Senators Reintroduce ‘Voucher Mobility’ Bill to Improve Access to High-Opportunity Neighborhoods

Senators Todd Young (R-ID), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced S. 291, the “Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act,” on January 31. The bipartisan bill, which aims to incentivize greater choice and mobility in HUD’s existing voucher program, builds on the same legislation introduced by Senators Young and Hollen during the 115th Congress.

If enacted, the Housing Choice Mobility Demonstration Act would require PHAs to draft and submit regional housing mobility plans on how to help families move to high-opportunity areas. HUD would be authorized to then competitively award demonstration program funds, prioritizing regional collaborations among PHAs with factors such as an existing high-performing Family Self Sufficiency program or high concentrations of voucher holders in low-opportunity neighborhoods and an adequate number of moderately-priced rental units in higher-opportunity areas. After five years, HUD will evaluate the program’s effectiveness.

Read Senator Young’s official press release at: https://bit.ly/2RwpTX9