[House Report 110-227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



110th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    110-227

======================================================================

 
   PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL (H.R. 1851) TO REFORM THE 
  HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM UNDER SECTION 8 OF THE UNITED STATES 
                          HOUSING ACT OF 1937

                                _______
                                

   July 11, 2007.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

                                _______
                                

    Ms. Castor, from the Committee on Rules, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                       [To accompany H. Res. 534]

    The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration 
House Resolution 534, by a nonrecord vote, report the same to 
the House with the recommendation that the resolution be 
adopted.

                SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION

    The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1851, the 
Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007, under a structured rule. 
The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided 
and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of 
the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points 
of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 
10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the 
nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on 
Financial Services now printed in the bill shall be considered 
as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be 
considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against 
the amendment in the nature of a substitute except for clause 
10 of rule XXI.
    The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in 
the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. The 
further amendments made in order may be offered only in the 
order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member 
designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be 
debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided 
and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be 
subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for 
a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of 
the Whole. All points of order against the amendments except 
for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are waived. The rule provides 
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule 
provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous 
question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the 
bill to a time designated by the Speaker.

                         EXPLANATION OF WAIVERS

    Although the rule waives all points of order against 
consideration of the bill (except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule 
XXI) and against the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
(except for clause 10 of rule XXI), the Committee is not aware 
of any points of order against consideration of the bill or 
against the amendment in the nature of a substitute. The 
waivers of all points of order are prophylactic in nature.

                            COMMITTEE VOTES

    The results of each record vote on an amendment or motion 
to report, together with the names of those voting for and 
against, are printed below:

Rules Committee record vote No. 238

    Date: July 11, 2007.
    Measure: H.R. 1851.
    Motion by: Mr. Sessions.
    Summary of motion: To grant an open rule.
    Results: Defeated 3-8.
    Vote by Members: McGovern--Nay; Hastings (FL)--Nay; 
Matsui--Nay; Cardoza--Nay; Castor--Nay; Arcuri--Nay; Sutton--
Nay; Dreier--Yea; Hastings (WA)--Yea; Sessions--Yea; 
Slaughter--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 239

    Date: July 11, 2007.
    Measure: H.R. 1851.
    Motion by: Mr. Sessions.
    Summary of motion: To make in order and provide appropriate 
waivers for an amendment by Rep. Culberson (TX), #3, which 
states that under the Housing Innovation Program, residents, 
the local community, and elected officials must be notified by 
a PHA not later than 30 days before the first of the two public 
meetings.
    Results: Defeated 3-8.
    Vote by Members: McGovern--Nay; Hastings (FL)--Nay; 
Matsui--Nay; Cardoza--Nay; Castor--Nay; Arcuri--Nay; Sutton--
Nay; Dreier--Yea; Hastings (WA)--Yea; Sessions--Yea; 
Slaughter--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 240

    Date: July 11, 2007.
    Measure: H.R. 1851.
    Motion by: Mr. Sessions.
    Summary of motion: To make in order and provide appropriate 
waivers for an amendment by Rep. Price, Tom (GA)/Capito (WV)/
Brown-Waite (FL)/Campbell (CA), #4, which requires that, in 
order for an individual or household to receive Section 8 
voucher assistance, the individual, or all adult members of the 
household, must provide secure identification to the PHA.
    Results: Defeated 3-8.
    Vote by Members: McGovern--Nay; Hastings (FL)--Nay; 
Matsui--Nay; Cardoza--Nay; Castor--Nay; Arcuri--Nay; Sutton--
Nay; Dreier--Yea; Hastings (WA)--Yea; Sessions--Yea; 
Slaughter--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 241

    Date: July 11, 2007.
    Measure: H.R. 1851.
    Motion by: Mr. Sessions.
    Summary of motion: To make in order and provide appropriate 
waivers for an amendment by Rep. Wicker (MS), #1, which would 
allow Mississippi Public Housing Authorities to comply with the 
United States Housing Act of 1937 without violating the 
conflict of interest clause of the Mississippi State 
Constitution, which prevents individuals from sitting on a 
board of directors from which such decisions of the board could 
directly benefit the individual. To comply with the intent of 
the housing law, a separate advisory board will be created with 
a minimum of 6 tenants to offer advice and comment to the 
public housing agency.
    Results: Defeated 3-8
    Vote by Members: McGovern--Nay; Hastings (FL)--Nay; 
Matsui--Nay; Cardoza--Nay; Castor--Nay; Arcuri--Nay; Sutton--
Nay; Dreier--Yea; Hastings (WA)--Yea; Sessions--Yea; 
Slaughter--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 242

