zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Stabilizing Affordable Housing for the Future Act - Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 and the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 to: (1) repeal certain conditions on the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to manage multifamily projects, and (2) authorize the Secretary to provide grants (including up-front grants) and loans from the General Insurance Fund when managing and disposing of such properties. Instructs the Secretary to maintain rental assistance payments for dwelling units in any multifamily property program administered by the Secretary. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to redefine loan market value and property market value with respect to physically distressed properties sold by HUD in discount sales. Repeals the requirement not to take any affordability requirements into account in such valuation. Requires such values to be determined using industry standard appraisal practices. Amends the Multifamily Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1981 to declare that Congress finds that mortgages transferred by the Secretary to state and local governments should be foreclosed in the same manner as mortgages held by the Secretary. Makes the entity designating the foreclosure commissioner (entity), whether the Secretary (as under current law) or any state or local government transferee, the guarantor of payment of any judgment against the foreclosure commissioner for damages based upon failure properly to perform the commissioner's duties. Makes such entity bear the risk of any financial default by the foreclosure commissioner. Declares that the entity shall be fully subrogated to the rights satisfied by such payment, in the event that any guarantee payments are made. Directs the Secretary to issue a proposed rulemaking that applies certain statutory participation and certification requirements to potential purchasers of multifamily housing with a mortgage insured under the National Housing Act, or for which assistance is provided under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. Requires the Secretary to post on a website information regarding multifamily housing properties for which: (1) federal rental assistance is provided, (2) other rental assistance or a subsidy is provided under a program administered by the Secretary, or (3) a mortgage is insured under the National Housing Act.

Date: 2012-03-20
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Preservation Enhancement and Savings Opportunity Act of 2012 - Amends the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 (LIHPRHA) to entitle the owner of a property subject to a plan of action or use agreement to distribute: (1) annually, all surplus cash generated by the property; and (2) upon request made to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), any funds accumulated in a residual receipts account. Entitles the owner to such distribution, however, only if the individual is in material compliance with the use agreement. Declares that neither LIHPRHA, nor any plan of action or use agreement implementing it, shall restrict an owner from obtaining a new loan or refinancing a loan secured by a low-income housing project, or from distributing the proceeds of such a loan, except that the treatment of the loan for purposes of budget-based project rents shall be within the Secretary's discretion. Grants an owner who received a direct capital loan under the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997, upon 30 days written notice to the Secretary, including payment of the present value of the loan as determined under a discount rate equal to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) nominal Treasury rate of appropriate duration based upon the loan's maturity, the right to defease the loan or to obtain the release of the instrument securing it. Amends the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 with respect to the requirement that the Secretary, upon expiration of a project-based contract for low-income housing assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for a project subject to an approved plan of action under either LIHPRHA or the Emergency Low Income Housing Preservation Act of 1987, provide the owner with benefits comparable to those provided under the plan of action, including distributions, rent increase procedures, and duration of low-income affordability restrictions. Revises the requirement to require that the benefits provided to the owner be at least comparable to those provided under the plan of action. Authorizes the owner to request a rent increase.

Date: 2012-03-22
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Protect Our Schools from Tax Delinquents Act of 2012 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require that each housing assistance payments contract entered into under the Section 8 rental assistance voucher program by a public housing agency (PHA) and the owner of a dwelling unit provide that such owner pay, on a timely basis, all covered taxes validly assessed against the property in which the unit is located. Defines "covered taxes" as any tax under state or local law assessed upon real property or the revenue of which is dedicated for use only for schools or for costs of education. Allows a contract to provide that, upon notification and identification of a tax delinquency by a taxing authority, the PHA shall abate all of the rental assistance amounts for the property, transferring them monthly to the taxing authority, until the delinquency is eliminated. Declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize, or establish any cause or grounds for, the termination of the tenancy of any tenant from any dwelling unit assisted under the rental assistance voucher program. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to maintain a database of information regarding owners of dwelling units: (1) assisted under the program whose housing assistance payments contracts have been terminated for noncompliance with the requirements of this Act, and (2) with respect to whom assistance amounts have been abated and transferred to a taxing authority.

