[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E408-E409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE LEGACY ACT: LIVING EQUITABLY, GRANDPARENTS AIDING CHILDREN AND 
                                 YOUTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to join my good friend 
Connie Morella in introducing important legislation to help address an 
issue in our nation that is only starting to receive national 
attention--grandparents raising their grandchildren.
  According to recent data from the Census Bureau, the number of 
intergenerational families increased more than fifty percent between 
1990 and 1998. It is estimated that more than 4 million children across 
America are being raised by their grandparents. Many of these children 
have parents who have passed away, are in prison, or are suffering from 
drug or alcohol addictions, while some have been taken out of abusive 
homes.

[[Page E409]]

  These intergenerational families or ``Grandfamilies'' live in rural 
areas, inner cities and suburbs. They come from all races and 
ethnicities, and live in every state in the nation. Many of these 
grandparents survive on fixed incomes--social security, a small 
pension--and face not only the rising cost of prescription drugs, but 
also the cost of diapers, baby formula, toys, and school clothes.
  Unfortunately, our nation's housing policy has not kept up with the 
unique needs of these families. There is currently only one housing 
development in the entire country specifically designed for 
intergenerational families--the Grandfamilles House in Boston, 
Massachusetts. The House offers apartments with special features for 
both grandparents and children, including childproof kitchen cabinets 
and handicapped-accessible bathrooms. There are also activities for 
seniors and children, an outdoor playground and an on-site computer 
lab.
  I am introducing the LEGACY Act in response to the growing number of 
communities throughout the nation that have been working to build on 
the model of the Grandfamilles House in Boston. The title of the 
legislation was inspired by an Academy-Award nominated documentary film 
chronicling the life of a grandmother raising her grandchildren and 
their struggle to move out of a Chicago housing project.
  The legislation creates demonstration programs through both the 
Section 8 Housing Certificate Fund and the Section 202 Elderly Housing 
program. These demonstration projects will enable housing developers 
and advocacy groups additional flexibility in securing financing for 
this housing and providing ongoing services to intergenerational 
families.
  In addition, the LEGACY Act clarifies that grandparents raising their 
grandchildren are eligible for family unification assistance, allows 
access to fair housing funds for education and outreach efforts about 
the legal issues surrounding many of these families. It also directs 
the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide specialized 
training for their employees focused on grandparent--and other 
relative-headed families. Many grandparents do not have access to the 
services they and their grandchildren need. These training and outreach 
efforts will help raise the awareness of the unique issues these 
families face each day.
  While this bill is a small step in recognizing the tremendous 
contributions of these grandparents, it is my hope that it will help 
bring this issue greater recognition. Affordable housing is only one of 
the many challenges these courageous grandparents face as they raise 
the next generation of Americans. Please Join me in supporting these 
families by supporting the LEGACY Act.

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