When may I come into the office if I don’t have an appointment?
The office is open to participants without appointments on Tuesdays from 9:00-3:30 and Thursdays from 1:30-3:30.
How do I notify the PHA if I have a change in my income?
You must change your income by coming into the office during the times listed above. If you cannot come into the office, send a letter to your Program Representative and follow-up with a phone call to be sure that the letter arrived.
Why is reporting all my income and any changes so important?
The amount of rental assistance you receive is determined by your income. If you are not reporting all household income, you are receiving more subsidy than you need which is a federal and state crime. The information that you report is sent to Washington and is checked against other wage and benefit databases. When your name is flagged that there is unreported income, you will receive a notice from Providence Housing to repay the full amount within 60 days. Failure to do so will result in termination from the program and you also will not be eligible to move to any other subsidized housing in the country. Your name will be flagged in a database so that you will not receive rental assistance in the future. You are also subject to State and/or Federal prosecution criminally and/or civilly.
What should I do if my new job is temporary?
You must report the new job to your Program Representative within ten days even if you think it may be temporary.
What should I do if my adult child who lives with me is working but I do not know where and he/she doesn’t give me any money anyway?
As Head of Household, you are responsible for all information concerning every member of your household. Your child must sign release waivers and provide the name and address of his/her employer. Failure to do so results in the loss of rental assistance for the whole family.
What should I do when I want to add someone to my lease?
You must come into the office on the days listed above. Please bring his/her birth certificate, and Social Security Card. If the person is 18 years or older, he/she must accompany you, sign release waivers and produce a picture ID.
Can I add my boyfriend/girlfriend to the lease?
A boyfriend/girlfriend must be added to the lease if he/she is living in the unit. They must, however, go through the same screening process as you. You must bring him/her to the office with his/her birth certificate, Social Security Card, income and picture ID. After signing waivers, a criminal check will be done. After passing the screening, if your owner has no objections, he/she will be added to the lease
If someone has a criminal record is he/she automatically ineligible?
Violent or drug related criminal activity within the past five years may cause someone to be ineligible. You have the right to a hearing during which you may produce any additional information such as rehabilitation, etc.
What should I do when I want to move?
You must come into the office on a Tuesday from 9:00-3:30 or a Thursday from 1:30-3:30 to request a thirty (30) day notice. You must have your owner sign the form at least 30 days before you plan to move into the new unit. Return this to your Representative who will then give you a Request for Tenancy Approval. The new owner must complete and sign this form.
What if my owner/agent refuses to sign the 30 Day Notice?
If you are unable to hand-deliver the 30 Day Notice, to the owner, you may send it certified mail only to the owner/agent and return the receipt (green card once signed) to your Program Representative.
Can I have pets?
Whether pets are allowed in your home is your owner’s decision. It will be indicated on your lease. If you get a pet after the lease was signed, you must check with the owner. If he/she states that you can have the pet, you must get that in writing and give a copy to your Program Representative. If you do not have the agreement in writing, it could be a reason for eviction in the future and would jeopardize your voucher.
What should I do if there is no heat/ a window is broken/ no water or other repair to be made?
Contact your landlord first. If he/she does not respond within a reasonable time, call your Program Representative to schedule a complaint inspection.
How can I get an extra bedroom for my children?
Children of the same sex share one bedroom without regard to age. If there is a significant medical reason that they need separate rooms, you must bring a doctor’s letter for consideration of approval.
What should I do if I receive a legal notice from the owner/agent?
If you receive a legal notice from the owner, please bring a copy to your Program Representative and contact your personal attorney or a representative from RI Legal Services (274-2652). Do NOT ignore any legal notice.
Can I pay my rent in cash?
It is preferable that you pay your rent by check or money order so that you have a receipt, and payment can be traced if the owner doesn’t receive it. If you must pay in cash, ask for a receipt immediately.
The owner is not fixing the violations. Can I stop paying the rent?
