Text of Senate Amendment 4331

Text of Senate Amendment 4331

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 41 (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 4, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S847-S848] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 4331. Mr. MERKLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. __. DIRECT HOUSING VOUCHER FUNDING PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency'' means a public housing agency admitted to participate in the Moving to Work demonstration. (2) Moving to work demonstration.--The term ``Moving to Work demonstration'' means the Moving to Work demonstration authorized under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note). (3) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the pilot program established under subsection (b). (4) Public housing agency.--The term ``public housing agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 3(b)(6) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(6)). (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. (b) Establishment of Pilot Program.--The Secretary shall identify and enter into a contract with 10 covered agencies to participate in a pilot program under which the covered agencies shall send preexisting rent subsidies directly to low-income individuals to pay their rent, without the involvement of a landlord. (c) Requirements.--Under the pilot program, the following requirements shall apply: (1) A household selected from existing housing voucher waitlists would be offered [[Page S848]] the opportunity to receive either a traditional voucher or a monthly payment for the equivalent value of the voucher. (2) A household selecting the monthly payment under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as the ``subsidy'') shall receive funds by direct deposit from a covered agency, and the household would be responsible for transmitting the full rent payment to their landlord. (3) A covered agency participating in the pilot program would calculate the subsidy using a method similar to the one used for the housing choice voucher program, under which the covered agency would subtract the tenant's contribution from a rent standard, such as the fair market rent, and the subsidy would be capped at the gross rent for the household's chosen unit. (4) A covered agency shall measure household income and calculate the tenant total payment at enrollment and again every 2 years thereafter. During that 2-year reexamination period, the tenant total payment would not increase, but a household could request an interim reexamination if their income declines. (5) There shall be no housing assistance payment contract between the landlord and the covered agency. The tenant would bear primary responsibility for inspecting the unit and assessing housing quality using a checklist provided by the covered agency. After the tenant moves into a unit, the covered agency could coordinate with the tenant to arrange a remote video inspection or conduct a full in-person inspection. (6) A household receving a subsidy under paragraph (1) shall be required to provide the covered agency with a copy of their lease. To remain eligible for the program, the household shall notify the covered agency before moving. If the gross rent for a household participating in the pilot program changes, the covered agency shall recalculate their subsidy under the pilot program. ______