Date: 2012-07-25
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Stop Tenant Organizing Promotion Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from carrying out, supporting, or otherwise providing any assistance to the Tenant Resource Network Program authorized under the Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998. Amends the Act to repeal the Secretary's authority to provide funding for the Program. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any funds currently allocated under the Program. Requires the funds to be covered into the General Fund of the Treasury and used only for reducing the federal budget deficit.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2012 or HAVEN Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals. Requires such grants to be used to rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of disabled or low-income veterans (at a specified limited or no cost to such veterans). Limits grant amounts to $1 million per organization. Requires the Secretary to direct the oversight of grant fund use. Requires a minimum of 50% matching funds by participating organizations.

Date: 2012-09-12
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Common Sense Housing Investment Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax deduction for mortgage interest, to: (1) allow, in lieu of such deduction, a tax credit for 20% of mortgage interest paid in a taxable year for the taxpayer's principal residence and one other residence; (2) provide for a phaseout of the tax deduction for mortgage interest between 2013 and 2017; (3) allow a deduction for interest and taxes relating to land for dwelling purposes owned or leased by cooperative housing corporations; and (4) increase the state housing credit ceiling for the low-income housing tax credit. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to apply the savings from the enactment of this Act to the Housing Trust Fund, for assistance under the Section 8 low-income housing program, and for the Public Housing Capital Fund.

Date: 2012-12-18
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
Extends until January 1, 2013, the placed-in-service date for buildings in the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone, the Rita GO Zone, or the Wilma GO Zone after which such buildings are eligible for allocations of the low-income housing tax credit.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
Moving to Work Charter Program Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enter into charter contracts, beginning in FY2012, with up to 250 public housing agencies administering the public housing program or the section 8 housing assistance program under the United States Housing Act of 1937. States that such charter contracts shall: (1) supersede and have a term commensurate with any annual contributions contract between a public housing agency and the Secretary; and (2) provide that a participating public housing agency shall receive capital and operating assistance allocated to it under specified laws. Exempts charter contracts from the requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937, except those for payment of wages prevailing in the community and the demolition and disposition of public housing. Requires a charter contract to provide that a public housing agency: (1) may combine section 8 low-income assistance and Public Housing Capital and Operating Fund assistance and use it for housing assistance and related services for activities under this Act; (2) shall ensure that at least 75% of the families assisted are very low-income families; (3) shall establish a reasonable rent policy designed to encourage employment, self-sufficiency, and home ownership by participating families; and (4) meet specified additional requirements. Directs the Secretary to appoint a federal advisory committee to assess and develop a demonstration program to test standards, criteria, and practices for a national public housing agency accreditation system or other evaluation system.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the the minimum low-income housing tax credit rate for new buildings that are not federally subsidized, and (2) establish a minimum 4% low-income housing tax rate for existing buildings that are not federally subsidized.

Date: 2011-12-14
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
Family Self-Sufficiency Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise the purpose of the Family-Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program to include the use of both low-income housing assistance under Section 8 of such Act (as in current law) and public housing capital and operating funds under Section 9 in order to enable eligible families to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. Eliminates the budget allocation reserved for public housing agency (PHA) incentive awards. Prescribes and/or revises eligibility requirements for families to participate in local FSS programs and for the eligible entities to administer them. Makes the owner or sponsor of a multifamily property receiving rental assistance under Section 8, as well as a PHA, an eligible entity for administering a local FSS program. Revises the scope of supportive services provided through a local FSS program under a contract of participation between an eligible entity and a leaseholder receiving assistance under Sections 8 or 9 to include: (1) education for attainment of a GED, (2) education in pursuit of a post-secondary degree or certification, (3) health and mental health services as needed, (4) homeownership education and assistance, and (5) financial literacy. Removes training in homemaking and parenting skills from the list of authorized supportive services. Revises requirements for and limitations on rent increases. Requires an eligible entity to place in an interest-bearing escrow account, for each participating family, an amount equal to any increase in rent the family pays. Requires payment of the escrow account funds to the family after the end of the contract of participation, unless the family fails to qualify to receive it. Modifies requirements for the establishment of fees for costs incurred by eligible entities administering FSS programs. Authorizes owners of privately-owned properties, under specified conditions, voluntarily to make local FSS programs available to their tenants by entering into cooperative agreements with local PHAs administering FSS programs.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Transparency and Security in Mortgage Registration Act of 2013 - Amends the National Housing Act to prohibit the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) from purchasing, acquiring, newly lending on the security of, newly investing in securities consisting of, or otherwise newly dealing in any Mortgage Electronic Registration System, Inc. (MERS) mortgage or mortgages.