You are always responsible for paying your portion of the rent. Contact your legal advisor if you think you may have other options. Your Program Representative is responsible for having the owner rectify the problem or advise you to move.
What should I do if the owner/agent is asking me to pay more money for rent?
Notify your Program Representative immediately and do not pay any additional amounts requested. The Section 8 Lease is the lease in effect no matter what other agreement that you may have made.
The owner refuses to accept my rent check?
Notify your Program Representative and contact your legal advisor.
The owner told me that I have to pay for the utilities but the lease says everything is included. What should I do?
The Head of Household should be the responsible party for the utilities. If the family is responsible for utilities, they must be turned on. They cannot be in the owner’s name if, according to the lease, the tenant is responsible. What the utility companies permit is their policy. The PHA’s policy is that the utilities must be on and we will require further documentation if it is in anyone else’s name that is other than head of household.
Can the utilities be in someone else’s name?
The Head of Household should be the responsible party for the utilities. If the family is responsible for utilities, they must be turned on. They cannot be in the owner’s name if, according to the lease, the tenant is responsible. What the utility companies permit is their policy. The PHA’s policy is that the utilities must be on and we will require further documentation if it is in anyone else’s name that is other than head of household.
What should I do if I receive a termination letter?
Request an informal hearing within ten days of the date the letter was sent and follow the instructions in the letter.
Who do I contact if I am interested in Family Self-Sufficiency?
For more information, call (401) 709- 6406, or (401) 709-6407.
What is Homeownership?
Homeownership allows qualified families to buy a single family house and continue receiving voucher assistance towards their mortgage. For more information, call one of the numbers listed above or attend the orientation which is held the last Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at the PHA Offices at 50 Laurel Hill Ave.
Can I leave Providence with my voucher?
Yes, however, you must contact your Program Representative. You must give 30 day written notice to your landlord and the paperwork must be transferred to the new Housing Authority. You may look for housing anywhere in the United States or its territories which operate a Voucher Program.
What should I do if I think that I have been discriminated against?
Report all cases of housing discrimination to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Complete HUD Form 903.1 which is included in your briefing packet or ask your Program Representative for a copy. You can also file online at www.hud.gov.
What should I do if the owner sells the property?
The owner must contact the PHA prior to the sale of the property. After the sale, the new owner should contact your Program Representative and provide documents. If the owner wants you to move from the property, he must send you something in writing. When you receive it, provide a copy to your Program Representative and contact your legal advisor. Never vacate before speaking to your Program Representative and a legal advisor about your rights.
What should I do if the owner sells the property?
The owner must contact the PHA prior to the sale of the property. After the sale, the new owner should contact your Program Representative and provide documents. If the owner wants you to move from the property, he must send you something in writing. When you receive it, provide a copy to your Program Representative and contact your legal advisor. Never vacate before speaking to your Program Representative and a legal advisor about your rights.
What should I do if the owner wants to terminate the lease?
You must bring a copy of the notice to your Program Representative who will advise you based on the reason the owner wants you to vacate. If the Owner has not given you a written notice you do not have to leave the apartment. Never vacate before speaking to your Program Representative and a legal advisor about your rights.
Am I able to collect a Security Deposit and who is responsible to pay it?
Owner/agents may request a security deposit. According to RI State Law, it may not be more than one month’s rent. This is the responsibility of the tenant. If you permit the tenant to pay in installments, it is advisable to put the payment plan in writing and both parties should sign.
Am I able to screen tenants?
The PHA is permitted to screen for income eligibility and violent and/or drug related criminal activity. The owner/agent is responsible to screen a voucher holder in the same manner as any other prospective tenant. The name and address of any current or past landlord can be requested from the Program Representative.
What happens if one person wants to rent a unit larger than the voucher?
