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Scottsdale housing staff explain voucher termination process, due-process rights and hearing outcomes
Summary
Housing staff outlined when the agency issues intent-to-terminate letters for Housing Choice Voucher participants, explained hearing procedures and timelines, and provided annual hearing statistics.
Mary Witkowski, housing and community assistance manager for the City of Scottsdale, told the Housing Agency Governing Board how the agency follows federal rules when it issues notices of intent to terminate Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance.
Witkowski cited the controlling federal regulations and administrative guidance, saying the agency follows “24 CFR part 982” for the Housing Choice Voucher program and other federal rules and PIH (Public and Indian Housing) notices from HUD. She said the agency’s administrative plan lists specific reasons an intent-to-terminate may be filed, including family obligation violations, unauthorized occupants and offender-related rules.
Witkowski described the agency’s timing and due-process protections: when an intent-to-terminate letter is issued, participants are given a date when Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) will cease, they have 10 days from the date of the letter to request an informal hearing, and HAP payments stop 30 days after the letter unless arrangements are made. “They have 10 days to request a hearing,” Witkowski said. She added that participants may present written and oral evidence at informal hearings and may question witnesses.
Christina Cooley, housing supervisor, told commissioners the agency contracted three independent hearing officers for informal hearings and that decisions are based on a preponderance of the evidence. Witkowski said the hearing officer issues a recommendation, and the executive director has authority to uphold or overturn that recommendation.
Witkowski also described reasonable-accommodation practices: certified mail and courtesy email are used for notices, and verifiable circumstances such as hospitalization can justify rescheduling. The agency provides referrals to community legal services and human-services centers for participants who may be facing eviction or homelessness. Cooley reported the agency held 11 hearings last year; two hearing officer decisions were overturned and one decision that had been upheld by a hearing officer was later overturned internally due to extenuating circumstances.
Board members asked whether staff could discuss a high-profile case reported in the Arizona Republic. Witkowski said staff could not discuss details of specific cases in public meetings because federal rules limit disclosure of individual hearing details; she offered only general, hypothetical explanations.
No formal policy change was proposed; the presentation was informational.
