HR 1981 — Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html March 10, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill introduces new provisions to incentivize landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program by establishing payment mechanisms and a dedicated fund.

• 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)

  (23) One-time incentive payments.-- (A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term `eligible unit' means a dwelling unit that-- (i) is located in a census tract with a poverty rate of less than 20 percent; and (ii) has not previously been subject to a housing assistance payment contract under this subsection. (B) Incentive payment authority.-- (i) In general.--To incentivize landlords who own dwelling units in low-poverty areas to enter into housing assistance payment contracts under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide assistance under this paragraph to public housing agencies to be used to offer a one-time payment directly to the owner of an eligible unit entering into a housing assistance payment contract with the public housing agency for the eligible unit. (ii) Amount.--The amount of an incentive payment made to an eligible owner under clause (i) may not exceed 200 percent of the monthly housing assistance payment made to the eligible owner for the eligible unit. (iii) Conditions permitted.--Subject to paragraph (7), a public housing agency may require the owner of an eligible unit, as a condition of receiving an incentive payment under clause (i), to commit to lease the eligible unit to tenants assisted under this subsection for more than 1 year. (iv) Limit.--The owner of an eligible unit may not receive more than 1 incentive payment under clause (i), regardless of-- (I) the number of eligible units owned by the owner; or (II) the number of public housing agencies with which the owner has entered into housing assistance payment contracts.

  This adds a provision for one-time incentive payments to encourage landlords in low-poverty areas to participate in the voucher program.

• 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)

  (24) Security deposit payments.-- (A) Security deposit payment authority.--The Secretary shall provide assistance to public housing agencies to be used to pay the owner of a dwelling unit assisted under this subsection for a security deposit, or a substantial portion thereof, on behalf of the tenant of the dwelling unit in accordance with subparagraph (B). (B) Minimum pha requirements.--A public housing agency that receives assistance from the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall administer the assistance in accordance with the following conditions: (i) The public housing agency shall pay the owners of dwelling units assisted under this subsection for a security deposit, or a substantial portion thereof, in an amount determined by the public housing agency, on behalf of the tenants of the dwelling units. (ii) In making payments to owners of dwelling units under clause (i), the public housing agency shall give priority to owners of dwelling units occupied by extremely low-income families.

  This introduces a provision for security deposit payments to landlords on behalf of tenants in the program.

• 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)

  (25) Landlord liaison bonus payments.-- (A) In general.--Each year, the Secretary shall award 1 bonus payment to each public housing agency that employs, contracts with a service partner that employs, or demonstrates an intent to employ or contract with a service partner that employs, not less than 1 dedicated landlord liaison whose duties include, with respect to the tenant-based assistance program under subsection (o)-- (i) conducting landlord outreach, recruitment, and retention; (ii) educating and training landlords regarding the program; and (iii) operating a phone hotline, online portal, monitored email address, or other mechanism designated by the Secretary for landlord questions and concerns regarding the program.

  This establishes a bonus payment system for housing agencies that employ dedicated landlord liaisons to facilitate landlord participation.

• 42 U.S.C. 1437f

  (ee) Herschel Lashkowitz Housing Partnership Fund.-- (1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a fund, to be known as the `Herschel Lashkowitz Housing Partnership Fund', for the purpose of incentivizing landlords to participate in the tenant-based assistance program under subsection (o) in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection. (2) Authorized uses.--The Secretary shall use amounts from the Housing Partnership Fund for-- (A) incentive payments under subsection (o)(23); (B) security deposit payments under subsection (o)(24); (C) landlord liaison bonus payments under subsection (o)(25);

  This creates a dedicated fund to support various incentives for landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Action History

1. March 10, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. March 10, 2025

   Introduced in House

3. March 10, 2025

   Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Sponsors

• Emanuel Cleaver · Primary
• Michael Lawler · Cosponsor
• Sean Casten · Cosponsor
• Lance Gooden · Cosponsor
• Stephen F. Lynch · Cosponsor
• Juan Ciscomani · Cosponsor
• Brian K. Fitzpatrick · Cosponsor
• John B. Larson · Cosponsor

Subjects