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Section 8 housing disqualifications in Virginia occur when applications do not meet the established criteria set for the program at the federal, state and local levels. In these instances, a Section 8 denial letter will be sent to the applicant outlining the causes for the denial, and in many instances, offering options to the applicant. What are the reasons for Section 8 denial in VA? In many cases, the denied petitioner has simply made errors in filling out the forms or has forgotten to sign the consent forms. If the Section 8 housing disqualifications include these types of mistakes, and the Section 8 waiting lists are still open and accepting applications, the candidate can make the changes and simply resubmit the application. Some counties in VA require those who have received the Section 8 housing disqualification to file for a Section 8 denial appeal, and then refile the application. The process that is observed by the Public Housing Agency (PHA) in the applicant’s region is the best and first place to begin after receiving a Section 8 denial letter. For more information on how to appeal section 8 denial in Virginia, the following topics are available for review:

  • Learn about Section 8 housing disqualifications in Virginia
  • Learn what to do if your Section 8 application was denied in Virginia
  • Learn how to avoid Section 8 housing disqualifications in Virginia

Learn About Section 8 Housing Disqualifications in Virginia

Section 8 denial letters in Virginia most often occur due to errors in filling out the forms. Second only to this cause is a lack of proper documentation accompanying the application. In both cases, the PHA will ask the recipient of the Section 8 denial letter to follow the process that the PHA has suggested in the correspondence accompanying the Section 8 denial letter, and then to resubmit the application.

“What are the reasons for Section 8 denial in Virginia?” applicants may wonder if none of these issues were listed in the Section 8 denial letter correspondence. A Section 8 denial letter in VA must be issued automatically if the PHA performs a background check and something comes up that causes a concern. If background history suggests that the applicant or the applicant’s family might cause damage or harm to the rental unit or those living around them, then the PHA will send a Section 8 denial letter immediately, without giving the applicant a chance to resubmit. In these instances, the housing petitioner can file the Section 8 denial appeal form that is most often included in the packet of information that accompanies the denial letter.

Learn What to Do If Your Section 8 Application Was Denied in Virginia

In VA, Section 8 denial appeal forms must be filed within 14-21 days after receipt of the Section 8 denial letter. The Virginia Section 8 denial appeal process involves a judge from the local county court reviewing the application and any additional documents or testimonies that the applicant might have. Additionally, the housing agent and the landlord may be present to share their reasons for denial. There is no jury in a Section 8 denial appeal hearing. Most Section 8 denial appeal hearings can take a few weeks to schedule and even longer to close.

In order to begin the Virginia Section 8 denial appeal process, the applicant may review the Section 8 denial letter and compile a list of reasons for the denial. Then, the petitioner must refute each statement on the Section 8 denial letter, support these reasons with documentation or proof and get these documents ready to submit to the judge. In the event that the petitioner has been mailed a Section 8 denial letter due to substance abuse, then producing a rehabilitation admittance letter or proof of completion of a rehab course may be sufficient to reverse the PHA’s decision. If the candidate has received a Section 8 denial letter due to criminal activity by a household member, the applicant can reverse the decision if he or she can prove that the household member no longer lives in the household. Many Section 8 denial letters in Virginia can be overturned with enough documentation. Some candidates retain the services of a lawyer for these proceedings, but this step is not required.

Learn How to Avoid Section 8 Housing Disqualifications in Virginia

The best way to avoid receiving a Section 8 denial letter is to be very certain of the information provided on the application and to verify that the documents submitted are the correct documents. Additionally, applicants must update the information on their applications every few months, and especially if any information has changed on the application. Even a change of address or family composition can lead to a Section 8 housing disqualification if this change is not updated on the application.