[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1996-E1997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2158, DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND 
 HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to comment on the VA-HUD 
appropriations bill, H.R. 2158 that has emerged from a conference 
committee between the House and the Senate.This legislation provides 
resources for a wide variety of programs, two of the most notable 
concern section 8 housing subsidies and the service coordinators that 
are supported through the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
[HUD].
  In the State of Ohio, there are more than 50,000 apartment units in 
which citizens receive rent subsidies from the HUD section 8 program. 
My congressional district on the west side of Cleveland has a 
substantial concentration of section 8 projects and eligible persons, 
many of whom are elderly and disabled. Our Nation has made a compact 
with these residents to help them maintain a decent place to live. As 
we know, many of the section 8 contracts will be expiring in the next 
few years. Fortunately, this appropriations bill provides a total of 
$9.4 billion in fiscal year 1998 for the renewal of section 8 rental 
housing contracts. This is more than twice the amount that was provided 
last year for similar activities. This money will be available for HUD 
to work with apartment owners at section 8 properties to ensure that 
rent subsidies will continue for elderly, disabled, low income and 
other persons who depend on rent subsidies. Although this

[[Page E1997]]

amount is less than what was originally requested by the President for 
section 8 renewals, I am confident that HUD can meet the challenge of 
using this money in a cost-effective and sensitive manner.
  The other good news concerns service coordinators. These staff 
persons work in section 8 projects to assess the daily living 
activities of residents and tailor a package of services that gives 
residents access to community services. Every day service coordinators 
help to save the lives of elderly and disabled persons who need help. 
When I learned that the money for this program had expired, and that 
service coordinators at the Westerly Apartments in Cleveland and other 
locations would soon be dismissed, I wrote to members of the 
Appropriations Committee asking that money be made available to keep 
this important program operating. I was very pleased to see that this 
appropriations bill states that ``at least $7,000,000 shall be used for 
grants for service coordinator and congregate services for the elderly 
and disabled.'' This money will allow HUD to renew all of the service 
coordinator grants that are expiring in the near future. The bill 
states that it is the intention of the U.S. Congress that the service 
coordinator program extend into the future. I commend the House and 
Senate conference committee for their willingness to maintain this 
vital assistance to elderly and disabled citizens.
  During an era in which all government agencies are called upon to 
make hard decisions about how our tax dollars are used, this 
appropriations bill makes a number of wise choices. I therefore urge my 
colleagues to support this measure.

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