On January 25, 2023, Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) reintroduced the Choice in Affordable Housing Act (S.32), bipartisan legislation that seeks to revitalize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. Their bill, which was previously introduced in both chambers last Congress, would ultimately bolster the HCV Program by:
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Establishing financial incentives to increase housing provider participation;
- Requiring Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) jurisdictions use neighborhood specific data to ensure accuracy and alignment with market rates
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Expediting the inspection process for new providers, reducing inspection delays and decreasing other regulatory burdens; and
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Improving outcomes for low- and moderate-income households.
The National Apartment Association (NAA) has long supported the voluntary HCV Program as an incredibly powerful tool in efforts to sustainably address housing affordability challenges. In a quote endorsing the legislation, NAA President and CEO Bob Pinnegar said that “by speeding-up resident approval processes, reducing duplicative inspections requirements and providing better ongoing support for housing provider participants, the Choice in Affordable Housing Act will encourage more voluntary participation from the industry and, most importantly, increase positive outcomes for participating owners and residents alike.” Read more about the legislation.
NAA will continue to champion this critical legislation as we remain committed to advancing sustainable solutions that work to improve housing affordability across the country.
For more information on the legislation, please contact Maria Spencer, Director of Federal Legislative Affairs at [email protected].