Prohibits the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) from newly guaranteeing the payment of principal of or interest on any trust certificate or other security based or backed by a trust or pool that contains, or purchase or acquire, any MERS mortgage.

Directs Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae to require all their current MERS mortgages to be assigned to the proper servicer, holder, or creditor.

Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to study: (1) the impacts of the lack of electronic records and uniform standards found in local land title recordation systems currently used in the various states; (2) any progress states have made in developing electronic land title recordation systems containing uniform standards; (3) the current oversight role of the federal government in the transfer and recordation of land titles; and (4) the feasibility of creating a federal land title recordation system for property transfers that would maintain all previous records of the land-property without invalidating, interfering with, or preempting state real property law governing the transfer and perfection of land title.

Date: 2013-01-04
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2013 or HAVEN Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals. Requires such grants to be used to rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of disabled or low-income veterans (at a specified limited or no cost to such veterans). Limits grant amounts to $1 million per organization. Requires the Secretary to direct the oversight of grant fund use. Requires a minimum of 50% matching funds by participating organizations.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Energy Assistance for American Families Act - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations for FY2014-FY2018.

Permits a state to use any allotment from such appropriations to assist households whose income does not exceed 75% of the state median income.

Date: 2013-02-26
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Energy
Protect Our Schools from Tax Delinquents Act of 2013 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require that each housing assistance payments contract entered into under the Section 8 rental assistance voucher program by a public housing agency (PHA) and the owner of a dwelling unit provide that such owner pay, on a timely basis, all covered taxes validly assessed against the property in which the unit is located. Defines "covered taxes" as any tax under state or local law assessed upon real property or the revenue of which is dedicated for use only for schools or for costs of education.

Allows a contract to provide that, upon notification and identification of a tax delinquency by a taxing authority, the PHA shall abate all of the rental assistance amounts for the property, transferring them monthly to the taxing authority, until the delinquency is eliminated.

Declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize, or establish any cause or grounds for, the termination of the tenancy of any tenant from any dwelling unit assisted under the rental assistance voucher program.

Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to maintain a database of information regarding owners of dwelling units: (1) assisted under the program whose housing assistance payments contracts have been terminated for noncompliance with the requirements of this Act, and (2) with respect to whom assistance amounts have been abated and transferred to a taxing authority.

Date: 2013-03-14
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Safely Sheltering Disaster Victims Act of 2013 - Transfers a specified amount made available for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Fund in the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 to the Public and Indian Housing Tenant-Based Rental Assistance HUD account for tenant-based rental assistance only, including related administrative expenses, to areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Subjects such funds to specified requirements, including that:

 they be made available for such assistance by 60 days after enactment of this Act; the HUD Secretary waive the public housing agency (PHA) project-based limitation for use of such assistance (under the voucher program) for low-income families; the amounts may be provided only to PHAs that agree to give a preference to making such assistance available to eligible families displaced by Hurricane Sandy; such families are otherwise eligible for such assistance; and an eligible family may continue to receive such assistance after the transferred amounts are no longer available, subject to family eligibility and the availability of amounts in appropriation Acts. Retains the designation of such amounts as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).

Date: 2013-04-23
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Public Housing Disaster Preparedness Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to require each public housing agency (PHA) that owns, operates, or assists at least 500 dwelling units in public housing projects (covered PHA) to develop a disaster response and relief plan to provide:

 guidance for PHAs and their staff, residents of dwelling units in public housing, relevant federal, state, and local agencies and officials, and community-based organizations; and comprehensive information regarding pre-disaster, disaster impact, and post-disaster policies, standards, procedures, and protocols. Requires the plan to: (1) be included in the annual and five-year PHA plans required to be submitted under the Act, and (2) be submitted for HUD approval before its implementation.

