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Housing Choice Voucher Program: 
Termination of assistance

Termination by SHA

Terminating the HAP Contract with the owner

SHA may terminate the HAP Contract and stop making housing assistance payments to the owner if the owner breaches the HAP Contract, violates the lease, or does not abide by any other terms of the program.

Terminating assistance to the tenant

SHA may terminate assistance to the tenant when the tenant’s income increases to the point that the assistance is not needed, or in rare cases, because the tenant does not fulfill the program’s obligations. SHA will terminate assistance to the tenant if:

• Any household member engages in drug-related criminal activity or violence against persons or property, or is subject to a sex offender registration requirement
   

• There are serious and repeated violations of the lease, documented by the owner
   

• A member of the household seriously disturbs neighbors or destroys property, documented by the owner, neighbors, and police reports
   

• Any household member commits fraud, bribery or any other corrupt or criminal act
   

• The household owes rent or other amounts to SHA or another public housing authority and fails to stay current on a payment plan
   

• The household fails to submit income documentation or other information requested by SHA, including social security numbers or consent forms
   

• No member of the household has eligible immigration status
   

• Any household member engages in actual physical abuse or threatens abusive or violent behavior toward a resident, member of the public or SHA personnel
   

• The household violates any other program rules

Termination procedure

If SHA decides to terminate the contract with the owner or terminate assistance to the tenant, both the owner and the tenant will be notified. In most cases, tenants have the right to request an informal hearing to dispute a termination decision.

Termination by the tenant

The tenant can terminate assistance at any time by voluntarily giving up his or her voucher. If the tenant gives up his or her voucher, the lease remains in effect, and the tenant will be responsible for paying the entire rent amount. The terms of the Tenancy Addendum no longer apply if the tenant stops participating in the program.

Termination by the landlord

If the owner evicts the tenant, the tenant’s assistance is terminated and SHA stops sending housing assistance payments to the owner. The owner may evict a tenant who violates the lease, but any eviction must be done in accordance with the lease and state and local law. Owners must send copies of any eviction notices to SHA at the same time they are sent to the tenant.
 

Seattle Housing Authority • 120 Sixth Avenue N. • P.O. Box 19028 • Seattle, WA 98109-1028 • (206) 615-3300