The conference committee continues to work toward finalization of the Transportation, Treasury, HUD Appropriations bill.
At last report, the remaining hang-up on Section 8 vouchers was whether to use a budget-based funding formula based on actual leasing and costs over the most recent 12 month period (the Senate proposal), or a budget-based formula based on leasing and costs from the summer of 2004 (the House proposal). NAHMA has joined other colleagues on an industry letter which supports the Senate language.
Once finished, the bill could be called up for votes in the House and Senate next week.
The current continuing resolution expires on November 18.
LEP
At NAHMA’s request, Rep. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has been reaching out to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) about HUD’s flawed approach to the LEP issue. Rep. Menendez and Rep. Nydia Velasquez (D-NY), Chair of the CHC’s Housing Committee are drafting a letter to Secretary Jackson which they will invite CHC members to sign. The letter will NOT urge repeal of the underlying executive order, but it is expected to advocate that HUD (rather than owners) produce the standard translations of vital documents and assume responsibility for the associated costs, accuracy, etc.
NAHMA is also inviting our housing industry partners to sign onto a letter we drafted asking the House Financial Services Housing & Oversight Subcommittee leadership to treat the LEP issue as a matter for congressional oversight. We will ask the Subcommittee leaders to request a staff briefing from HUD explaining their LEP policies. We believe this could be a very important way to educate Congress about the unrealistic expectations called for in the guidance. We are hoping to finalize the letter next week.
