[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E4-E5]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN SUPPORT OF THE HUD HOUSING AND SECURITY FLEXIBILITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the 
attention of the House an innovative program created by the Houston 
office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 
conjunction with local law enforcement agencies in the Houston area. 
This program, utilizing grant money from the Operation Safe Home 
program, hires off-duty law enforcement officers to provide security 
and patrol housing complexes and apartments that are owned by or 
receive funds from HUD. This program has been a great success, and has 
made residents feel safer and more secure in their homes.
  Unfortunately, this program turned out to be too innovative. Although 
this initiative has been an unqualified success, it turns out that HUD 
did not have the authority to make these

[[Page E5]]

types of security decisions. I believe that we should allow our local 
communities and those who know them best the flexibility to pursue the 
solutions that will decrease violence, drug use, and other crimes that 
plague much of the public housing in our nation today. I do not believe 
that Americans who need assistance with housing costs should be forced 
to live in fear.
  That is why I am reintroducing the HUD Housing Security and 
Flexibility Act. This legislation would allow HUD to hire local law 
enforcement agencies for these purposes. It authorizes offices that 
receive or administer funds under either of the aforementioned programs 
to enter into contracts with police departments and other agencies. 
These contracts would be limited to three years in length, and would be 
solely for security, patrols, or other protective services at HUD-owned 
or -assisted housing.
  Mr. Speaker, I feel that this legislation will go a long way towards 
eliminating crime in our public housing, and making Americans feel 
safer in their homes. I hope that the Congress will take up this 
important legislation during the 108th Congress.

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