Atlanta, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is tasking a Federal Inspector General to investigate unsafe conditions for Georgia renters.
As part of his ongoing work to investigate housing conditions for Georgia families, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to require a Federal watchdog investigation of conditions at rental units that receive financial support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Last month, Sen. Ossoff brought both parties together to pass his amendment through the U.S. Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill that directs HUD’s Inspector General (IG) to investigate properties with close-to-failing Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) scores.
“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,” said Sen. Ossoff.
The IG review would include a report on how many properties have safety and health deficiencies, how these properties compare to those with failing scores, adequacy of HUD oversight of inspections and property management, and the impact of HUD’s staffing reductions and contract cancellations on property oversight.
The bipartisan Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriations bill passed Committee and is now ready to move to the full U.S. Senate for a vote. The bill must first pass the full U.S. Senate and U.S. House before it could become law.
Sen. Ossoff continues working to improve housing conditions for Georgia families.
In May, Sen. Ossoff heard testimony at an oversight session exposing the mistreatment and abuse of Georgia renters living in single-family homes owned by large, out-of-state companies.
Last year, Sen. Ossoff convened a U.S. Senate Human Rights Subcommittee Hearing in Roswell to receive testimony from renters and experts about the mistreatment of tenants by corporate landlords in Georgia and nationwide that receive Federal funds, and threats to the safety of children in dangerous living conditions.
In 2022, Sen. Ossoff led an 8-month bipartisan investigation that uncovered mistreatment and neglect of families living in privatized military housing on post at Ft. Eisenhower. As a direct result of Sen. Ossoff’s investigation, the U.S. Army then conducted unit-by-unit inspections of housing on military installations,starting at Ft. Eisenhower.
In 2023, Sen. Ossoff then convened a military housing oversight session to continue his work to improve housing conditions for military families in Georgia and across the nation.
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