[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H8802-H8806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SECTION 202 SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY ACT OF 2010
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 118) to amend section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959, to
improve the program under such section for supportive housing for the
elderly, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
[[Page H8803]]
S. 118
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Section
202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2010''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
TITLE I--NEW CONSTRUCTION REFORMS
Sec. 101. Selection criteria.
Sec. 102. Development cost limitations.
Sec. 103. Owner deposits.
Sec. 104. Definition of private nonprofit organization.
Sec. 105. Nonmetropolitan allocation.
TITLE II--REFINANCING
Sec. 201. Approval of prepayment of debt.
Sec. 202. Use of unexpended amounts.
Sec. 203. Use of project residual receipts.
Sec. 204. Additional provisions.
TITLE III--ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND SERVICE-ENRICHED HOUSING
Sec. 301. Amendments to the grants for conversion of elderly housing to
assisted living facilities.
Sec. 302. Monthly assistance payment under rental assistance.
TITLE IV--COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTORY PAY-AS-YOU-GO ACT OF 2010
Sec. 401. Budgetary effects.
TITLE I--NEW CONSTRUCTION REFORMS
SEC. 101. SELECTION CRITERIA.
Section 202(f)(1) of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C.
1701q(f)(1)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as
subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new
subparagraph:
``(F) the extent to which the applicant has ensured that a
service coordinator will be employed or otherwise retained
for the housing, who has the managerial capacity and
responsibility for carrying out the actions described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (g)(2);''.
SEC. 102. DEVELOPMENT COST LIMITATIONS.
Section 202(h)(1) of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C.
1701q(h)(1)) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``reasonable'' before ``development cost
limitations''.
SEC. 103. OWNER DEPOSITS.
Section 202(j)(3)(A) of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C.
1701q(j)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting after the period at
the end the following: ``Such amount shall be used only to
cover operating deficits during the first 3 years of
operations and shall not be used to cover construction
shortfalls or inadequate initial project rental assistance
amounts.''.
SEC. 104. DEFINITION OF PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.
Section 202(k)(4) of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C.
1701q(k)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
``(4) The term `private nonprofit organization' means--
``(A) any incorporated private institution or foundation--
``(i) no part of the net earnings of which inures to the
benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual;
``(ii) which has a governing board--
``(I) the membership of which is selected in a manner to
assure that there is significant representation of the views
of the community in which such housing is located; and
``(II) which is responsible for the operation of the
housing assisted under this section, except that, in the case
of a nonprofit organization that is the sponsoring
organization of multiple housing projects assisted under this
section, the Secretary may determine the criteria or
conditions under which financial, compliance and other
administrative responsibilities exercised by a single-entity
private nonprofit organization that is the owner corporation
responsible for the operation of an individual housing
project may be shared or transferred to the governing board
of such sponsoring organization; and
``(iii) which is approved by the Secretary as to financial
responsibility; and
``(B) a for-profit limited partnership the sole general
partner of which is--
``(i) an organization meeting the requirements under
subparagraph (A);
``(ii) a for-profit corporation wholly owned and controlled
by one or more organizations meeting the requirements under
subparagraph (A); or
``(iii) a limited liability company wholly owned and
controlled by one or more organizations meeting the
requirements under subparagraph (A).''.
SEC. 105. NONMETROPOLITAN ALLOCATION.
Paragraph (3) of section 202(l) of the Housing Act of 1959
(12 U.S.C. 1701q(l)(3)) is amended by inserting after the
period at the end the following: ``In complying with this
paragraph, the Secretary shall either operate a national
competition for the nonmetropolitan funds or make allocations
to regional offices of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.''.
TITLE II--REFINANCING
SEC. 201. APPROVAL OF PREPAYMENT OF DEBT.
