Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Christopher Coons
Introduced
Summary
Would expand landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program by creating targeted incentives, dedicated funding, and operational changes aimed at recruiting and retaining owners in low-poverty, high-opportunity neighborhoods.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New HUD fund to recruit landlords
If enacted, the bill would create a HUD fund to pay landlord and leasing incentives. It would authorize up to $100 million each year for fiscal years 2025–2029. PHAs could make one-time owner payments (no more than 200% of that unit's monthly housing assistance payment) and pay security deposits for tenants. PHAs could also get bonuses for having a dedicated landlord liaison (capped at 150% of local liaison cost). PHAs must report yearly on fund use.
Expand ZIP-code fair rent rules
If enacted, the bill would require HUD to expand ZIP Code–level fair market rents (SAFMRs) in many metropolitan areas within three years. SAFMRs could raise voucher payment standards in some ZIP Codes and lower them in others. The bill also requires a floor tied to the 2016 rule and a hold‑harmless so families staying in the same unit keep their higher current payment standard.
Faster inspections for landlords and tenants
If enacted, the bill would let a new landlord request a pre-lease Housing Quality Standards inspection. If the unit passes and the landlord signs a lease with a voucher family within 60 days, that inspection would count. The bill would also let PHAs accept qualifying inspections from LIHTC, HOME, or Rural Housing Service if the unit passed within the last 12 months and the PHA can get the results. These changes could cut duplicate inspections and speed leasing.
More housing help for tribal veterans
If enacted, the bill would authorize $7,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for the Tribal HUD‑VASH program. That money would be available to help tribal veterans get housing support on tribal lands.
Change how housing agencies are graded
If enacted, the bill would direct HUD to study and pursue reforms to the Section 8 Management Assessment Program. The goal is to reward PHAs for better landlord relations and for leasing voucher households into low-poverty, more integrated neighborhoods. This direction is exploratory and would not itself change payments.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Christopher Coons
DE • D
Cosponsors
Tina Smith
MN • D
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Jerry Moran
KS • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
John Curtis
UT • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Martin Heinrich
NM • D
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Kevin Cramer
ND • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 3/26/2025
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 6/16/2025
Catherine Cortez Masto
NV • D
Sponsored 6/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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