F. Barton Harvey III, Chairman, CEO, The Enterprise Foundation: "The HUD-VA Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committees should be commended for approving an agreement on the HUD budget that recognizes the urgent housing and community development needs that exist throughout this nation. This year's HUD budget reflects increased confidence in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and in the vitality and effectiveness of community development efforts by nonprofits and local governments across the country."

Monica Hilton Sussman, President, National Housing Conference: "We're particularly pleased that the bill includes continued funding for all expiring Section 8 contracts while basically holding the line if not increasing funding for other programs. The significant increases for HOPE VI and Homeless Assistance Grants are most welcome. The most exciting provision, however, is the addition of 50,000 new Section 8 vouchers, the first such increase in many years."

Cushing N. Dolbeare, Founder, National Low Income Housing Coalition: "The conference report on HUD appropriations shows the value of persistence and leadership in finding ways to address our most urgent housing needs. The inclusion of 50,000 additional vouchers is the most dramatic of several important steps forward. They would not have been possible without the leadership of the Secretary and the President, coupled with bipartisan recognition of the importance of low income housing and community and human development the House and Senate committees involved in the negotiation process, and - last but not least - the growing support generated by the impact of HUD's involvement in a growing number of successful efforts to improve communities and increase housing opportunities."

Tom Jones, Managing Director, Habitat for Humanity International: "Habitat for Humanity International believes in and facilitates partnership to provide every person the opportunity for a decent place to live. HUD's appropriations bill contains provisions which will enhance and increase the public, private, and non-profit partnerships so necessary to provide homeownership opportunities to low income persons. This legislation will mean many families who live below median income, who would not otherwise, now will achieve the American dream of homeownership. This is something to cerebrate!

Paul Reid, Executive Vice President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America: "The Mortgage Bankers Association of America sees this increase in the FHA loan limits as a critical step towards giving every citizen a fair change at homeownership, especially those who live in high-cost areas. Through the leadership of Secretary Cuomo and the cooperation of Congress, opportunities for homeownership now exist in areas where people once had little hope of living out the American Dream."

The National Alliance to End Homelessness: "The National Alliance to End Homelessness is deeply grateful to the Senators and members of the House of Representatives who worked on the VA/HUD Appropriation Bill for FY 99, and to HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo, for finding the means to include funding for 50,000 additional subsidized vouchers in the conference agreement. These additional vouchers are critical. They will assist families who are transitioning from welfare to work, making them less vulnerable to homelessness when their incomes fluctuate (a common experience for those new to the labor market). They will help families who are already homeless work their way out of homelessness. These vouchers provide the best chance for low-income families to achieve the housing stability they need to succeed in the workplace."

Bob Greenstein, Executive Director, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: "The final bill is a significant improvement over earlier versions of the housing authorization bill. Of particular importance, it does a much better job on the crucial issue of assuring that tenant-based housing vouchers continue to be targeted primarily on poor families who most need the assistance."