Rep. Katko Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Affordable Housing, Remove Bureaucratic Barriers Within Housing Voucher Program

• by Urban CNY News
• March 8, 2022

Washington – U.S. Rep John Katko (R,NY-24) today announced the introduction of H.R. 6880, the Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2022, a bill that expands access to affordable housing options in Central New York and communities across the nation. Rep. Katko introduced this bipartisan measure alongside U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II (D,MO-5). The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program helps more than 5 million low-income Americans, including the elderly and people with disabilities, afford safe and decent housing in the private market. Unfortunately, landlord participation in HCV program is declining due to arduous rent payment standards, administrative hurdles, and misperceptions of the program. According to HUD, an average of 10,000 housing providers have left the program each year between 2010 and 2016. The Choice in Affordable Housing Act would reform the HCV program by providing grant funding that allows local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), such as the Syracuse Housing Authority, to offer landlords strategic incentives to accept vouchers and conduct recruitment efforts with local property owners. The bill would also remove burdensome property inspection regulations and allow more vouchers to be used in higher-opportunity neighborhoods. “I am proud to introduce the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, a bipartisan bill that will increase access to affordable housing in communities across the nation,” said Rep. Katko. “Declining landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program has exacerbated a severe shortage in affordable housing options. This legislation makes important reforms to the HCV program that incentivize landlord participation and facilitate valuable connections between local housing organizations and property owners. Encouraging more landlords to accept Housing Choice Vouchers is a crucial step in providing more affordable housing opportunities to families everywhere,  and I am enthusiastic about the results this bill can deliver for Central New York.” “Cities like Syracuse need the Choice in Affordable Housing Act,” said William Simmons, Executive Director of the Syracuse Housing Authority. “It is an effective approach to recruiting new landlords into the HCV program and will give families greater access to communities of opportunity.” “Home HeadQuarters applauds Congressman Katko’s leadership on the Choice in Affordable Housing Act,” said Kerry Quaglia, Chief Executive Officer for Home HeadQuarters. “More choices, more positive outcomes and a more streamlined process for housing vouchers benefits not only prospective tenants and existing landlords, but also the neighborhoods in which quality rental properties are located.” Specifically, the Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2022: Provides $500 million in grant funding to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) that offer a signing bonus to landlords with a unit in an area with less than 20% poverty, provide security deposit assistance to tenants that hold vouchers, or retain a dedicated landlord liaison on staff. Uses neighborhood-specific data to set fair rents by requiring HUD to expand its 2016 rule, which requires the use of Small Area Fair Market Rents to calculate rents in certain metro areas. Reduces inspection delays by removing duplicative regulations and enabling new landlords to request pre-inspections from a PHA prior to selecting a voucher-holding tenant. Refocuses HUD’s evaluation of housing agencies to encourage an increase in the diversity of neighborhoods where vouchers are used.