Draft Bill Includes Provisions That Would Increase Rent & Impose Work Requirements on Millions of Low Income Families
The Trump administration is seeking to impose work requirements and rent increases on millions of low income families who receive federal housing assistance, according to draft legislation authored by the
Currently, most families receiving federal housing assistance pay 30 percent of their adjusted income as rent. Under the proposal, families, with some exceptions, would instead have to pay 35 percent of their gross income or 35 percent of the amount earned by working 15 hours a week for four weeks at federal minimum wage, whichever is higher. With this provision, HUD would essentially set a new mandatory minimum rent of
One of the biggest barriers to economic prosperity for America's lowest income families is the lack of decent, accessible, and affordable homes. Research shows that when people have a stable home that they can afford, they are better able to find employment, achieve economic mobility, age in place, perform better in school, and maintain improved health.
The Trump administration's proposal to cut housing benefits by imposing arbitrary work requirements and increased rents would force low income families to cut back on investments in their future, including education, training, retirement savings, and healthcare. This proposal would not create the jobs and opportunities needed to lift families out of poverty, and in many cases, it would make it harder for struggling families to get ahead by cutting them off from the very housing benefits and services that make it possible for them to find and maintain jobs. Additionally, the proposed rent increases target the very poorest people, including seniors and people with disabilities, who are often living on fixed incomes and are already at significant risk of homelessness.
"Increasing rent burdens for the lowest income seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children is cruel and will only force more impossible choices between paying rent or paying for medicine, groceries, and other necessities. HUD may try to portray this as increasing 'self-sufficiency,' but it's more about punishing low income people than helping them," says
"The proposal to raise rents and impose work requirements is administratively burdensome, ineffective and will increase poverty. The proposal flaunts the realities of who is housed in HUD programs and basic research on improving the lives of families and seniors. What pretends to be a hand up is really a kick in the back," said
"We were shocked to see rent increases targeting HUD's lowest income senior residents in a draft proposal from the department charged with creating 'quality affordable homes for all.' More than 1.5 million seniors rely on HUD's programs to provide stable, quality housing. Increasing rents, including rents for the very lowest income seniors, will do much more harm than good. LeadingAge is hopeful that
"The Administration's proposal to increase rents on low-income residents is misguided and hurtful. Study after study demonstrates that safe, stable housing is the bedrock of improving outcomes for poorer Americans, stated
"Low-income Americans who rely on federal housing assistance will be required to pay higher rents out of their limited budgets. To keep their homes, they will be forced to cut meager funds available to meet food, health, education, work-related transportation, and other basic needs. The only major benefit will accrue to HUD--tenants will be contributing a larger share to housing costs, thereby reducing federal expenditures," said
"Imposing a work requirement on non-elderly adults with disabilities would have disastrous consequences," said
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