3 - PUBLIC HEARING ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

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Administrative Plan 4/1/2016 Page 16-42 provide documentation. You are free to extend this deadline. A tenant can certify that he or she is a victim by providing any one of the following three documents: • A completed, signed HUD-approved certification form. The most recent form is HUD-50066. This form is available at the housing authority or online at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/forms/hud5. • A statement from a victim service provider, attorney, mental health professional, or medical professional who has helped the victim address incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The professional must state that he or she believes that the incidents of abuse are real. Both the victim and the professional must sign the statement under penalty of perjury. • A police or court record, such as a protective order, or administrative record. If the tenant fails to provide one of these documents within 14 business days, you may evict the tenant if authorized by otherwise applicable law and lease provisions. Confidentiality You must keep confidential any information a tenant provides to certify that he or she is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. You cannot enter the information into a shared database or reveal it to outside entities unless: • The tenant provides written permission releasing the information. • The information is required for use in an eviction proceeding, such as to evict the abuser. • Release of the information is otherwise required by law. The victim should inform you if the release of the information would put his or her safety at risk. VAWA and Other Laws VAWA does not limit your obligation to honor court orders regarding access to or control of the property. This includes orders issued to protect the victim and orders dividing property among household members in cases where a family breaks up. VAWA does not replace any federal, state, or local law that provides greater protection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Additional Information • If you have any questions regarding VAWA, please contact ________________. Definitions For purposes of determining whether a tenant may be covered by VAWA, the following list of definitions applies: VAWA defines domestic violence to include felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by any of the following: • A current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim • A person with whom the victim shares a child in common 3-386