[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 15, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        URGING SUPPORT FOR THE SECTION 515 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAM

  (Mrs. CLAYTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, today I have offered a bill to reform the 
Farmers Home Administration's section 515 Rural Housing Program by 
addressing concerns raised in a recent report submitted to the 
Subcommittee on Agriculture Appropriations by the surveys and 
investigations staff of the House Committee on Appropriations.
  Section 515 is a program which has been working for 31 years. It is 
the only such program available to serve the very poor in rural 
America. It serves the elderly, the handicapped, the disabled, women, 
and minorities. This program has led to the creation of more than 
44,000 affordable housing units for the low- and very-low-income 
families of rural America. The average income of the people served by 
this program is typically only $7,900. In fiscal year 1994 alone, 
14,000 new units were built using section 515 funds.
  I realize that the costs associated with housing low-income people is 
high. However, we cannot ignore the fact that there is still a shortage 
of 600,000 affordable rental units in rural areas today and a backlog 
of $1 billion in applications for section 515 housing.
  In my own district--the First District of North Carolina--there are 
152 section 515 properties, serving more than 4,000 families--and 1,000 
elderly households. If we strengthen the 515 program--rather than 
eliminate it--many more needy families across the United States can 
reach their dream of safe, decent, and affordable housing.
  I am calling on you to support this effort to correct the 
deficiencies in the section 515 Program and to work with me to ensure 
that those citizens depending on this very worthwhile program are 
adequately served.

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