[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 141 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2113-E2114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2684, DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND 
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2000

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                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the VA-HUD conference 
report. I commend the conferees for the improvements they made to the 
House passed bill. However, I continue to be concerned that these 
improvements do not adequately fund America's housing needs.
  The conferees provided 60,000 new Section 8 vouchers; increased the 
funding for operating subsidies for public housing to $3.1 billion, 
increased the funding for Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) to $232 
million, and increased the funding by $45 million for programs to 
prevent homelessness and assist homeless individuals. While these 
increases will prove useful, we all recognize that the need for Section 
8, public housing, HOPWA, and homelessness are significantly greater. 
For example, the Administration's budget requested 100,000 Section 
vouchers, and this bill falls far short. In many cities, the waiting 
lists for Section 8 and public housing apartments are many years long 
and in some cases closed. Individuals living with AIDS

[[Page E2114]]

need supportive housing services and despite this bill's increased 
funding, it falls short of President Clinton's request.
  I was disappointed that the Republican House leadership initially had 
cut housing assistance to low-income Americans. It does not make sense 
to cut funding to assist homeless persons, the working poor, and 
persons with AIDS. We should not cut community development programs 
that revitalize impoverished neighborhoods and produce new affordable 
housing. I remain disappointed, but support this revised legislation.
  It is significant that the conference decided to fund $20 million for 
the Clinton-Gore America's Private Investment Companies Initiative 
(APIC). I hope my colleagues will take the next step and pass 
legislation as soon as possible to authorize this needed initiative. 
APIC will leverage this $20 million and stimulate investments of 
approximately $550 million in private issued, government guaranteed 
loans and an additional $275 million in private equity capital.
  The Community Builders program has provided HUD and America's 
communities with capable public servants responsive to local needs. 
These community builders have successfully staffed many locally driven 
projects and helped streamline HUD services. Their work should be 
commended.
  Despite the accomplishments of this bill, millions of Americans still 
pay more than half their income for rent and too many Americans remain 
homeless. This improved bill is a step in the proper direction and will 
address some of these problems. Nonetheless, more steps are needed. I 
commend Secretary Cuomo for his leadership on these important housing 
issues. I hope future budgets will provide more funding to help low-
income Americans obtain affordable housing.

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