Definitely go the legal route here, don't rent out the basement unless you have the OK from the relevant authorities--it's regulated for a reason (fire safety, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc.) and your insurance will not have your back if something goes wrong.

If there is evidence of intentional destruction of the property, you can call local police authorities, but in my experience, they do not get involved in any situation that "smell" of civil action; they will simply tell you that it is a civil matter. 

." - So we authorize the work.Contractor submits the quote yesterday for $8k and is threatening me about it. 

I doubt congress envisioned people self-managing multiple single-door motels on the side while holding down a full-time job. 

The housing authority also came out after I told them nobody is living there anymore, so they removed her from the section 8 program and they no longer pay a portion of the rent.

I would go to the pest control company and ask where they were authorized to install these screens on your property.I doubt you're going to get $3k from anyone, but did the roofing company say what the $3k is for and why a handyman can't just go up for a few hundred bucks and remove the screens?

Our developers have all noted that HUD has gotten much better with this program in the last decade and it more depends on the local housing authority being good or bad.

These may all have to be mapped and approved by the agency, authority, having jurisdiction.

There are a lot of tenants that purchase ESA authorizations.  

I responded back asking when to expect a response, which he did not answer.On 5/22 I requested funds again or I would be reporting him to legal authorities.