Doug Bereuter: “this Member rises today as a member of the Housing Subcommittee of the House Banking Committee to express disgust and…”

“this Member rises today as a member of the Housing Subcommittee of the House Banking Committee to express disgust and outrage at the revelation of widespread corruption within the District of Columbia's Subsidized Housing Administration. Five District of Columbia housing employees have been charged with mail fraud and accepting bribes. These officials were allegedly involved in corruption so widespread that nearly everyone benefiting from the District's Housing Subsidy Program, which includes the use of Federal section 8 funds, during the last four years did so by bribing city officials. Only 10 of 400 vouchers distributed in the recent past did not involve bribery. According to a spokeman for the U.S. Attorney's office ``the fact that public and assisted housing could only be attained through bribery was a well-known fact of life within certain segments of the community.'' The Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is charged with oversight and management of Federal housing funds distributed to the District, was apparently not within these certain segments. Indeed the housing agency of the District of Columbia has been considered to be a badly troubled housing authority. That this corruption could be so rampant, and go on so long, without the Department of Housing and Urban Development's knowledge or action, is appalling and totally unacceptable.”