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Housing

Senator Jon Ossoff Tasks Federal Inspector General to Investigate Unsafe Conditions for Georgia Renters

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has brought together Republicans and Democrats to pass an amendment through the U.S. Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill, directing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Inspector General to investigate properties with close-to-failing Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) scores. The investigation will review safety and health deficiencies, adequacy of HUD oversight, and the impact of staffing reductions and contract cancellations on property oversight. Senator Ossoff's bipartisan amendment aims to ensure affordable housing meets health and safety standards.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Jon Ossoff has tasked a Federal Inspector General to investigate unsafe conditions for Georgia renters, as part of his ongoing work to investigate housing conditions for Georgia families.
  • The investigation will review properties with close-to-failing REAC scores, including a report on safety and health deficiencies, adequacy of HUD oversight, and the impact of staffing reductions and contract cancellations.
  • The bipartisan Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriations bill has passed committee and is now ready to move to the full U.S. Senate for a vote.
  • Senator Ossoff's amendment is an important step to ensure affordable housing meets health and safety standards, according to the Senator.
  • The investigation will include a report on how many properties have safety and health deficiencies, how these properties compare to those with failing scores, and the impact of HUD's staffing reductions and contract cancellations.
  • Senator Ossoff has also convened oversight sessions and hearings to expose mistreatment and abuse of Georgia renters living in single-family homes owned by large, out-of-state companies.
  • In 2022, Senator Ossoff led an 8-month bipartisan investigation that uncovered mistreatment and neglect of families living in privatized military housing on post at Ft. Eisenhower.

Statistics:

  • In 2022, Senator Ossoff led an 8-month bipartisan investigation that uncovered mistreatment and neglect of families living in privatized military housing on post at Ft. Eisenhower.
  • The investigation found instances of mistreatment and neglect of families living in privatized military housing on post at Ft. Eisenhower.
  • The U.S. Army conducted unit-by-unit inspections of housing on military installations, starting at Ft. Eisenhower as a direct result of Senator Ossoff's investigation.
  • Senator Ossoff's investigations have led to improvements in housing conditions for military families in Georgia and across the nation.

Sources:

  • Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff:

"Families deserve to feel safe in their own homes. My bipartisan amendment is an important step to ensure affordable housing in Georgia and across the country has the staffing and inspections to meet health and safety standards."

  • U.S. Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill:

Directs HUD's Inspector General to investigate properties with close-to-failing REAC scores.

  • Senator Jon Ossoff's 2022 bipartisan investigation:

Uncovered mistreatment and neglect of families living in privatized military housing on post at Ft. Eisenhower.

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