The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its rent reform proposal earlier today–titled “Making Affordable Housing Work Act of 2018.” The President’s previously released proposed FY 2019 budget anticipated certain rent reform proposals, though at the time of the proposed budget’s release, these proposals were unknown. The Department has now released its proposal.
In a press release accompanying the proposal, HUD states that “a simplified structure of ‘core rents’ that offers a more transparent and predictable rent calculation . . . is easier for both landlords and tenants to understand.” It also states that “HUD will . . . create a menu of ‘choice rents’ that PHAs and owners may implement to promote greater flexibility, local control, and self-sufficiency for non-elderly/non-disabled households.”
NAHRO staff is in the process of reading through the legislation and will provide additional information in the near future.
The full press release can be found here.
The full legislative text can be found here.
[5/1/18 – NAHRO members can find a full summary of the legislation here. (You must be logged in to view this page.)]
The NAHRO Blog: Legislative & Policy Updates from Washington, DC 
I think it is an over-simplistic plan that doesn’t take into condiseration the fixed incomes of senior citizen and disabled tenants. I am not opposed to an increase for young healthy people. However, to raise rents across the board would include disabled people, and senior citizens with very low social security income. Frankly, the proposal lacks compassion. I have many tenants in our portfolio of public housing and section 8 voucher recipients who make the minimum social security income, as low as $400.00 a month. The proposed increase in rent may seem small to the average American; but, it will result in some people left with a choice of eating or foregoing meals in order to meet their rent obligations. For this reason I am oppposed to this legislation in its present form.
Sincerely;
Gerald Sanzari
Executive Director
North Bergen Housing Authority (NJ)
North Bergen Renaissance (An LIHTC Property)
LikeLike