Which body is responsible for passing authorizing HSG legislation?

The body responsible for passing authorizing housing legislation is Congress. This is because Congress is the legislative branch of the United States government and has the constitutional authority to create laws, including those that govern housing and urban development policies. Authorizing legislation is essential as it sets forth the framework and provides the necessary funding for programs like the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.

HUD, which is the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is responsible for administering the policies and programs established by Congress, but it does not have the authority to pass legislation. Similarly, the President can propose legislation and has the power to sign bills into law, but the actual legislative authority lies with Congress. Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) operate at the local level and implement the programs defined by federal legislation but do not engage in the legislative process themselves.

Therefore, understanding the role of each of these entities helps clarify why Congress is the correct answer when it comes to authorizing housing legislation.