A group will be assembled by the president’s administration to advance legislation that addresses the issue.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development released an open letter from Secretary Marcia Fudge that addresses junk fees that renters face in the U.S.
Secretary Fudge wrote, “Every renter should know the true costs of finding and staying in their home, and any fees charged to renters should be fair and transparent.“ She continued, “Many renters today face fees that are hidden, duplicative, or unnecessary as part of the housing search and leasing process. These fees limit options for renters and strain household budgets, particularly for renters with low and modest incomes who already face high rental cost burdens.“
Referring to President Biden’s initiative to have federal agencies address “junk fees,” the HUD secretary added, “We are calling on housing providers and state and local governments to adopt policies that promote fairness and transparency of fees faced by renters.“
The president’s administration has issued a Blueprint for a Renter Bill of Rights and the White House announced that a group will convene regarding legislative initiatives. The group will include Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Ambassador Susan Rice, Domestic Policy Advisor, Lael Brainard, National Economic Council Director, among others.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Fudge as she addresses the fees that can overburden low-income individuals or families seeking to rent.
- For U.S. agency officials as they implement the president’s initiative on reducing junk fees.
Sources: Department of Housing and Urban Development
