The Fair Housing for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors Act
On September 28, Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) introduced H.R. 6211, the Fair Housing for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors Act of 2016. This bill seeks to provide protection for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault under the Fair Housing Act.
Under H.R. 6211, all housing providers, including private market providers, would be prohibited from denying housing to an individual explicitly because he or she has been a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity would be able to pursue legal action in situations where a domestic violence or sexual assault survivor applicant is denied housing.
In a statement, Representative Wasserman-Schultz said “I am proud to introduce the Fair Housing for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors Act with my colleague, Congressman Lamar Smith, to help reduce homelessness and reform unfair laws that punish victims instead of supporting them. As a nation, we must continue to do everything we can to protect our sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, and ensure that our legal system is working for them, not against them.”
H.R. 6211 currently has 32 cosponsors and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
More information on this bill is available
here
Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2016
Also on September 28, Representative Michael Turner (R-OH) introduced H.R.6289, the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2016. This bill seeks to provide priority under certain federally assisted housing programs to assisting youths who are aging out of foster care. These programs include Public Housing, the Housing Choice Voucher program, and Section 521 Rural Rental Assistance (provided by USDA’s Rural Development).
H.R. 6289 would allow foster care youth who are at risk of “aging out” of foster care to apply for housing assistance when they reach 16 years old, and would provide them with priority housing placement on waiting lists when they are about to “age out” of foster care.
After the first 12 months of occupancy, the former foster care tenant must be involved in one of the following activities for at least nine months of any subsequent 12 month stay in the unit:
- Employed on average at least 35 hours per week;
- Engaged in vocational, technical, or workforce development training or in an apprenticeship, on a full-time basis; or
- Enrolled in a secondary school, an institution of higher education, or other institution providing post-secondary education, on a full-time basis;
- (Exceptions would be made for certain individuals)
In the House of Representative’s Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017, T-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) provided special attention to young people exiting foster care in a provision of the bill:
“The Committee has been looking at barriers to permanent housing that youth face when exiting foster care. The Committee encourages HUD and PHAs to reevaluate their policies to ensure that youth exiting foster care transition to housing without experiencing homelessness. When eligible, these youth should receive consideration for tenant based rental assistance and other forms of permanent housing assistance.”
This T-HUD bill was ultimately not enacted by Congress, so Representative Turner’s bill seeks to enact changes for youth exiting foster care. H.R. 6289 has gained six cosponsors and has been referred to the House Financial Services Committee.
More information on this bill is available
here
Supporting, Employing, and Recognizing Veterans In Communities Everywhere (SERVICE) Act
On September 19, Representative Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced H.R. 6062, the Supporting, Employing, and Recognizing Veterans in Communities Everywhere (SERVICE) Act. This bill aims to improve the care and support provided to America’s veterans, and it includes some affordable housing provisions.
The key housing provisions include:
- Extending the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs (HVRP) for 5 years;
- Creating a position in HUD specifically responsible for ensuring veterans’ housing needs are being met;
- Creating a pilot grant program for veterans’ organizations to buy, renovate, and repurpose abandoned homes for homeless veterans; and
- Expanding the definition of “homelessness” for the purpose of veterans’ homelessness programs, veterans participating in HUD-VASH, those transitioning from being incarcerated, and those fleeing from domestic violence.
H.R. 6062 has been referred to numerous House Committees, including the House Financial Services Committee. It currently has one cosponsor.
More information on this bill is available
here
