Washington, DC – The House of Representatives, today, passed an amendment to H.R. 1227, the Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007.  The amendment proposed by Congressman Al Green (TX-09) extends FEMA housing assistance for hurricane victims until December 31, 2007.  Upon termination of FEMA housing assistance, Congressman Green’s amendment will provide eligible households the opportunity to transfer to HUD’s tenant-based rental assistance program and make Section 8 vouchers available to households in trailers and mobile homes.  Only families currently receiving FEMA assistance who have an income under 80 percent of the local area median income would be eligible for Section 8 vouchers.

A majority of all families receiving FEMA rental assistance have extremely low incomes, and many are disabled and/or elderly. Of those households receiving rental assistance 7 in 10 have annual incomes below $15,000 and more than half have monthly incomes of $750.  44% of those receiving rental assistance required ongoing medical care because of a health problem or disability before the hurricanes.

"The vast majority of all families receiving FEMA rental assistance are those who could least afford to endure the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. These survivors have lived day to day, week to week, and month to month hoping and praying that FEMA would extend its deadlines," stated Congressman Green.  "By extending the Section 408 housing assistance program until the end of the year and by transferring them to HUD’s Section 8 tenant-based rental assistance voucher program, we are able to provide these families with greater stability for their mid- and longer-term housing needs and better ensure that they have a place to call home."

"Today, 37,057 households continue to receive FEMA rental assistance.  More than half of all families currently receiving this assistance reside in the City of Houston,” continued Green. “When assistance ends in August, over 120,000 families housed through FEMA-funded trailers, mobile homes and rental assistance could be displaced a second time.  The scarcity of affordable housing in the Gulf Coast provides displaced families with few choices as they await housing that will take many years to rebuild. Housing assistance is critical for providing low-income, elderly, and disabled evacuees with the assurance and stability they need to continue their recovery."