Section 8 Voucher Reform Act Of 2007

Floor Speech

SECTION 8 VOUCHER REFORM ACT OF 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 20, 2007)

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1851) to reform the housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937:

* Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1851, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act, and applaud Chairwoman MAXINE WATERS and Chairman BARNEY FRANK for their work on this important issue.

* Housing, like food and health care, is a basic need, and it should be accessible to all Americans. Unfortunately, too many families find themselves without a stable and secure place to live because they cannot afford the high cost of housing in our country.

* The Section 8 voucher program plays a critical role in preventing homelessness by expanding access to affordable housing. It is our nation's largest federal housing program, serving more than 2 million low-income families around our country. However, currently, the demand for Section 8 vouchers far exceeds the availability of vouchers. In my District in Minnesota, there are more than 5,000 households on the waitlist for Section 8, and the average wait time is anywhere from 5 to 7 years.

* The Section 8 Voucher Reform Act expands and improves this important program and will ensure more families have access to safe, affordable housing. H.R. 1851 authorizes an additional 100,000 vouchers over the next 5 years. It also updates the formula used to allocate Section 8 voucher funds to housing agencies and simplifies the rent structure to eliminate current inefficiencies, allowing agencies to serve more families.

* This legislation encourages self-sufficiency and rewards work by providing incentives, such as reducing rent disincentives for increases in earned income and offering income exemptions for adult full time student dependents. H.R. 1851 also promotes homeownership by allowing families to use a housing voucher as a down payment toward the purchase of their first home. Homeownership is the greatest source of wealth for many Americans. It strengthens our families and our communities.

* Madam Speaker, every family deserves clean, stable, and affordable housing. I am proud to rise today in support of this important legislation.

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