Washington, DC –The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act, which will create 175,000 new service opportunities, provide incentives for middle and high school students to engage in service, and expand opportunities for disadvantaged youth to become more involved in service to address our nation’s challenges.  The bill, which passed by a 321-105  vote, includes language authored by Rep. Al Green to allow volunteers in the newly-established Opportunity Corps to work in support of affordable housing for economically-disadvantaged individuals.

The language offered by Rep. Green and included in the GIVE Act allows Opportunity Corps volunteers to assist in the “building, improving, and preserving affordable housing and in the construction and rehabilitation of housing units, including energy efficient homes, for economically disadvantaged individuals.”  Prior to passage of the amendment including this language, the GIVE Act had not codified language allowing volunteers to address the housing crisis currently facing our country. 

“I am proud that the GIVE Act included this important language to help the many people in our community and across the country struggling to afford their housing payments.  Just as the GIVE Act will expand services in important areas like access to health care, encouraging energy efficiency, increasing student engagement, and enhancing services for veterans, it will also now help us confront this urgent crisis.  Every day, people ask me what they can do to help end the foreclosure and financial crises, and this language will give them an outlet to do their part,” said Rep. Green.

The language promoted by Rep. Green will allow Opportunity Corps volunteers to counsel, advise and organize victims of the foreclosure crisis to prevent foreclosures.  These volunteers can also provide tenant support organizations, housing counseling services, and homeless advocacy organizations with resources to help struggling tenants. 

Congressman Green said, “At this difficult time, the American people are looking for ways to come together, serve their country, and get our economy moving again.  History has shown, time after time, that volunteers are ready, able and willing to assist their fellow Americans.  In recent times, we’ve seen the millions of volunteers serving bravely in our armed forces put their lives on the line, while thousands of other volunteers underwent great hardship to assist in the recovery effort in the hurricanes that devastated areas all along the Gulf Coast.  With the passage of the GIVE Act, we will create more opportunities for the noble people who populate every community in this country to continue their yeoman’s efforts.”

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