Section 8 Tenant and HAP Contract

[Mckenzy D.]

Hello BP community, I purchased my first property in September. It's a 3 family home in Brockton MA and the property came with tenants. One of the tenants is a tenant at will and on section 8. The housing department has not paid me their portion of the rent since October due to the fact that I have not signed the HAP (Housing Authority Payment) contract which looks and reads a lot like a lease to me. I want to get my rent money but also keep this tenant as a tenant at will. Does signing a HAP contract with the housing authority make this tenant no longer a tenant at will? Have you heard of the housing withholding rent until HAP contract is signed? Any insight will help. Thanks!