Lawmakers hear request to make housing choice voucher program more landlord‑friendly with $200,000 ongoing
Loading...
Summary
Senator Fillmore and housing‑sector representatives asked for $200,000 ongoing to replenish an incentive fund that reimburses landlords for damages beyond normal wear and tear under HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program; presenters described judicial and Department of Workforce Services guardrails for reimbursement.
Senator Fillmore presented the Housing Choice Voucher incentive program, asking the subcommittee for $200,000 ongoing to continue reimbursing landlords for tenant‑caused damages beyond normal wear and tear, an approach intended to encourage landlord participation in the voucher program and expand housing availability for low‑income families.
Nick Lloyd, an attorney representing the Rental Housing Association, explained program safeguards: reimbursement requires a court judgment confirming the amount owed and the Department of Workforce Services reviews requests before payment is made. “One of the biggest things is that any time a landlord wants to be reimbursed from the program, they have to go get a judgment for the amounts that they are owed,” Lloyd said.
Justin Allen of the Rental Housing Association said the fund has broad support within the housing sector but is nearly exhausted without ongoing funding, and he urged continued support. Committee chair Watkins, speaking from experience as a landlord, asked whether tenant or landlord education is part of the response; Allen described existing landlord training and tenant toolkits from partners but said additional education RFAs are being considered elsewhere.
No vote was taken at the hearing; staff will include the RFA in the packet for the committee’s voting session.
