July 19, 2006

Pryce Bill to Protect Columbus Disabled Students Clears Senate, Heads to President

Measure Preserves the Housing Eligibility of Disabled Students at Creative Living near OSU 

Washington, DC – Last night, the U.S. Senate approved H.R. 5117, legislation authored by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Columbus), to preserve the Section 8 housing eligibility of severely disabled students at Creative Living near The Ohio State University, and at similar housing facilities nationally.  Having passed the House on June 14th, the bill will now go to the President for his signature.

Amid reports that wealthy students were exploiting a loophole in Section 8 regulations by living in housing designated for the poor, last year language was added to an appropriations bill by the Senate requiring that family income and government assistance be used as part of the eligibility equation for Section 8 applicants.  The new law unintentionally affected disabled students residing at Creative Living, a housing complex near OSU, and jeopardized the housing eligibility of a number of Creative Living’s residents. 

“At long last, the students living at Creative Living will have the peace of mind in knowing that their housing needs will be met, and can instead focus on their studies,” said Pryce.  “I was happy to partner with Senator DeWine on this important issue, and I am thrilled with the closure this brings for the students currently residing at Creative Living.”

“While this is a great victory, our work is not done.  We must now press for a more comprehensive legislative solution to ensure the housing eligibility of future disabled students.  There are enough challenges put in front of individuals with severe physical disabilities – worrying about a place to call home while they attend college should not be one of them.”Congresswoman Pryce’s legislation exempts disabled students who were receiving Section 8 as of November 30, 2005, and ensures that Creative Living’s disabled students – many of whom depend upon the Section 8 program to pursue their education -- will not be unfairly shut out of the rental assistance program.