April 16, 2008

"ENHANCING AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES: REFORMING THE HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM"
Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development,
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

Testimony by Barbara Sard, Director of Housing Policy

I am Barbara Sard, Director of Housing Policy for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The Center is an independent, nonprofit policy institute that conducts research and analysis on a range of federal and state policy issues, with particular emphasis on fiscal policies and policies affecting low and moderate-income families. We receive no government grants or contracts and are funded by foundations and individual donors.

My testimony today first will briefly review why the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA) enjoys unusually broad support, and then will address why it is important for the Banking Committee to approve S. 2684 promptly so that final legislation may be enacted this year.

Click here to view the full-text PDF of this testimony (14pp.)