I am homeless and have a section 8 voucher in Raleigh

(Request from Chrisandra in Raleigh, North Carolina) I’m a homeless, jobless single mother of 3 boys. (6, 3 & 1.) I have received a section 8 voucher. My previous landlord is trying to charge me $857 for clean up/repairs for my previous residency. The apartment was broken into and the damages was caused by the intruders but they’re saying as the tenant I’m responsible. I was out of town when it happened and never went back because I feared for my kids and I safety. They already had my kids and I living in the unit with no A/C for 3 1/2 mts. They kept sending the same drinking on the job maintenance man for 2mts!!! It was over 90 degrees most of the summer this was 2012! The apartment flooded 3 times within 6mts bowel movements & tissue was overflowing out of the washer hook-up area. They refused to fix the problem instead patched it as a result it kept happening which was unsanitary not to mention it ruined my belongings they refused to replace. They change management at the property every 3mts. I mean it was a living hell there and now they’re hindering my kids and I from getting a home. I have a past due light bill from living there as well for the amount of $331. I have no where to go and no one willing to help…. whom can I seek assistance from my expiration date for my voucher is the 22nd.

Dear Chrisandra,

I understand that you have 3 essential problems to solve. You owe $857 for cleaning and repair costs at your old residence. You owe $331 to Duke Energy for your previous electric bill. Now you need to find a place to move into where the landlord will accept your housing choice voucher. I can help you with these problems.

Debt from Prior Rental

If your previous landlord claims you owe $857 for cleaning and repair costs, they must provide evidence of those costs. Receipts and other documentation must be provided for each itemized charge. Landlords have the right to deduct those amounts from your security deposit and must return the remainder to you within 30 days. In some situations where extensive repairs are involved, the landlord may send an initial estimate at the 30 day mark with a final amount computed at the 60 day mark following your vacating the apartment. If that amount is what you owe above and beyond any security deposit, the landlord may send the amount to a collection agency or file for a judgment with the courts.

In North Carolina, they cannot garnish your wages for that amount but a judgment can follow you around for years. Your landlord has 3 years to file for a judgment before the statute of limitations expires on the debt. If you find in the future that you can repay the debt, a partial settlement may be advantageous to monthly payments.

Legal Aid can answer questions about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant as well as your prior landlord’s responsibilities. Call the Raleigh office at 919-828-4647 (866-219-5262) to request an appointment to review your legal protections and options.

Debt from Prior Electric Bill

Based on your current situation of receiving welfare benefits through the Section 8 program, you will likely qualify for electric bill assistance from a local organization. Wake County Human Services is the administrator of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program in Raleigh. You may apply for benefits at one of 4 locations. Call 919-212-7000 for assistance. You may also request help with electric bills through one of the following community agencies that assist Raleigh residents:

  • First Presbyterian Church (919-833-4070)
  • Salvation Army (919-834-6733)
  • North Raleigh Ministries (919-844-6676)
  • Triangle Family Services (919-821-0790)
  • The Women’s Center (919-829-3711)

Some of the above organizations can help with both rent and utility bills, so it helps to ask around.

Find Section 8 Approved Housing

You will likely experience problems getting approved for an apartment with the issues you had with your old apartment, especially if anything shows up on your credit. This can take some time though.

One organization that I highly recommend contacting is Wake County Supportive Housing. This is an internal department within Wake County Human Services.

What this agency can do is to help connect you with landlords that do accept housing choice vouchers. There are even some partner communities that will overlook prior credit problems if you can show evidence that you are working to resolve those issues. Call Wake County Supportive Housing at 919-212-9379.

You may also wish to contact one of the transitional housing programs in Raleigh, since these case managers will be familiar with Section 8 partners. They can help direct you to potential rental units where your vouchers could be accepted.

Another tip is to return to the agency that issued your Section 8 voucher in Raleigh. They will likely have a list of approved landlords that they already have a relationship with. Those options should have a higher approval rate. Additionally, they will have agreed to maintain the proper standards for safety and cleanliness. Since you already have a Section 8 voucher Raleigh housing agencies can help you find safe and affordable housing.