Last week, the Biden-Harris administration issued a press release, Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, and Resident-Centered Housing Challenge.
The blueprint describes federal actions around five guiding renter protections: Safe, Quality, Accessible and Affordable Housing; Clear and Fair Leases; Education, Enforcement and Enhancement of Renter Rights; The Right to Organize; and Eviction Prevention, Diversion and Relief.
FHFA announced it will identify the opportunities and challenges of adopting and enforcing tenant protections, including policies that limit egregious rent increases at properties with Enterprise-backed mortgages going forward.
FHFA will also publish an Enterprise Look-Up Tool to determine if their property is backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac financing and requires a 30-day notice to vacate for non-payment of rent. And HUD will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking requiring that PHAs and owners of project-based rental assistance properties provide no less than a 30-day notice of lease termination due to nonpayment of rent.
The blueprint also recommends local governments take the following actions: immediately seal eviction filings and only unseal them in the case of a decision against the tenant, provide right to counsel in eviction proceedings and prohibit the source of income discrimination.
The Resident-Centered Housing Challenge highlights early commitments to enhance existing policies and develop new ones that promote fairness and transparency in the rental market. Those wishing to participate in the challenge should complete this survey by April 28.
NH&RA has been actively engaging with the Biden-Harris administration on these issues and will continue to do so as the outlined federal actions make their way through the regulatory process. If you’d like to be engaged in this work, please email info@housingonline.com to be added to the distribution list.
