House Subcommittee Approves HUD Appropriations
On June 15, the House Appropriations Subcommittee overseeing HUD approved HUD’s FY 2006 budget for full Committee action. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Section 8 tenant-based housing received $15.531 billion, a 5.2% increase from FY 2005’s budget of $14.766 billion, but $314 million less than the administration’s request. Section 8 project-based housing received $5.1 billion, a 3.9% decrease, but $28 million more than the administration’s request. Section 202 Elderly Housing, Section 811 Disabled Housing, and HOME were all frozen at their FY05 funding levels. Section 202 Elderly Housing received $741 million, Section 811 Disabled Housing received $238 million (instead of the administration’s request for $120 million, a 50% cut), and HOME received $1.9 billion.
Senate Committee Holds Hearing on the Housing and Service Needs of Seniors
On Thursday, June 16, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs held a hearing to examine S. 705, which would establish the Interagency Council on Meeting the Housing and Service Needs of Seniors. Secretary Jackson testified before the committee and said the administration supports the initiative. Jackson mentioned HUD’s dedication to the viability of the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program and pointed out HUD’s current coordination with the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) in informing Section 202 recipients about HHS’s new Medicare drug benefit. Other witnesses who expressed strong support for the proposed Interagency Council were NAHMA’s own Steve Protulis, Nelda Barnett of AARP, and Dr. William Smith of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA).
