The bill sSB146 File No. 91 introduces significant changes to the administration of the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and other housing voucher programs managed by the Department of Housing (DOH) in the state. It provides new definitions for terms such as "certificate holder," "commissioner," "housing," "housing voucher," "housing voucher holder," "housing voucher program," "low-income family," and "rental assistance program." The bill mandates the commissioner to administer these programs to promote housing choice and encourage racial and economic integration. It also requires the commissioner to conduct an annual assessment to determine if the maximum rent amounts in these programs are sufficient to provide housing opportunities in each municipality or zip code in the state, and to adjust the rent levels accordingly if they are not. The results of the assessment will be made publicly available on the DOH website. Additionally, the bill stipulates that any certificate or housing voucher can be used for housing in any municipality in the state, and the commissioner must inform and assist holders in finding housing of their choice. The bill includes insertions for clarity and adjustments to the language for better understanding, and it outlines the fiscal impact, which includes costs to the DOH starting from FY 25, with potential significant costs, and no municipal impact is expected.

Furthermore, the bill sets statutory timeframes for RAP participants to find housing, establishes new requirements for housing unit inspections, and mandates DOH to begin payments to unit owners within 10 days after tenancy begins. It also gives DOH the discretion to set maximum rent levels by zip code and requires the creation of an online tool for calculating maximum allowable rent and monthly assistance payments. The bill authorizes DOH to adopt regulations for electronic signatures and document submissions. It extends certain requirements that currently apply only to RAP to other DOH-administered housing voucher programs and makes technical and conforming changes. The bill includes potential cost implications for DOH, such as increased subsidy costs if allowable rents increase, and a potential one-time cost for legal services to implement regulations. The bill is effective from October 1, 2024, and aims to promote housing choice and encourage racial and economic integration across municipalities.