Joe Baca: “I rise also to support the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007. I want to thank my good friend from California…”

“I rise also to support the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007. I want to thank my good friend from California, Chairman Maxine Waters, for sponsoring this vital legislation. I also want to thank our chair, Chairman Frank, for his leadership and guidance in this committee. Mr. Chairman, in 2004, when the administration decided to change the funding formula for section 8 vouchers, drastic cuts were made to the number of vouchers available. These cuts hurt needy families throughout the Nation and throughout my district. We are talking about seniors, low-income families, disabled, the poor, the disadvantaged. In my district alone, section 8 housing vouchers, public housing units, provide affordable housing for more than 32,000 people. Can you imagine, 32,000 people right now, children and others, that would not have a home, not have a place to rent, that would be homeless if it hadn't been for section 8? This bill reverses the cut and adds an additional 20,000 vouchers so that families are not forced to choose between paying for food, their medication or rent. We are talking about people that can't afford housing, even right now, with the inflation and the cost that is going on right now. We have got to make sure that they have a home, they have stability, and they have a roof over their head, especially for our children.”