in the home must be listed on the Section 8 agreement and the lease.
- Renting out the housing unit to someone else: It’s against Section 8 rules to sublet a place that’s being subsidized.
- Lying on applications: Giving false information to qualify for government benefits is a federal crime.
- Working with the landlord to scam the system: For example, by pretending the rent is higher than it really is.
These aren’t just harmless lies. Getting caught abusing the Section 8 program can mean losing housing, having to repay benefits, being permanently banned from the program, or even facing criminal charges
What Are HUD Violations?
HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) oversees Section 8 and other housing programs. So when someone talks about a “HUD violation,” they mean someone has broken the rules HUD has set. HUD violations can be committed by landlords and tenants.
Here are a few examples:
- A landlord doesn’t keep the property safe or maintain appliances
- A landlord refuses to rent to someone because of race, gender, family composition, or disability
- A tenant uses housing benefits in a way that wasn’t intended
- A tenant provides false information on their housing application
Could You Face Retaliation For Reporting Section 8 Abuse?
Losing housing, paying financial penalties, or facing criminal charges is a big deal. Even if someone is breaking the rules, it could mean a family ends up without a home and possible jail time for the head of the household.
Even if you report anonymously, the person might figure out who reported them. That can lead to ugly confrontations. You could even face an investigation yourself if you receive Section 8 benefits and the person decides to makes a report about you.
Before you report someone for Section 8 fraud:
- Be certain of your facts. Sometimes things look suspicious but are actually allowed under the rules.
- Stop and think about why you’re doing it. Section 8 fraud is serious, but sometimes people report others out of frustration, jealousy, or personal drama, not because they’re sure something illegal is happening.
- Be prepared to deal with possible retaliation.
Can I report someone anonymously? Yes, you can. Most housing authorities and HUD’s Office of Inspector General accept anonymous reports.
What happens after I report someone? The housing authority or HUD will look into it. If there’s enough information, they might investigate. But these things take time, and you may not hear anything back.
Will the person know I reported them? Not officially, your name won’t be shared if you stay anonymous. But if the situation is personal or obvious, they might guess.
What if I’m wrong? If you make a report in good faith (you truly believe something’s wrong), you won’t get in trouble.
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Charles Greg is the Co-Founder, Author, & Head Developer behind RentingtoFelons.org
With a lifelong passion for humanity.