Final Approved 2019 HUD Appropriation Includes Funds to Further, Support, and Research Housing Mobility
Specifically the bill provides:
- $20 million for housing mobility support services
- $5 million for new Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) for families with children participating in the demonstration (approximately 500 vouchers)
- $3 million for demonstration research
Today, Congress passed and the President signed into law the 2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill that will provide further incentives and means to public housing agencies (PHAs) to help low-income families truly exercise choice in where they live. Participating PHAs will now have more funding to inform families with children about the positive effects living in low-poverty neighborhoods can have for their children, proactively find housing opportunities in high-opportunity communities, conduct outreach to landlords, and provide continued support to families after their move.
“The inclusion of this funding represents a bipartisan recognition by Congress that families receiving federal housing assistance should be able to choose a neighborhood and community that will help their children thrive.” Philip Tegeler, PRRAC’s Executive Director said. “More and more housing authorities around the country are recognizing the value of housing mobility programs to bring more landlords into the voucher program and help families expand their choice horizons.”
HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program formerly known as the Section 8 voucher program-subsidizes the housing costs of more than two million low-income American households.
Read the letter national organizations sent to the Senate advocating for the provision.