Subsection (a) of section 811 of the American Homeownership
and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 (12 U.S.C. 1701q note)
is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``,
for which the Secretary's consent to prepayment is
required,'' after ``Affordable Housing Act)'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by inserting ``at least 20 years following'' before
``the maturity date'';
(B) by inserting ``project-based'' before ``rental
assistance payments contract'';
(C) by inserting ``project-based'' before ``rental housing
assistance programs''; and
(D) by inserting ``, or any successor project-based rental
assistance program,'' after ``1701s))'';
(3) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) the prepayment may involve refinancing of the loan if
such refinancing results in--
``(A) a lower interest rate on the principal of the loan
for the project and in reductions in debt service related to
such loan; or
``(B) a transaction in which the project owner will address
the physical needs of the project, but only if, as a result
of the refinancing--
``(i) the rent charges for unassisted families residing in
the project do not increase or such families are provided
rental assistance under a senior preservation rental
assistance contract for the project pursuant to subsection
(e); and
``(ii) the overall cost for providing rental assistance
under section 8 for the project (if any) is not increased,
except, upon approval by the Secretary to--
``(I) mark-up-to-market contracts pursuant to section
524(a)(3) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and
Affordability Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as such section is
carried out by the Secretary for properties owned by
nonprofit organizations; or
``(II) mark-up-to-budget contracts pursuant to section
524(a)(4) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and
Affordability Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as such section is
carried out by the Secretary for properties owned by eligible
owners (as such term is defined in section 202(k) of the
Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q(k)); and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) notwithstanding paragraph (2)(A), the prepayment and
refinancing authorized pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) involves
an increase in debt service only in the case of a refinancing
of a project assisted with a loan under such section 202
carrying an interest rate of 6 percent or lower.''.
SEC. 202. USE OF UNEXPENDED AMOUNTS.
Subsection (c) of section 811 of the American Homeownership
and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 (12 U.S.C. 1701q note)
is amended--
(1) by striking ``Use of Unexpended Amounts.--'' and
inserting ``Use of Proceeds.--'';
(2) by amending the matter preceding paragraph (1) to read
as follows: ``Upon execution of the refinancing for a project
pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall ensure that
proceeds are used in a manner advantageous to tenants of the
project, or are used in the provision of affordable rental
housing and related social services for elderly persons that
are tenants of the project or are tenants of other HUD-
assisted senior housing by the private nonprofit organization
project owner, private nonprofit organization project
sponsor, or private nonprofit organization project developer,
including--'';
(3) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) not more than 15 percent of the cost of increasing
the availability or provision of supportive services, which
may include the financing of service coordinators and
congregate services, except that upon the request of the non-
profit owner, sponsor, or organization and determination of
the Secretary, such 15 percent limitation may be waived to
ensure that the use of unexpended amounts better enables
seniors to age in place;'';
(4) in paragraph (2), by inserting before the semicolon the
following; ``, including reducing the number of units by
reconfiguring units that are functionally obsolete,
unmarketable, or not economically viable'';
(5) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(6) in paragraph (4), by striking ``according to a pro rata
allocation of shared savings resulting from the
refinancing.'' and inserting a semicolon; and
(7) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(5) rehabilitation of the project to ensure long-term
viability; and
``(6) the payment to the project owner, sponsor, or third
party developer of a developer's fee in an amount not to
exceed or duplicate--
``(A) in the case of a project refinanced through a State
low income housing tax credit program, the fee permitted by
the low income housing tax credit program as calculated by
the State program as a percentage of acceptable development
cost as defined by that State program; or
``(B) in the case of a project refinanced through any other
source of refinancing, 15 percent of the acceptable
development cost.
For purposes of paragraph (6)(B), the term `acceptable
development cost' shall include, as applicable, the cost of
acquisition, rehabilitation, loan prepayment, initial reserve
deposits, and transaction costs.''.
SEC. 203. USE OF PROJECT RESIDUAL RECEIPTS.
Paragraph (1) of section 811(d) of the American
Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 (12 U.S.C.
1701q note) is amended--
[[Page H8804]]
(1) by striking ``not more than 15 percent of''; and
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``or other purposes approved by the Secretary''.
SEC. 204. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.
Section 811 of the American Homeownership and Economic
Opportunity Act of 2000 (12 U.S.C. 1701q note) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(e) Senior Preservation Rental Assistance Contracts.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in connection
with a prepayment plan for a project approved under
subsection (a) by the Secretary or as otherwise approved by
the Secretary to prevent displacement of elderly residents of
the project in the case of refinancing or recapitalization
and to further preservation and affordability of such
project, the Secretary shall provide project-based rental
assistance for the project under a senior preservation rental
assistance contract, as follows:
``(1) Assistance under the contract shall be made available
to the private nonprofit organization owner--
``(A) for a term of at least 20 years, subject to annual
appropriations; and
``(B) under the same rules governing project-based rental
assistance made available under section 8 of the Housing Act
of 1937 or under the rules of such assistance as may be made
available for the project.
``(2) Any projects for which a senior preservation rental
assistance contract is provided shall be subject to a use
agreement to ensure continued project affordability having a
term of the longer of (A) the term of the senior preservation
rental assistance contract, or (B) such term as is required
by the new financing.
