Surveying tenants directly would give residents an opportunity to report any issues directly to HUD without fear of reprisal from owners and managers who have been known to threaten to evict tenants who try to complain.
The legislation comes in the wake of recent local and federal investigations that found deplorable living conditions at several subsidized-housing properties in Florida including Windsor Cove, which Nelson and Rubio visited last month to get a firsthand look at the conditions there.
“Everyone deserves a safe and clean place to call home,” Nelson said. “This bill will help ensure that the owners of federally-subsidized housing are held accountable for the condition of their properties, and it will give tenants the opportunity to file complaints directly with HUD, without fear of reprisal.”
“I’ve seen the unsafe and unhealthy living conditions forced on the tenants at Global Ministries properties in Jacksonville and Orlando," Rubio said. "I’ve talked with residents about the history of mismanagement and refusal to make even the most basic improvements and repairs.
"We have public housing in Florida and across the country being mismanaged by these slumlords who are stealing federal tax dollars, and this needs to end.”