Laws supporting this information:

CFR 24.960.205

SF Municipal Police Code

According to federal law (24 CFR 960.205), you have the right to challenge the Housing Authority's decision to not admit you into public housing.  When you are denied admission to public housing, the Housing Authority must notify you in writing and explain the reasons for your denial.  If you are told verbally of a denial, do not assume that this is true. Always ask for the denial in writing.  This way you will be less likely to be discriminated against and you will know whether the reason is legal and whether you have grounds for an appeal.

The written notice should state the reason for your denial and that you have the right to request an informal hearing to challenge the decision within 10 days.  

Sometimes you will be denied because you have not provided enough paperwork or the necessary information to show that you are eligible.  When this is the case, you will receive a notice that will inform you of deficiencies in your application and will ask you to provide more information, such as check stubs or SSI print outs.  You should produce the requested materials as soon as possible.  Keep copies and get them date stamped to prove you did submit them.

There are some reasons that the Housing Authority can deny you legally. These reasons are:

 
 Important:  If you are on a lifetime sex offender list or you have been convicted of manufacturing "meth" in HUD housing, not only can you be denied but you do not have the right to a hearing.  

Although the above reasons are legal, sometimes the Housing Authority has wrong information. For instance, you are denied due to an eviction on your record, but the eviction was actually for someone with a similar name; or they find a negative criminal history but you actually have a clean record.  If this is the case, you have the right to challenge the facts.  You should ask for a hearing and submit any documentation that proves that the information the SFHA has used is incorrect. 

The SFHA must also take into account "mitigating circumstances".  This means that you have the chance to show that you will be a good tenant, even if you have had problems in the past. 

Also, you have the chance to remedy problems before you are completely denied (like pay money owed).  

If you believe that you were unfairly denied and you can show why, ask for an informal hearing.  A hearing will allow you to 1. tell your side of the story 2. correct any misinformation 3.  better understand why you were denied 4. dispute the facts 5. prove that a situation has been resolved ( For instance, if you were denied for an outstanding debt, you can bring in your proof of payment after you pay the bill).  

At your hearing be prepared to present your case and to provide as much written material as possible to support your position.  You may want to bring a witness and/or take notes during your meeting.  Remember, it is your job to show that the information on which the decision was based is untrue or that you will not have an adverse effect on other tenants, the property or the financial stability of the project if you were admitted. 

At the hearing, you can explain that the reason you are being denied is not accurate, there is more to the story or things have changed (like you have been in treatment or you got a steady job). It is always best to come prepared with a statement in writing so your explanation is clear and becomes part of the record.

You should be provided with the decision of your hearing within 5 working days. 

*If you have a police record, see if the Public Defender's Clean Slate program can help you clear it at 553-9337.   
*If you have poor credit, you can get help to improve it from Consumer Credit Counseling 1-800-777-7526. Click here to find out how to get a free copy of your credit report. 

Sometimes people are denied for reasons that are against the law.  Usually the only way to prove this is if you are told this verbally or in writing by management.

Below are some reasons that are illegal.