House Could Push Housing Fund Out the Door

WASHINGTON, DC-The National Low Income Housing Coalition has received significant government backing from the House of Representatives this week when HR 1227, the Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007, was passed by a vote of 302 to 125. The bill addresses the housing needs on the Gulf Coast after the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

One-for-one replacement in the redevelopment of public housing and granting displaced tenants an absolute right of return are among the bill’s components. It also extends the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s housing assistance and, when that expires, moves eligible households to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s assistance.

The bill was introduced by representatives Barney Frank (D-MA), chair of the House Financial Services Committee, and Maxine Waters (D-CA), chair of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.