Hud Officials Target Bad Landlords

U.S. officials say they’re cracking down on landlords who milk money from federal housing programs, while leaving tenants in run-down apartments.

Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo vowed Monday to bring hundreds of enforcement actions against landlords who abuse federal assisted-housing programs, giving new attention to an area that traditionally has been a low priority for federal authorities.

“Landlords must realize: If they do not play by the rules, they will lose out in the end,” Cuomo said.

Raising the specter of cockroaches, leaky roofs and crime, Cuomo said law enforcement authorities would target landlords who fail to maintain housing units, as well as those who try to defraud the government.