Vicente Gonzalez: “H.R. 2406 in part follows bipartisan reforms adopted by the House in the last Congress, however, in part it profoundly…”

“H.R. 2406 in part follows bipartisan reforms adopted by the House in the last Congress, however, in part it profoundly departs from what had been a bipartisan policy of assuring that scarce Federal housing resources are used to help those who are in the greatest need. The basic assumption of H.R. 2406 is that local housing authorities should have the greatest possible leeway to spend Federal dollars. I am skeptical of a bill that provides precious few standards and guideposts to agencies that are dealing with the most complex and vexing of economic and social problems. The bill is designed to encourage housing authorities to raise rents and to deny housing to people who cannot pay significant amounts of money for housing. This would have two effects: It would make housing authorities richer, and poor people poorer. It would increase the number of homeless people, and it would add to the distress of people who are already unable to meet their most basic needs. There is a better way to deal with the financial problems of housing authorities. H.R. 2406 contains some sensible reforms, most of which the House has previously passed with overwhelming support. Unhappily, the bill also contains many simplistic and ultimately unworkable provisions, which I hope the amendment process will improve.”