Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act
Sponsored By: Senator Mike Rounds
Introduced
Summary
More flexibility for homelessness funding and cross‑sector coordination. This bill would let HUD and local homelessness programs shift and extend funding timelines, relax some paperwork and inspection rules, and create new health‑housing demonstrations and an advisory committee.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Continuum of Care may pay past-due rent
If enacted, Continuum of Care programs could pay up to six months of past-due rent and utility bills for eligible households. If you get CoC help, this could lower your eviction risk and reduce past-due balances.
Easier income checks for voucher families
If enacted, public housing agencies could accept a third-party income calculation done in the prior 12 months for voucher eligibility if the household’s income and family size have not changed. When using prior-year income, PHAs must use the income determined for that prior 12-month period and account for any interim redeterminations.
Faster inspections for voucher housing
If enacted, HUD could allow alternative inspections for units leased with vouchers or homelessness help. Options include pre-inspections up to 60 days before leasing, remote or video checks, and leasing before a full physical inspection if a federal alternative inspection passed in the prior 12 months. A full physical inspection would be required within 15 days after lease start in that case.
Security deposit help for voucher holders
If enacted, housing vouchers could pay standard security deposits and holding fees for a unit. The maximum for each permitted purpose would be up to one month’s rent for the selected unit. Those payments would count against voucher contract funds and HUD would set a cap on how much of a contract can go to these purposes.
Housing-health and jobs pilot projects
If enacted, HUD could run demonstration projects that pair housing providers with health care organizations to give supportive services and improve health access. HUD could also pilot employment-and-housing projects and use unobligated funds to create waivers to help people leaving institutions or the justice system. HUD must report on demos within two years and every four years after.
15-year cap on some rental help
If enacted, certain Continuum of Care rental assistance payments could not last more than 15 years. This shortens the maximum time some households could receive that rental help compared with previously discretionary terms.
New admin and funding rules for CoC
If enacted, HUD could issue two-year Continuum of Care funding notices so some projects get funding for two years. The bill also raises administrative caps so programs could use the larger of $70,000 or 5% for admin, lets ESG use up to 10% for admin, and allows some program income to count toward grantee contributions. Unified funding agency designations would be limited to two years.
HUD studies, guidance, and upgrades
If enacted, HUD and the GAO would do several studies and publish reports on documentation barriers, coordinated assessment systems, workforce needs, and grant allocations. HUD would issue updated guidance to reduce barriers and share HMIS data safely for research. The bill also creates an advisory committee and authorizes $150,000 per year, and it authorizes $5 million for E‑Snaps IT upgrades for FY2025.
Preserve HUD flexibility and waivers
If enacted, nothing in this Act would limit the HUD Secretary’s existing authority to grant waivers or flexibility under housing laws. New flexibilities in the bill would not replace other waivers the Secretary may exercise.
Tribal rules for Continuum of Care
If enacted, Continuum of Care projects on reservation or trust land would need to certify consistency with an approved Indian housing plan. Some collaborative applicants only on reservation land would be exempt from a listed rule. For certain tribal awards, Titles VI and VIII would not apply as limited by HUD appropriation language.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Cosponsors
Tina Smith
MN • D
Sponsored 7/9/2025
John Reed
RI • D
Sponsored 7/9/2025
Mike Crapo
ID • R
Sponsored 7/9/2025
Catherine Cortez Masto
NV • D
Sponsored 7/31/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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