    Date: July 11, 2007.
    Measure: H.R. 1851.
    Motion by: Mr. Hastings (WA).
    Summary of motion: To make in order and provide appropriate 
waivers for an amendment by Rep. Chabot (OH), #12, which would 
prohibit any family that includes an individual convicted of a 
felony under State or Federal law from receiving assistance in 
the Section 8 program.
    Results: Defeated 3-9.
    Vote by Members: McGovern--Nay; Hastings (FL)--Nay; 
Matsui--Nay; Cardoza--Nay; Welch--Nay; Castor--Nay; Arcuri--
Nay; Sutton--Nay; Dreier--Yea; Hastings (WA)--Yea; Sessions--
Yea; Slaughter--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 243

    Date: July 11, 2007.
    Measure: H.R. 1851.
    Motion by: Mr. Dreier.
    Summary of motion: To make in order en bloc and provide 
appropriate waivers for an amendment by Rep. Price, Tom (GA), 
#5, which requires that spending in this legislation be offset 
by reductions in spending elsewhere; and an amendment by Price, 
Tom (GA), #19, which clarifies that the rental history data 
that Section 9 of H.R. 1851 allows to be submitted to a credit 
bureau will be treated the same as any other data submitted to 
them.
    Results: Defeated 3-9.
    Vote by Members: McGovern--Nay; Hastings (FL)--Nay; 
Matsui--Nay; Cardoza--Nay; Welch--Nay; Castor--Nay; Arcuri--
Nay; Sutton--Nay; Dreier--Yea; Hastings (WA)--Yea; Sessions--
Yea; Slaughter--Nay.

           SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER UNDER THE RULE

    1. Waters (CA): Manager's Amendment. The amendment includes 
increased rent structure flexibility while maintaining 
affordability requirements, an increase up to 12.5% in first 
year permitted housing agency voucher reserves, provisions 
spelling out HUD responsibilities with respect to access to HUD 
programs for persons with Limited English Proficiency, 
modifications to voucher inspection requirements, and changes 
to the Housing Innovation Program. (10 minutes)
    2. Velazquez (NY): The amendment requires that public 
housing agencies selected for participation in the Housing 
Innovation Program must comply with voucher and public housing 
domestic violence provisions from the Violence Against Women 
Act. (10 minutes)
    3. Miller, Gary (CA)/Chabot (OH): The amendment will impose 
a 7-year time limit on participation in the Section 8 program. 
The amendment excludes the elderly and disabled from this 
requirement. In addition, the amendment provides for a hardship 
exception. (10 minutes)
    4. Markey (MA)/Pryce (OH): The first part of the amendment 
would make certain low-income tenants of the Heritage 
Apartments in Malden, Massachusetts eligible for enhanced 
housing vouchers after prepayment of a HUD mortgage and 
subsequent ownership transfer of the property without HUD 
restrictions that may jeopardize the housing affordability. The 
second part of the amendment would allow for the transfer of 
Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts in 
Columbus, Ohio in the University District and in Cincinnati, 
Ohio in the Over-the-Rhine Community. (10 minutes)
    5. Chabot (OH): The amendment would strike the 
authorization of appropriations for the creation of 20,000 new 
vouchers each year for years FY 2008 through FY 2012. (10 
minutes)
    6. Hensarling (TX)/Chabot (OH): The amendment requires that 
all adults in a household receiving Section 8 tenant assistance 
for more than 7 consecutive years must perform 20 hours per 
week of approved ``work activities.'' Exemptions are provided 
for senior citizens, the disabled, those already exempt from 
TANF work requirements, and those who cannot access child care. 
(10 minutes)

