Government Accountability Office releases recommendations to improve REAC
This week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report titled “Real Estate Assessment Center: HUD Should Improve Physical Inspection Process and Oversight of Inspectors.” In its summary of the report, the GAO states that “there are concerns that the physical inspection process is not identifying troubled properties effectively. For example, the [Real Estate Assessment Center] does not always meet its schedule for inspecting properties, which means problems could go unaddressed longer than they should.”
In its report, for which NAHMA was interviewed, the GAO identified three key areas of weakness within REAC: Selection, Training, Monitoring. The GAO provided HUD with 14 specific recommendations for making improvements to the REAC, which include improving inspector training requirements and conducting a comprehensive review of the REAC process. HUD has agreed to most of the recommendations.
Please click here to read highlights of the report, and please click here to read the report recommendations. You can also visit NAHMA’s “Emerging REAC Issues” webpage to stay up-to-date on NAHMA advocacy work related to current REAC issues.
Administration releases detailed budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2020
This week, the Administration released the second part of its Fiscal Year 2020 budget, which again proposes steep cuts to affordable housing programs. This week’s more detailed programmatic budget calls for eliminating key programs, such as the HOME program, Community Development Block Grants, and the Housing Trust Fund, and revives its proposal for rent reforms. NAHMA opposes the budget and continues to advocate for robust investments in both HUD and USDA housing programs.
Similar to last year, the proposed budget is not likely to advance in Congress. Please click here to view NAHMA’s funding charts based on the President’s budget, and please stay tuned for a NAHMAnalysis with more information on FY20 funding levels as negotiations unfold in Congress.
Housing bills gain momentum early in new Congress
As the 116th Congress finds its footing, a slew of housing bills have already gained momentum, including legislation related to voucher mobility and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA):
Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act – This bipartisan bill would authorize a demonstration program to help voucher holders meet their mobility goals. Similar to legislation introduced last Congress, the demonstration program would require public housing authorities (PHAs) to submit a regional housing mobility plan detailing how the proposed group will assist families in moving to higher opportunity areas. Reintroduced last month by Representatives Cleaver (D-MO) and Duffy (R-WI) and supported financially through the Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations Act, the bill passed the House by a vote of 382 to 22. The legislation will now be sent to the Senate for consideration, where a similar bill has already been introduced by Senators Young (R-IN), Van Hollen (D-MD), Rubio (R-FL), Klobuchar (D-MN), Blunt (R-MO), and Hassan (D-NH). NAHMA supports this bill and will keep members updated on its progress.
Violence Against Women Act (reauthorization) – This week, the House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which lapsed earlier this year. The legislation includes a number of new housing provisions related to emergency transfer plans, resident screening, and early termination of assistance. NAHMA has concerns related to the bill version and is working with our industry partners to propose alternate solutions to Congress. We will keep members up-to-date. To see a full list of the section-by-section VAWA provisions, please click here; to read our previous description of the reauthorization bill, please click here.