Nadler: House Passes Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007

Bill Creates 100,000 New Housing Vouchers

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jerrold Nadler today applauded the House for passing the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007, which was adopted late last night on a vote of 333 to 83. The bill makes changes to the Section 8 voucher and public housing programs to expand rental assistance opportunities, improve program efficiency, and encourage family self-sufficiency. It also creates 100,000 new vouchers over the next five years.

"The need for public housing assistance is staggering," said Rep. Nadler. "All over the country, local housing authorities have years-long Section 8 waiting lists, but they have been unable to meet the needs of their communities."

Lawmakers specifically voted for the creation of 100,000 new vouchers, when they voted to reject the Chabot amendment by a vote of 144 to 277.

"This vote once again demonstrates the strong bipartisan support for adding new Section 8 vouchers to help families in need," Rep. Nadler added. "Ever since I came to Congress, I have offered amendments to increase funding for housing vouchers to ensure families have better access to affordable housing. For the last several years, those amendments have passed the House. It is my hope that this legislation is quickly approved by the Senate and signed into law by the President. This vote makes clear the growing national consensus to provide more affordable housing. Congress has taken another step forward to addressing the real needs of American families with passage of the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act."

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