Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is investigating the abuse of renters by landlords in Georgia and across the country.
Today, Sen. Ossoff, Chairman of the Senate Human Rights Subcommittee, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, requested information from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on alleged mistreatment of renters by landlords.
Chairmen Ossoff and Brown requested information about how HUD currently enforces standards against landlords who fail to maintain safe and sanitary living conditions.
In their joint letter, the Chairmen cited reports of mold, infestations, and delayed repairs along with health and safety concerns in certain Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) properties, threatening the health and safety of families.
“HUD must have the ability to protect tenants and hold accountable these private property managers who receive millions of taxpayer dollars every year,” Chairmen Ossoff and Brown wrote. “Residents at properties in our states and around the country have reported mold, rat and roach infestations, lack of basic plumbing facilities, poor security, and other severe health and safety concerns. These conditions are unacceptable for any family, and in these cases, they are subsidized by the federal government.”
Multiple investigations by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and news outlets across Georgia have documented widespread dangerous housing conditions, including mold, mice, and mistreatment of tenants. The AJC’s “Dangerous Dwellings Series” has also uncovered mistreatment by landlords across metro Atlanta.
This is the latest action in Sen. Ossoff’s continued work to protect Georgia families and renters.
Sen. Ossoff has pushed the Federal Housing Finance Agency to address the inadequate supply of affordable housing across rural Georgia.
In July, Sen Ossoff launched an inquiry to help Georgia renters become homeowners through Fannie Mae’s Multifamily Positive Rent Payment Reporting pilot program.
Earlier this year, Sen. Ossoff also introduced the bipartisan HELPER Act alongside Sen. Rubio (R-FL)to help first responders, teachers and law enforcement officers to buy their first home.
Click here to read Sens. Ossoff and Brown’s letter.
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