S 1820 — Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2021

Summary

Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2021 This bill establishes programs and grants to incentivize landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program (i.e., Section 8 tenant-based housing assistance). The bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide one-time incentive payments to landlords, security deposit payments, bonuses to public housing agencies that employ landlord liaisons, and amounts for other recruitment purposes. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2026 the Tribal Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. Additionally, the bill allows dwelling units to meet Housing Choice Voucher program inspection requirements by satisfactory inspection through participation in other housing programs. Landlords not yet participating in a low-income housing assistance program may request inspection by a public housing agency to determine whether the dwelling meets requirements prior to selection by a tenant. Finally, HUD must expand the use of an alternative method of calculating fair market rent for purposes of the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html May 25, 2021

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 adding financial incentives and support mechanisms.

• 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)

  (21) 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 addition establishes a one-time incentive payment program for landlords who own eligible units in low-poverty areas, encouraging them to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program.

• 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)

  (22) 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 addition allows public housing agencies to use funds to pay security deposits for tenants, helping them secure housing.

• 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)

  (23) 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 addition establishes a bonus payment system for public housing agencies that employ landlord liaisons, aiming to improve landlord recruitment and retention.

• 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)(21); (B) security deposit payments under subsection (o)(22); (C) landlord liaison bonus payments under subsection (o)(23); and (D) other uses, as determined by a public housing agency and approved by the Secretary, designed primarily--(i) to recruit owners of dwelling units, particularly dwelling units in census tracts with a poverty rate of less than 20 percent, to enter into housing assistance payment contracts under subsection (o); and (ii) to ensure that owners that enter into housing assistance payment contracts as described in clause (i) of this subparagraph continue to lease their dwelling units to tenants assisted under subsection (o).

  This addition establishes a dedicated fund to support various initiatives aimed at increasing landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Action History

1. June 24, 2021

   Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-384.

2. May 25, 2021

   Introduced in Senate

3. May 25, 2021

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Sponsors

• Christopher A. Coons · Primary

Subjects