HB 26-07: The Disabled and Needy Rental Fairness Act (Passed)

[Joseph Cao]

AN ACT
The Disabled and Needy Rental Fairness Act

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

Section I. Title & Definitions
i. The long title of this Act shall be the "The disabled and needy rental fairness act"

Section II. Provisions
i. All disabled and people that are currently receiving government assistance such as social security or social security disability shall not pay more security deposit within the republic of Atlasia because of their disability or needs.
    ia. This includes people with little rental history.
ii Landlords shall be banned from setting monthly rent to income requirements within their rental agreements or policies to get into an apartment.
    iia. These policies currently are 2 to 5 times the income just to get into an low income apartment that targets the poor unfairly. Such rules are unfair and are causing the homelessness problem within our cities.
iii. All waitlist shall exclude such unfair agreements such as income requirements higher then the rent.
    iiia. Waitlist shall consider rental history, criminal history and to make sure the renter has the income to afford the monthly rent.
    iiib. rental history for "needs" renters with no criminal background shall not be grounds for not letting them in.
    iiic. Most disabled people will be going from moms or a family member and can't be expected to have past rental history to get into an apartment. It isn't fair to throw our disabled and poor onto the street.
iiii. All peoples making less then $25,000 per year shall be included within the needy category and shall be included within section ii and iii above.

Section III. Goals
i. The goals of this act shall be to end homelessness and to make the system more fair to the poor of our republic.
ii. Once people have a place to stay then they'll be able to get a job, go to college and be more law abiding citizens.
    iia. This act shall provide a more socially and economically sound economy within our cities.

Section IV. Enforcement
i. All landlords found in violation of this act shall be fined $5 thousand dollars for first violation,
    ia. increasing by $2,500 + the $5k per violation then after. So second violation will be $7,500, third $10,000...etc

SECTION V. WHEN EFFECTIVE.
This resolution shall become effective when passed by Congress.

Sponsor: Jessica
House Designation: 26-07

72 hours to debate.

[Joseph Cao]

I will ask the sponsor if this amendment is to be considered friendly or unfriendly.

Also, to Sev, are there justifications for the three recommended locations for modular home complexes in Section III? Is this section in general in compliance with existing HUD regulations?

[Joseph Cao]

I will ask the sponsor if this amendment is to be considered friendly or unfriendly.

I'll say friendly.

Right then. The amendment is adopted.

I do have thoughts on this as well, but there are clearly more amendments on the way and I'd prefer if other representatives could offer their input on all this.

[Joseph Cao]

Hmm. I'm not opposed to this measure, but I'll object so we can see what the rest of the House thinks.

[Joseph Cao]

A vote is open on this amendment.

Representatives have 72 hours to vote. Please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain. (And please try to add a justification for your vote. Debate is dying here, folks.)

[Joseph Cao]

Aye. Definitely agree with Westy's suggestion that we build additional complexes in areas that are easier to get to from the cities.

[Joseph Cao]

Closing the vote.

By a vote of 5-1-1-2, this amendment passes. Debate resumes.

[Joseph Cao]

Am I to take that as an objection to Jessica's amendment?

[Joseph Cao]

AN ACT
The Housing Reform Act for Needy Atlasians
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

Section I. Title & Definitions
i. The long title of this Act shall be the "The Housing Reform Act for Needy Atlasians"

Section II: Fair Rent Provisions
i. All disabled and SSI/SSDI recipients shall not pay more security deposit within the Republic of Atlasia because of their disability or needs.
ia. This includes people with little rental history.
ii Landlords shall be banned from setting monthly rent to income requirements higher than 2-1 within their rental agreements or policies to get into an apartment.
iii. All waitlists shall exclude factors such as income requirements higher than twice the rent or rental history.
iv. All peoples making less then $25,000 per year shall be included within the needy category and shall be included within section ii and iii above.
iva. All people within the needy category must be employed or actively seeking employment.