Prescribes requirements for the plan, including protocols for:

 establishing communication and support; immediate disaster response; protecting the special needs of residents; safe evacuation of residents and staff; supporting short- and long-term relocation of residents; temporarily renting vacant PHA units to local victims of a disaster who are not residents of public housing; prohibiting PHAs from evicting residents (with certain exceptions) during a disaster period; providing residents with specified emergency information immediately after the conclusion of a disaster; protecting and restoring public housing building; listing the condition and location of emergency supplies and equipment; providing information regarding federal, state, and local grant and loan programs and other disaster relief resources available to a covered PHA, including information regarding the insurance policy of the covered PHA and how to file a claim; implementing the plan properly; and implementing certain emergency disaster training. Requires a covered PHA to:

 disseminate information (accessible to individuals with limited English proficiency) about the emergency protocols established under the plan to each resident of a PHA dwelling unit the PHA owns, operates, or assists before the resident moves into the unit as well as once every year, and, if possible, before an impending disaster; maintain a list, updated annually, of the members of each family residing in such a dwelling unit, and identify the special needs of certain residents because of a disability, physical or mobility impairment, or medical condition, the units in which elderly residents reside, and the units in which residents with limited English proficiency reside as well as their primary languages; and take specified actions to provide rental payment fairness for such dwelling units. Requires the HUD Inspector General to evaluate the plan, after its implementation following a disaster, and if necessary to make recommendations for improving it within 180 days after the conclusion of the disaster.

Makes conforming amendments to the United States Housing Act of 1937.

Date: 2013-04-23
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Affordable Housing Regulation Simplification Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to authorize the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to authorize the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), to purchase, service, sell, lend on the security of, and otherwise deal in affordable workforce housing mortgages for one-family residences: (1) that shall be used as the mortgagor's residence at least 8 of any 12 months and 240 days of any 365 days; (2) located within, or are part of, a multifamily housing development meeting certain requirements, (3) is subject to certain resale restrictions; and (4) is located in a high tourism area.

Prescribes mortgagor income and employment criteria.

Exempts such mortgages from any requirements and guidelines of such government sponsored entities (also known as GSEs) that are inconsistent with such authority.

Limits the application of this Act to such mortgages in a high tourism area.

Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insure any affordable workforce housing mortgage meeting certain requirements.

Requires the Secretary of HUD to provide a spot approval process for insurance of condominium unit mortgages that does not require prior approval of the entire project or of the homeowners association for the entire project.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) determine high tourism areas; and (2) reassess and update such designation on a biennial basis

Date: 2013-06-12
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Jumpstart GSE Reform Act - Prohibits the use of an increase in the guarantee fee required to be charged by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), or any affiliate of such organizations (enterprises) to offset an increase in outlays or a reduction in revenues for any purposes other than those related to the enterprises' business functions under: (1) the congressional budget, (2) the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), or (3) the Statutory Pay-As-You-Act 2010.

Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from selling, transferring, relinquishing, liquidating, divesting, or otherwise disposing of any outstanding shares of senior preferred stock acquired pursuant to a specified Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement between the Department of the Treasury and an enterprise until Congress has passed and the President has signed into law legislation that includes a specific instruction to the Secretary regarding the sale, transfer, relinquishment, liquidation, divestiture, or other disposition of the senior preferred stock so acquired.

Date: 2013-06-13
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and any affiliate, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and any affiliate (government sponsored enterprises or GSEs), with each GSE acting through an appointed conservator, to enter into an agreement that modifies the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement for the GSE to provide that: (1) any Senior Preferred Stock purchased under the Agreement by the Treasury shall not accrue further dividends; and (2) any amounts received by the GSE, before or after the modification, during a single year as a draw upon the Treasury's commitment under the Agreement shall be treated as a loan by the Treasury to the GSE meeting specified criteria.

Specifies as such criteria that this loan be treated as though originated on the date of the last such draw during that year, with: (1) an original principal obligation equal to the aggregate amount of such draws, (2) a 30-year term, (3) an annual interest rate of 5%, and (4) requirements for full amortization of the loan over the 30-year term. Requires the GSE to repay the loan in accordance with the amortization schedule established.

Requires any dividends paid by the GSE to the Treasury under the Agreement before the modification to be treated as payments of principal and interest due under the loan, to be credited against payments due: (1) first to the loan with the earliest origination date that has not yet been fully repaid until it is repaid, and (2) then to the loan having the next earliest origination date until it is repaid.

Date: 2013-06-19
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Housing Assistance Eligibility Verification Act of 2013 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to furnish to the Secretary of Health and Human Service (HHS) information in the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) and other USDA sources for comparison with information in the National Directory of New Hires, in order to obtain information in the Directory with respect to individuals (including tenants) who are applying for or participating in any housing program under the Housing Act that extends financial assistance, through the Farmers Home Administration, to owners of farms and other real estate, among other such parties.

Requires USDA to seek information, and make information disclosures, only to the extent necessary to verify an individual's employment and income.

