The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is implementing new actions designed to increase fairness and protections in the rental-housing market. Measures include $10 million to support education and outreach to tenants living in properties in certain rental-assistance programs. 

"Over 44 million households, or roughly 35% of the U.S. population, live in rental housing," HUD said in a July 27 news release. The agency said the plan supports "renters and their ability to live with dignity and agency. As a part of that commitment, HUD has made meaningful conversation and engagement with tenant leaders about its policies a priority."

In the first action, HUD is reminding public housing agencies and property owners of their obligations and sharing best practices for informing rejected applicants as to why they were denied housing, making the rental screening process more transparent and allowing applicants to correct errors, according to the release.

The second action allocates $10 million for tenant education and outreach in properties supported by the Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance program, the release reported.

"Such funding is critical to supporting capacity building efforts that enable tenants to better engage with property management and help sustain safe, clean and quality affordable housing," HUD said in the release.

For its third action, HUD is issuing a proposed rule addressing notification requirements for evictions due to nonpayment of rent in certain subsidized housing properties. Under the proposal, landlords of public housing and properties with project-based rental assistance would be required to provide written notification to tenants at least 30 days before the lease ends, according to the release. These measures support commitments made in the Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights released by the Biden-Harris Administration in January.

The agency "has made meaningful conversation and engagement with tenant leaders about its policies a priority." To further that goal, HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman July 18 hosted the National Conversation @ The Community Table with "tenants, advocates and stakeholder organizations" to discuss principles and recommendations that could be helpful to communities nationwide, the release reported.

“We must provide renters with the necessary resources to safeguard their interests and enhance their communication with landlords," HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said in the release. "HUD is dedicated to collaborating with renters and ensuring they are well informed about their rights.”