COMMENTS ON HUD's ACTION TO AVERT LOSS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Congressman John J. LaFalce (NY): "I applaud Secretary Cuomo and HUD for taking the initiative to preserve our nation's stock of affordable housing, and to protect low-income seniors and families threatened with rent hikes and eviction. Now it is Congress's turn to build on this initiative by funding the Administration's proposal for 100,000 more rental vouchers."

Senator John F. Kerry (MA): "This is an important step to address a critical problem. I am extremely pleased that the Secretary has chosen to exercise his authority under the law to stem the loss of this critical affordable housing."

Congressman Barney Frank (MA): "I am very grateful to Secretary Cuomo and the Administration for using their legal authority to the fullest to prevent loss of affordable housing. I will work with my colleagues in Congress and with the Secretary to build on these steps."

Congressman Bruce F. Vento (MN): "I commend Secretary Cuomo today for stepping forward and responding to this problem. The federal government can work with state and local governments to preserve affordable housing. I will support and advance all proposals which attain the collaboration and cooperation envisioned in the Vento housing preservation legislation that will empower local communities with the resources to meet existing and future housing needs."

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (CA): "I commend HUD for taking this important step that recognizes the varied housing needs of both rural communities and high-cost rental markets. This new HUD policy will help to preserve affordable housing and to protect low-income residents, including seniors and families with children, from being displaced from their homes."

Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (MD): "This new policy is an investment in the well-being of citizens both within Maryland and across the country. Because affordable housing resources are becoming increasingly scarce, particularly in high-cost areas, HUD's decision will help tens of thousands of families around the country."

Senator Tom Harkin (IA): "In Iowa a large number of elderly tenants face losing their housing. These seniors unfortunately have little ability to find decent alternatives in their communities. Secretary Cuomo is correct in acting to prevent these people from losing their homes."

Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA): "This plan will help protect a program vital to low-income families in metropolitan areas in California and the rest of the nation. We need to provide Section 8 participants with incentive to renew their Section 8 contracts, or we risk forcing hundreds of thousands of families out of their homes."

Willie L. Brown Jr., Mayor of San Francisco: "I applaud Secretary Cuomo for creating this emergency program as a first step in solving our affordable housing crisis. As the Chair of the Community Development and Housing Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and as a mayor of a city with 9,200 at-risk units, I know that this issue is of critical importance. We cannot afford to lose any of our affordable housing stock or displace any of our low-income residents. I look forward to working closely with HUD and Congress to develop and implement a long-term comprehensive solution to this looming affordable housing crisis."

Jack Murray, President of the National Affordable Housing Management Association: "NAHMA is encouraged that HUD has recognized that there is a developing crisis with assisted housing owners opting out of the various Section 8 programs. We look forward to working with Congress and HUD to develop a long-term solution to prevent resident displacement, provide market-based returns to owners, reduce regulatory burdens, and keep this vital segment of affordable housing available to low- and moderate-income residents."

Sheila Crowley, President of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition: "The National Low-Income Housing Coalition commends HUD and the Congress for coming together to begin to address the serious depletion of assisted rental housing that is affordable by very low- income people. Owners of this housing are leaving the assisted housing program at an alarming rate, jeopardizing the housing stability of thousands of households, many of whom are composed of elderly and disabled citizens. The need for federal action is urgent."

Chuck Edson, Counsel for the Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation: "HUD and Secretary Cuomo and concerned members of Congress should be commended for the direction they are taking in trying to avoid displacement of Section 8 tenants, especially the elderly, and we look forward to the specific details of the proposal."