The Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (H.R. 1851) passed last night in the House of Representatives, by a vote of 333-83. 

“My vote in support for the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007 was significant for the people of the 11^th Congressional District.  This bill simplifies the Section 8 vouchers, but more importantly it protects low-income families, especially the poorest families, being assisted under these federal rental housing programs.  There was an urgent need for this legislation when in 2004, 150,000 vouchers were lost due to a major funding formula change. 

In New York City, the booming real estate market has made affordable housing very appealing to real estate developers.  Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for preservation of existing affordable housing stock that cannot be overstated.  The Section 8 voucher program subsidizes more than 110,000 of New York City’s 180,000 public housing apartments. 

More importantly, the voucher program under H.R. 1851, will permit a Public Housing Authority and an owner to reach an agreement under which a landlord agrees to attach a tenant-based voucher to a certain number of units within a rental development.

This program is very essential to my district where Public Housing Authorities are located in tight rental markets and increasing rents.”

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