Bill Would Allow Nonprofits to Administer Permanent Rental Assistance

Representative Scott Peters (D-CA) recently introduced the “Housing Assistance Efficiency Act,” H.R. 1047, which would allow private nonprofit organizations to administer permanent rental assistance through the Continuum of Care Program under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Under current law, only public housing agencies and state and local governments may administer this assistance. The bill also would require HUD to reallocate unspent funds annually rather than twice a year.

In the last few days of the 113th Congress, the House passed a similar measure by a voice vote under “suspension of the rules,” a designation reserved for noncontroversial bills that can speed passage. However, the Senate failed to take up the bill for a vote. H.R. 1047 currently has three cosponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.