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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 14. HOUSING |
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Chapter 14-58. OWNER EVICTION GUIDELINES AND GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION FROM THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM |
Section 14-5812. PROHIBITED ACTIONS
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5812.1A participant in the HCVP shall not knowingly:
(a) Make a false statement, either oral or written, to DCHA;
(b) Commit fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with any federal housing program;
(c) Make payments to the Owner in excess of amounts authorized by DCHA for rent, security deposit, and additional services;
(d) Offer bribes or illegal gratuities to DCHA Board of Commissioners, employees, contractors, or other DCHA representatives;
(e) Offer payments or other incentives to the Owner or a third party as an inducement for the third party to make false or misleading statements to DCHA on the Family’s behalf;
(f) Use a false name or the use of falsified, forged, or altered documents;
(g) Misreport Family information or circumstances (such as income, Family composition);
(h) Omit facts that were obviously known by a Family member (such as, not reporting employment income); or
(i) Permit program abuse by an adult Family member.
5812.2In the case of program abuse caused by a Family member DCHA may, at its discretion, impose any of the following remedies:
(a) Require the Family to repay excess subsidy amounts paid by DCHA, as described earlier in this section;
(b) Require, as a condition of receiving or continuing assistance, that a culpable Family member not reside in the unit;
(c) Deny or terminate the Family’s assistance;
(d) Refer the Family for state or federal criminal prosecution; or
(e) Require participation in the Good Neighbor Program.
5812.3An Owner participating in the HCV program shall not knowingly:
(a) Make any false statement to DCHA; or
(b) Commit fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with any federal housing program including:
(1) Charging the Family rent above or below the amount specified by DCHA;
(2) Charging a security deposit other than that specified in the Family’s lease or greater than one (1) month’s rent;
(3) Charging the Family for services that are provided to unassisted tenants at no extra charge;
(4) Knowingly accepting housing assistance payments for any month(s) after the Family has vacated the unit or the sole-Family member is deceased;
(5) Knowingly accepting incorrect or excess housing assistance payments;
(6) Offering bribes or illegal gratuities to DCHA Board of Commissioners, employees, contractors, or other DCHA representatives;
(7) Offering payments or other incentives to an HCV Family as an inducement for the Family to make false or misleading statements to DCHA; or
(8) Residing in the unit with an assisted Family.
5812.4When DCHA determines that the Owner has committed program abuse, DCHA may take any of the following actions:
(a) Require the Owner to repay excess housing assistance payments, as discussed earlier in this section and in accordance with the policies in the administrative plan and DCMR;
(b) Terminate the HAP contract;
(c) Bar the Owner from future participation in any DCHA programs; or
(d) Refer the case to state or federal officials for criminal prosecution.