Section III: Federal Housing
i. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is granted $580 billion to construct affordable modular home complexes.
ii. These complexes will provide housing for those who cannot adequately provide for themselves.
iii. The first three complexes should be able to house up to 20,000 10,000 people.
iiia. The recommended locations for construction of the complexes are Colby, KS, Ellisville, MS; and Grayson, KY; Just outside of Gresham, Or; Just outside of Tacoma, Wa; Just outside of Boise Idaho; Just outside of Dallas Texas; Just outside of San Fransisco, Ca; Just outside New york, NY; Just outside of Chicago, Ill; Just outside of  Fort Meyers Fl.
iiib. Each unit shall be between 400 and 500 square feet of living space.
iiic. Each unit shall meet the electrical and plumbing requirements determined by HUD.
iiid. Just outside means within 75 miles of labeled city.
iv. Residents will receive a monthly stipend of $3700.
iva. Residents will have access to work opportunities to earn more money.
v. HUD shall work with the regional and local governments to ensure that homeless populations are matched with a home.
Section IV. Expansion of Subsidies
i. HUD is granted $10 billion to expand rent subsidies for low-income and disabled Atlasians
ia. Preference will be given to SSI/SSDI recipients.
ii. These subsidies shall not exceed 50% of rent or $700 per renter, whichever is greater.
Section V: Transportation subsidies
I. For Transportation for all disabled and needy approved residents of section III.
II. All that are approved shall get free government paid airplane, grayhound bus or train tickets.
III. The government shall grant 30 million dollars yearly for this program.
IIIa money shall be doled out by HUD.

Representatives, the question is on adoption of the amendment above.

72 hours to vote. Please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

[Joseph Cao]

This amendment has the votes to pass. 24 hours to vote or change your vote.

[Joseph Cao]

Vote closed. By a vote of 6-2-0-1, this amendment is adopted.

[Joseph Cao]

I do concur with Sev that some of these locations are not the most optimal for our purposes, so I'll introduce this amendment and see what everyone thinks. Ideally we would loop in regional and local governments' opinions on which areas of their state are best suited for this.

AN ACT
The Housing Reform Act for Needy Atlasians
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

Section I. Title & Definitions
i. The long title of this Act shall be the "The Housing Reform Act for Needy Atlasians"

Section II: Fair Rent Provisions
i. All disabled and SSI/SSDI recipients shall not pay more security deposit within the Republic of Atlasia because of their disability or needs.
ia. This includes people with little rental history.
ii Landlords shall be banned from setting monthly rent to income requirements higher than 2-1 within their rental agreements or policies to get into an apartment.
iii. All waitlists shall exclude factors such as income requirements higher than twice the rent or rental history.
iv. All peoples making less then $25,000 per year shall be included within the needy category and shall be included within section ii and iii above.
iva. All people within the needy category must be employed or actively seeking employment.

Section III: Federal Housing
i. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is granted $80 billion to construct affordable modular home complexes.
ii. These complexes will provide housing for those who cannot adequately provide for themselves.
iii. The complexes should be able to house up to 10,000 people.
iiia. The recommended locations for construction of the complexes are Colby, KS, Ellisville, MS; Grayson, KY; just outside of Gresham, OR; just outside of Tacoma, WA; just outside of Boise, ID; just outside of Dallas, TX; just outside of San Fransisco, CA; just outside New York, NY; just outside of Chicago, IL; and just outside of Fort Meyers, FL. Federal and local leaders may recommend additional locations. All recommended locations shall be subject to HUD approval based on federal and local assessment of their suitability for added housing.
iiib. Each unit shall be between 400 and 500 square feet of living space.
iiic. Each unit shall meet the electrical and plumbing requirements determined by HUD.
iiid. "Just outside" means within 75 miles of labeled city.
iv. Residents will receive a monthly stipend of $700.
iva. Residents will have access to work opportunities to earn more money.
v. HUD shall work with the regional and local governments to ensure that homeless populations are matched with a home.
Section IV. Expansion of Subsidies
i. HUD is granted $10 billion to expand rent subsidies for low-income and disabled Atlasians
ia. Preference will be given to SSI/SSDI recipients.
ii. These subsidies shall not exceed 50% of rent or $700 per renter, whichever is greater.
Section V: Transportation subsidies
I. For Transportation for all disabled and needy approved residents of section III.
II. All that are approved shall get free government paid airplane, grayhound bus or train tickets.
III. The government shall grant 30 million dollars yearly for this program.
IIIa money shall be doled out by HUD.

