Lynn C. Woolsey: “the amendment I offer today simply says that the organizations receiving grant money from the trust fund may give…”

“the amendment I offer today simply says that the organizations receiving grant money from the trust fund may give consideration to first responders, public safety officers, teachers, other public employees whose incomes have kept them from living in the communities that they serve. Mr. Chairman, I represent a district where the median income is higher than some others and so is the price of housing. Sometimes public service employees actually require that workers live within a certain distance from their job, and it's simply unfair that when home prices put affordable housing out of reach for these workers, then they cannot participate in that career. The amendment would not only affect high-cost areas but would benefit every single county or city in our country where public service employees have trouble finding housing. If these employees meet the income requirements of the bill, grantees would be able to give consideration to them and to their contributions to our communities. Mr. Chairman, it is time we stand up for these employees. It is time we let them know that we welcome them in our communities.”