September, 21 2011, 01:42pm EDT
Advocates Urge U.S. Senate to Act Now on Voucher Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON
The National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Affordable Housing Management Association, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials today announced that 812 organizations have signed a letter urging the U.S. Senate to take swift action to strengthen the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The letter, addressed to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chair Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL), urges Senators to tackle voucher reform and reach agreement with the House to enable President Obama to sign this long overdue legislation into law. The national, state and local organizations signing the letter - representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia - make up an impressive cross-section of affordable housing organizations.
In late 2010, House and Senate stakeholders reached broad agreement on a draft Section 8 voucher reform bill that would result in more than $700 million in savings over the next five years. The reforms would accomplish responsible and important cost savings and streamline HUD's administration of voucher and rental assistance programs. The House has since circulated draft legislation in this Congress, the Section Eight Savings Act (SESA), that includes common-sense improvements to HUD's assisted housing programs.
Read the September 21, 2011 letter to the Senate and view all 812 organizational sign-ons at: https://nlihc.org/doc/Section_8_Voucher_Reform_Letter_2011.pdf
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to ending America's affordable housing crisis. Established in 1974 by Cushing N. Dolbeare, NLIHC educates, organizes and advocates to ensure decent, affordable housing within healthy neighborhoods for everyone. NLIHC provides up-to-date information, formulates policy and educates the public on housing needs and the strategies for solutions.
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