[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E19]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              ROCKLAND COUNTY MEDIAN INCOME BILL, H.R. 21

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce H.R. 21, legislation to 
correct the median income calculation for Rockland County, NY.
  Currently, Rockland County's median income is calculated by the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] as part of the 
primary metropolitan statistical area [PMSA], which includes all of the 
income data for New York City. For this reason, HUD lists Rockland 
County's median income for a family of four as $40,500. The 1990 census 
shows that the county's true median income to be $60,479, a difference 
of approximately $20,000.
  Since HUD's income levels are used in calculating eligibility for 
almost all State and Federal housing programs, these inaccurate 
statistics severely limit the access of Rockland County residents to 
many beneficial programs. Income caps for the State of New York 
mortgage agency, Fanny Mae/Freddie Mac, HUD's section 8, and a myriad 
of other beneficial programs are artificially low, thus most of 
Rockland's residents, financial institutions, sellers, and home 
builders are at a severe disadvantage compared to their counterparts in 
neighboring counties, whose statistics accurately reflect their 
population.
  During the 103d Congress I was successful in gaining the inclusion of 
this important bill's language in H.R. 3838, the Housing and Community 
Development Act. Unfortunately, though this legislation was approved by 
the House of Representatives the Senate chose not to act.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this median income bill 
as well as the 104th Congress' attempt to enact a major housing bill.
  At this point in the Record, I request that the full text of my bill 
be inserted in the Record:
                                H.R. 21

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DETERMINATION OF INCOME LIMITS.

       That section 3(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 
     1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in the 4th sentence--
       (A) by striking ``County'' and inserting ``and Rockland 
     Counties''; and
       (B) by inserting ``each'' before ``such county''; and
       (2) in the last sentence--
       (A) by striking ``County'' the 1st place it appears and 
     inserting ``or Rockland Counties''; and
       (B) by striking ``County'' the 2d place it appears and 
     inserting ``and Rockland Counties''.

     SEC. 2. REGULATIONS AND EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue 
     regulations implementing the amendments made by section 1 not 
     later than the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act. The regulations may 
     not take effect until after September 30, 1994.
     

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