FEINGOLD
WORKS TO INCREASE HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Bipartisan Effort to Support Americans Facing Affordable Housing
Challenges
April 30, 2008
Washington, D.C. –
U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) is continuing his work to assist American
families facing affordable housing challenges by pushing for increased
funding for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. Feingold and
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) were joined by 24 other senators in writing
to the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee in support of the increase. With
more American families facing affordable housing challenges, the approximately
2 million vouchers currently used fall far short of meeting the demand
for affordable housing around the country. Despite the great need for
additional Section 8 voucher funding, the administration has proposed
cutting funding the program. Feingold and Collins requested an increase
in funding that will not only fully fund existing Section 8 vouchers,
but also provide funding for new vouchers in 2009.
“Housing advocates
in Wisconsin have told me about the increasing number of families on
waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers,” Feingold said. “Congress
must act to ease the burden on low-income renters throughout Wisconsin
and the country. Increased funding for the Section 8 program will help
meet the need of these families and help put more people in good homes.”
The Section 8 Housing Choice
Voucher Program is one of the largest federal housing programs with
approximately 2 million vouchers currently used by families and individuals.
In fiscal year 2007, Wisconsin received approximately $142 million in
funding for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Feingold has been a leader
in the Senate on housing issues. He is the author of the Affordable
Housing Expansion and Public Safety Act to boost availability of affordable
housing for Americans. Feingold’s bill would urge Congress to
create a national affordable housing trust fund, authorize 100,000 new
Section 8 vouchers, expand the HOME Investments Partnerships Program
to provide new funding for the production and rehabilitation of affordable
housing, and reauthorize a grant program to help combat violent and
drug-related crime in public housing.
“A real investment
in safe, affordable housing can serve as the foundation for improving
the lives and communities of hundreds of thousands of Americans,”
Feingold said. “This is about more than making sure Wisconsinites
have a roof over their head. Good housing helps families focus on the
other important issues we face including securing better jobs, a better
education, and better futures for all Americans.”
A copy of the letter can
be viewed here.
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