            TEXT OF AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER UNDER THE RULE

 1. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Waters of California, 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 4, line 16, strike ``biennial inspections'' and insert 
``inspections not less often than biennially''.
  Page 6, strike lines 5 and 6 and insert the following:
          (3) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph 
        (G);
          (4) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following 
        new subparagraphs:
                  ``(E) Interim inspections.--Upon notification 
                to the public housing agency, by a family on 
                whose behalf tenant-based rental assistance is 
                provided under this subsection or by a 
                government official, that the dwelling unit for 
                which such assistance is provided does not 
                comply with the housing quality standards under 
                subparagraph (B), the agency shall inspect the 
                dwelling unit--
                          ``(i) in the case of any condition 
                        that is life-threatening, within 24 
                        hours after receipt of such notice; and
                          ``(ii) in the case of any condition 
                        that is not life-threatening, within 15 
                        days after receipt of such notice.''.
  Page 7, strike lines 1 through 3 and insert the following:
                                  ``(III) the failure to comply 
                                is not corrected--
                                          ``(aa) in the case of 
                                        any such failure that 
                                        is a result of life-
                                        threatening conditions, 
                                        within 24 hours after 
                                        receipt of such notice; 
                                        and
                                          ``(bb) in the case of 
                                        any such failure that 
                                        is a result of non-life 
                                        threatening conditions, 
                                        within 30 days after 
                                        receipt of such notice 
                                        or such other 
                                        reasonable period as 
                                        the public housing 
                                        agency may 
                                        establish.''.
  Page 7, line 4, strike ``and release''.
  Page 7, strike ``Subject'' in line 10 and all that follows 
through line 14, and insert the following: ``Upon completion of 
repairs by the public housing agency or the owner sufficient so 
that the dwelling unit complies with such housing quality 
standards, the agency shall recommence payments under the 
housing assistance payments contract to the owner of the 
dwelling unit.''.
  Page 7, strike ``(or to'' in line 19 and all that follows 
through line 24, and insert the following: ``, except that a 
contract to make repairs may not be entered into with the 
inspector for the dwelling unit referred to in clause 
(i)(I).''.
  Page 8, line 6, after the period insert the following: 
``During the period that assistance is withheld pursuant to 
this subparagraph, the tenant may terminate the tenancy by 
notifying the owner.''.
  Page 8, strike ``before'' in line 12 and all that follows 
through line 16, and insert the following: ``within 60 days 
after the effective date of the determination of noncompliance 
under clause (i), or such other reasonable period as the public 
housing agency may establish, and the agency does not use its 
authority under clause (iii), the agency shall terminate the 
housing assistance payments contract for the dwelling unit. The 
agency shall provide the family residing in such a dwelling 
unit a period of 90 days, beginning upon termination of the 
contract, to lease a new residence to assist with the tenant-
based rental assistance made available under this section for 
the family. If the family is unable to lease such a new 
residence during such period, the public housing agency shall 
extend the period during which the family may lease a new 
residence to be assisted with such assistance or provide such 
family a preference for occupancy in a dwelling unit of public 
housing owned or operated by the agency that first becomes 
available for occupancy after the expiration of such period. 
The agency shall provide reasonable assistance to the family in 
finding a new residence, including use of two months of any 
assistance amounts withheld pursuant to clause (ii) for costs 
associated with relocation of the family to a new residence.''.
  Page 8, after line 16, insert the following:
                          ``(vi) Limitation of liability of 
                        public housing agencies.--A public 
                        housing agency that uses its authority 
                        under clause (iii) shall not, if the 
                        agency accomplishes the work through a 
                        contractor that is licensed, bonded, 
                        and insured in amounts and with 
