Section 8 Funding
Over
34,000 families in Connecticut, and over 2.1 million families
nationwide, are housed successfully by the Section 8 program each year.
For these families, the program offers the stability and flexibility
necessary to remain in safe, decent, affordable housing. The Section 8
program provides low income families with vouchers that cover any
rental costs over 30 percent of their income. In the Hartford region's
tight rental market, the assistance that this program offers is
critical.
I
have continually supported measures to ensure that Connecticut housing
authorities have the resources they need to help families make the
transition from homelessness to homeownership. In April 2004, I joined
my colleagues in the CT Delegation in opposing a proposed change in
policy that would have allowed the Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Department to fund this year's vouchers at last years levels. In
addition, I fought proposed funding cuts to the program that would have
cut over 4,000 vouchers in CT in 2005 alone, and over 13,000 in the
next five years. Section 8, and other programs aimed at promoting
affordable housing and reducing poverty, are routinely targeted for
funding cuts, and I will continue to work to ensure that these vitals
programs receive the support necessary to help the Connecticut families
who need it most.
Information from the Library of
Congress
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Our
nation faces a shortage in safe and affordable housing which forces
families and individuals with the lowest incomes - such as low income
workers, seniors on fixed incomes, and people with disabilities - to
either live on the street, live in unsafe housing units or live in
housing they can only afford by using money set aside for groceries,
child care, or medicine to pay the rent. In the past 2 years, the
average per hour wage that a family must earn to afford a safe two
bedroom apartment at fair market rent has risen to about 15 nationwide
and $18 in Connecticut.
I am a cosponsor of H.R.
1102, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2003,
which would create a national housing trust fund by redirecting a small
portion of the profits earned every year by the Federal Housing
Administration's mortgage insurance fund to the Trust Fund. The Trust
Fund would be used to build, rehabilitate and preserve 1.5 million
affordable housing units. Unfortunately, despite the importance of this
bill, it has yet to have a hearing or a vote. Earlier this year, I
joined 180 trust fund supporters in the House in signing a discharge
petition (108-11) that would force the bill out of committee and onto
the floor for a vote; however, it needs 270 signatures to pass.
Information from the Library of Congress
Housing Issues in the 108th Congress
Helpful Links
The National Housing Trust Fund Campaign
(http://www.nhtf.org/)
Additional
Cosponsorships
H.R. 1480
Community Economic Development Expertise Enhancement Act of 2003
Increases the capacity and expertise of qualifying community-based economic development organizations.
H.R. 3507
Improving Homeownership Opportunities in High-Cost States Act
Allows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make certain exemptions for mortgages for properties located in high cost states.
Helpful Links
Connecticut Housing Coalition
Partnership for Strong Communities
Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University
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