House Financial Services Hearing Focuses on HUD Rental Assistance

摘要

At a March 1 hearing on HUD's fiscal 2012 budget, Housing Financial Services Committee Republicans criticized the large share of financial resources devoted to rental assistance programs, though there was some bipartisan agreement on the need to preserve low-income rental housing. In addition, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan emphasized cost-cutting measures in the budget request. Rep Judy Biggert (R-Ill.), chair of the housing subcommittee, said that "perhaps unfortunately," the budget has built-in costs approved by Congress in previous years. She singled out the voucher program, which at $19 bil- lion is the largest HUD budget item, as a program that could be made more efficient. Biggert said she would like to see more emphasis on helping voucher families gain financial independence and leave the program so that others can be helped.