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S 4673

PATH Act

119th Congress Introduced by Marsha Blackburn and 1 co-sponsor

Allows public housing agencies to require up to 40 hours of work per week for eligible recipients, with exemptions, supports, and safeguards, starting Jan 1, 2027.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4673

Overview

  • Bill: S. 4673 (119th Congress, 2nd Session)
  • Title: PATH Act – Pathways to a Thriving Household Act
  • Purpose: Increase workforce participation among recipients of federal public housing assistance by allowing public housing agencies and owners to impose minimum work requirements, with specified exemptions, supports, and procedural safeguards.
  • Introduced by: Senator Katie Britt (with Senator Marsha Blackburn as a cosponsor)
  • Date introduced: June 3, 2026
  • Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

Main purpose and intent

The PATH Act seeks to encourage labor force participation among households receiving federal public housing assistance. It would authorize public housing agencies (PHAs) and project-based housing owners to implement a maximum 40-hour-per-week minimum work requirement for eligible individuals or families, subject to various exemptions, exceptions for hardship, and a framework of supportive services and oversight.

Key provisions and changes

  • Applicability of minimum work requirements (Section 16(g))

    • PHAs for public housing, tenant-based assistance, or project-based voucher assistance (under section 8(o)(13), excluding project-based vouchers under that subsection), and owners of project-based assistance (excluding project-based vouchers under 8(o)(13)) may establish minimum work requirements.
    • The baseline work requirement: up to 40 hours per week.
    • Exemptions from the work requirement (non-applicability):
    • Individuals under 18 or over 62.
    • Individuals with a disability.
    • Pregnant individuals.
    • Primary parent/caretaker of a dependent child under age 6 or someone temporarily incapacitated.
    • Primary parent/caretaker of a dependent with a serious medical condition or disability (as determined by the state agency administering the plan).
    • Individuals enrolled as students in an institution of higher education (per Higher Education Act definition).
    • Determination of exemption eligibility is handled by the PHA or owner.

  • Definition of qualifying work activities (paragraph 3)

    • Activities that count toward meeting the minimum work requirements include:
    • Unsubsidized employment
    • Subsidized private-sector or public-sector employment
    • Work experience (including work related to refurbishing publicly assisted housing)
    • On-the-job training
    • Job search and job readiness assistance
    • Community service programs
    • Vocational education and job skills training
    • Education directly related to employment for those lacking high school diploma or equivalency
    • Provision of child care services to participants in community service programs

  • Supportive measures and administration (paragraph 4)

    • PHAs/owners must offer supportive services to help participants obtain employment or engage in qualifying work activities.
    • Must maintain uniform minimum work requirements across all tenants within a program.
    • Policy integration:
    • For Section 9 assistance, policy must be in the admission and continued occupancy policy.
    • For Section 8 assistance, policy must be in the administrative plan and the tenant selection plan, as applicable.
    • Transparency and notice:
    • A copy of the policy must be provided to applicants, tenants, and resident organizations.
    • For new leases and lease renewals, notification timing and process specified (including notice no later than 3 months before implementation).
    • Hardship determinations:
    • Written hardship policy allows exemptions for certain groups (including disability status determination for work-eligible adults, temporary relocation due to disaster, and those actively trying to comply but facing difficulties finding work).
    • Hardship process includes a mechanism to request a hearing for review of denied hardship requests.

  • Scope and applicability (paragraph 5)

    • Applies to PHAs and project-based assistance providers that are not in receivership or designated as troubled under relevant HUD assessments, and not in default or related conditional statuses for the rental assistance contracts.

  • Enforcement and remedies (paragraph 6)

    • PHAs/owners implementing the policy are responsible for verification and enforcement.
    • Verification/enforcement must occur at least annually.
    • Noncompliance can lead to termination of program assistance for the affected family or family member, consistent with applicable federal regulations (specifically referenced to subpart L of 24 CFR Part 982).

  • Effective date (Section 2, subsection (b))

    • The amendment to add the minimum work requirements takes effect January 1, 2027.

Who is affected

  • Public housing residents and applicants who receive or seek public housing, tenant-based assistance under Section 8, or project-based housing assistance (excluding some project-based voucher arrangements).
  • Public housing agencies (PHAs) and private owners administering project-based assistance.
  • Families and individuals within assisted housing who would be subject to work requirements, exemptions, and potential termination of assistance for noncompliance.
  • Individuals who require supportive services, exemptions, or hardship determinations, and those participating in various qualifying work activities.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Once enacted, the new minimum work requirements would apply starting January 1, 2027.
  • PHAs/owners must implement a written policy, provide notices, and ensure uniformity across programs.
  • The policy must be integrated into existing admissions/occupancy or administrative/tenant plans as applicable.
  • Annual verification and potential termination procedures must align with existing statutory and regulatory frameworks (including HUD and 24 CFR Part 982).

Summary of potential impact

  • Potentially increases work participation among households receiving federal housing assistance.
  • Creates a standardized framework for work requirements with explicit exemptions and hardship protections.
  • Requires PHAs/owners to offer supportive services and ensure transparency to tenants and applicants.
  • Introduces enforcement mechanisms that can lead to loss of housing assistance for noncompliance, subject to due process under current regulations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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