Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that allots block grants to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and gives the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) more authority over "chronically troubled" PHAs and other regulations.

Highlights:

• Repeals the United States Housing Act of 1937.

• Allocates funds to create mixed income communities, increases the accountability of public housing agencies by appropriating grants to reward performance, and reinstates the voucher program.

• Requires residents of public housing to contribute at least 8 hours of community service per month.

• Allows families residing in a public housing dwelling unit to choose either a flat rent structure or an income based rent structure that is no greater than 30 percent of the monthly adjusted family income.

• Requires families and the Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to agree to a target date when the family intends stop receiving public housing assistance.

• Directs PHAs to submit a statement of mission, goals and objectives, and an overview of capital improvement plans every 5 years.

• Directs PHAs to submit a performance and evaluation report concerning their use of funds.

• Gives each state Governor control over distribution of funds, except when action is required by the State legislature.

• Establishes a Capital Fund of $2.5 billion and an Operating Fund of $2.9 billion for PHAs for each of the fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.

• Expresses the sense of Congress that PHAs should adopt preferences for victims of domestic violence.

• Requires PHAs to inspect each public housing development annually and allows them to demolish nonmarketable public housing developments.

• Requires a nationwide study of housing assistance programs with findings reported to Congress.

• Allows Secretary of HUD to assist "chronically troubled" PHAs by contracting for management, taking over the PHA, or petitioning for a receiver.

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text