How to Get Help

By Molly Parker, The Southern Illinoisan

When buildings do not pass their inspections, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is supposed to take action to ensure that conditions improve in a timely manner. If the landlord cannot or will not fix these problems, the law says that tenants should be offered alternative living arrangements or have their rent charges reduced in proportion to the seriousness of the problems in their units.

Inspection reports should be made available to any tenant who requests them from their local management office. But sometimes, landlords do not make them easily accessible. Or, renters may not want to ask their management office for them because they are concerned about retaliation if the landlord thinks they are trying to bring attention to problems. Also, as our article notes, sometimes inspection scores do not match the reality of renters’ living conditions, and tenants may want to bring this to HUD’s attention.

On each property's page, you are able to click on a link that explains how to easily file a Freedom of Information Act request (here's an example) so you can access your property’s most-recent inspection report from HUD. But keep in mind, it could take a few weeks to get a response. In the meantime, there are other actions tenants can take if living conditions present an immediate health and safety risk to them and their families. Here are a few of those options.

Local HUD Offices

Here are HUD's local offices. Once you find the state you live in, you can call the local HUD office in the city nearest you. If you wish, you can file a complaint with HUD about conditions inside a federally subsidized apartment complex. If you live in a privately owned multifamily apartment funded through the project-based Section 8 program, HUD may direct you to another entity that it contracts with to oversee the performance of private owners in a particular state or region. Filing your complaint both with HUD as well as that third-party entity may increase your chance of a response.

Public and Indian Housing Resources

Additional resources and a toll-free customer service number for public housing residents can be found here.

If people suspect there are issues involving fraud, waste or abuse, they can also call the HUD Office of Inspector General hotline to make a report.

Legal aid

Legal Services Corporation is an independent nonprofit established by Congress to provide legal aid to low-income Americans. Enter your address here to find which entity is nearest you. This website contains a list of local entities.