[Joseph Cao]

so I'll introduce this amendment and see what everyone thinks.

This implies a certain level of response from the rest of the House, including whether or not the sponsor thinks this amendment is friendly. Recommendations are good and all but they’re not covered under parliamentary procedure.

[Joseph Cao]

Seeing no objections, my amendment is adopted.

Would the local leader recommendations be just in theory or it requires our regional government (either Governor or assembly) to name one or more location ?

My line of thinking when writing up the amendment was just to give the HUD the final word on where to build the complexes, and departmental approval for their locations is presumably contingent on whether local and regional governments agree to the location that either they or a federal leader recommended. If this bill does get passed in its current form (or something close to it) and the GM goes out of their way to talk about where the complexes are being built, then we would have to have our regional governments weighing in on whether they think X location is suitable. But I'm reasonably satisfied with not simulating the workings and interactions of the HUD since we're just going off of how the RL HUD operates anyway.

[Joseph Cao]

I motion for a final vote – 24 hours to object.

[Joseph Cao]

With no objections, a final vote is now open on this bill.

72 hours to vote. Please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

[Joseph Cao]

This bill has the votes to pass – 24 hours to vote or change your vote.

[Joseph Cao]

Closing the vote.

By a vote of 7-1-0-1, this bill has passed.

[Joseph Cao]

7-1, to be pedantic.

So it is! Aye FTR, though I forgot to make that clear during the voting period.

[Joseph Cao]

AN ACT
The Housing Reform Act for Needy Atlasians

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

Section I. Title & Definitions
i. The long title of this Act shall be the "The Housing Reform Act for Needy Atlasians"

Section II: Fair Rent Provisions
i. All disabled and SSI/SSDI recipients shall not pay more security deposit within the Republic of Atlasia because of their disability or needs.
ia. This includes people with little rental history.
ii Landlords shall be banned from setting monthly rent to income requirements higher than 2-1 within their rental agreements or policies to get into an apartment.
iii. All waitlists shall exclude factors such as income requirements higher than twice the rent or rental history.
iv. All peoples making less then $25,000 per year shall be included within the needy category and shall be included within section ii and iii above.
iva. All people within the needy category must be employed or actively seeking employment.

Section III: Federal Housing
i. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is granted $80 billion to construct affordable modular home complexes.
ii. These complexes will provide housing for those who cannot adequately provide for themselves.
iii. The complexes should be able to house up to 10,000 people.
iiia. The recommended locations for construction of the complexes are Colby, KS, Ellisville, MS; Grayson, KY; just outside of Gresham, OR; just outside of Tacoma, WA; just outside of Boise, ID; just outside of Dallas, TX; just outside of San Fransisco, CA; just outside New York, NY; just outside of Chicago, IL; and just outside of Fort Meyers, FL. Federal and local leaders may recommend additional locations. All recommended locations shall be subject to HUD approval based on federal and local assessment of their suitability for added housing.
iiib. Each unit shall be between 400 and 500 square feet of living space.
iiic. Each unit shall meet the electrical and plumbing requirements determined by HUD.
iiid. "Just outside" means within 75 miles of labeled city.
iv. Residents will receive a monthly stipend of $700.
iva. Residents will have access to work opportunities to earn more money.
v. HUD shall work with the regional and local governments to ensure that homeless populations are matched with a home.

Section IV. Expansion of Subsidies
i. HUD is granted $10 billion to expand rent subsidies for low-income and disabled Atlasians
ia. Preference will be given to SSI/SSDI recipients.
ii. These subsidies shall not exceed 50% of rent or $700 per renter, whichever is greater.

Section V: Transportation Subsidies
I. For Transportation for all disabled and needy approved residents of section III.
II. All that are approved shall get free government paid airplane, grayhound bus or train tickets.
III. The government shall grant 30 million dollars yearly for this program.
IIIa money shall be doled out by HUD.

People's House of Representatives
Passed 7-1-0-1 in the House of Representatives