The U.S. House of Representatives’ Financial Services Committee convened today to markup proposed legislation, H.R. 3045, to reform the housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. The proposed bill includes provisions to provide 150,000 additional housing vouchers in FY 2010, support family self-sufficiency, and create the Housing Innovation Program (HIP), which would expand on the existing Move to Work program.

During today’s hearing, the Committee considered several amendments to the proposed legislation focused on a variety of issues related to Section 8, including:

  • Utility allowance and consumption data;
  • Reduction of HUD’s subsidy errors ;
  • Costs of Section 8 as a percentage of HUD’s budget, compared to other programs;
  • Vouchers for homeless and disabled veterans;
  • Housing Innovation Program (HIP) and Move to Work;
  • Transition to self-sufficiency.

A full summary of the Committee’s markup will be available to NH&RA members later this week. Check back at www.HousingOnline.com for updates!  read more…