Rep. Lofgren Issues Statement on the Passage of Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007

Press Release

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today issued the following statement in response to the passage of the bipartisan Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007. The bill authorizes the Section 8 low-income housing voucher program through FY 2012, alters calculations of income, tenant rent, and public housing authority (PHA) funding, and establishes a new reliable funding allocation formula for the renewal of Section 8 vouchers.

"Working families deserve access to safe, affordable housing. This bill, which includes provisions to expand rental assistance opportunities, improve program efficiencies, and encourage family self-sufficiency, gives local housing authorities the resources and tools they need to make housing more accessible to those in need. The bill authorizes a total of 100,000 new vouchers over the next five years and allows housing agencies to let families use housing vouchers as a down-payment on a first-time home purchase. Adequate and safe housing should not be a luxury only afforded to the wealthy."

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