Those who are the recipient of a Section 8 denial letter in Kansas often wonder what the next steps might be, or if receiving the Section 8 denial letter signals the end of their Section 8 eligibility. In fact, KS Section 8 denial letters are sent by the local housing authorities as an automatic response to a discrepancy on the application. The nature of the discrepancy will determine whether the applicant can, or should, pursue a Section 8 denial appeal or whether they have been declared ineligible without a chance of resubmittal.
Most Section 8 denial letters in Kansas are received because of errors on the Section 8 applications. Failure to sign the consent forms, leaving sections blank or not including adequate documentation are common reasons for receiving Section 8 denial letters in Kansas. Section 8 housing disqualifications that are of a more serious nature can include negative reports from a former landlord, or the discovery of a criminal record that gives cause for concern.
Refer to the topics below to find more information about KS Section 8 housing disqualifications, and Section 8 denial letters:
- Learn about Section 8 housing disqualifications in Kansas
- Learn how to avoid Section 8 housing disqualifications in Kansas
- Learn how to appeal Section 8 denials in Kansas
Learn About Section 8 Housing Disqualifications in Kansas
Section 8 housing disqualifications in KS most often require the applicant to fix some common errors on the application itself, then submit the document during open enrollment periods. Enrollment periods, and open waiting lists are different for each county in Kansas, so the applicant will need to work closely with the housing authority to make corrections and to submit the forms before the deadlines. The Section 8 denial letter will list the specific issues that the housing authority had with the application and will list the steps that the applicant can take to correct the errors.
Section 8 denial letters must be issued to applicants who have serious and glaring issues in their background, or who do not qualify because of income. With this types of Section 8 denial letters, the applicant is offered the Section 8 denial appeal form if they believe the reports or the denial has been issued in error. The burden of proof does fall to the applicant who received the Section 8 denial letter to prove that they should be allowed to participate in the Section 8 program. Sometimes the Section 8 denial appeal is upheld if it can be shown that a participant has entered into rehabilitation, has parole officers or other government officials vouching for them, or the applicant can verify that the person whose background was concerning on the application, no longer lives in the household. Additionally, Section 8 denial letters will be sent to applicants who were convicted of illegal substance abuse, manufacture, or sale. Registered sexual predators or offenders are ineligible to apply, regardless of circumstances.
Other reasons the Kansas Section 8 denial letters may be delivered, include:
- Defaulting on housing payments for other public housing
- Using the apartment as a secondary residence
- Income exceeds allowable limits
Learn How to Avoid Section 8 Housing Disqualifications in Kansas
Section 8 housing disqualifications in Kansas can be avoided if potential applicants spend time determining if they qualify for the program or not. Income is the greatest limiter when it comes to applying for Section 8 in KS and it is one of the key reasons for receipt of a Section 8 denial letter. Trained agents at the housing authority are glad to answer questions about the application and can help an applicant find the median salary range for their area. All of this information should alert the applicant as to their chances of being selected for the program.
Those who have a criminal background wondering what to do if section 8 application was denied should also consult with the housing authorities as they should be able to answer questions about eligibility. Those who receive Section 8 denial letters, and who have been incarcerated at one time, may have been refused waiting list status because the crime was considered too recent or too violent. Some landlords automatically reject anyone with a criminal record, and so a Section 8 denial letter will be sent on their behalf to the applicant.
Learn How to Appeal Section 8 Denials in Kansas
Those needing to know how to appeal section 8 denial, do have some options. First, the applicant can address the issues within the Section 8 denial letter, and then resubmit when the waiting lists next open. Secondly, the applicant can file a Section 8 denial appeal form. This form requests a Section 8 denial appeal hearing with a local judge. Both the housing authority, the applicant who received the Section 8 denial letter, the judge and the landlord will be involved. There is no jury trial, and the judge’s decision is often not known right away. In a few weeks, the judge’s ruling will be mailed by regular mail to all participating parties.