The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services (HFSC) held a mark-up session and approved two housing-related bills on February 29: the “HUD Accountability Act of 2023” (H.R.6864) and the “HUD Transparency Act of 2024” (H.R.7820).
The “HUD Accountability Act of 2023” was introduced on December 19 by Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY). If enacted, the bill would require the HUD secretary to appear before the HFSC and the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on an annual basis. The HUD secretary would testify about HUD operations during the preceding year. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 50-0.
The “HUD Transparency Act of 2024” was introduced on February 7 by Representative Monica De La Cruz (R-TX). If enacted, the bill would require the HUD inspector general to testify before Congress annually. The inspector general would report on HUD’s efforts to detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; its ability to conduct and supervise audits, investigations, and reviews; and its actions to identify opportunities for improving HUD programs. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 50-0.
The “Respect State Housing Laws Act” (H.R.802) was scheduled for mark-up but was ultimately not considered. NLIHC opposes the Respect State Housing Laws Act, a harmful proposal introduced by Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) that would eliminate the 30-day eviction notice requirement established in the bipartisan “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020.” The CARES Act requirement requires landlords and owners of federally assisted properties to provide a notice of at least 30 days to a tenant facing eviction before removing the tenant from the property. The federal requirement gives households time to address outstanding issues and avoid eviction, or – if eviction is unavoidable – time to find a new place to live. Without sufficient notice, tenants will struggle to find a new home, increasing their risk of homelessness and further housing instability post-eviction. Additional information on the mark-up is available here.