Puerto Rico Low-Income Housing Support Act

The Puerto Rico Low-Income Housing Support Act aims to change how the federal government determines eligibility for public housing on the island. Currently, the definition of "extremely low-income" for Puerto Rico is calculated differently than in the 50 states. This bill proposes to amend the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require that Puerto Rico use the same federal poverty guidelines as the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. If enacted, this change could expand the number of families eligible for federal housing assistance and potentially give more residents priority for public housing and rental subsidies.

Additionally, the bill would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive study on housing accessibility in Puerto Rico. This report would evaluate how federal and local agencies identify the needs of the lowest-income families and how federal disaster recovery funds are used to rebuild housing after natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. The goal of this review is to provide Congress with recommendations to improve the efficiency of housing programs and ensure that federal aid effectively reaches those in the greatest need.