Make it easier for landlords to accept Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), by simplifying inspections of properties.
Make it easier for landlords to accept Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), by simplifying inspections of properties.
Occurrences
- Choice in Affordable Housing Act: Expands access to federal government’s largest rental assistance program for affordable housing.
Sec. 5405. Choice in Affordable Housing Act.
The Choice in Affordable Housing Act would... Reduce inspection delays. Units in buildings financed by other federal housing programs would meet the voucher inspection if the unit has been inspected in the past year. New landlords could also request a pre-inspection from a PHA prior to selecting a voucher-holding tenant that would be good for 60 days.
Evidence
Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), the top Democrat on the Senate Housing Subcommittee, announced that two of her major bipartisan bills aimed at combatting America’s housing crisis were included in a package that passed unanimously (24 – 0) out of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee. Smith’s bills were focused on rural housing and combatting homelessness. The package of bills that passed the committee earlier today, the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025, represents the first comprehensive national legislation on housing since the 2008 financial crisis.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), the top Democrat on the Senate Housing Subcommittee, announced that one of her major bipartisan bills aimed at combatting America’s housing crisis was included in a package that passed the Senate in an 89-10 vote. Senator Smith’s bipartisan Rural Housing Service Reform Act was included in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the first comprehensive housing supply legislation in 30 years.
This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development, joined a group of five Senate colleagues in re-introducing legislation to improve the federal government’s largest rental assistance program. The bipartisan Choice in Affordable Housing Act would make it easier to access Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), also known as Section 8 vouchers, and attract and retain landlords to the program. As a result, low-income families will have increased housing choices and improved access to high-opportunity neighborhoods.
Assessments
Senator Tina Smith introduced and advanced multiple bipartisan bills aimed at simplifying Housing Choice Voucher inspections and making it easier for landlords to accept HCVs. Her provisions were included in landmark housing legislation that passed key Senate committees and even secured Senate passage. However, there is no evidence the legislation became law or was enacted, so the full promise has not been delivered. Her legislative efforts were substantial and demonstrate serious intent.