The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6890 aims to amend the existing rental assistance program by introducing several key changes to enhance its effectiveness. The bill defines terms such as "certificate holder," "commissioner," "housing," and "low-income family," and establishes that the rental assistance program will provide support for low-income families living in or seeking to live in privately-owned rental housing. Notably, the bill repeals the previous section 8-345 and replaces it with new provisions that clarify eligibility requirements, including compliance with state and local health and safety codes for housing units.

Additionally, the bill modifies the duration of rental assistance certificates, allowing them to remain valid for one year with a possible extension of up to 180 days for good cause. It also reduces the inspection period for housing units to five business days after a request is made, and mandates that payments to landlords commence within ten days of a qualifying tenancy. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for electronic signatures and submissions for program documents, aiming to streamline the administration of the rental assistance program. Overall, these changes are designed to improve access to rental assistance for low-income families and promote housing choice and integration.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-345