PRess releases

Warning issued regarding messages requesting personal information through false promises of housing vouchers and relocation to public housing developments.

San Juan, Puerto Rico – (October 22, 2026) – The Department of Housing and the Public Housing Administration have alerted the public to the circulation of fraudulent emails—sent from Gmail accounts—that request personal information in exchange for purported housing vouchers or relocation options into public housing developments.

This warning follows instances where several individuals approached the agencies after receiving email notifications, under the impression that they had been officially summoned to handle matters related to housing assistance.

In light of this, the heads of both agencies clarified that official email addresses for the Department of Housing end in "@vivienda.pr.gov," while those for the Public Housing Administration end in "@avp.pr.gov." Communications originating from "@gmail.com" accounts are not associated with the official institutional addresses of these agencies.

The Secretary of the Department of Housing, Luis Augusto Martínez Román, emphasized the importance of protecting families who are seeking assistance through government programs.

“We are concerned that individuals seeking an opportunity for safe housing could fall victim to scams. For Governor Jenniffer González Colón, it is a priority that families have access to our programs and services, as well as the guidance needed to understand the available assistance and the application processes. We have had citizens arrive at our offices convinced that they have an appointment or an opportunity to receive aid, when in reality, they were contacted by individuals unaffiliated with our agencies. We urge the public to remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of any communications, and protect their personal information to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes,” stated Secretary Martínez Román. For his part, the administrator of the Public Housing Administration (AVP), Juan A. Rosario Hernández, emphasized that the admission and placement processes for public housing developments are governed by the requirements and procedures established by the agency.

“We want to prevent our families from being misled by false promises regarding housing or relocation. No electronic communication, on its own, guarantees the allocation of a voucher or a public housing unit. Our programs involve formal processes that must be followed to ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of every application,” stated Rosario Hernández.

Officials advised the public not to click on suspicious links, to avoid downloading attachments from unknown senders, and to refrain from sharing Social Security numbers, identification documents, banking information, or other sensitive data with unauthorized individuals. They also warned that even if a message appears to come from an official address, it is important to verify its authenticity if anything seems suspicious.

To receive guidance or confirm the authenticity of a notice or summons, the public may contact the AVP directly by calling (787) 759-9407, extensions 3012 (Public Housing) or 5251 (Voucher Program).

Additionally, the public can visit the official, verified social media accounts of both agencies to obtain information about their programs and services.

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