Section 8 money owed

I was previously in public housing more than ten years ago and when I left, I left it pretty messy, no damage. I was young, angry at life and didn’t think it’d ever matter. Long story short I owe hud two hundred and some odd dollars. Fast forward 10+ years, Life has found me with 2 young kids, 1 autistic son (8) and 1 ADHD daughter (4) and I’m desperate need of housing. I was approved for section 8 only to be told “oops, you must first pay the money owed before we can move forward”. And I also owe community service hours from all those years ago when I was in public housing. I’m sad to say I can’t even come up with the money… What can I do to get help with either the money owed or to get other forms of help with housing?