[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         THE NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME FIGHTERS HOUSING ASSISTANCE ACT

                                 ______


                            HON. RICK LAZIO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 1994

  Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to help reduce 
crime in public housing. I am pleased that Representative Marge 
Roukema, the ranking member of the Housing and Community Development 
Subcommittee--the panel with jurisdiction over this bill--is the 
coauthor of this proposal. In addition, 17 Members, 6 Democrats, and 11 
Republicans are original cosponsors.
  The Neighborhood Crime Fighters Housing Assistance Act would allow 
the Department of Housing and Urban Development to work with local 
public housing and law enforcement officials to relocate residents of 
public housing when they come forward with information that assists in 
the arrest, prosecution, or conviction of criminals in or near their 
public housing community. If the resident fears retribution for such 
assistance, he or she, and their family, could be moved from their 
current residence and placed in scattered site housing or provided 
section 8 certificate or voucher assistance.
  The objectives of my legislation are to: substantially decrease drug 
and criminal activity in or near public housing; provide protection for 
the innocent victims of crime occurring in public housing; and provide 
a safer public housing environment.
  Under this bill, the Department of Justice, in coordination with HUD 
and local public housing authorities, would determine whether a public 
housing resident's contribution merits protection from retribution. If 
that is the case, HUD would be authorized to provide the necessary aid 
through coordination, where possible, to prevent harm. That aid can 
include new rental housing, transportation and moving expenses, career 
counseling and placement, social services, as well as other measures.

  I believe this program is needed to help combat crime in our Nation's 
public housing. In New York City public housing alone, in 1991, there 
were: 200 homicides, 336 rapes, 4, 451 assaults, 3,961 robberies, 151 
arsons, and 2, 538 weapons offenses in New York City's public housing. 
Only yesterday, Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly stated during a radio 
interview that approximately 80 percent of all crimes committed in the 
District of Columbia were in or near public housing. Statistics for 
other cities around the Nation are similar.
  My amendment would allow HUD to set aside $15 million in section 8 
certificates for fiscal years 1995 and 1996 for this program. Some may 
say that this deprives HUD of funds for public housing, but I would 
argue that this is a wise investment to provide a safer environment for 
the residents in these communities. Indeed, HUD itself agrees with this 
concept. The Department's Operation Safe Home Program--which is still 
being developed--is similar to my proposal, but offers no financing 
mechanism.
  Finally, this is not a problem unique to urban areas. Throughout the 
Nation, public housing exists in many communities and the residents of 
these neighborhoods are also victimized by crime.
  In summary, my bill is designed to encourage residents of public 
housing to be active participants in a nationwide effort against crime 
which ultimately will improve the quality of life in their communities.

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