Following legal advocacy by Northwest Justice Project (NJP), the Housing Authority of Grant County (HAGC) removed improper attorney fees from the accounts of tenants in subsidized and public housing — a small but significant victory amid growing housing crisis.
Scott Crain, NJP Attorney and Acting Director of Advocacy, first discovered HAGC was unlawfully charging attorney fees to tenants in Section 8 and public housing at Vandenburg AFB Developments. Federal law prohibits such fees unless specifically ordered by a court.
The issue came to light when an NJP client received a $1,400 attorney fee bill following an eviction case settlement. The settlement had resolved a $39 rental dispute that prevented the client’s eviction. With a monthly income of just $600, this impossible debt threatened their housing security.
“This was incredibly stressful for our client,” Crain explains. “Owing money to a housing authority is a basis for termination of housing subsidies like Section 8. Impacts on credit reports could also affect a tenant’s ability to secure future housing.”
After being confronted about the improper billing practice, HAGC conducted a self-audit of 22 tenant accounts dating back four years and reported the results in February 2025. The audit revealed 14 accounts with improperly added attorney fees, which have now been removed, and HAGC said that no fees need to be refunded as none were paid.
“It’s hard to know the extent of this illegal fee problem,” Crain said. “Although most local housing authorities work hard to ensure fair services, such improper fees could be affecting many more people and can be challenged. Likewise, it is not uncommon for tenants to get charged unnecessary maintenance and late fees—which they are often unable to pay.”
Housing Authorities manage public housing for low-income tenants and are independent, not-for-profit agencies. They receive funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and collaborate with local governments on housing strategies.
The statewide need for subsidized rental housing far outstrips demand, which continues to rise. The main federal programs subsidize only about one-quarter of qualifying households.
“Cuts to HUD threaten to create additional barriers for residents, it’s even more critical to ensure that housing authorities follow federal regulations,” said Abigail Daquiz, NJP’s new Executive Director. “As the federal government scales back, local legal advocacy becomes an increasingly essential safeguard for tenant rights.”
“While the dollars at issue in this case are modest, the conduct is egregious. NJP is committed to protecting housing security and removing barriers for low-income Washingtonians,” Daquiz added. “NJP attorneys use every available legal tool to remove system-wide barriers to secure housing, and to help clients assert their legal rights in all matters regarding basic human needs.”