Our Fraud Investigation Team

is Here to Help

Fraud Photo Illustration

For more information, Contact

(512) 477-4488 EXT 2102

compliance@hacanet.org

Housing Authority of the City of Austin, 1124 S. IH-35, Austin TX 78704</

Report Housing Fraud

HACA has a Compliance Investigation Unit dedicated to investigating allegations of suspected fraud by Housing Choice Voucher tenants and landlords, and Public Housing tenants.

What is Fraud?

Here are some examples of fraudulent activities that are considered program violations:

  • Knowingly withholding or not reporting income or assets of the family household including but not limited to Wages, TANF, Child Support, etc.
  • Transferring income or assets to obtain/retain eligibility under false pretenses
  • Using false identification cards or false Social Security Number(s)
  • Using false documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, grant deeds
  • Falsifying the number of household members or allowing unauthorized people to stay in an assisted unit
  • Obtaining duplicate assistance or subletting all or part of the unit
  • Landlords charging additional rent from assisted tenants
  • Tenants entering into outside agreements with Landlords/making payments under the table

Offenders may face probation, mandatory restitution, termination from housing assistance, and/or conviction

How to Report Fraud

  • Call the HACA’s Fraud Activity Hotline at (512) 477-4488 ext. 2125.
  • Email the Compliance Department at: compliance@hacanet.org
  • Mail the report to:  Housing Authority of the City of Austin, 1124 S. IH-35, Austin TX 78704

What Information Do I Need?

To open an investigation, please provide as much identifying information as possible regarding the details of your allegation.  The more you can provide, the better chance we have of making a determination of whether a violation has been committed.  Below are some examples of the information that we will need:

  • First and Last Name
  • Address
  • License Plates Numbers
  • Police/Court Reports
  • Other Documentation such as Photos, Written Correspondence, Marriage License
  • Any other pertinent information to support the allegation

The Compliance Department will not be able to open an investigation without at least one verifiable item of information, such as the name of an employer or the name of an unauthorized household member  All calls are confidential and you may choose to remain anonymous.

All suspected criminal activity should be reported to the Austin Police Department.

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Fraud FAQs

  • 1. If someone has a significant other living with them OR they have their adult children living with them, is that allowed?

    As long as they are properly added to the lease/voucher, significant others and adult children are allowed to receive assistance.

  • 2. When will HACA investigate?

    HACA will review all referrals, specific allegations, complaints, and tips from any source including other agencies, companies, and individuals, to determine if they warrant investigation. In order for HACA to investigate, the allegation must contain at least one independently- verifiable item of information, such as the name of an employer or the name of an unauthorized household member.

  • 3. What happens after I make a complaint?

    An investigation is opened for every complaint received. However, the outcome of each investigation is kept confidential.

  • 4. Will I continue to get assistance during the hearing process?

    Subsidy for the unit continues until the hearing officer makes a Final decision.

  • 5. I am a public housing resident. In what circumstance am I not entitled to request a grievance hearing?

    Public Housing residents are not entitled to a grievance for drug related or criminal activity (3-day Termination notice) All other types of evictions may request a hearing AFTER they have attended an informal settlement with their property manager.

  • 6. Can I get a hearing if my Reasonable Accommodation request was denied?

    Once you have received written notice of denial for your reasonable accommodation request, YES you can submit a hearing request.

  • 7. I applied for the Section 8 program but got denied. Do I get a hearing?

    Submit a written hearing request if you were denied admission to Section 8 OR Public Housing.

  • 8. What do I do if I got a termination of assistance letter from Assisted Housing from the Housing Authority?

    If the termination letter is for the following reasons, then you MAY request a hearing in writing:
    • Nonpayment of Debt Owed to the Housing Authority
    • Failure to attend scheduled appointments
    • Head of Household is deceased
    • Failure to complete the annual re-examination process by failing to attend and submit required documents
    • Failure to maintain tenant paid gas/electric utilities
    • Failure to allow an inspection of the unit by HACA staff
    • Failure to give thirty(30) days prior written notice to the Housing Authority of the City of Austin or the property owner before vacating
    • Violation of family obligations (court judgment in eviction/tenant repairs)
    • Failure to report change in income/family composition
    • Preponderance of evidence of involvement in drug related and/or violent criminal activity

Resources

Hearing Request - English
Hearing Request - Spanish
Hearing Request - HCV
Violation Report
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