January 15, 2026
Mr. Lawler introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
To improve public housing agency accountability.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Improving Public Housing Agency Accountability Act
.
Sec. 2. Notice and review of receivers or Federal monitors of public housing agencies
(a) In general
The Secretary shall require each covered public housing agency to provide a notice each year to the Secretary that—
(1)
indicates whether a receiver or Federal monitor remains appointed for the covered public housing agency as of October 1 of the calendar year to which such notice relates;
(2)
provides the date on which the receiver or Federal monitor was first appointed and the projected date, if known, the appointment of the receiver or Federal monitor will be terminated; and
(3)
identifies the current receiver or Federal monitor appointed to oversee the public housing agency.
(b) Inspector general review
Not later than 180 days after receiving a written request from the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Inspector General shall provide to the requesting committee an analysis of—
(1)
the status of any covered public housing agency’s compliance with any agreements entered into between the covered public housing agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including specific areas of deficiency and progress toward compliance;
(2)
a review of actions taken by the receiver or Federal monitor appointed to oversee a covered public housing agency and any private sector housing development partners pursuant to such agreement, including any gaps in oversight by the receiver or Federal monitor;
(3)
an assessment of the physical conditions of housing provided by the covered public housing agency, including the status of the covered public housing agency’s compliance with relevant health and safety requirements;
(4)
an examination of any allegations of waste, fraud, abuse or violations of Federal law committed by employees or contractors of the covered public housing agency;
(5)
any additional pertinent information, as determined necessary and appropriate by the Inspector General; and
(6)
any recommendations of the Inspector General that relate to how to improve the compliance of the covered public housing agency with any agreements entered into with the Department of Housing and Urban Development or enhance the oversight of the receiver or Federal monitor over such covered public housing agency.
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Covered public housing agency
The term covered public housing agency means a public housing agency (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b))) for which an administrative or judicial receiver or Federal monitor was appointed.
(2) Inspector General
The term Inspector General means the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(3) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.