May 27, 2009

S. 896 Renter Protections and McKinney-Vento Reauthorization signed into law May 20

S. 896 (PL 111-22) gives protections to renters when their landlords are foreclosed on. The following provisions are included in the bill: Post-foreclosure, tenants must be allowed to stay for the duration of the lease before eviction can proceed based on the foreclosure, unless the purchaser of the property intends to occupy it as a primary residence. If the purchaser intends to use the property as a primary residence, the lease has fewer than 90 days remaining, the lease is month to month, or there is no lease, the tenant is entitled to 90 days notice before any eviction can take place. The bill also explicitly states that it does not preempt any state or local law that provides tenants with greater protections. More information from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

This law also includes the HEARTH Act which reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Program, expanding the definition of homelessness slightly and allowing more flexibility in providing prevention assistance and rapid re-housing. More information from the National Alliance to End Homelessness.