February 22, 2021

First, we want to reiterate our strong support for significant expansion of the HCV program, both in the 2022 budget and in the proposed infrastructure bill. [...] Additional funding for housing mobility services: As the high demand for the Housing Mobility Demonstration has made clear, there are many PHAs that would like to provide comprehensive housing mobility services for their families (including one on one counselling, landlord recruitment in high opportunity areas, and search assistance), but do not have the resources to do so. [...] To fix this ambiguity, we suggest that HUD add a provision to the general voucher funding section of the budget as follows: “Provided further, that funds provided for tenant-based assistance may include payments for security deposits to help families access lower poverty areas.” 3. [...] Funding to support empowerment of HCV tenants: Congress has allocated funds to support tenant organizations in both public housing and HUD multifamily housing for years, but there is currently no funding in HUD’s budget for organizing and empowerment of Housing Choice Voucher tenants. [...] Non-budget related Congressional actions: Several of the HCV waivers provided by HUD pursuant to the CARES Act have become best practices, and we recommend that these be formally extended as part of the 2022 appropriations act – including streamlining the income recertification process for all programs by requiring housing providers to affirmatively inform all tenants of their right to an interim.