OPPOSE HUD'S PROPOSED LEGISLATION..

[Sugarbleus]

A call to action sent to me via Email by local housing choice advocate.
Sam Finklestein
P.O. Box 1591
Soquel, CA 95073
[phone]-office
http://www.housingchoices.com
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Recently HUD proposed legislation, titled S.771, which could generate radical changes in federal housing policy. This is another attempt to slow supposedly “spiraling” costs of housing programs. Below is a description of that piece of legislation and an explanation, based on an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, of how program costs have actually been leveling off since 2003. Additionally, contact information for those you can contact to urge the opposition of S. 771 is provided below.

HUD’s proposed legislation consists of three parts:

(1) Flexible Voucher Program-This is very similar to last year’s proposal, but it is potentially more disastrous by nature of its detail. This would make the Voucher program unrecognizable.

 It would change targeting from 30% of the median income to 60%. (Section 107(c).)

 Tenant Rent Contribution could be set at any amount and exceptions would not be required for loss of employment or other hardships. (Section 109(c) & (d).)

 Federal standards for subsidy levels would be removed and agencies would determine what is “reasonable and appropriate”, which could possibly create a situation where Vouchers can only be used in less expensive neighborhoods and where some could not even use their Voucher if they cannot afford their share of the rent. (Section 109(f).)

 Families losing project-based assistance would no longer be protected. (Section 115.)

 Although these policy changes would not affect existing elderly and disabled tenants until January 1, 2009, there are no additional guarantees that agencies will continue to serve people with disabilities and seniors. (Section 105)

 This bill allows agencies to discriminate against certain types of disabilities by creating preferences one disability over another, implicitly repealing protections under Fair Housing and other laws. (Section 107(d).)

 The right to move with Voucher assistance would be greatly reduced. (Section 113)

 Agencies could impose time-limits on assistance and work requirements. (Section 107(d).)

 Public housing units could be lost and families could be required to move and face increased rent burdens. (Section 120.)
 Agencies would no longer be required to have a person served by the agency on the board (section 120(a)) and Voucher policy issues would no longer be part of the public planning process. (Section 120(d).)

 Agency funding would be “proportionate” to 2005 funding until 2008, with adjustments made only for inflation. There will be no adjustments based on local data and no corrections will be made for any errors or inequities in the 2005 allocations. (Sections 110, 117, & 118.)

(2) Public Housing- The above policies could also be applied to public housing.

 Rents would no longer be required to be tied to income.

 Flat rents would be permitted and minimum rents would be allowed, without any required hardship exemptions.

 Medical expense or childcare deductions would not be required.

 Agencies would be able to increase the families rent obligations if they receive other federal benefits, overriding other federal laws.

(3) Moving to Work Program-This would give HUD authority to grant sweeping waivers of virtually all housing laws. This program would grant agencies such flexibility that they could eliminate tenant-based Vouchers all together! Only agencies that have substantial performance problems would be ineligible for this program.


This legislation is based on the assumption that housing program costs are “spiraling” out of control but, based on data compiled by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, it is clear that this assumption is fallacious. In fact, growth in costs have slowed substantially since 2003 suggesting that existing cost-control mechanisms are working as intended and drastic changes to the program are not necessary. Additionally, data shows that growth in average voucher costs have dropped below inflation. For a full report on this study, view: http://www.cbpp.org/3-16-05hous-fact.htm.

It is imperative that we fight against these proposed changes, not only because they are based on false assumptions, but also because there are two-million households with Section 8 Vouchers that will be severely affected and possibly displaced. Call your Senators and Representatives at [phone] and write letters to the following Senators and urge them to OPPOSE S.771!

The Honorable Richard Shelby
Chair
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Paul Sarbanes
Ranking Member
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Joe Knollenberg
Chairman
Subcommittee on TT/HUD
Committee on Appropriations
2349 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Ranking Member
The Honorable John W. Olver
Subcommittee on TT/HUD
Committee on Appropriations
1111 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515

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We spend zillions on bombs and the military industrial complex. We go round the world to oppress other nations. This gov takes from the poor and gives to the rich. This gov mishandles our tax dollars to a fairtheewell. It's not for lack of funds we suffer, it's for lack of CARE/interest in our fellow man and grievious mismanagement!!
They want sick people to go on a die and now they want struggling families to live in the streets!! WHEN IS IT GOING TO STOP??!!

MAY THE SPIRIT OF FDR decend upon some strong, fearless Democrat and bring this nation back into balance??!! :grr:

[OneBlueSky]

1. is there ANYTHING BushCo is NOT trying to fuck up? . . . n/t

.

[Sugarbleus]

2. Apparently not. I worry this will go on for years and years...

If so, people like me are doomed. Nothing coming from that bunch is positive in ANY way. We "workaday" people are in serious trouble.

To add fuel to the fire on this earth day, I discover that the oil they want to extract from Anwar isn't even going to the American people. They are selling it to some other country. :grr:

Their hubris knows no bounds.