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H.R. 6859House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Public Housing and Section 8 Operational Response Act for COVID-19

Sponsored by Nydia M. VelázquezRep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY)
Introduced May 13, 2020

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:21 PM UTC

The bill provides emergency supplemental money to help public housing and Section 8 rental assistance programs respond to the COVID‑19 pandemic. It adds billions of dollars for the fiscal year 2020 that can be used through September 30, 2021, and applies existing HUD waivers from the CARES Act to these new funds. The funding targets public housing authorities and low‑income families receiving tenant‑based vouchers.

Key Provisions

  • Authorizes an additional $5 billion for the Public Housing Operating Fund for FY 2020, available until September 30, 2021.
  • Authorizes an additional $3.5 billion for tenant‑based Section 8 rental assistance for FY 2020, also available until September 30, 2021, with up to $500 million allowed for administrative fees.
  • Extends any HUD waivers or alternative requirements issued under the CARES Act to apply to the supplemental amounts provided by this bill.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Financial Services Committee

May 13, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 13, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Financial Services Committee

May 13, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 13, 2020

I

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6859

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 13, 2020

Ms. Velázquez (for herself and Ms. Waters) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

A BILL

To authorize supplemental appropriations for public housing operations and tenant-based rental assistance, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Public Housing and Section 8 Operational Response Act for COVID-19.

2.

Funding for public housing and tenant-based rental assistance

(a)

Public housing operating fund

There is authorized to be appropriated for an additional amount for fiscal year 2020 for the Public Housing Operating Fund under section 9(e) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(e)) $5,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2021.

(b)

Tenant-Based section 8 rental assistance

There is authorized to be appropriated for an additional amount for fiscal year 2020 for the tenant-based rental assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) $3,500,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2021, of which not more than $500,000,000 may be used for administrative fees under section 8(q) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f(q)).

(c)

Applicability of waivers

Any waiver or alternative requirement made by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the heading Tenant-Based Rental Assistance or Public Housing Operating Fund in title XII of division B of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136) shall apply with respect to amounts made available pursuant to this section.