Connie Mack: “Indeed, the amendments to the Public and Assisted Housing Drug Elimination Act of 1990 which we have included in the Act…”

“Indeed, the amendments to the Public and Assisted Housing Drug Elimination Act of 1990 which we have included in the Act represent a significant improvement in the program. The amendments will provide renewable grants for agencies that meet performance standards established by HUD. In addition, housing authorities with urgent or serious crime needs are protected and will be assured an equitable amount of funding. Mr. President, the intent of these provisions is to provide more certain funding for agencies with clear needs for funds and to assure that both current funding recipients and other agencies with urgent or serious crime problems are appropriately assisted by the program. The provisions will also reduce the administrative costs of the current application process which entails a substantial paperwork burden for agencies and HUD. Under the terms of the amendments, HUD can establish a fixed funding mechanism in which the relative needs of housing authorities are addressed with a greater amount of certainty.”