U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is leading efforts in Washington, D.C., to ensure federal funding for housing assistance programs is not redistributed to other states. Yesterday (Wednesday), Ernst introduced the Rural Housing Accessibility Act to safeguard federal housing assistance for rural Iowa communities. The bill aims to close a loophole that has allowed urban public housing agencies and individuals to exploit the system, depriving Iowans of resources intended for them. Ernst says these programs are designed to help low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities afford housing, with resources allocated based on regional needs. However, Ernst says the system lacks strict residency or intent-to-stay requirements, creating an exploitable gap. In practice, individuals from urban areas, where assistance demand often exceeds supply and waitlists are years long, relocate temporarily to rural states like Iowa. There, the waitlists are typically shorter due to lower population density and less competition. She suggests that these individuals secure vouchers or assistance and then move back to urban areas, taking the funding with them and depleting resources intended for Iowans. Ernst says, “I’m ensuring rural Iowa communities have the housing resources they need to thrive. By protecting our in-state public housing authorities, we can make sure low-income Iowa families, seniors, and the disabled receive the assistance meant for them. My bill will close gaps that have let too many game the system, help alleviate some of the housing challenges facing rural America, and ensure that these programs are effectively supporting the Iowans who need them most.” Sen. Chuck Grassley joins Ernst in co-sponsoring the legislation. Ernst and Grassley previously introduced a similar bill in 2023. It was referred to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee but stalled there. A link to the latest version of the legislation is included with this story on our website.
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