                        coverage as required by the Secretary, 
                        be liable for any injury or damages 
                        that may result to persons or to any 
                        property owned by the tenant or owner.
                          ``(vii) Tenant-caused damages.--If a 
                        public housing agency determines that 
                        any damage to a dwelling unit that 
                        results in a failure of the dwelling 
                        unit to comply with housing quality 
                        standards under subparagraph (B), other 
                        than any damage resulting from ordinary 
                        use, was caused by the tenant, any 
                        member of the tenant's household, or 
                        any guest or other person under the 
                        tenant's control, the agency may, in 
                        the discretion of the agency, waive the 
                        applicability of this subparagraph, 
                        except that this clause shall not 
                        exonerate a tenant from any liability 
                        otherwise existing under applicable law 
                        for damages to the premises caused by 
                        such tenant.''.
  Page 8, line 17, strike ``(vi)'' and insert ``(viii)''.
  Page 9, line 13, strike ``and''.
  Page 9, after line 13, insert the following:
                  (B) in paragraph (1)--
                          (i) by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and 
                        inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; 
                        and
                          (ii) by striking ``paragraph (3)'' 
                        and inserting ``paragraph (4)'';
                  (C) in paragraph (2)(A)(i), by striking 
                ``paragraph (3)'' and inserting ``paragraph 
                (4)'';
                  (D) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) 
                as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively;
                  (E) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
                following new paragraph:
          ``(3) PHA authority to establish alternative rents.--
                  ``(A) Rent flexibility for public housing and 
                voucher program.--Subject to the requirements 
                under subparagraph (B), a public housing agency 
                may establish for public housing and for 
                families on whose behalf assistance is provided 
                under the program for tenant-based voucher 
                assistance under section 8(o)--
                          ``(i) a tenant rent structure in 
                        which--
                                  ``(I) the public housing 
                                agency establishes, based on 
                                the rental value of the unit, 
                                as determined by the public 
                                housing agency--
                                          ``(aa) a ceiling rent 
                                        for each dwelling unit 
                                        that it owns and 
                                        operates; and
                                          ``(bb) a ceiling on 
                                        the amount of the 
                                        tenant contribution 
                                        toward rent required of 
                                        a family provided 
                                        tenant-based 
                                        assistance; and
                                  ``(II) such ceiling rent and 
                                tenant contribution are 
                                adjusted periodically on the 
                                basis of an inflation index or 
                                a recalculation of the rental 
                                value of the unit (which may be 
                                recalculated by unit or by 
                                building);
                          ``(ii) an income-tiered tenant rent 
                        structure in which the amount of rent a 
                        family shall pay is set and distributed 
                        on the basis of broad tiers of income 
                        and such tiers and rents are adjusted 
                        on the basis of an annual cost index 
                        except that families entering public 
                        housing shall not be offered a rent 
                        lower than the rent corresponding to 
                        their income tier; or
                          ``(iii) a tenant rent structure in 
                        which the amount of rent a family shall 
                        pay is based on a percentage of family 
                        income, except that lower percentages 
                        may apply only with respect to earned 
                        income; such a rent structure may 
                        provide for an amount of rent based on 
                        a calculation of earned income that 
                        provides for disregard of a higher 
