I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7123 
To require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to iden-
tify 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 Hous-
ing and Housing Choice Voucher programs, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Studying Barriers to 
Homelessness Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON REDUCING HOME-
LESSNESS THROUGH PUBLIC HOUSING AND 
SECTION 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study to identify any barriers that 
limit the ability of a public housing agency in attempting 
to provide housing assistance under the Public Housing 
and Housing Choice Voucher programs under title I of 
the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 
et seq.) for populations experiencing homelessness, which 
shall include— 
(1) identification of any laws, regulations, and 
any other notices or guidance pertaining to— 
(A) waiting lists, documentation require-
ments, or tenant screening that effect the abil-
ity of a public housing agency to accept persons 
and families experiencing homelessness into the 
public housing or voucher program; and 
(B) funding formulas and performance 
measures that may penalize public housing 
agencies trying to serve persons and families 
experiencing homelessness; 
(2) analyzing and determining the effect of the 
limitation under section 8(o)(13)(B) of the United 
States 
Housing 
Act 
of 
1937 
(42 
U.S.C. 
1437f(o)(13)(B); relating to the maximum amount 
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of housing voucher assistance that a public housing 
agency may use for project-based assistance) has on 
the ability of public housing agencies to serve per-
sons and families experiencing homelessness; and 
(3) identification of barriers to fair housing and 
the coordination of Federal housing assistance and 
homelessness funds, including outreach and mar-
keting of such funds, to affirmatively further fair 
housing for protected classes under the Fair Hous-
ing Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) that are 
disproportionately experiencing homelessness. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than the expiration of the 
12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report 
to the Congress describing the study conducted pursuant 
to subsection (a) and setting forth the results and conclu-
sions of the study. 
Æ 
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