Audit: More than 80 “over-income” families in El Paso living in public housing
Living in public housing while making thousands of dollars more than the cut-off limit. El Paso is ranked number two in the U.S by a new federal audit, when it comes to the number of offenders.
A report by the Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, found there are 82 families who make more than the limit and are living in public housing.
One El Paso family makes more than $90,000 a year, that’s more than $40,000 over the limit.
“People like me, I have four kids, struggling with a job, I had to quit my job. And they’re taking advantage of it.”
Sarah Garcia has been waiting two and a half years to get public housing.
She was furious to find out there are more than 80 families making more than the income limit.
“There’s people waiting that really do need the help.”
The 2014-2015 audit by the Office of the Inspector General of HUD’s public housing found 25,000 “over-income” families nationwide, meaning they made more than the income limit to qualify for public housing.
Texas has the second highest rate in the country and the Housing Authority of El Paso has the highest number in the entire state.
“It’s pretty shocking. You would hope that public housing goes towards families that need it more than others,” El Paso resident Michael Aguirre said.
A breakdown of the report shows the median income limit is between $30-40,000. However, at least three families made well more than $70,000. One family makes more than $90,000 that’s more than $40,000 above the limit.
How are these “over-income” families allowed to live in public housing? The housing authority says they meet the income limit when they apply.
The housing authority actively monitors income levels, but HUD regulations only require families to be eligible at admission–not afterward.
“There’s people that have been waiting,” Garcia said.
The housing authority says it’s in full compliance with HUD regulations, but for people like Sarah Garcia, that’s not enough.
“They need to investigate more. They need to see how much they’re making and give it to the people that have been really waiting for it. People that really need it. not people taking advantage of it,” Garcia said.
Due to the number of “over-income families” HUD recently required housing authorities to adjust the rent accordingly and in some cases, to market rate.
The Housing Authority adds of the families who exceeded the income limit, almost 10% are actively participating in HACEP’s family self-sufficiency program which offers financial counseling and encourages home ownership.