                        percentage or higher dollar amount, or 
                        both, than provided for in paragraph 
                        (8)(B).
                  ``(B) Limitation.--Notwithstanding the 
                authority provided under subparagraph (A), the 
                amount paid for rent (including the amount 
                allowed for tenant-paid utilities) by any 
                family for a dwelling unit in public housing or 
                for rental of a dwelling unit for which tenant-
                based voucher assistance under section 8(o) is 
                provided may not exceed the amount determined 
                under subsection (a)(1) of this section or 
                section 8(o), respectively. The Secretary shall 
                issue regulations and establish procedures to 
                ensure compliance with this subparagraph.
                  ``(C) Elderly families and disabled 
                families.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
                of this Act, this paragraph shall not apply to 
                elderly families and disabled families.''; and
  Page 9, line 14, strike ``(B)'' and insert ``(F)''.
  Page 9, line 16, strike ``(6)'' and insert ``(7)''.
  Page 12, line 19, strike ``(7)'' and insert ``(8)''.
  Page 13, line 3, strike ``(6)(A)'' and insert ``(7)(A)''.
  Page 13, line 18, strike ``(6)(B)(ii)'' and insert 
``(7)(B)(ii)''.
  Page 15, line 6, strike ``(6)'' and insert ``(7)''.
  Page 19, line 13, strike ``(6) and (7)'' and insert ``(7) and 
(8)''.
  Page 30, after line 11, insert the following:
                          ``(xi) relocation and replacement of 
                        public housing units that are 
                        demolished or disposed of pursuant to 
                        eminent domain, pursuant to a 
                        homeownership program, or in connection 
                        with a mixed finance development method 
                        under section 35 or otherwise;''
  Page 30, line 12, strike ``(xi)'' and insert ``(xii)''.
  Page 30, line 15, strike ``(xii)'' and insert ``(xiii)''.
  Page 30, line 24, strike ``or (x)'' and insert ``(x), or 
(xi)''.
  Page 31, line 16, before the semicolon insert ``and of any 
incremental vouchers funded in previous years''.
  Page 36, line 14, strike ``one twelfth'' and insert ``12.5 
percent of''.
  Page 39, lines 6 and 7, strike ``until superseded through 
subsequent rulemaking,''.
  Page 57, after line 18, insert the following:
                  ``(N) Administrative fee.--The administrative 
                fee applicable to the administration of 
                assistance under this paragraph shall be 
                determined in the same manner as administrative 
                fees applicable to other assistance 
                administered under other provisions of this 
                subsection.''.
  Page 57, line 19, strike ``(N)'' and insert ``(O)''.
  Page 68, line 6, after ``any agency'' insert ``that is a 
troubled agency under either such assessment program or''
  Page 92, strike ``Not'' in line 5 and all that follows 
through ``the'' in line 9 and insert ``The''.
  Strike line 24 on page 97 and all that follows through line 4 
on page 98, and insert the following:
                  ``(B) section 8(o), except for paragraph (11) 
                and except as the requirements of section 8(o) 
                are modified by subsection (e)(3) of this 
                section.''.
  Page 100, line 2, before the semicolon insert the following: 
``, except that no household may be prevented from occupying a 
replacement dwelling unit provided pursuant to clause (iii) 
except to the extent specifically provided by any other 
provision of Federal law (including subtitle F of title V of 
the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (42 
U.S.C. 13661 et seq.; relating to safety and security in public 
and assisted housing, subtitle D of title VI of the Housing and 
Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13611 et seq.; 
relating to preferences for elderly and disabled residents), 
and section 16(f) of this Act (42 U.S.C. 1437n(f)); relating to 
ineligibility of persons convicted of methamphetamine 
offenses)''.
  Page 101, line 22, strike ``, dispose of, or eliminate'' and 
insert ``or dispose of''.
  Page 102, strike lines 12 through 14 and insert the 
following:
                  ``(b) The votes and agreements regarding the 
                plan shall involve--
                          ``(i) in the case of any public 
                        housing agency that administers 250 or 
                        fewer public housing dwelling units, 
                        not less than 10 percent of affected 
                        residents; and
                          ``(ii) in the case of any public 
                        housing agency that administers more 
                        than 250 public housing dwelling units, 
                        not less than 25 affected residents''.
  Page 103, strike lines 4 through 6 and insert the following: 
``make available at least 30 percent of the total hours worked 
at all such employment, and shall also make available at least 
25 percent of unskilled jobs in demolition activities and 25 
percent of unskilled jobs in construction activities related to 
the redevelopment''.
  Page 107, after line 2, insert the following new section:

