Bill Reintroduced in House
On July 13, 2023, legislators in the U.S. Houe of Representitives reintroduced the Choice in Affordable Housing Act (H.R.4606). The bill's lead sponsors are Representative Emanuel Cleaver, (D-Mo.), ranking member on the House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Housing, and Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Oregon). The National Apartment Association (NAA) has been working since the start of the new Congress to get this bill introduced, and NAA is pleased that two former mayors are leading this effort.
If enacted, the bill would:
- Create grants to incentivize housing provider participation in the HCV program;
- Provide security deposit assistance for low- and moderate-income renters and protects owners’ investments;
- Allow greater flexibility in the scheduling of unit inspections and
- Establish subsidies for program administrators, Public Housing Authorities, to hire a dedicated landlord liaison.
NAA's Take
NAA issued a joint statement in support of the bill with our partners at the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) applauding both Representatives for their leadership on this priority issue for NAA as we continue to advance proposals that address the housing crisis in this country.
Outlook
Bipartisan versions of this bill are now in both the House and Senate, aimed at increasing participation in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and including needed reforms to the program to achieve those goals. In the coming months, NAA will be working with our members to obtain cosponsors in both chambers for this legislation with the hope that the House and Senate will move a bill through Congress.
Deeper Dive: Read NAA and NMHC's press statement and read more about the Choice in Affordable Housing Act in the Senate.