Resources for receiving and resolving complaints regarding multifamily housing projects

(a) Increased HUD staffing for complaint call staffing (1) Increased staffing The Secretary shall, not later than the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, increase the staffing level for the Multifamily Housing Complaint Line established and operated by the Multifamily Housing Clearinghouse of the Department so that it is sufficient and appropriate to handle the volume of calls received without unreasonable waiting periods. (2) Authorization of appropriations For carrying out paragraph (1), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year for carrying out paragraph (1). (b) Multifamily housing complaint resolution program (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out a Multifamily Housing Complaint Resolution Program for receiving complaints about multifamily housing projects from voucher users who reside in such projects and local governmental officials, under which the Secretary shall provide for— (A) gathering of information regarding each such complaint; (B) determining whether there is a likelihood that there is any violation of the requirements under the rental assistance voucher program relating to such complaint; (C) informing the owner or landlord of the complaint and any violations; and (D) attempting to resolve the complaint and violations, including through mediation. (2) Resolution The Secretary may provide for carrying out the activities required under paragraph (1)(D) through regional or field offices of the Department or through such local or private organizations or agencies as the Secretary determines have appropriate capabilities and expertise to carry out such activities. (3) Funding Amounts made available for administrative fees under section 8(q) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(q)) shall be available for carrying out the program under this subsection. (4) Regulations Not later than the expiration of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue any regulations necessary to establish the Program required under this subsection.