Requires the Secretary of HHS to: (1) compare information in the National Directory with information provided by USDA about such individuals; and (2) disclose to USDA, in turn, National Directory information about them.

Authorizes USDA to use the information resulting from a data match to: (1) verify the employment and income of such individuals; and (2) analyze such information after the removal of personal identifiers.

Sets forth rules for the types of disclosures permitted and conditions on disclosure.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply to farm housing programs under the Housing Act of 1949 the requirement that the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of the Treasury disclose return information on earned, retirement, and unearned income to federal, state, and local agencies administering certain programs under the Social Security Act, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, or veterans programs, or certain housing assistance programs.

Date: 2013-07-18
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Defending American Taxpayers From Abusive Government Takings Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act, the National Housing Act, and the Housing Act of 1949, respectively, to prohibit the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) from purchasing, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) from insuring, and the Department of Agriculture from newly guaranteeing, making, or insuring any mortgage secured by a structure or dwelling unit located in a county in which the state, including an agency or local government, has used the power of eminent domain to take a residential mortgage.

Date: 2013-07-18
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2013 or HAVEN Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals. Requires such grants to be used to rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of disabled or low-income veterans (at a specified limited or no cost to such veterans). Limits grant amounts to $1 million per organization. Requires the Secretary to direct the oversight of grant fund use. Requires a minimum of 50% matching funds by participating organizations.

Requires the Inspector General of HUD to review and report to the Chairmen of specified congressional committees on: (1) the use of appropriated funds by HUD and by grantees under the pilot program, and (2) oversight and accountability of such grantees.

Date: 2013-12-12
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Low and Moderate Income Housing Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the low-income housing tax credit, to provide that a qualified low-income housing project is eligible for the credit if 50% or more of the residential units in such project are both rent-restricted and occupied by individuals whose income is at least 50%, but not more than 120%, of area median gross income.

Date: 2014-02-28
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
Preservation Enhancement and Savings Opportunity Act of 2014 - Amends the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 (LIHPRHA) with respect to a plan of action the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may approve for extension of the low-income affordability restrictions on any eligible low-income housing.

Entitles the owner of a property subject to a plan of action or use agreement to distribute:

 annually all surplus cash generated by the property; and any funds accumulated in a residual receipts account, upon request made to the Secretary and notwithstanding any conflicting provision in the use agreement, but only if the individual is in material compliance with the use agreement. Requires an owner distributing any such amounts to:

 continue to operate the property in accordance with the affordability requirements of its use agreement for its remaining useful life; continue to renew or extend any project-based rental assistance contract for at least 20 years, as required by the property's plan of action; and have the option to extend the contract to a 20-year term, if he or she has an existing multi-year project-based rental assistance contract for less than 20 years. Declares that neither LIHPRHA, nor any plan of action or use agreement implementing it, shall restrict an owner from obtaining a new loan or refinancing an existing loan secured by a low-income housing project, or from distributing the proceeds of such a loan, except that, in conjunction with such refinancing:

 the owner shall provide for adequate rehabilitation pursuant to a capital needs assessment to ensure long-term sustainability of the property satisfactory to the lender or bond issuance agency; any resulting budget-based rent increase shall include debt service on the new financing, commercially reasonable debt service coverage, and replacement reserves as required by the lender; and rent increases for units not covered by a project-based rental subsidy contract or tenant-based rental subsidy shall be limited to 10%.

Date: 2014-03-04
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief Act of 2014 or the HEATR Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer an income-based refundable tax credit for energy costs for the taxpayer's principal residence. Limits such credit to the lesser of 33% of such costs or $500. Allow such credit for residential energy costs paid or incurred after the enactment of this Act and before April 1, 2016. 

Date: 2014-03-27
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
Section 8 Relief Act of 2014 - Requires any new housing assistance payments contract providing rental assistance to low-income families under the United States Housing Act of 1937 that is attached to a structure to have a 40-year term.

Date: 2014-04-10
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Renters Tax Credit Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for a portion of the rent paid by a qualified renter.

Defines "qualified renter" as a family unit with income not greater than the higher of 60% of local median income or 150% of the federal poverty line.

Establishes the amount of such credit as the rent reduction amount, which: (1) is the amount by which the fair market rent for a rental unit exceeds the rent charged to the qualified renter; and (2) shall not exceed the excess of the rent charged to the qualified renter (or, if lower, specified modest rent) over 30% of the qualified renter's income (prorated monthly).

