Congressman Cohen Reintroduces the Housing Accountability Act
Requires tenant surveys to identify potential problems
WASHINGTON – RealEstateRama – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today reintroduced the Housing Accountability Act, legislation that would hold property owners of low-income housing accountable for poor living conditions. Specifically, the legislation would require residents of private properties that have Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contracts to be surveyed twice a year to determine the existence of persistent problems with a property’s physical condition or management.
Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, introduced a companion measure in the Senate.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“Inadequate oversight by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) results in some property managers failing to meet their obligation to maintain safe and healthy living conditions for their tenants. The Housing Accountability Act provides for twice-yearly surveys of residents to determine the physical condition and maintenance needs of their homes. It also calls for a review of HUD housing policy to assure the best use of taxpayer dollars. I am pleased to be working again with Senator Rubio on this much-needed reform.”
The measure was introduced a day after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that its Office of Inspector General is looking into persistent complaints about conditions at the Peppertree Apartments in Memphis. Congressman Cohen has been closely following the Peppertree case and expressed his support for HUD’s recent announcement that it would investigate the conditions.
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