SEC. 18. ACCESS TO HUD PROGRAMS FOR PERSONS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH 
                    PROFICIENCY.

  (a) HUD Responsibilities.--To allow the Department of Housing 
and Urban Development to better serve persons with limited 
proficiency in the English language by providing technical 
assistance to recipients of Federal funds, the Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development shall take the following actions:
          (1) Task force.--Within 90 days after the enactment 
        of this Act, convene a task force comprised of 
        appropriate industry groups, recipients of funds from 
        the Department of Housing and Urban Development (in 
        this section referred to as the ``Department''), 
        community-based organizations that serve individuals 
        with limited English proficiency, civil rights groups, 
        and stakeholders, which shall identify a list of vital 
        documents, including Department and certain property 
        and other documents, to be competently translated to 
        improve access to federally conducted and federally 
        assisted programs and activities for individuals with 
        limited English proficiency. The task force shall meet 
        not less frequently than twice per year.
          (2) Translations.--Within 6 months after 
        identification of documents pursuant to paragraph (1), 
        produce translations of the documents identified in all 
        necessary languages and make such translations 
        available as part of the library of forms available on 
        the website of the Department and as part of the 
        clearinghouse developed pursuant to paragraph (4).
          (3) Plan.--Develop and carry out a plan that includes 
        providing resources of the Department to assist 
        recipients of Federal funds to improve access to 
        programs and activities for individuals with limited 
        English proficiency, which plan shall include the 
        elements described in paragraph (4).
          (4) Housing information resource center.--Develop and 
        maintain a housing information resource center to 
        facilitate the provision of language services by 
        providers of housing services to individuals with 
        limited English proficiency. Information provided by 
        such center shall be made available in printed form and 
        through the Internet. The resources provided by the 
        center shall include the following:
                  (A) Translation of written materials.--The 
                center may provide, directly or through 
                contract, vital documents from competent 
                translation services for providers of housing 
                services.
                  (B) Toll-free customer service telephone 
                number.--The center shall provide a 24-hour 
                toll-free interpretation service telephone 
                line, by which recipients of funds of the 
                Department and individuals with limited English 
                proficiency may--
                          (i) obtain information about 
                        federally conducted or federally 
                        assisted housing programs of the 
                        Department;
                          (ii) obtain assistance with applying 
                        for or accessing such housing programs 
                        and understanding Federal notices 
                        written in English; and
                          (iii) communicate with housing 
                        providers. and learn how to access 
                        additional language services.
                The toll-free telephone service provided 
                pursuant to this subparagraph shall supplement 
                resources in the community identified by the 
                plan developed pursuant to paragraph (3).
                  (C) Document clearinghouse.--The center shall 
                collect and evaluate for accuracy or develop, 
                and make available, templates and documents 
                that are necessary for consumers, relevant 
                industry representatives, and other 
                stakeholders of the Department, to access, make 
                educated decisions, and communicate effectively 
                about their housing, including--
                          (i) administrative and property 
                        documents;
                          (ii) legally binding documents;
                          (iii) consumer education and outreach 
                        materials;
                          (iv) documents regarding rights and 
                        responsibilities of any party; and
                          (v) remedies available to consumers.
                  (D) Study of language assistance programs.--
                The center shall conduct a study that evaluates 
                best-practices models for all programs of the 
                Department that promote language assistance and 
                strategies to improve language services for 
                individuals with limited English proficiency. 
                Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
                enactment of this Act, the center shall submit 
                a report to the Committee on Financial Services 
                of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
                Affairs of the Senate, which shall provide 
                recommendations for implementation, specific to 
                programs of the Department, and information and 
                templates that could be made available to all 
                recipients of grants from the Department.
                  (E) Cultural and linguistic competence 
                materials.--The center shall provide 
                information relating to culturally and 
                linguistically competent housing services for 
                populations with limited English proficiency.
  (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
subsection (a).
  (c) Report.--Not later than the expiration of the 6-month 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
annually thereafter, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall submit a report regarding its compliance with 
the requirements under subsection (a) to the Committee on 
Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
                              ----------                              


2. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Velazquez of New York, 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 80, line 5, after ``8(o)(7)'' insert ``and section 
8(o)(20)''.
  Page 81, after line 10, insert the following:
                  ``(N) Sections 8(ee) and 6(u) (relating to 
                records, certification and confidentiality 
                regarding domestic violence).''.
  Page 81, line 11, strike ``(N)'' and insert ``(O)''.
  Page 81, line 13, strike ``(O)'' and insert ``(P)''.
                              ----------                              


    3. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Gary Miller of 
         California, or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 28, after line 11, insert the following new section:

SEC. 6. TIME LIMITATION ON ASSISTANCE.

