[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E214-E215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE ``MORTGAGE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE RESTORATION ACT OF 
                                 2008''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, today I am re-introducing ``The Mortgage 
and Rental Assistance Restoration Act'' for the 111th Congress. I have 
introduced this in previous Congresses and I will keep working to pass 
this important piece of disaster relief policy that will protect all 
Americans.
  My bill would reauthorize the Mortgage and Rental Assistance Act, 
MRA, which was discontinued by the Disaster Mitigation Act effective 
May 2002. The MRA provides mortgage or rental payments to people who 
suffer a loss of income due to a federally declared disaster such as a 
hurricane or terrorist attack. Without a job, most people would be 
unable to keep their homes due to the financial burdens of mortgages or 
rents. The MRA provides cover for both home owners and renters.
  After the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, individuals who 
required temporary housing assistance relied upon the MRA, included in 
the Stafford Act, for aid. Under the MRA program many were eligible for 
grants to repair homes to a habitable condition, or to obtain mortgage 
or rental payment assistance to prevent foreclosures or evictions.
  The MRA program was a crucial component to help victims of the Sept. 
11th attack in my home state of New York. However, in 2005, in the wake 
of Hurricane Katrina, the MRA was not available for mortgage or rental 
assistance. As a result many people who would have been eligible for 
mortgage or rental assistance were unable to receive it. This was 
unfair and detrimental to the recovery process.
  The United States government has a responsibility to help communities 
recover from unpredictable disasters and help citizens keep from losing 
their homes. The MRA program helps provide stability during unstable 
times and that is why it must be reauthorized.

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