Congress Tackles Section 8 Reform
Political Insider
The decade-long effort to reform the Section 8 program continues. Earlier this month, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on a draft “Section Eight Savings Act (SESA)” bill. The bill makes numerous NAA/NMHC-supported program changes.
An earlier draft of the bill would have eliminated multiple inspections of units that have already been inspected for FHA financing or participation in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and other assisted housing programs. It would also allow biennial inspections, allow occupancy before initial inspection if the unit has passed an inspection in the prior 12 months and allow the use of alternatives to HUD’s housing quality standards.
The latest version, however, only allows those flexibilities for housing agencies that agree to participate in a new self-sufficiency demonstration program designed to provide job training and other support services to residents.
NAA/NMHC are strongly recommending lawmakers reinstate the earlier legislative language, noting that, as originally written, the bill was estimated to save the government nearly $1 billion. The Committee is likely to address this issue before the new year.
Was this article helpful to you?
|