H.R. 7123 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7123 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 17, 2022Ms. Garcia of Texas (for herself, Mr. Torres of New York, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Norton, and Mr. Green of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services A BILL To require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to identify barriers to reducing homelessness by providing housing assistance under the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Studying Barriers to Homelessness Act. 2. GAO study and report on reducing homelessness through public housing and section 8 rental assistance (a) Study The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to identify any barriers that limit the ability of a public housing agency in attempting to provide housing assistance under the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs under title I of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) for populations experiencing homelessness, which shall include— (1) identification of any laws, regulations, and any other notices or guidance pertaining to— (A) waiting lists, documentation requirements, or tenant screening that effect the ability of a public housing agency to accept persons and families experiencing homelessness into the public housing or voucher program; and (B) funding formulas and performance measures that may penalize public housing agencies trying to serve persons and families experiencing homelessness; (2) analyzing and determining the effect of the limitation under section 8(o)(13)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(B); relating to the maximum amount of housing voucher assistance that a public housing agency may use for project-based assistance) has on the ability of public housing agencies to serve persons and families experiencing homelessness; and (3) identification of barriers to fair housing and the coordination of Federal housing assistance and homelessness funds, including outreach and marketing of such funds, to affirmatively further fair housing for protected classes under the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) that are disproportionately experiencing homelessness. (b) Report Not later than the expiration of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to the Congress describing the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a) and setting forth the results and conclusions of the study.