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Housing Action Alert
Catholic Social Teaching asks that we give preferential treatment to the poor and vulnerable. The test of how well we are fairing as a society is judged by how well the poor and vulnerable are fairing. The following alert from HousingMatters.net concerns public housing operating funds that impacts low income families, disabled, and seniors in public housing.
Forwarded from: Housing Matters
Support Public Housing Operating Subsidies
Without additional federal funding, reductions in public housing operating subsidies due to rising utility costs will have direct negative impacts on the living conditions of senior citizens, people with disabilities and other low-income families in public housing.
Problem:
In late June, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) informed public housing authorities that they will receive only 85.5% of what is needed to operate public housing in 2006 due to an unexpected operating fund shortfall of $283 million. The operating shortfall is primarily the result of rising utility costs.
In January, housing authorities had been told by HUD to expect only 92% of what HUD knew was needed to cover their operating costs because of limited budget appropriations. The difference between 92% and 85.5% represents $283 million.
Housing authorities are struggling to remain afloat after decades of under-investment. Public housing funding has declined by $1 billion since FY01. The nation’s housing authorities operate more than 1.2 million units. Households have average annual incomes of $11,465 and 51% are elderly and/or disabled households.
Funding operating subsidies at 85.5% will be completely unworkable for many housing authorities and will put residents’ homes at risk.
Solution:
Advocates for public housing are currently working on securing a supplemental spending appropriation of $283 million and for adequate funding for the operating subsidy next year.
Action Needed:
Please contact all four members of Congress from Illinois who serve on appropriations committees: Senator Richard Durbin, Representative Mark Kirk ( R-Highland Park), Representative Ray LaHood (R-Peoria), and Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Chicago). Ask them to support a supplemental spending appropriation of $283 million and for adequate funding for the operating subsidy next year.
Deadline for responding: Please take action by September 15, 2006.
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