[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 117 (Friday, July 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SECTION 8 VOUCHER REFORM ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1851) to 
     reform the housing choice voucher program under section 8 of 
     the United States Housing Act of 1937:

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 1851, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act, and applaud 
Chairwoman Maxine Waters and Chairman Barney Frank for their work on 
this important issue.
  Housing, like food and health care, is a basic need, and it should be 
accessible to all Americans. Unfortunately, too many families find 
themselves without a stable and secure place to live because they 
cannot afford the high cost of housing in our country.
  The Section 8 voucher program plays a critical role in preventing 
homelessness by expanding access to affordable housing. It is our 
nation's largest federal housing program, serving more than 2 million 
low-income families around our country. However, currently, the demand 
for Section 8 vouchers far exceeds the availability of vouchers. In my 
District in Minnesota, there are more than 5,000 households on the 
waitlist for Section 8, and the average wait time is anywhere from 5 to 
7 years.
  The Section 8 Voucher Reform Act expands and improves this important 
program and will ensure more families have access to safe, affordable 
housing. H.R. 1851 authorizes an additional 100,000 vouchers over the 
next 5 years. It also updates the formula used to allocate Section 8 
voucher funds to housing agencies and simplifies the rent structure to 
eliminate current inefficiencies, allowing agencies to serve more 
families.
  This legislation encourages self-sufficiency and rewards work by 
providing incentives, such as reducing rent disincentives for increases 
in earned income and offering income exemptions for adult full time 
student dependents. H.R. 1851 also promotes homeownership by allowing 
families to use a housing voucher as a down payment toward the purchase 
of their first home. Homeownership is the greatest source of wealth for 
many Americans. It strengthens our families and our communities.
  Madam Speaker, every family deserves clean, stable, and affordable 
housing. I am proud to rise today in support of this important 
legislation.

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