2009-10 Federal Housing Policy Priorities
- Increase Funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program
Support the appropriation of new, incremental Section 8 vouchers to allow for deeper targeting of affordable housing units created in Maine.
STATUS: FY10 budget approved in December 2009; no incremental vouchers included other than up to 10,000 specifically for veterans and 3,000 specifically for family unification. FY11 budget process has begun within the Administration; unclear whether incremental vouchers will be proposed. See below re efforts to attach project-based vouchers to National Housing Trust Fund units. Section 8 campaign, coordinated with numerous other Maine organizations, is now underway. - Enact the Section Eight Voucher Reform Act
Continue to advocate for the passage of SEVRA, so as to create efficiencies in the Section 8 voucher program and increase the number of households served in Maine.
STATUS: Approved by the House Financial Services Committee in July 2009; awaits consideration by full House (expected in early 2010). Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) expected to introduce companion Senate bill soon. - Stabilize the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program
Work with other state and national organizations to rejuvenate the sagging LIHTC market.
STATUS: MAHC has actively participated in the Affordable Rental Housing ACTION campaign, which supports a range of proposals to shore up the LIHTC market (a summary of these proposals can be found here: http://www.rentalhousingaction.org/files/Campaign_Legislative_Proposals_1pg_9-9-09.doc.pdf . Some of the proposals, including a one-year extension of the exchange program and an expansion of the exchange to 4% credits, are expected to win Congressional approval in early 2010. Calls or emails to Senator Snowe (through Henry Hanscom, her housing staffer, at 202-224-5344 or ) in support of these proposals would be well-timed. Senator Snowe serves on the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over the LIHTC program. - Secure Funding for the National Housing Trust Fund
Work with the National Low Income Housing Coalition to ensure that the NHTF receives an appropriation of at least $1 billion in FY10.
STATUS: Just before adjourning in December, the House of Representatives passed a "jobs" bill that includes $1.065 million for the National Housing Trust Fund, paid for with unused TARP funds. Of that total, $1 billion is for capital grants and $65 million is for project-based vouchers to be coupled with NHTF units for extremely low income households. A group of Senators is working to get NHTF funding included in the Senate version of the "jobs" bill, expected to be introduced in early 2010. - Enact the Community Reinvestment Modernization Act of 2009
Support the National Community Reinvestment Coalition in its efforts to strengthen CRA and broaden the pool of potential investors in the low income housing tax credit.
STATUS: The Community Reinvestment Modernization Act (HR 1479) now has over 50 co-sponsors in the House, including Rep. Chellie Pingree. Rep. Mike Michaud is considering co-sponsorship as well – constituents are urged to call his housing staffer (Dustin Hilt) at 202-225-6306 to urge Rep. Michaud to do so. - Improve HUD Program Delivery and Coordination
Engage with HUD officials at the national level to help ensure that key federal programs are efficiently administered by local HUD offices.
STATUS: HUD is seeking input from its partners regarding ways to transform how the agency does business, and will be adopting its FY 2010-2015 Strategic Plan in early 2010. Suggestions to HUD may be made online at http://hudideasinaction.uservoice.com/pages/33261-repair-the-nation-s-economy-and-housing-markets.
To view contact information for Maine’s Congressional delegation, click here.