A measure introduced by Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) on Monday would take steps to provide more people with housing assistance by awarding vouchers that more accurately reflect cost-of-living estimates.
Schock introduced an amendment to the annual appropriations bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The amendment would direct HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan to ensure that voucher funds are more accurately tied to cost-of-living estimates under the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP).
“For every family that is given over 300 percent what they should be given, there are tens of thousands of families waiting in line patiently, desperately needing some assistance, and there is only so much money in the pot that Congress appropriates,” Schock said. “In a bipartisan way, this amendment ensures that the housing program helps as many families as possible, instead of allowing a few families to hit the lottery.”
The HCVP provides housing assistance to individuals who are homeless, were involuntarily displaced or pay more than 50 percent of their income on rent.
Under the current framework, HUD allocates federal funding for HCVP to local public housing agencies (PHA) that distribute funds through vouchers to those in need.
Schock’s amendment would aim to reduce waiting lists for public housing assistance by strengthening oversight to ensure PHAs manage voucher budgets and provide benefits to as many people as possible.