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Housing FIRST Act
12/15/2023, 4:00 PM
Summary of Bill HR 4560
The Housing FIRST Act seeks to increase funding for housing vouchers and supportive services for homeless individuals, as well as expand access to affordable housing options. The bill also includes provisions to streamline the process for individuals to access housing assistance and services, as well as to improve coordination between federal, state, and local agencies in addressing homelessness.
Additionally, the Housing FIRST Act includes measures to protect the rights of homeless individuals, such as prohibiting discrimination based on housing status and ensuring that individuals have access to legal representation in housing-related matters. The bill also includes provisions to address the specific needs of certain populations, such as veterans, youth, and individuals with disabilities. Overall, the Housing FIRST Act aims to address the root causes of homelessness by providing stable and affordable housing to individuals in need, while also ensuring that they have access to the support services necessary to maintain their housing stability.
Congressional Summary of HR 4560
Housing for Formerly Incarcerated Reentry and Stable Tenancy Act or the Housing FIRST Act
This bill limits the information allowed to be shared on credit reports and considered in housing decisions, including certain criminal background information.
First, the bill prohibits a consumer reporting agency from including specified information on a consumer credit report provided for tenant screening purposes, such as arrests, juvenile adjudications or convictions, civil citations, resolved criminal cases (e.g., through completion of a diversion program), and convictions with completed sentences.
Further, the bill restricts the use of consumer credit reports for tenant screening. A person who obtains such a report must not use it in violation of fair housing laws and must disclose its use to the consumer. When taking adverse action based on the report, a person must provide the consumer with a copy of the report, the specific reasons for the adverse action, and other information.
The bill also specifies that upon request, consumer reporting agencies must disclose to a consumer the entity that is the source of any information on a consumer credit report.
Finally, the bill excludes from consumer credit reports criminal convictions older than seven years.
