The Pets Belong with Families Act would modify rules for pet ownership in federally subsidized public housing by eliminating breed-based restrictions on dogs and other animals. Under the bill, public housing agencies could still set reasonable requirements such as pet deposits capped at 10 percent of monthly rent spread over three months, limits on the number of animals based on unit size, and prohibitions on dangerous animals declared a threat by courts. The legislation would also protect tenants by requiring pet deposits to be refunded within 30 days of move-out and preventing agencies from withholding deposits for damage unrelated to pets or normal wear and tear. The bill does not establish specific funding or timelines, but instead directs changes to existing federal housing law that would apply going forward to public housing managed by public housing agencies across the country.
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