Bill Overview
Title: Housing Inspections Accountability Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to jointly report on failed property inspections of housing projects that receive rental assistance through programs administered by HUD or USDA. HUD and USDA must also make information about failed housing inspections available through a public database.
Sponsors: Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals living in HUD and USDA rental assistance properties
Estimated Size: 10000000
- The bill targets housing projects that receive rental assistance through HUD and USDA programs.
- Tenants living in these housing projects are likely to be low-income or vulnerable households who rely on government assistance for affordable housing.
- Better accountability of inspections is intended to ensure these tenants have safe and habitable living conditions.
- HUD programs, like public housing and Section 8, serve millions of individuals and families.
- USDA also provides housing assistance, notably in rural areas, which has a specific population reach.
Reasoning
- We have a target population of around 10 million people, which includes both urban and rural residents who benefit from HUD and USDA rental assistance programs. These individuals are often economically vulnerable and any improvement in their housing conditions can significantly impact their wellbeing.
- Considering the budget constraints, not every property or individual will be able to experience the policy's effects immediately. Thus, the impacts may vary considerably across different groups and locations.
- For the simulation, we include a range of individuals from those directly impacted, to those who may see indirect or minimal effects, as a result of the broad goals of improved housing conditions.
- Feedback from tenants, housing project managers, and inspectors will provide a comprehensive understanding of how the policy will influence real lives, exploring perceptions of housing quality, tenant satisfaction, and systemic integrity.
- Some members of this population may not feel the effects due to already high compliance in their housing projects or due to inefficiencies in the policy's initial roll-out.
Simulated Interviews
Single Mother (Miami, FL)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The public database would help me keep track of inspection results and push for timely repairs.
- Being able to see and compare inspection outcomes may also push our property managers to maintain higher standards.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We seldom hear about inspections despite various issues.
- If the policy is implemented, it would be a relief knowing when to expect inspections and outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Accountability could force improvements in neglected senior residences.
- Having access to inspection reports provides peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Tech Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think increased transparency is always positive, but I won't be impacted directly.
- I support any measures that can help improve living conditions for those who are struggling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Property Manager (Birmingham, AL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will require us to be more vigilant with property conditions year-round.
- While it means extra work, it will likely improve tenant relationships.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hopefully, continuous inspections keep our home up to standard, reducing disruptions.
- It's crucial our living conditions are stable so I can focus on my studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Community Advocate (Detroit, MI)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy provides us better tools to support tenants in legal and social discussions.
- Making data public can hold negligent landlords accountable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelancer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Information transparency may improve landlords' responsiveness to our concerns.
- Frequent inspections could reduce occurrences of poor housing conditions drastically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Disabled Veteran (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I'm not directly impacted, I fully support initiatives that ensure safer housing conditions.
- I will watch with interest to see if this policy will extend to more inclusive housing assistance models like the VA.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Journalist (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For the public and for my work, access to such databases enriches our reporting and advocacy.
- This measure can lead to more rigorous discussions on housing policies nationwide.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 2: $4000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $4000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $4000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $7000000)
Year 10: $4000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $4000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- Effective coordination between HUD and USDA is crucial for program success and cost management.
- The initial cost involves significant setup and system development, which may vary based on the integration approach chosen.
- Public access to inspection results requires robust data security and privacy measures.