US HB1981

Authorizes one-time incentive payments to landlords (up to 200% of monthly housing assistance) for units in census tracts with poverty rates below 20% that are new to the Housing Choice Voucher program

Requires HUD to provide security deposit assistance to public housing agencies on behalf of voucher tenants, with priority given to extremely low-income families

Creates annual bonus payments to public housing agencies that employ dedicated landlord liaisons for outreach, recruitment, and training

Establishes the Herschel Lashkowitz Housing Partnership Fund with $100 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2025-2029 to fund landlord incentives and recruitment efforts

Expands small area fair market rent requirements to at least three times the number of metropolitan areas currently designated, and allows units that passed inspections under other federal housing programs (LIHTC, HOME, USDA Rural Housing) to satisfy voucher inspection requirements