Bill Introduced to Change Frequency of Recertifications

Representatives Earl Perlmutter (D-OR) and Steve Stivers (R-OH) recently reintroduced H.R. 233, Tenant Income Verification Relief Act of 2015. It amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with respect to annual review of low-income families' income for eligibility requirements for certain federal assisted housing programs.

It prohibits, after the initial review of any family's fixed income, the public housing agency (PHA) or owner from being required to review its income for any year for which the family certifies, and requires the PHA or owner to review each such family's income at least once every three years, instead of annually.

The bill would allow the HUD Secretary to define “fixed income.” Various versions of rent assistance reform legislation have defined fixed income to include Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The bill was introduced on Jan. 8 and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. It is a reintroduction of an identical bill from the last Congress.