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Welfare Reform and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) has introduced the Welfare Reform and Housing Act, S. 2116. It is designed to help improve access to adequate, affordable housing for families eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The goal is to promote family progress towards self-sufficiency.

The bill includes a number of recommendations that NAHRO helped craft with other housing groups, including the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Council of State Community Development Agencies, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the Enterprise Foundation, the Center for Law and Social Policy and the McCauley Institute. Recommendations include:

Make it simpler for states to use TANF funds to provide supplemental rental assistance by considering these housing subsidies "non-assistance."
Provide funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a joint HUD/HHA demonstration on housing with services for families with multiple barriers to work.
Encourage states to consider housing needs in TANF planning and implementation.
Encourage cooperation among welfare agencies and agencies that administer federal housing subsidies. This would parallel the requirement in the Housing Act that public housing agencies seek to enter into cooperation agreements with welfare agencies. Measures could include implementing housing program earnings disregards; coordinating work-promoting services and programs; and using TANF funds to help families with vouchers locate housing.
Federal law should allow states to determine what constitutes "minor rehabilitation" costs payable with TANF funds.

M e m b e r L i n k s:

July 8, 2003:
NAHRO DirectNews - Washington Update:
HUD Issues Community Service Reinstatement Guidelines
June 25, 2003:
NAHRO DirectNews - Washington Update:
Senate TANF Action Expected in July;
Committee May Add Superwaiver
May 28, 2002:
NAHRO DirectNews - Washington Update:
"Superwaivers" Provision With Housing and TANF Funds

NAHRO Monitor:

July 15, 2003: Senate TANF Action Expected Soon; Committee May Add Superwaiver
May 15, 2002: Welfare Reform Reauthorization Hearing
April 30, 2002: Welfare Reform Act Introduced
March 15, 2002: President Announces Welfare Reform Proposals