Date: 2014-04-10
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the low-income housing tax credit, to make permanent the minimum 9% credit rate for new buildings that are not federally-subsidized and to establish a minimum 4% credit rate for existing buildings that are not federally-subsidized.

Date: 2014-05-22
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a state or local government agency to petition the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to review a HUD designation of (or failure to designate) an area as a qualified census tract (low income area) or difficult development area (an area with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to area median gross income).

Date: 2014-07-24
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
Rental Assistance Housing Preservation and Rehabilitation Act of 2014 - Modifies funding requirements for the Rental Assistance Demonstration, provided in the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2012, for voluntary conversion of properties assisted via public housing agencies from the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds, or assisted under the moderate rehabilitation program to properties with assistance under a project-based subsidy contract or the voucher program.

Increases from 60,000 to 150,000 the maximum number of units currently receiving specified assistance required to be so converted.

Extends through FY2016 the eligibility for the conversion of assistance of owners of certain assisted properties for which an event after October 1, 2006 has caused or results in the termination of rental assistance or affordability restrictions and the issuance of tenant protection vouchers.

Date: 2014-07-28
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
P.J.'s Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of security cameras, safety lighting, and building locking mechanisms in public housing eligible for community development block grant (CDBG) assistance.

Date: 2014-07-31
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Fairness and Accountability In Rental Assistance Act of 2014 or the FAIR Assistance Act of 2014 - Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 with respect to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Moving to Work demonstration program.

Limits the payment standard used in connection with a voucher for tenant-based rental assistance under the program, for FY2015 and thereafter, to 120% of the fair market value rental established under the United States Housing Act of 1937 for the applicable market area and size of dwelling unit.

Exempts from this limitation any family that:

 is elderly or disabled; or resides, at the time of a declared major disaster, and before the first adjustment to the fair market rental after the disaster declaration, in a principal residence located within the disaster area that meets other conditions and requirements as the HUD Secretary may provide.

Date: 2014-07-31
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Keeping Families Home Act of 2014 - Directs each mortgage servicer to establish a deed-for-lease program which shall permit an eligible mortgagor to:

 enter into a deed in lieu of foreclosure agreement; continue to occupy and lease the property that is the subject of the agreement for one year; and have a right of first refusal to purchase such property after the end of the one-year lease period, if the owner intends to sell the property at that time. Exempts small servicers from such requirement.

Requires a lease to carry a monthly rent amount equal to the fair market rent for the property, as determined by an independent private appraiser hired by and paid by the servicer.

Date: 2014-08-01
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Fair Local Adjustment for Tenant Rents Act of 2014 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise and eliminate specified requirements with respect to public housing agencies (PHAs) establishing flat rental amounts for PHA dwelling units.

Authorizes a PHA to request the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a flat rent for a dwelling unit in an amount less than the required 80% of the applicable fair market rental, if the PHA demonstrates that such minimum amount is not an accurate measure of the unit's rental value.

Changes $50 from a maximum to a minimum monthly rental amount (including utilities) for individuals: (1) residing in public housing, (2) receiving tenant-based rental (voucher) assistance, or (3) receiving tenant-based assistance under the certificates or moderate rehabilitation programs.

Date: 2014-09-18
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Tenant Income Verification Relief Act of 2014 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with respect to annual review of low-income families' income for eligibility requirements for certain federal assisted housing programs.

Prohibits, after the initial review of any family's fix income, the public housing agency (PHA) or owner from being required to review its income for any year for which the family certifies, in accordance with specified requirements as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shall establish.

 Requires the PHA or owner to review each such family's income at least once every three years.

Requires PHAs to also review a family's income receiving Section 8 (rental assistance voucher program) at least once every three years (currently, at least annually).

Date: 2014-12-01
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act of 2014 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require high-speed Internet service costs to be included in public housing utility allowances for households with children who qualify for free and reduced price school lunches.

Prohibits a dwelling unit's Internet cost allowance from: (1) exceeding the lowest cost available in the area, and (2) including costs for cable or satellite television or for joint packages for Internet service together with cable or satellite television.

Conditions Internet cost allowances on the service including technology to block visual depictions that are obscene or harmful to minors.

Date: 2014-12-10
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Moving to Work Charter Program Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to enter into charter contracts, beginning in FY2014, with up to 250 public housing agencies administering the public housing program or the section 8 housing assistance program under the United States Housing Act of 1937.

