Affordable Housing Resident Services Act
Summary
The Affordable Housing Resident Services Act authorizes funding for enriched resident services in federally assisted affordable housing. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administration of Children and Families, to award competitive grants to eligible recipients for a term of 5 years. These grants aim to improve residents' access to health services, educational opportunities, economic self-sufficiency, and support for aging in place and independent living for persons with disabilities.
Eligible recipients include entities with experience in managing qualified properties or delivering resident supportive services, as well as tribes or tribal organizations. Priority is given to mission-driven, non-profit entities. The Act specifies eligible activities that can be funded, including service coordinator activities and investments in salary, benefits, and training for service coordinators.
Qualified properties are defined as those assisted under various federal housing programs. The Director will coordinate with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as needed.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase the availability of supportive services for residents of affordable housing. It may lead to improved health outcomes, increased educational attainment, and greater economic self-sufficiency for residents. The program evaluation component ensures accountability and transparency.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to health services, including mental health services, for residents of affordable housing.
- Enhanced educational opportunities, such as after-school programming and college and career readiness, for residents and their families.
- Improved economic self-sufficiency through financial literacy, housing stability, and homeownership opportunities.
- Support for older adults to age in place and for residents with disabilities to live independently.
- Potential for increased property values and community stability in areas with affordable housing.
Potential Disadvantages
- The Act relies on appropriations, and funding levels may vary, affecting the program's reach and impact.
- The 5% cap on technical assistance and 1% cap on capacity building may limit the program's effectiveness in some areas.
- The competitive grant process may exclude some eligible entities, particularly smaller organizations with less grant-writing experience.
- The voluntary nature of the services may result in some residents not benefiting from the program.
- Potential for administrative overhead and bureaucratic delays in implementing the grant program.
Constitutional Alignment
The Affordable Housing Resident Services Act appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It promotes the well-being of vulnerable populations by providing supportive services related to housing, health, and education. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
Congress's power to legislate for the general welfare is broad, and this Act falls within that scope. The Act does not appear to violate any explicit limitations on federal power.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and some may argue that housing and social services are traditionally state responsibilities. However, given the federal role in funding affordable housing, this Act can be seen as an extension of that role.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).