[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 13 (Monday, January 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E76]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HOPE VI IMPROVEMENT AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 17, 2008

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3524) to 
     reauthorize the HOPE VI program for revitalization of 
     severely distressed public housing, and for other purposes:

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Chairman, the HOPE VI program in the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development is a vital program that aims to improve 
public housing. The HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2007 
not only extends HOPE VI, but makes important changes to the program to 
ensure that affordable housing is available to more people who are in 
need.
  The one-for-one replacement included in the bill will keep the same 
number of units available for public housing if an existing building is 
scheduled to be demolished. The reauthorization bill also includes 
language to allow HOPE VI participants to re-enroll in the program 
under the same guidelines as other public housing residents of the 
revitalized development.
  The reauthorization bill brings the HOPE VI program into the 21st 
century with the provision that requires all replacement housing to 
meet Green Communities standards and non-residential structures to 
comply with LEED standards. With so much focus on climate change and 
energy conservation, it is only fitting for the government to address 
these issues through its departments, agencies, and programs.
  I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 3524 and proud to support the 
bill today.

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