Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 5.djvu/891

 PUBLIC LAW 101-625—NOV. 28, 1990 104 STAT. 4213 (1) EMPLOYMENT.— Under the demonstration program, for the entire term of residency of each participating family in housing provided under subsection (e)— (A) the head of the family shall be required to be employed on a full-time basis, except that if the head of the family becomes unemployed, the public housing agency shall review the individual case to determine if mitigating factors, such as involuntary loss of employment, warrant continuing the family's participation in the demonstration program; and (B) the public housing agency shall ensure the provision of counseling to assist family members in gaining, advancing in, and retaining employment. (2) RENT INCREASES.— During the 1-year period beginning upon the residency of a participating family in housing provided under subsection (e), the amount of rent charged the participating family may not be increased on the basis of any increase in the earned income of the family, until such earned income exceeds 80 percent of the median family income for the area. (3) ESCROW SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. — (A) PURPOSE AND ESTABLISHMENT. — To ensure that participating families acquire the financial resources necessary to complete a successful transition from assisted rental housing to homeownership or other private housing, under the demonstration program each participating public housing agency shall establish for each participating family an interest-bearing escrow savings account held by the agency in the family's name. (B) PERIODIC DEPOSITS. — For the entire term of a participating family's residency in housing provided under subsection (e) the public housing agency shall deposit in the account established for the family under subparagraph (A) a percentage of the monthly rent charged the family, which percentage shall be established in the contract of participation under subsection (g)(l). Any rent increases charged because of increases in the earned income of the family shall also be deposited into the escrow account. (C) ACCESS TO AMOUNTS. — A participating family may withdraw amounts in the fsunily's escrow account only upon successful completion of participation in the demonstration program, for purchase of a home, for contribution toward college tuition, or other good cause determined by the participating public housing agency. A participating family that has committed violations referred to under subsection (j)(^XB) shall forfeit access to such amounts. (4) TREATMENT OF INCREASED INCOME.— Any increase in the earned income of a participating family during residency in housing provided under subsection (e) may not be considered as income or a resource for the purpose of the family for benefits, or amount of benefits payable to the family, under any other Federal law, unless the income of the family equals or exceeds 80 percent of the median income of the area (as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families). (j) CONCLUSION OF PARTICIPATION. — (1) 7-YEAR TERM.—Each family residing in housing provided under subsection (e) or (f) shall terminate residency in housing not later than the expiration of the 7-year period beginning on

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