Lawmakers Close to Finalizing Omnibus for FY 2017
After meeting with President Obama this week, leadership in the Senate and House have indicated that they are close to finalizing a bill that will fund the federal government for the initial quarter of fiscal year 2017, which begins on October 1, 2016. Though no text of this bill has been released, lawmakers have indicated that it will be publicized next week at which time members of Congress will vote on the measure.
This bill will be a continuing resolution (CR) that will temporarily fund all federal programs in FY 2017 at the FY 2016 funding levels until December. Earlier this year, Congress had made progress on the 12 appropriations bills necessary to fund the federal government. However, progress stalled before the August Recess, and a CR is the only viable option now that Congress has little time to complete their work.
NAHMA will monitor the progress of the CR for FY 2017 and will alert members when the text of the bill is available.
Congress to Hold Housing-Focused Hearings
Next week, Congress is scheduled to hold three high-profile hearings related to HUD and affordable housing programs. First, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on September 22 titled, “Oversight of the HUD Inspection Process.” This hearing will feature Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) as a witness. The Senator has recently become a strong critic of HUD’s inspection protocols, going so far as to introduce an amendment to the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) appropriations bill for FY 2017 that would have shortened the time given to a property owner to respond to a violation of a contract as well as the time given to the Secretary of HUD to develop an enforcement plan.
Senator Rubio also introduced the Housing Accountability Act of 2016. This bill would require HUD to survey tenants twice a year about property conditions and management performance; property owners who repeatedly fail the tenant surveys could face penalties. Along with the tenant surveys under this bill, HUD would be required to gather a report regarding the “adequacy of capital reserves” for property receiving Section 8 assistance. Senator Rubio was joined by Democrat Senator Bill Nelson (FL) in introducing this bill.
Another Senate hearing scheduled for September 21 under the Appropriations’ T-HUD Subcommittee titled “Housing Vulnerable Families and Individuals: Is There a Better Way?” will consider alternative funding methods for major HUD programs like Project-Based Section 8. Witnesses include housing experts from academic or non-profit outlets.
In the House of Representatives, the Financial Services’ Housing and Insurance Subcommittee will hold a hearing on September 21 titled “The Future of Housing In America: A Better Way to Increase Efficiencies For Housing Vouchers and Create Upward Economic Mobility.” The witness panel for this hearing is not yet available, but this subject of this hearing continues the Subcommittee’s agenda to produce outcomes which will decrease dependence on housing programs for low-income families.
NAHMA will provide members with a full report on these three hearings next week.