In the 108th Congress, I was an original cosponsor of legislation to establish the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund to provide for the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families. Unfortunately, this bill has not been allowed to be discussed in Congress, even after efforts to force its consideration with a discharge petition, which I signed.  A discharge petition requires 218 signatures to force a vote on the House floor.  Unfortunately, only 178 Members signed this particular discharge petition.  However, I am hopeful this bill will become a priority when my colleagues and I return to Washington, D.C. so this nation’s low-income families will be granted some sort of relief when it comes to affordable housing.

I also understand the importance of Section 8 Vouchers to low-income communities, and voted for an amendment opposing changes to the current system that would cut funding for vouchers by more than $1 billion and would radically change the program’s structure.  If the Administration had its way, the current voucher program would be replaced with a block grant to local housing agencies, repealing basic protections for low-income families and leaving the program vulnerable to further funding cuts.  I personally believe the current system is the best way to provide for families and will continue to do everything in my power to prevent further negative attacks on Section 8 Vouchers. 

I am also a proud cosponsor of the American Dream Down Payment Act, a bill that was enacted into law and provided $75 million in down payment assistance and home rehabilitation for low-income families under the HOME Investment Partnerships Act.  Unfortunately, the VA-HUD Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2005 cut HOME block grants by $82 million in order to fund the $85 million in down payment grants for next year, an action I disagree with and hope will be reconciled in the future.  We should not fund one housing program by taking away from another, and I am prepared to fight for funding for this and other programs related to affordable housing assistance.   

We have come a long way in providing housing for those who otherwise would be without, but we still have a long way to go.  As your United States Representative, I look forward to continuing my support for affordable housing assistance, and hope that one day everyone will have the opportunity to own their own homes.