  Section 16 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
U.S.C. 1437n), as amended by the preceding provisions of this 
Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
  ``(g) Time Limitation on Section 8 Assistance.--
          ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in this 
        subsection and notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this Act, assistance under section 8 may not be 
        provided on behalf of any family that includes a member 
        who has previously been provided such assistance for 84 
        months (whether or not consecutive) or longer.
          ``(2) Exception for elderly and disabled families.--
        In determining the number of months for which an 
        individual has been provided assistance under section 
        8, for purposes of paragraph (1), a public housing 
        agency shall disregard any month during which such 
        individual was a member of a disabled or elderly family 
        so assisted.
          ``(3) Authority for hardship exemptions.--A public 
        housing agency may exempt a family from the application 
        of paragraph (1) by reason of hardship, subject to the 
        following requirements:
                  ``(A) The agency shall define the reasons 
                for, and terms under which, a hardship 
                exemption may be granted, which may include 
                mental illness and disability that is not 
                sufficient to qualify the individual for 
                benefits under the program of supplemental 
                security income benefits under title XVI of the 
                Social Security Act.
                  ``(B) The agency shall establish a plan to 
                provide appropriate case management planning 
                and services for the families for which such an 
                exemption is granted.
          ``(4) Limitation on exemptions.--Subject to paragraph 
        (5), the average monthly number of families with 
        respect to which an exemption is made under paragraph 
        (3) by a public housing agency shall not exceed 20 
        percent of the average monthly number of families on 
        behalf of whom assistance is provided under section 8 
        during the fiscal year or the immediately preceding 
        fiscal year (but not both), as the agency may elect.
          ``(5) Request for additional exemptions.--Upon the 
        request of a public housing agency, the Secretary may 
        increase the number of families with respect to which 
        an exemption may be made under paragraph (3) by the 
        agency above the limitation provided in paragraph (4).
          ``(6) Applicability.--In determining the number of 
        months for which an individual has been provided 
        assistance under section 8, for purposes of paragraph 
        (1), a public housing agency shall disregard any month 
        that commenced before the date of the enactment of the 
        Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007.''.
                              ----------                              


       4. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Markey of 
        Massachusetts, or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 64, line 20, before ``Subparagraph'' insert ``(a) 
Treatment of Unit and Family Size.--''.
  Page 65, after line 2, insert the following:
  (b) Eligibility of Certain Projects.--Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law--
          (1) the property known as The Heritage Apartments 
        (FHA No. 023-44804), in Malden, Massachusetts, shall be 
        considered eligible low-income housing for purposes of 
        the eligibility of residents of the property for 
        enhanced voucher assistance under section 8(t) of the 
        United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(t)), 
        pursuant to paragraph (2)(A) of section 223(f) of the 
        Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident 
        Homeownership Act of 1990 (12 U.S.C. 4113(f)(2)(A));
          (2) such residents shall receive enhanced rental 
        housing vouchers upon the prepayment of the mortgage 
        loan for the property under section 236 of the National 
        Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1); and
          (3) the Secretary shall approve such prepayment and 
        subsequent transfer of the property without any further 
        condition, except that the property shall be restricted 
        for occupancy, until the original maturity date of the 
        prepaid mortgage loan, only by families with incomes 
        not exceeding 80 percent of the adjusted median income 
        for the area in which the property is located, as 
        published by the Secretary.
Amounts for the enhanced vouchers pursuant to this subsection 
shall be provided under amounts appropriated for tenant-based 
rental assistance otherwise authorized under section 8(t) of 
the United States Housing Act of 1937.
  Page 107, after line 2, insert the following new section:

SEC. 18. TRANSFER OF CERTAIN RENTAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACTS.

  (a) Transfer.--Subject to subsection (c) and notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall, at the request of the owner, transfer or 
authorize the transfer, of the contracts, restrictions, and 
debt described in subsection (b)--
          (1) on the housing that is owned or managed by 
        Community Properties of Ohio Management Services LLC or 
        an affiliate of Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing 
        and located in Franklin County, Ohio, to other 
        properties located in Franklin County, Ohio; and
          (2) on the housing that is owned or managed by The 
        Model Group, Inc., and located in Hamilton County, 
        Ohio, to other properties located in Hamilton County, 
        Ohio.
  (b) Contracts, Restrictions, and Debt Covered.--The 
contracts, restrictions, and debt described in this subsection 
are as follows:
          (1) All or a portion of a project-based rental 
        assistance housing assistance payments contract under 
        section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
        U.S.C. 1437f).
          (2) Existing Federal use restrictions, including 
        without limitation use agreements, regulatory 
        agreements, and accommodation agreements.
          (3) Any subordinate debt held by the Secretary or 
        assigned and any mortgages securing such debt, all 
        related loan and security documentation and 
        obligations, and reserve and escrow balances.
  (c) Retention of Same Number of Units and Amount of 
Assistance.--Any transfer pursuant to subsection (a) shall 
result in--
          (1) a total number of dwelling units (including units 
        retained by the owners and units transferred) covered 
        by assistance described in subsection (b)(1) after the 
        transfer remaining the same as such number assisted 
        before the transfer, with such increases or decreases 
        in unit sizes as may be contained in a plan approved by 
        a local planning or development commission or 
        department; and
          (2) no reduction in the total amount of the housing 
        assistance payments under contracts described in 
        subsection (b)(1).
  (d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
date of the enactment of this Act.
                              ----------                              


5. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Chabot of Ohio, or His 
                   Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 107, strike lines 3 through 9.
                              ----------                              


6. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Hensarling of Texas, or 
                 His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 107, after line 9, insert the following new section:

SEC. 19. WORK REQUIREMENT FOR THOSE RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FOR 7 YEARS OR 
                    MORE.

  Section 16 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
U.S.C. 1437n), as amended by the preceding provisions of this 
Act, is further amendment by adding at the end the following 
new subsection:
  ``(g) Work Requirement for Assisted Families Receiving 
Section 8 Assistance for 7 Years or More.--
          ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in this 
        subsection and notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this Act, assistance under section 8 may not be 
        provided on behalf of any family who has previously 
        been provided such assistance for 84 consecutive months 
        or more, unless each member of the family who is 18 
        years of age or older performs not fewer than 20 hours 
        of approved work activities (as such term is defined in 
        section 407(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
        607(d))).
          ``(2) Exemption.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
        Development shall provide an exemption from the 
        applicability of paragraph (1) for any individual 
        family member who--
                  ``(A) is 62 years of age or older;
                  ``(B) is a blind or disabled individual, as 
                defined under section 216(i)(1) or 1614 of the 
                Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 416(i)(1); 
                1382c), and who is unable to comply with this 
                section, or is a primary caretaker of such 
                individual;
                  ``(C) is engaged in a work activity (as such 
                term is defined in section 407(d) of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 607(d)), as in effect 
                on and after July 1, 1997));
                  ``(D) meets the requirements for being 
                exempted from having to engage in a work 
                activity under the State program funded under 
                part A of title IV of the Social Security Act 
                (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or under any other 
                welfare program of the State in which the 
                public housing agency administering rental 
                assistance described in subsection (a) is 
                located, including a State-administered 
                welfare-to-work program;
                  ``(E) is in a family receiving assistance 
                under a State program funded under part A of 
                title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
                601 et seq.) or under any other welfare program 
                of the State in which the public housing agency 
                administering such rental assistance is 
                located, including a State-administered 
                welfare-to-work program, and has not been found 
                by the State or other administering entity to 
                be in noncompliance with such program; or
                  ``(F) is a single custodial parent caring for 
                a child who has not attained 6 years of age, 
                and the individual proves that the individual 
                has a demonstrated inability (as determined by 
                the State) to obtain needed child care, for one 
                or more of the following reasons:
                          ``(i) Unavailability of appropriate 
                        child care within a reasonable distance 
                        from the individual's home or work 
                        site.
                          ``(ii) Unavailability or 
                        unsuitability of informal child care by 
                        a relative or under other arrangements.
                          ``(iii) Unavailability of appropriate 
                        and affordable formal child care 
                        arrangements.
          ``(3) Administration.--A public housing agency 
        providing rental assistance described in paragraph (1) 
        may administer the work activities requirement under 
        this subsection directly, through a resident 
        organization, or through a contractor having experience 
        in administering work activities programs within the 
        service area of the public housing agency. The 
        Secretary may establish qualifications for such 
        organizations and contractors.
          ``(4) Prospective applicability.--In determining the 
        number of months for which an assisted family has been 
        provided assistance under section 8, for purposes of 
        paragraph (1), a public housing agency shall disregard 
        any month that commenced before the date of the 
        enactment of the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 
        2007.''.
  Page 39, line 18, strike ``and''.
  Page 39, after line 18, insert the following:
                  ``(v) include an amount for the costs of 
                administering the work activities requirement 
                under section 16(g); and''.
  Page 39, line 19, strike ``(v)'' and insert ``(vi)''.

                                  
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