States that such charter contracts shall: (1) supersede and have a term commensurate with any annual contributions contract between a public housing agency (PHA) and the Secretary; and (2) provide that a participating PHA shall receive capital and operating assistance allocated to it under specified laws.

Exempts charter contracts from the requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937, except those for payment of wages prevailing in the community and the demolition and disposition of public housing.

Requires a charter contract to provide that a PHA: (1) may combine section 8 low-income assistance and Public Housing Capital and Operating Fund assistance and use it for housing assistance and related services for activities under this Act; (2) shall ensure that at least 75% of the families assisted are very low-income families; (3) shall establish a reasonable rent policy designed to encourage employment, self-sufficiency, and home ownership by participating families; and (4) meet specified additional requirements.

Directs the Secretary to appoint a federal advisory committee to assess and develop a demonstration program to test standards, criteria, and practices for a national public housing agency accreditation system or other evaluation system.

Date: 2013-06-18
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Permanently Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2013 - Amends the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009 to repeal its sunset date December 31, 2012 (thus making the Act permanent).

Establishes a private right of action to enforce compliance with such Act.

Date: 2013-11-21
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Housing for Homeless Students Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify low-income building units that provide housing for full-time students who were homeless youth or homeless veterans during a five-year period prior to occupying a low-income housing unit for the low-income housing tax credit.

Date: 2014-07-31
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Tenant Income Verification Relief Act of 2015

 Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with respect to annual review of low-income families' income for eligibility requirements for certain federal assisted housing programs.

Prohibits, after the initial review of any family's fix income, the public housing agency (PHA) or owner from being required to review its income for any year for which the family certifies, in accordance with specified requirements as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish.

 Requires the PHA or owner to review each such family's income at least once every three years.

Requires PHAs to also review a family's income receiving Section 8 (rental assistance voucher program) at least once every three years (currently, at least annually).

Date: 2015-01-08
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Housing America's Workforce Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business-related tax credit for up to 50% (100% for small business employers) of the qualified housing expenses paid for the benefit of their employees. Defines "qualified housing expenses" to include homeownership assistance and rental assistance. Limits the amount of such credit to the lesser of $10,000 or 6% of an employee's home purchase price, or up to $5,000 for rental assistance. Excludes from employee gross income the value of employer-paid housing assistance.

Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award grants in FY2015-FY2017, on a competitive basis, to nonprofit housing organizations or local governments for certain costs, including operating costs and technical assistance costs, of employer-assisted housing programs. Requires the Secretary to establish a national clearinghouse, including a website, to provide information about employer-assisted housing programs to federal, state, and local governments and other interested entities.

Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of employer-assisted housing programs and provide the Secretary with an interim report by January 1, 2018, and final report by December 31, 2019.

Date: 2015-01-22
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
P.J.'s Act

 Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make eligible for community development block grant assistance rehabilitation to improve public safety, including the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of security cameras, safety lighting, and building locking mechanisms in public housing.

Date: 2015-02-13
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the low-income housing tax credit, to make permanent the minimum 9% credit rate for new buildings that are not federally-subsidized and to establish a minimum 4% credit rate for existing buildings that are not federally-subsidized.

Date: 2015-02-26
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Taxation
Keeping Families Home Act of 2015

 Directs each mortgage servicer to establish a deed-for-lease program which shall permit an eligible mortgagor to:

 enter into a deed in lieu of foreclosure agreement; continue to occupy and lease the property that is the subject of the agreement for one year; and have a right of first refusal to purchase such property after the end of the one-year lease period, if the owner intends to sell the property at that time. Exempts small servicers from such requirement.

Requires a lease to carry a monthly rent amount equal to the fair market rent for the property, as determined by an independent private appraiser hired by and paid by the servicer.

Date: 2015-04-16
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Housing and community development
Energy Assistance for American Families Act

This bill amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to reauthorize the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for FY2016-FY2020.

A state may use any allotment from funds appropriated for FY2016-FY2020 to assist households whose income does not exceed 75% of the state median income.

Date: 2015-04-30
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Energy
Home Energy Utility Assistance Act 

This bill amends the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to reauthorize the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for FY2016-FY2025. The bill also requires states to ensure that households seeking assistance under the program are not required to file more than one application per year.

Date: 2015-05-01
Topic: Housing (Low-Income Assistance)
Subject: Energy