Rubio Backs HUD Reform Proposal

Florida Senator Marco Rubio is throwing his support behind a proposal that would allow “greater choice and mobility” in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher Program. The proposal was introduced by Republican Senator Todd Young from Indiana, and it’s called the “Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act."

Specifically, the bill requires public housing authorities to submit what’s called a regional housing mobility plan that details “how the proposed group will assist families in moving to higher opportunity areas.” It ensures that HUD awards “demonstration program funds on a competitive basis and prioritize regional collaborations among PHAs that have high concentrations of voucher holders in low-opportunity neighborhoods and an adequate number of moderately-priced rental units in higher-opportunity areas, an existing high-performing Family Self Sufficiency program, or a strong regional collaboration including one or more small housing agencies, among other factors.” 

The regional housing mobility plans must also include information on the people taking part in the plan and the number of vouchers that will be made available. In addition, HUD would be required to report on the effectiveness of the program after five years.

Commenting on the proposal, Florida Senator Rubio noted that “Ensuring that working families in Florida have the opportunity and ability to pursue the American Dream remains one my highest priorities in Washington. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that working families not only have access to affordable housing, but also the ability to live and work in areas of greater opportunity that meet their specific needs.”

And, Young, who introduced the bill, commented that “Families in Indiana and throughout America deserve the chance to live in the neighborhoods that best suit their needs, which may include access to more affordable housing, better education, transportation, or lower-crime. Our legislation will help ensure the Housing Choice Voucher Program better serves families who need to relocate to areas with greater opportunity.”