``(f) Subordination or Assumption of Existing Debt.--In
lieu of prepayment under this section of the indebtedness
with respect to a project, the Secretary may approve--
``(1) in connection with new financing for the project, the
subordination of the loan for the project under section 202
of the Housing Act of 1959 (as in effect before the enactment
of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act) and
the continued subordination of any other existing subordinate
debt previously approved by the Secretary to facilitate
preservation of the project as affordable housing; or
``(2) the assumption (which may include the subordination
described in paragraph (1)) of the loan for the project under
such section 202 in connection with the transfer of the
project with such a loan to a private nonprofit organization.
``(g) Flexible Subsidy Debt.--The Secretary shall waive the
requirement that debt for a project pursuant to the flexible
subsidy program under section 201 of the Housing and
Community Development Amendments of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1a)
be prepaid in connection with a prepayment, refinancing, or
transfer under this section of a project if the financial
transaction or refinancing cannot be completed without the
waiver.
``(h) Tenant Involvement in Prepayment and Refinancing.--
The Secretary shall not accept an offer to prepay the loan
for any project under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959
unless the Secretary--
``(1) has determined that the owner of the project has
notified the tenants of the owner's request for approval of a
prepayment; and
``(2) has determined that the owner of the project has
provided the tenants with an opportunity to comment on the
owner's request for approval of a prepayment, including on
the description of any anticipated rehabilitation or other
use of the proceeds from the transaction, and its impacts on
project rents, tenant contributions, or the affordability
restrictions for the project, and that the owner has
responded to such comments in writing.
``(i) Definition of Private Nonprofit Organization.--For
purposes of this section, the term `private nonprofit
organization' has the meaning given such term in section
202(k) of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q(k)).''.
TITLE III--ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND SERVICE-ENRICHED HOUSING
SEC. 301. AMENDMENTS TO THE GRANTS FOR CONVERSION OF ELDERLY
HOUSING TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES.
(a) Technical Amendment.--The section heading for section
202b of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q-2) is
amended by inserting ``and other purposes'' after ``assisted
living facilities''.
(b) Extension of Grant Authority.--Section 202b(a)(2) of
the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q-2(a)(2)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``(2) Conversion.--Activities'' and
inserting the following:
``(2) Conversion.--
``(A) Assisted living facilities.--Activities''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Service-enriched housing.--Activities designed to
convert dwelling units in the eligible project to service-
enriched housing for elderly persons.''.
(c) Amendment to Application Process.--Section 202b(c)(1)
of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q-2(c)(1)) is
amended by inserting ``for either an assisted living facility
or service-enriched housing'' after ``activities''.
(d) Requirements for Services.--Section 202b(d) of the
Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q-2(d)) is amended to read
as follows:
``(d) Requirements for Services.--
``(1) Sufficient evidence of firm funding commitments.--The
Secretary may not make a grant under this section for
conversion activities unless an application for a grant
submitted pursuant to subsection (c) contains sufficient
evidence, in the determination of the Secretary, of firm
commitments for the funding of services to be provided in the
assisted living facility or service-enriched housing, which
may be provided by third parties.
``(2) Required evidence.--The Secretary shall require
evidence that each recipient of a grant for service-enriched
housing under this section provides relevant and timely
disclosure of information to residents or potential residents
of such housing relating to--
``(A) the services that will be available at the property
to each resident, including--
``(i) the right to accept, decline, or choose such services
and to have the choice of provider;
``(ii) the services made available by or contracted through
the grantee;
``(iii) the identity of, and relevant information for, all
agencies or organizations providing any services to
residents, which agencies or organizations shall provide
information regarding all procedures and requirements to
obtain services, any charges or rates for the services, and
the rights and responsibilities of the residents related to
those services;
``(B) the availability, identity, contact information, and
role of the service coordinator; and
``(C) such other information as the Secretary determines to
be appropriate to ensure that residents are adequately
informed of the services options available to promote
resident independence and quality of life.''.
(e) Amendments to Selection Criteria.--Section 202b(e) of
the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q-2(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by inserting ``or service-enriched housing'' after
``facilities''; and
(B) by inserting ``service-enriched housing'' after
``facility'';
(2) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or service-enriched
housing'' after ``facility''; and
(3) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``or service-enriched
housing'' after ``facility''.
(f) Amendments to Section 8 Project-based Assistance.--
Section 202b(f) of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q-
2(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or service-enriched
housing'' after ``facilities'' each time that term appears;
and
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or service-enriched
housing'' after ``facility''.
(g) Amendments to Definitions.--Section 202b(g) of the
Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q-2(g)) is amended to read
as follows:
``(g) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) the term `assisted living facility' has the meaning
given such term in section 232(b) of the National Housing Act
(1715w(b));
``(2) the term `service-enriched housing' means housing
that--
``(A) makes available through licensed or certified third
party service providers supportive services to assist the
residents in carrying out activities of daily living, such as
bathing, dressing, eating, getting in and out of bed or
chairs, walking, going outdoors, using the toilet, laundry,
home management, preparing meals, shopping for personal
items, obtaining and taking medication, managing money, using
the telephone, or performing light or heavy housework, and
which may make available to residents home health care
services, such as nursing and therapy;
``(B) includes the position of service coordinator, which
may be funded as an operating expense of the property; ;
``(C) provides separate dwelling units for residents, each
of which contains a full kitchen and bathroom and which
includes common rooms and other facilities appropriate for
the provision of supportive services to the residents of the
housing; and
``(D) provides residents with control over health care and
supportive services decisions, including the right to accept,
decline, or choose such services, and to have the choice of
provider; and
``(3) the definitions in section 1701(q)(k) of this title
shall apply.''.
SEC. 302. MONTHLY ASSISTANCE PAYMENT UNDER RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
Clause (iii) of section 8(o)(18)(B) of the United States
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(18)(B)(iii)) is
amended by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``, except that a family may be required at the
time the family initially receives such assistance to pay
rent in an amount exceeding 40 percent of the monthly
adjusted income of the family by such an amount or percentage
that is reasonable given the services and amenities provided
and as the Secretary deems appropriate.''.
TITLE IV--COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTORY PAY-AS-YOU-GO ACT OF 2010
SEC. 401. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall
be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act,
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the
Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
[[Page H8805]]
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs.
Capito) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
General Leave
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and add extraneous material.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Section 202 Supportive
Housing for the Elderly Act of 2010. I would like to start by thanking
Chairman Frank and Senator Herb Kohl for their efforts on this bill and
their dedication to America's seniors. This legislation simply brings
HUD's section 202 program, part of our Nation's safety net for the low-
income elderly for nearly 50 years, into the 21st century.
Supportive housing of the type funded by section 202 is an effective
and cost-efficient program for low-income elderly. Section 202 grants
combine high-quality, affordable housing with service coordinators who
connect tenants with health, income support, and other community-based
services. This produces positive outcomes for the health and quality of
life of elderly tenants.
Section 202's housing plus services model extends how long seniors
can live independently. This turns out to be cost effective as well,
given the alternatives of nursing home care coupled with frequent
hospitalizations. However, it is clear that HUD needs to streamline
administration of this program to reflect a new financing reality.
The section 202 program was originally designed to be a one-stop shop
for nonprofits to cover their entire project costs--that is capital,
operating, and supportive services. Due to funding constraints, HUD's
202 grants no longer do so, especially in high-cost areas like my home
State of Massachusetts. This requires nonprofit sponsors to access
other sources of financing such as low-income housing tax credits.
The bill before us today addresses these concerns while taking into
account HUD's legitimate interest in maintaining oversight of its
substantial investment in section 202 projects. Senate 118 requires HUD
to take advantage of State and local housing finance agencies' better
positioning to process mixed finance applications. It also enables
nonprofit sponsors to share more fully in the proceeds of refinancing
opportunities that are now available in the private sector that some
older 202 projects have, so those sponsors can make needed improvements
to existing projects and develop desperately needed additional senior
housing.
For all of these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S.
118.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in support of S. 118, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for
the Elderly Act of 2009. As my colleague has said, the bill reforms the
section 202 elderly housing program making it more efficient and more
effective and better able to meet the housing needs of our elderly. S.
118 is similar to H.R. 2930 that passed the House in the 110th Congress
by voice vote.
Affordable housing with supportive services is a key component for
seniors who want to stay in their own home and age in place. The
section 202 Housing for the Elderly program is the primary HUD program
that provides housing exclusively for low-income elderly households.
The section 202 program has been a very important tool in addressing
these housing needs by providing capital advance grants to nonprofit
housing sponsors to build new elderly housing facilities and project
rental assistance contracts to subsidize very low-income elderly
citizens of these facilities.
Many nonprofit sponsors are faith-based organizations with an
exclusive mission to serve the elderly. As a condition of receiving a
capital advance, which does not have to be repaid, a nonprofit sponsor
must make housing available for a period no less than 40 years. As a
result of these efforts, the section 202 program currently supplies
320,000 units of housing for our very low-income elderly citizens.
I am very pleased to see that the language that I worked on in the
110th Congress remains in the bill. My provision would help resolve a
problem that nonmetro States, like my home State of West Virginia, have
experienced when attempting to qualify for funds through the section
202 program. It is important to recognize, of course, that the need for
housing for the very low-income elderly extends to nonmetro areas. The
very low-income elderly of rural West Virginia deserve the same
resources that are available to the elderly living in larger cities.
Participants and developers of the section 202 program maintain that
the current regulation and HUD administration of the program can be
time-consuming and bureaucratic. S. 118 will improve the section 202
elderly housing program by streamlining and simplifying the development
and preservation of HUD's section 202 properties, and by increasing
participation by not-for-profit developers, private lenders, investors,
and State and local funding agencies.
Madam Speaker, the need for affordable rental housing in America has
an effect on renters of all ages, especially our seniors, and this bill
will help ease some of the affordability problems for our senior
population. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my good
friend from Massachusetts for his leadership and his co-manager on the
floor for her insightfulness on this legislation and, as well, to
Senator Kohl.
I rise in support of S. 118 because so many of us have these very
questions being raised in our district, particularly with populations
of seniors increasing. My district happens to have one of the highest
percentages of senior constituents, and all of them seem to be looking
for housing.
{time} 1120
I support the underlying initiative, section 202 housing. I have a
number of those units in my congressional district. But one of the
points that I wanted to highlight is the fact that many of these
facilities are falling in disrepair. Even though there are some new
facilities--and by my rising to the floor of the House, I would like to
encourage my constituents and all those who are listening about how
important it is to institute section 202 proposals or projects. They
are enormously important, and I think it is important that the
provision that encourages the utilization of State and local housing
financing agencies is an asset.
One of the most important parts of this legislation is for the
nonprofits who engage in 202 to be engaged or share more in the
refinancing of these projects. The Heights House in my district, for
example, is one that has a very vibrant population of residents who are
there, but I know that all who are involved would like to see that
property improved and those resources used to ensure that upkeep is
continued. In many instances, the owners or nonprofits will say that
the return on the property is not enough to keep it at its highest
level.
Although we appreciate these properties and we appreciate the idea of
these seniors having a place to live, I think that this particular
legislation will reinforce section 202 and add to the 320,000 units
already there. Our senior population is growing. Many of them have
resources, but many do not. And I think the 202 project under HUD is an
important concept to provide more housing for our seniors. They
deserve, after working and contributing to this great country, the
opportunity to live a very good quality of life.
With that, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), a housing advocate and
the upcoming chair of the new subcommittee.
Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentlelady for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise today as the Republican cosponsor of the House
[[Page H8806]]
version of this legislation, H.R. 2930, which was first introduced
during the 110th Congress, and I urge my colleagues to support today's
bill, Senate 118, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Act. I would also like to thank Chairman Frank and Ranking Members
Bachus and Capito for their work on this legislation. I would also like
to thank our Senate counterpart, Senator Kohl of Wisconsin.
Madam Speaker, the section 202 program is the only Federal housing
program that directs housing assistance to low-income seniors. And it
has already been stressed, but it can't be stressed enough, that it has
not been reformed in over a decade and a half. The reforms offered in
today's bill will help increase the number of units available to our
seniors, a population that is increasing greatly in numbers as the baby
boomer generation retires.
In short, the bill will allow a variety of funding sources to be
pooled together with section 202 funding to fund housing for seniors.
By increasing program efficiencies, the bill will make it easier for
section 202 projects to be refinanced and rehabilitated. It will also
make it easier for owners to convert properties into those that provide
both housing and services for the low-income seniors.
Again, I would like to thank my colleagues for their work on this
legislation. And I would also like especially to thank my constituent
Mike Frigo, the vice president of Mayslake, which is located in my
district, who testified in support of section 202 reform legislation in
September 2007. In December 2007, by voice vote, the House passed H.R.
2930, which is similar to the bill under consideration today. So I
would urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time on this
side on this issue, but I do want to take an opportunity to thank Mrs.
Biggert, the gentlelady from Illinois, and Mrs. Capito, the gentlelady
from West Virginia, for their great work on this bill.
I have--and I'm sure we all have--a number of section 202
developments in our districts. I have plenty, and they serve our low-
income seniors extremely well and it really is a program that does
improve the quality of life for a lot of our seniors. So I thank the
gentleladies for their cooperation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I
want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for his good hard work,
and I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, S. 118.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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