Exclusive: Ansari proposes sweeping reform of federal rental aid
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U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari has introduced legislation to overhaul the federal rental assistance program. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Freshman U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Phoenix) wants to completely revamp the way the federal government provides housing assistance to low-income families.
Why it matters: Arizona's housing agencies don't receive enough federal rental assistance to support all low-income families, which leads to significant waiting periods.
- The Valley's surge in rental prices over the past decade has resulted in a higher number of Arizonans seeking assistance.
The big picture: The Housing Choice Voucher Program, the largest federally funded source of rental assistance, has remained largely unchanged since its inception in the 1970s.
- Advocates want to see major modifications to the way families qualify for and receive assistance, but any significant expansion of the program would likely carry a multi-billion-dollar price tag.
State of play: Ansari introduced a bill Thursday that would increase the number of housing vouchers the federal government provides, expand the number of families who qualify, and reduce the amount those families pay in rent.
- Ansari told Axios the goal of the sweeping proposal is to ensure all eligible American families receive assistance expeditiously.
How it currently works: Households that make less than 50% of the area median income (about $51,000 for a family of four in Phoenix) are eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher. Families that make less than 80% of the AMI (about $82,000 for a family of four) and have other special circumstances (disabilities, elderly, etc.) also qualify.
Yes, but: Only about 25% of eligible households actually receive vouchers each year because of funding limitations, which results in months- or years-long waitlists in most communities nationwide.
- Once a family receives a voucher, they pay 30% of their income toward rent and the government covers the remainder.
How it would work: Ansari's bill would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to increase the number of vouchers it provides year over year until all eligible families are covered. Ansari said the goal is to make the program an entitlement within 10 years.
- It would also open eligibility to all families who make less than 80% of AMI, while prioritizing the lowest-income families.
- The bill would reduce the amount voucher-holders have to pay from 30% of their income to 20% to account for rising costs of other essentials like groceries and child care.
Between the lines: The legislation would make it a federal offense for landlords to deny housing to families because they are using housing vouchers.
- Already, Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson have enacted ordinances that prohibit landlords from discriminating based on a tenant's "source of income."
Zoom out: Ansari is also a co-sponsor of a bill introduced alongside other Arizona and Nevada lawmakers last month that would update HUD's voucher formula to provide more assistance in fast-growing cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Reality check: Increases to social program spending are unlikely to find a friendly ear in the GOP-controlled Congress or White House.
- The Trump administration has been looking for opportunities to cut federal spending — not expand it.
The bottom line: "I think it's really important right now for Democrats especially to demonstrate where we want to go when it comes to affordability and show the vision for the future," Ansari said of the bill.