It is important to check the bedroom size allowed by the PHA on the voucher itself. A tenant who wants to rent a unit larger than what is allowed may either have to pay more than 30% of his/her income which could cause rent payment problems in the future, or the requested rent may have to be lowered significantly to ensure that the tenant will not pay more than 40% of his/her income towards the rent.
I live out of state, why do I need an agent?
RI State law states that the PHA may not make payments to an out-of-state owner/agent without an in-state rental agent. Non-RI resident owner/agents must file an in-state agent with the Office of the RI Secretary of State. Payments cannot be made otherwise. Please call the Secretary of State’s office at 401-222-3040 or visit sos.ri.gov for more information.
What happens if more people move in than are listed on the lease? Can I charge more?
Under no circumstances can an owner/agent request or accept additional money from a tenant. Any additional fees beyond rent, such as for parking or non-coin op laundry, must be included in the lease and approved by the PHA. The tenant is not allowed to move in more people without written permission from the PHA and owner/agent. By signing the contract and accepting the Housing Assistance Payment check each month, the owner/agent is stating that only those on the lease are residing in the unit. Accepting money without PHA written approval constitutes fraud.
If the owner/agent or agent cannot be there for the initial inspection, can I leave the door open?
The PHA Inspector is not permitted to enter any unit for an initial inspection if the owner/agent or agent is not present. For subsequent inspections after the initial HAP contract is signed, a tenant is required to be present, but the landlord also may choose to be present.
Why may I get two dates for reinspection of a unit after a failed annual or interim inspection?
The Inspector may return twice. The first date is for any emergency violation that has to be corrected within 24 hours. The second date is for a date within 30 calendar days of the initial inspection when the Inspector will return for any other repairs listed on the notice.
What is a 24-hour (emergency) violation?
An owner/agent will receive a notice for any emergency situation such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, heat issues, unsafe wiring, etc. The inspector will return within 24 hours to ensure that the repair has been made and if not the rental assistance payment from PHA check will be abated.
What is abatement?
Abatement is mandated by HUD if an emergency or non-emergency violation is not corrected within the required timeframe or any approved extension for non-emergency violations. Payment is stopped, not held, until the violation is corrected. If the Inspector returns for the reinspection after an abatement and the unit passes, rent payment will resume from the “pass date” but the amount that would have been paid between the first and second reinspection will never be paid.
What happens if the tenant does not let me in to do repairs?
RI State Law states that owner/agents must give 48 hour written notice to enter. Be sure to save any notice sent to the tenant and if this becomes a problem, please contact the Program Representative to assist with this problem.
Am I able to get an extension to finish the repairs?
Extensions for correction of non-emergency violations must be requested in writing and include any documentation that verifies the need for an extension (receipts for ordered materials, etc.) prior to the scheduled reinspection date. Extensions may be approved for materials that are out of stock and must be ordered, seasonal issues such as exterior painting in the winter, etc.
When can I get a rent increase?
If funding permits, rent increases may be approved only at the annual recertification. Requests must be made in writing (which may include email) no later than 90 days prior to the annual recertification date. A request for a rent increase must include the amount requested as well as a reason for the increase (increased taxes, water, etc.). Please keep in mind that changes in rent may increase the tenant’s portion.
What should I do if the bank account (to which the Housing Assistance Payment Check is direct deposited) changes?
You may fax (401-351-1191) or bring in person a voided check with the new routing and account numbers. Please keep in mind that the deposits are sent to the bank a day or two before the first of the month. If the change happens at that time, please call so that the deposit goes into the correct account.
If I suspect fraud or criminal activity, whom do I contact?
Call the PHA Fraud Investigator at 401-709-2219.
Why can’t the PHA get the tenant out of my apartment?
The PHA can terminate the tenant for program violations. The owner/agent has a lease with the tenant and as such is the only one who can evict the tenant. Owner/agents must send copies of any legal notices for non-compliance and/or failure to pay rent to the Program Representative. Tenants will be notified that eviction for cause or nonpayment results in termination of rental assistance and is reported to HUD’s national database.