Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025

This legislation aims to get more landlords to accept Housing Choice Vouchers. It focuses on expanding choices in low‑poverty, high‑opportunity neighborhoods so families can access good schools, jobs, and transit . It offers one‑time bonus payments to owners who newly rent to voucher holders in low‑poverty areas, with the bonus capped at up to twice the monthly voucher payment for that unit. Local housing agencies may require a lease longer than one year for the bonus, and each owner can get this bonus only once . Agencies could also pay all or part of a tenant’s security deposit, giving priority to rentals serving extremely low‑income families and using a clear, itemized process for damage claims and returning any unused deposit to the agency. Agencies would receive a yearly bonus if they employ a dedicated landlord liaison to recruit, train, and support landlords via hotlines or online help. A new Housing Partnership Fund would help pay for these steps, with $100 million per year from 2025 through 2029.

The bill speeds up inspections. Units that recently passed inspections in other programs (like LIHTC, HOME, or USDA Rural Housing) can be accepted, and new landlords can request a pre‑inspection; if the unit is leased within 60 days, no new inspection is needed before move‑in . It expands use of ZIP‑code‑based rent limits (Small Area Fair Market Rents) to at least three times as many metro areas within three years, while protecting current families so their assistance doesn’t drop in their existing homes. HUD must also update how it scores local housing agencies to encourage good landlord service and leasing in more diverse neighborhoods, and publish yearly reports for five years counting landlords, accessible homes, and homes in high‑opportunity areas.

Key points

• Who is affected: Families using vouchers, landlords, and local public housing agencies; emphasis on expanding options in low‑poverty, high‑opportunity neighborhoods.
• What changes: One‑time landlord bonuses for new rentals in low‑poverty areas; security‑deposit help with fair claims rules; landlord liaison bonuses; a Housing Partnership Fund to support these efforts .
• Faster leasing: Accept recent inspections from other programs and allow pre‑inspections for new landlords (valid for 60 days) .
• Rent limits: Wider use of ZIP‑code‑based rent limits, with current tenants protected from cuts in support in their current homes.
• When: Funded at $100M per year for 2025–2029; within 3 years, expand ZIP‑code‑based rent limits; first report due 1 year after enactment, then annually for 5 years .