Section 8
Pennsylvania Appeals Court To Find Out Whether Housing Authority Cannot Deny Housing Assistance
The Housing Authority denied the housing assistance to an applicant due to which, she filed a case in the court of common pleas of Lawrence County.
George Becker/Pexels
A Pennsylvania appeals court has upheld a lower court’s decision that welfare fraud and an unpaid restitution balance cannot be grounds to deny housing assistance, marking a victory for housing voucher applicants in the state.
The appeal was regarding the Lawrence County Housing Authority’s Decision to deny the applicant’s application for assistance under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The local entities administer the program and aim to provide housing assistance to low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals.
After conducting the background check, it was found that the applicant had a history of welfare fraud and criminal cases, the housing authority marked the application as “Inactivated” and suggested the applicant pay her outstanding restitution. The applicant was again denied and the matter was brought before the Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County. The court found out that the housing authority misused its discretion.
While reviewing the decision, the appeals court revealed criminal activity is not a sufficient basis to terminate Section 8 Benefits.
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Williams Caitlin. “Pennsylvania appeals court finds housing authority cannot deny housing assistance to certain former criminal defendants”. Jurist, November 3, 2023,
Pennsylvania appeals court finds housing authority cannot deny assistance to certain former criminal defendants – JURIST – News
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