August 2007

Congress Reauthorizes Section 8 Housing Assistance

 

Dear Friend,

Hawaii's lack of affordable housing is always a cause of great concern for me, as it is for many of you. Too many people in Hawaii are forced to resort to drastic measures to find housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development lists the Fair Market Rent in Hawaii for 2008 as $1630 for two bedrooms in the City and County of Honolulu, among the highest in the nation, and nearly impossible for a family earning minimum wage to afford.

I am pleased that Congress reauthorized the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007, with a bipartisan vote of 333-83. Section 8 refers to the rental assistance program authorized under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, and it helps over 2 million low-income American families with their housing costs. This year, nearly 12,000 Hawaii families have received rental vouchers, and the new law will increase that number, and in turn, keep more families from becoming homeless.

The Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007 helps families stabilize their lives, encourages self-sufficiency and homeownership, and gives housing authorities the flexibility to experiment with innovative development and rental policies. This year's legislation keeps what's right about Section 8 - an efficient and cost-effective way to provide housing assistance to the poor - and fixes the things that are wrong.

While this law will help many people, it will not end our housing woes. There are an insufficient number of rental units in Hawaii that accept Section 8 vouchers, which limits the effectiveness of this program. And, the units that do accept Section 8 are not always kept in proper repair to ensure the security and safety of residents. The state and federal governments really need to work together to deal with these problems and address tenant concerns about safety. The 2007 Act moves to address this by withholding vouchers from units that do not meet safety standards within 30 days of failing an inspection.

I am working with other members of Congress to find creative solutions to our affordable housing crisis. Earlier this summer, the House passed the Rural Housing and Economic Development Improvement Act of 2007, and the Housing Assistance Council Authorization Act of 2007, both of which I cosponsored. They increase aid to groups working to provide housing and development in the rural parts of America, and both have supported programs in Hawaii. The legislation authorizes more than $95 million over the next several years to improve rural housing conditions.

Creating more affordable housing opportunities for the State of Hawaii is one of the most pressing issues for our city, state, and federal government. I am excited by the work of this Congress to combat the affordable housing shortage all over the country. However, there is much more to be done, and I am looking for creative solutions to our housing problems. Please contact me with any ideas or comments you may have.

 

Aloha,

Neil Abercrombie

Member of Congress