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HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2007

Date: Jan. 28, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Environment Housing and Property


HOPE VI IMPROVEMENT AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - January 28, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. STEVE COHEN
OF TENNESSEE
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2008

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3524) to reauthorize the HOPE VI program for revitalization of severely distressed public housing, and for other purposes:

* Mr. COHEN. Madam Chairman, the HOPE VI program in the Department of Housing and Urban Development is a vital program that aims to improve public housing. The HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2007 not only extends HOPE VI, but makes important changes to the program to ensure that affordable housing is available to more people who are in need.

* The one-for-one replacement included in the bill will keep the same number of units available for public housing if an existing building is scheduled to be demolished. The reauthorization bill also includes language to allow HOPE VI participants to re-enroll in the program under the same guidelines as other public housing residents of the revitalized development.

* The reauthorization bill brings the HOPE VI program into the 21st century with the provision that requires all replacement housing to meet Green Communities standards and non-residential structures to comply with LEED standards. With so much focus on climate change and energy conservation, it is only fitting for the government to address these issues through its departments, agencies, and programs.

* I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 3524 and proud to support the bill today.


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