HUD, GA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION PARTNER TO ISSUE APPROXIMATELY 80 ARREST
WARRANTS FOR HOUSING FRAUD IN GEORGIA

ATLANTA - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) are working together today to arrest approximately 80 individuals who have fraudulently obtained federal funding for affordable housing in Georgia. These individuals are being arrested on charges of Theft by Taking and/or False Statements for fraudulently obtaining
federal funding for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which is administered through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Housing Choice Voucher Program.

"We appreciate the combined efforts of the HUD Office of Inspector General, GBI and DCA to combat housing fraud
by arresting those that are violating the law and depriving especially those in need of affordable housing. We have zero tolerance for such fraud and are committed to aggressively working to identify and help prosecute any
individuals that would seek to defraud or abuse this essential program," said US HUD Southeast Regional
Administrator Edward Jennings, Jr.

The fraud involved in these cases totaled approximately $1.1 million which is money that could be ordered returned
to the program during the prosecution of these individuals. This money when returned could then be distributed to people who are truly in need of financial assistance for housing.

"The state and federal governments, as well as the people they serve, have a responsibility to ensure that federal funds for the Section 8 program go to those truly in need. My Office will continue to work with the HUD Office of Inspector General to ensure that those individuals who receive valuable Section 8 subsidies are eligible to
participate in the program." said, Mr. Dennis Williams Jr., Assistant Commissioner, Rental Assistance Division, GA
Dept. of Community Affairs.

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income
families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

Individuals with knowledge of fraud or suspect fraud in Section 8 Rental Assistance Program should contact the
U.S. HUD Office of Inspector General at (800) 347-3735.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.