HACC not paying on time?

Question

One of my properties has not been receiving its sec8 payments for the last few months. Has anyone experience something similar? The property is in Richton Park. My property manager has tried to call them the get an answer but haven't had much luck getting hold of someone or someone with a clear answer. Any suggestions on what to do?

Denise Supplee · Answer

Hi @Donnie N. nice to meet you here on BP. I am sorry you are going through this. Section 8 delays can be incredibly stressful, especially when no one picks up the phone or gives a straight answer. Visiting the housing authority in person could be the only way to cut through the red tape. Bring all your documents and ask to speak directly with a supervisor or the assigned caseworker. If that still goes nowhere, consider contacting a local official or housing advocate, sometimes pressure from the outside helps. Keep everything documented. You're not the only one dealing with this, but it shouldn't be this hard.

Michael Smythe · Answer

@Donnie N. S8 staff are basically social workers, who are underpaid and overworked.

Also, aren't necessarily the brightest or best.

So, there are always problems:(

Your PMC will need to call & email daily to be the "squeaky wheel that gets the grease"!

They may even have to visit their office, but most of them in our area now only allow visits by appointment only and you can only set an appointment via email - which they never answer. BIG FUN:(

Jonathan Taylor Smith · Answer

@Donnie N. - When the payment was finally made, it included all of the past due amount from the prior unpaid months as well as that current month. And I had a hard time getting a straight answer as to what was going on, I think because I only had 1 property in their system and did not know or have direct contact information for the right people at the agency. I ended up having to contact the local HUD rep to get some answers. You can see my original BP Post on the ordeal at: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/1219497-wake-... - I now make it a requirement that I have email and phone contact details for all the important people at each housing agency I work with and that they know me / my company.

Jonathan Taylor Smith · Answer

@Donnie N. - YES, I had a similar situation occur for Wake County Housing Authority in North Carolina last year - not paying for 3 months... It turns out that they had run out of funding. They resumed paying as of the new year.

Donnie N. · Answer

Thanks @Jonathan Taylor Smith. That's a good tip. I'll go check now on the contact info.

Wesley W. · Answer

Did they pay you all of your contractually agreed upon late fees?

This thread reminds me that the allure of "automatic rent" with S8 is actually a myth.  In my market they routinely pay 3 weeks late and the contract precludes them from paying any late fees as long as the payment is not more than 30 days late.  Good stuff.

Donnie N. · Answer

Thanks @Denise Supplee and @Michael Smythe.  Good, and sad, to know that my situation is not unique. I'll continue to work with my PM to see how to get HACC back on track.

Donnie N. · Answer

Thanks @Jonathan Taylor Smith! So after the new year, did they also make up for the 3 months of no pay? Or was the 3 month considered a wash?

HACC not paying on time?

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