Thanks to the efforts of Congressman Charles B. Rangel, the U.S. House of Representatives passed housing legislation last week that would temporally suspend the community service requirement for public housing residents across the nation.

The Rangel-sponsored amendment to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act would temporarily exempt residents from the current requirement of eight hours every month by forbidding the use of any federal funds next year to administer the rule. The full bill passed the evening of July 23 by a vote of 256-168.

Rangel has criticized the requirement as unfair and insulting since it was first introduced as part of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, working to delay its original implementation until 2002. Since then, he has sponsored various efforts to eliminate the provision, which he and other advocates say is an unfunded mandate that duplicates the efforts states and communities undertake through welfare reform to move people back into the work force.

“Frankly, we should not be wasting money on enforcing such an inappropriate provision,” said Congressman Rangel. “Repealing the community service requirement will actually free up funds for HUD and the public housing agencies to spend on the real needs of those who live in public housing.

The motion, which passed by a voice vote, was part of a larger package that funds transportation, housing and urban development needs for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The bill now moves to the Senate, which must pass the legislation before it can be signed by President Barak Obama.

Housing advocates praised Congressman Rangel and Congress for passing the measure.

"Congressman Rangel is to be congratulated again for blocking funding of implementation of the community service requirement, which is an outrage to public housing residents in NYC and across the country,” said Community Service Society of New York President and CEO David R. Jones. “We look forward to repeal of the requirement, for once and for all, by Congress this coming year."

HELPING AMERICA GET BACK ON ITS FEET
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act provides both short-term help in the form of housing and jobs for those hurt most by the economic downturn and long-term solutions like improved infrastructure to put our economy on sound footing for the future.

The legislation specifically:

• Keeps our transportation system safe, secure and up-to-date. Provides funding to improve and repair our nation?s aging highway system and modernize our air traffic control system to make travel safer, easier and more efficient. Also includes investment in the next generation of high-speed passenger rail and new commuter rail and light rail systems.
• Provides Resources to Get Through the Current Economic Crisis - The bill increases funding for rental vouchers and housing assistance for the neediest Americans ? the disabled, elderly and homeless veterans. It also invests in counseling to help families who are at risk of foreclosure stay in their homes and weather the mortgage crisis.
• Funds Important Economic Development Projects - - In order to spur economic development in vacant urban commercial and industrial sites, the bill invests in grant programs that revitalize neighborhoods and turn deserted areas into commercial destinations. The legislation also encourages economic development in rural communities by establishing a fund to drive rural innovation and entrepreneurship and support small businesses.

"Too many Americans are still struggling for us to turn our heads and look the other way," said Rep. Rangel. "We must do all that we can to provide continued relief to those who have lost their homes and their jobs in this tough economy.”

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