Section 8 tenant skipped town - Can I dispose of his belongings

[Alex Ballas]

I find out through a section 8 case manager that a tenant has skipped town and moved across country.  I posted 24 hour notice then inspected the property, and all his clothes are gone, but there is trash, random furniture, shoes, and of course a kitchen heaping with spoiled food.  The case manager stated i will not get October rent as they cant justify paying for someone who doesn't live in the unit.

Do i have to follow abandonment procedure or since he told his case manage he skipped, can I just clean out and move on?  This is is PA.  There is an abandonment clause with a 1 month penalty and a forfeit of the security deposit.  I realize I wont get the 8 months rent, as he was 100% subsidized.