I 

117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 7123 

To require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to identify barriers to reducing homelessness by providing housing assistance 

under the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs, and 

for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 17, 2022 

Ms. GARCIA of Texas (for herself, Mr. TORRES of New York, Ms. BONAMICI, 

Ms. NORTON, and Mr. GREEN of Texas) introduced the following bill; 

which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services 

A BILL 

To require the Government Accountability Office to conduct 

a study to identify barriers to reducing homelessness 

by providing housing assistance under the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs, and for other 

purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Studying Barriers to 

5 Homelessness Act’’. 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
2 

•HR 7123 IH

1 SEC. 2. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON REDUCING HOME2 LESSNESS THROUGH PUBLIC HOUSING AND 

3 SECTION 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE. 

4 (a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 

5 States shall conduct a study to identify any barriers that 

6 limit the ability of a public housing agency in attempting 

7 to provide housing assistance under the Public Housing 

8 and Housing Choice Voucher programs under title I of 

9 the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 

10 et seq.) for populations experiencing homelessness, which 

11 shall include— 

12 (1) identification of any laws, regulations, and 

13 any other notices or guidance pertaining to— 

14 (A) waiting lists, documentation require15 ments, or tenant screening that effect the abil16 ity of a public housing agency to accept persons 

17 and families experiencing homelessness into the 

18 public housing or voucher program; and 

19 (B) funding formulas and performance 

20 measures that may penalize public housing 

21 agencies trying to serve persons and families 

22 experiencing homelessness; 

23 (2) analyzing and determining the effect of the 

24 limitation under section 8(o)(13)(B) of the United 

25 States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 

26 1437f(o)(13)(B); relating to the maximum amount 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
3 

•HR 7123 IH

1 of housing voucher assistance that a public housing 

2 agency may use for project-based assistance) has on 

3 the ability of public housing agencies to serve per4 sons and families experiencing homelessness; and 

5 (3) identification of barriers to fair housing and 

6 the coordination of Federal housing assistance and 

7 homelessness funds, including outreach and mar8 keting of such funds, to affirmatively further fair 

9 housing for protected classes under the Fair Hous10 ing Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) that are 

11 disproportionately experiencing homelessness. 

12 (b) REPORT.—Not later than the expiration of the 

13 12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment 

14 of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report 

15 to the Congress describing the study conducted pursuant 

16 to subsection (a) and setting forth the results and conclu17 sions of the study. 

Æ 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS