Housing Vouchers in Jeopardy


George Bush has proposed to convert the Section 8 housing voucher program into a “block grant” to the states, which could seriously jeopardize the availability of housing vouchers for current participants in the voucher program.


This proposal has been introduced in Congress as Senate Bill S. 947 and House Bill H.R. 1841. In addition, Bush has asked for less funding from Congress than is needed to support all vouchers likely to be in use next year.

Currently, vouchers go directly to local agencies to distribute, and Congress renews funding for all vouchers in use each year. Under the Bush proposal, states would get one lump sum, which would likely dwindle in purchasing power over time. Also, many of the important protections currently in place for voucher holders would be lost.

Here are some examples of what could happen to current participants in the voucher program if housing vouchers are block-granted:

• Tenants’ share of the rent could go up.

• People may be less secure in their housing, since time limits may be placed on vouchers and rules against unfair evictions weakened.

• Special “enhanced” vouchers for people in buildings that used to have “project-based” assistance may no longer exist.

• People could have fewer choices about where to live and may be forced to accept lower quality housing.
• Families that lose welfare may also lose their housing vouchers.

• Adults who are not working “enough” hours may lose their housing vouchers, even if they are not on welfare.

Concerned? Take action! Call your Senators and your member of Congress at 202-224-3121 and tell them to say “NO” to the housing voucher block grant bills S. 947 and H.R. 1841 and “YES” to adequate voucher funding. For more information, call: Coalition for Economic Survival, 323-656-4410.

Posted: Mon - September 1, 2003 at 04:12 PM          


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