What action may be taken if a family member violates the terms of assistance by using drugs or alcohol?

When a family member violates the terms of assistance through drug or alcohol use, public housing authorities (PHAs) have a responsibility to address the violation while also supporting the family’s efforts to maintain their housing assistance.

Requiring involvement in rehabilitation aligns with the goal of encouraging recovery and compliance with program requirements while still enabling families to remain in the program, if possible. This approach focuses on offering a pathway to address the underlying issues related to substance use, rather than immediately moving to punitive measures like revocation of assistance.

By emphasizing rehabilitation, the PHA fosters a more positive outcome for the family and potentially allows them to regain full compliance with the terms of their assistance, rather than experiencing the more drastic consequence of losing assistance entirely. This approach reflects a balance between accountability and support, aiming to promote long-term success for families involved in the Housing Choice Voucher program.