Rental Housing:
HUD's Methods of Determining Fair Market Rents
RCED-86-209: Published: Aug 22, 1986. Publicly Released: Aug 26, 1986.
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In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) method of determining fair market rents for its rental assistance program.
GAO found that: (1) HUD establishes the base level of rent by using the census, the American Housing Survey, and the consumer price index; (2) because HUD recognizes that limitations exist in its data, its procedures provide for appeals to improve its rent estimates; (3) HUD headquarters and field offices may take different actions regarding appeals that could result in disparities in the levels of rent allowed for new and existing units; and (4) HUD does not maintain data concerning possible disparities in allowed rent levels, such as exist in Suffolk County, New York.
Recommendation for Executive Action
Status: Closed - Not Implemented
Comments: HUD determined: (1) the appropriate rent levels for Suffolk County; and (2) that significant disparities do not exist in other locations. GAO will assess the appropriateness of HUD actions in an ongoing GAO evaluation of fair market rents in the New York City area, being done at the request of Senator Moynihan.
Recommendation: The Secretary, HUD, should determine: (1) the appropriate levels of rent for new and existing units in Suffolk County, which will resolve the rent disparities; and (2) whether similar rent disparities exist in other areas of the country, and take actions, as appropriate, to resolve them and to minimize their recurrence.
Agency Affected: Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Feb 16, 2021
Military Housing:
DOD Has Taken Key Steps to Strengthen Oversight, but More Action Is Needed in Some AreasGAO-21-389T: Published: Feb 16, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 16, 2021.
Jan 25, 2021
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Military Housing:
Actions Needed to Improve the Process for Setting Allowances for Servicemembers and Calculating Payments for Privatized Housing ProjectsGAO-21-137: Published: Jan 25, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 25, 2021.
Dec 16, 2020
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Lead Paint in Housing:
HUD Has Not Identified High-Risk Project-Based Rental Assistance PropertiesGAO-21-55: Published: Dec 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2020.
Dec 15, 2020
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Disaster Housing:
Improved Cost Data and Guidance Would Aid FEMA Activation DecisionsGAO-21-116: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2020.
Dec 8, 2020
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Troubled Asset Relief Program:
Treasury Continues Winding Down Housing ProgramsGAO-21-39: Published: Dec 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 8, 2020.
Aug 13, 2020
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Homelessness:
Better HUD Oversight of Data Collection Could Improve Estimates of Homeless PopulationGAO-20-433: Published: Jul 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 13, 2020.
Jul 29, 2020
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Crumbling Foundations:
Extent of Homes with Defective Concrete Is Not Fully Known and Federal Options to Aid Homeowners Are LimitedGAO-20-649: Published: Jul 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 2020.
Jul 27, 2020
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Housing:
Preliminary Analysis of Homeownership Trends for Nine CitiesGAO-20-544R: Published: Jun 25, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 27, 2020.
Jun 26, 2020
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Rental Housing:
As More Households Rent, the Poorest Face Affordability and Housing Quality ChallengesGAO-20-427: Published: May 27, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 26, 2020.
Apr 30, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentGAO-20-500PR: Published: Apr 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 30, 2020.
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