January 2008 Archives

Requires GAO to monitor and submit quarterly reports on any waste, fraud and abuse in the pilot.

Requires the Financial Services and Banking Committees to hold hearings within 60 days of a report that waste, fraud and abuse exceeds 10 percent of the program.(Sec 101)

Unlike H.R. 1227, requires that land be offered to the original landowner only where consistent with redevelopment plans. Adds the following requirements: (1) that if used as housing, plans be included for housing low- and very-low income families (2) any development under the pilot be consistent with neighborhood revitalization plans; and (3) where properties are available in neighborhoods where public housing redevelopment is occurring, consideration be given to making those properties available to meet the replacement housing requirements of this act.

Requires GAO to conduct a study after the 2 year pilot program, and requires HUD conduct monitoring and submit quarterly reports on waste, fraud and abuse. Where waste, fraud and abuse are significant, requires a report by the GAO within 90 days. (Sec 102)

Requires residents be asked if they want to return to repaired public housing or comparable unit in New Orleans or continue receiving rental assistance from the federal government.

Requires that residents be consulted in the design of the survey, and that a report be submitted in 60 days. (Sec 201)

Requires that households be asked if they want to return to a public housing or comparable unit in New Orleans, return to New Orleans with rental assistance or continue receiving rental assistance in a location other than New Orleans.

Requires that residents be consulted and that a report be submitted within 75 days. (Sec 201)

Establishes a right of return for any former public housing resident who gives notice to HANO by August 1, 2007, except those convicted of certain crimes or who constitute threats to public safety.

Requires HANO to provide public housing or other comparable housing, in the following order: in the same building, if available, same census tract, adjacent census tract, same neighborhood.

Priority for occupancy is for those who are employed, contributing towards community service, or families being reunited.(Sec 202)

Requires HANO to make housing available to any former resident who is in good standing and notifies the agency by October 30, 2007of the intent to move back by January 1, 2008, except those convicted of certain crimes or who constitute threats to public safety.

Requires HANO to provide public housing or other comparable housing to each returning resident with a choice to live in the same project or neighborhood, where available, or provide other housing options.

Vouchers can be issued for the number of units HANO is required to make available in excess of the number of residents who want to return to public housing. If a household is unable to find housing with a voucher, other housing units must be made available.

Priority for occupancy is for those who are employed, contributing towards community service, or families being reunited. (Sec 202)

Where project basing vouchers as replacement units, there are no restrictions as to the percentage of HANO’s vouchers which can be project based, and no restriction on the percentage of vouchers which can be project based in any building.

Any demolition/disposition must be approved by the HUD in a plan that shows there is a clear process and opportunity for residents and the community to comment, a public hearing has been convened, and the plan affirmatively furthers fair housing.

Requires that in phased development, at each phase, a certain percentage of units must be made available under this section. (sec. 203)

1. any unit that was occupied as of Aug 28, 2005 must be replaced with a public housing unit, comparable affordable unit, or project based vouchers (attached to a unit).
2. Any unit that was not occupied as of August 28, 2005 must be replaced with a voucher so long as HANO establishes a process to project base those vouchers in low-poverty neighborhoods or areas undergoing revitalization.

Where project basing vouchers as replacement housing, there are no restrictions as to the percentage of HANO’s vouchers which can be project based, and the limitation on the number of vouchers which can be project based in a single building is increased from 20% to 50%.

Any demolition/disposition must be approved by HUD in a plan that shows there is a clear process and opportunity for residents and the community to comment, a public hearing has been convened, the plan affirmatively furthers fair housing, and provides for comprehensive community services (Sec. 203)

HANO is required to submit biannual reports on the number and location of non-public housing units provided, including location, poverty rate in the census tracts, and the rent burdens of households assisted. (Sec 204)

Any demolition must be approved by HUD in a plan that shows there is a clear process and opportunity for residents and the community to comment, a public hearing has been convened, and the plan affirmatively furthers fair housing.

Requires a housing authority to replace any public housing unit demolished or disposed of with a public housing unit or comparable affordable unit with long-term affordability restrictions.

Requires that in phased development, at each phase, a certain percentage of units must be made available under this section.

Requires public housing agencies to use their best efforts to locate tenants displaced as a result of the hurricanes and provide occupancy for those residents in public housing.

Prohibits any public housing agency from displacing a resident from habitable housing without providing a comparable replacement unit. (sec 204)

Requires a housing agency to replace any public housing unit demolished or disposed of as follows:

1. Any unit that was occupied as of Aug 28, 2005 must be replaced with a public housing unit, comparable affordable unit, or project based vouchers (attached to a unit).
2. Any unit that was not occupied as of August 28, 2005 must be replaced with a voucher.

Requires public housing agencies to use their best efforts to locate tenants displaced as a result of the hurricanes and provide occupancy for those residents in public housing. (sec 205)

Authorizes such sums as may be necessary to provide tenant based assistance to households transitioning from Disaster Vouchers, from January 1, 2008, until they are no longer eligible for assistance. (Sec 306)

Requires HUD to work with FEMA and state and local agencies to identify households who are eligible for assistance under this section and offer them assistance. (Sec 307)

Clarifies that this assistance is for families who are not eligible for tenant replacement vouchers (if assisted housing is demolished/disposed of) and did not receive housing voucher prior to the storm.

Clarifies that households who received Section 8 housing vouchers prior to the storm shall receive section 8 housing voucher assistance.

Requires HUD to work with FEMA and state and local agencies to identify households who are eligible for assistance under this section and offer them assistance (Sec 301)

Adds requirement that HUD issue replacement vouchers for any units not available for re-occupancy by January 1, 2010 (Sec 302)

Beginning Jan 1, 2008, households receiving FEMA rental assistance will receive temporary housing vouchers.

Authorizes such sums as may be necessary to provide vouchers to families living in FEMA trailers.

Assistance under this section is temporary and expires when the household is no longer eligible for rental assistance. (Sec 902)

Beginning Jan 1, 2008, households receiving FEMA rental assistance will be transferred to HUD rental assistance, where they will be required to pay 30 percent of their income for rent. HUD is permitted to implement a minimum rent of $100 a month with hardship exemptions for seniors and people with disabilities.

Authorizes such sums as may be necessary to provide rental assistance to families living in FEMA trailers who want such assistance. Requires HUD to offer rental assistance to families currently in FEMA trailers. Households will be required to pay 30 percent of their income for rent. HUD is permitted to implement a minimum rent of $100 a month with hardship exemptions for seniors and people with disabilities.

Assistance under this section is temporary and expires when the household is no longer eligible for rental assistance. (Sec 304)

Requires HUD to review and approve all feasible proposals by owners of assisted multifamily housing to rehabilitate or transfer projects.

Requires HUD to transfer project based assistance to appropriate existing or planned projects. (Sec 303)