House Approves FY 2006 Rural Housing Service Appropriations
On Wednesday, June 8, The House passed H.R. 2744, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006. The amounts allocated to Section 515 ($100 million) and 538 rental housing ($100 million) and to Section 521 rental assistance ($650 million) were identical to those passed by the full House Appropriations Committee.
Legislation
On Tuesday, June 7, Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 2750, the Rural Housing Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2005. The act amends section 502(h) of the Housing Act of 1949 to improve the rural housing loan guarantee program. H.R. 2750 has been referred to the House Financial Services Committee.
On Tuesday, June 7, Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 2751, the FHA Energy Efficiency Act. The act amends section 526 of the National Housing Act to provide that any certification of a property for meeting energy efficiency requirements for mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act shall be conducted by an individual certified by an accredited home energy rating system provider. H.R. 2751 has been referred to the House Financial Services Committee.
Looking Ahead
HUD Appropriations in the House
On Wednesday, June 15, The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and HUD, the Judiciary, District of Columbia will mark-up its FY06 appropriations bill. The full House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to take action on the bill a week later on June 22, with likely floor consideration on June 30.
Senate Hearing on Seniors’ Housing Needs
On Thursday, June 16, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Ranking Member Paul Sarbanes’ (D-MD) legislation, the Meeting the Housing and Service Needs of Seniors Act (S. 705). Scheduled to testify are HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson, GAO, and others. It is also worth noting that Steve Protulis, Vice Chair of NAHMA’s Preservation Task Force, is a scheduled witness. Steve will testify in his capacity as Executive Director of the Elderly Housing Development & Operations Corporation.
