What are the reasons for Section 8 denial in West Virginia? The WV Section 8 housing authorities have many different reasons for denying an applicant from participating in the state’s Section 8 housing program. Examples of Section 8 housing disqualifications in West Virginia include an applicant’s excessive household income, criminal background or incomplete application form. Section 8 housing disqualifications in WV can also happen after a household begins participating in the program. However, an applicant can begin the West Virginia Section 8 denial appeal process if he or she disagrees with the ruling from the Public Housing Agency (PHA). For more information about Section 8 housing disqualifications in West Virginia, please see the following sections:

• What are the reasons for Section 8 denial in West Virginia?
• Learn what to do if your Section 8 application was denied in West Virginia

What are the reasons for Section 8 denial in West Virginia?

There are several different reasons for Section 8 housing disqualifications in West Virginia. When an applicant is denied access into the Section 8 housing program, the PHA sends a letter detailing the exact reasons for the denial. The West Virginia Section 8 denial letter also mentions the Section 8 denial appeal process and explains some actions the applicant can take to challenge the PHA’s decision. A WV Section 8 denial letter often lists multiple disqualifications, especially if the PHA sends the letter before the applicant has been approved for participation in the program. Some common reasons for West Virginia Section 8 housing disqualifications include the following:

• A member of the household is convicted of a crime during the Section 8 application process or has a criminal past that concerns the PHA or a landlord. In many cases, these involve drug related charges.
• The income of the household changes before the application process finishes, making the household ineligible for Section 8 housing.
• A member of the household has not signed one of the consent forms regarding Section 8 eligibility. In most cases, of this nature are a result of an applicant not signing a release of information form.
• A member of the household has a history with a previous landlord that concerns the housing authority.
• A household member either violates another program run by the housing authority or receives an eviction order from the court.

The housing authorities take different factors into consideration when they are looking at any Section 8 housing disqualifications in West Virginia. Before sending a Section 8 denial letter in WV, the PHA always looks at the severity of the case. The housing authority will also consider how much involvement the member of the household had in regards to whatever caused the Section 8 housing disqualifications in West Virginia. In some cases, the household will be allowed to stay in the Section 8 housing program without actually filing for a Section 8 denial appeal in West Virginia.

Learn What to Do if Your Section 8 Application was Denied in West Virginia

Applicants who receive a Section 8 denial letter will be given the opportunity to file for a Section 8 denial appeal in West Virginia. The steps of how to appeal Section 8 denial in WV are detailed in the denial letter itself. The most important part of the WV Section 8 denial appeal process is to get it started as quickly as possible. Applicants who want to challenge any Section 8 housing disqualifications only have a small window in which they can arrange for an informal hearing. The WV Section 8 denial letter will list the exact amount of time the applicant has to request a hearing, but it is typically only a period of two to three weeks.

Any informal hearings for Section 8 housing disqualifications in West Virginia are conducted by a third party. The housing authority gets to choose the third party. However, the PHA must select a third party representative who was not previously involved in any of the Section 8 eligibility decisions. All applicants have the right to get legal representation to help argue the Section 8 housing disqualifications.

When an applicant is preparing for the Section 8 denial appeal, he or she may carefully document all communication with the West Virginia housing authority. It is recommended that applicants date everything for clarification. There are also a couple of documents that applicants will want to bring to the hearing, including pertinent evidence like Section 8 contracts, damage claims, witness statements, police reports and anything else that seems relevant to the Section 8 housing disqualifications.