Representative Velazquez Introduces Bills to Address Sandy Housing Needs

Representative Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) introduced a package of three housing bills on April 23. Two bills, the Safely Sheltering Disaster Victims Act of 2013 (H.R. 1668), and the Public Housing Disaster Preparedness Act (H.R. 1669), directly aim to address housing needs related to Super Storm Sandy. A third bill, the Raising Employment in Affordable Communities and Homes Act (H.R. 1670) was introduced to improve the Section 3 program, particularly within the context of Super Storm Sandy (see elsewhere in Memo). NLIHC has endorsed all three bills, which are currently cosponsored by Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Charles Rangel (D-NY), and Jose Serrano (D-NY) (see Memo, 3/29).“While Sandy was a dark time, we also saw numerous examples of New Yorkers pulling together to assist one another during a difficult period. If we maintain that spirit of togetherness, we can recover from this storm stronger and better prepared for future disasters. We cannot forget what happened during Sandy and the need for recovery assistance. I will not let that happen and these bills are an attempt to keep those efforts going forward,” said Ms. Velazquez in a written statement.H.R. 1668 would allow for $50 million of disaster Community Development Block Grant dollars appropriated in the Super Storm Sandy supplemental appropriations bill (see Memo, 2/1) to be used for tenant-based rental assistance vouchers for families displaced by the storm.H.R. 1669 would require public housing agencies (PHAs) to develop and implement standardized disaster response and relief plans to assist tenants in the case of a natural disaster. The measure includes the requirement that PHAs inform residents of preparation and evacuation protocols and their rights and responsibilities in the case of a natural disaster. Under the bill, it would be required that this information be provided at move-in, annually, and prior to a disaster. The bill would also require PHAs to have a backed-up list of all public housing households, in which a tenant would have the option to specify whether someone living in his or her household has special needs that may necessitate additional assistance following a disaster. Under the bill, PHAs would be required to include details on their protocols for renting vacant units to local victims of natural disasters who are not public housing residents. H.R. 1669 would also allow for rent abatements to impacted public housing residents immediately following a disaster, as provided under each PHA’s rules, leases, or other Federal, State, or local law. Furthermore, PHAs would be disallowed from evicting residents as soon as an impending natural disaster is announced through the conclusion of PHA disaster and emergency relief efforts, unless an eviction was related to criminal charges, sex offenders, or drugs.H.R. 1668 has been referred to the House Committees on Financial Services, on Appropriations, and on the Budget. H.R. 1669 has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. No further action has been taken on the measures as of this writingView the full text of H.R. 1668 at http://bit.ly/10OeRkR. View the full text of H.R. 1669 at http://bit.ly/11Qikw2. View the full text of H.R. 1670 at http://bit.ly/12PEZJZ.