Around 22,000 people have begun receiving emails related to the recovery of funds granted under a pandemic-era rental assistance program, as Puerto Rico's Public Housing Administration (AVP) reviews files to determine which cases may need further action. According to Telemundo, the agency is in the program's closeout phase and is examining files where possible irregularities were identified. AVP Administrator Juan Rosario told journalist Milly Méndez on the show Pegaos en la Mañana that recipients of these notices will have the chance to submit evidence about their application, responding to the same email with documents proving they met the requirements.
Cases will then be re-evaluated to decide which will be referred to the Department of Justice and which will proceed. Rosario acknowledged the review is challenging given the time elapsed and that some people may no longer have access to the email accounts they used. A phone line will soon be set up to assist those with access issues.
The situation surfaced after Héctor X. Aponte Toledo, a Carolina resident, publicly said on Primera Pregunta that he received a claim to repay aid he got in 2021, despite submitting required documents including tax forms and pay stubs.