Vouchers
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“SEVRA” Housing Voucher Reform Bill Would Update and Streamline Program
September 22, 2009
The Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA), which the House Financial Services Committee approved in July and the full House will likely consider this fall, contains a series of important, carefully crafted measures to strengthen the housing voucher program. Most significantly, it would help and encourage state and local housing … -
Funding Shortfalls Causing Cuts in Housing Vouchers
September 14, 2009
As a result of a shortfall in funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program for calendar year 2009, an estimated 400 state and local housing agencies across the country will be forced to reduce or eliminate rental assistance for a significant number of the 500,000 low-income families they serve. While landlords may absorb … -
Podcast: Will Fischer, Senior Policy Analyst, on the Section Eight Voucher Reform Act
June 8, 2009
The Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA) would take a series of important, timely steps to strengthen the voucher program, the nation's most widely-used low-income housing program. At a time when poverty and homelessness are rising, this bill would make housing affordable to more needy families, and provide more flexible and effective assistance.
Duration: 3:56
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Testimony: Will Fischer, Senior Policy Analyst, at the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
June 4, 2009
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I am Will Fischer, a Senior Policy Analyst at 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 affecting low- and moderate- income families. … -
Introduction to the Housing Voucher Program
Revised May 15, 2009
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (sometimes referred to as the “Section 8 voucher program” after the section of the U.S. Housing Act that authorizes it) is the largest federal low-income housing assistance program. Families who are awarded vouchers use them to help pay the cost of renting … -
Policy Basics: The Housing Choice Voucher Program
Updated May 15, 2009
Created in the 1970s, the “Section 8” Housing Choice Voucher Program, has become the dominant form of federal housing assistance. What is the housing voucher program? Low-income families use vouchers to help pay for housing that they find in the private market. The program is federally funded, but vouchers are distributed by a network of 2,400 … -
Additional Housing Vouchers Needed to Stem Increase in Homelessness
April 16, 2009
“One of the changes in attitudes that I want to see here in Washington and all across the country is a belief that it is unacceptable for children and families to be without a roof over their heads in a country as wealthy as ours.” — President Obama, speaking to reporters on March 24, 2009. “An extensive body of … -
Decade of Neglect Has Weakened Federal Low-Income Housing Programs
February 25, 2009
A large and growing number of low-income renters face unaffordable housing costs. Federal housing programs have proven effective in enabling millions of low-income households to obtain stable, decent housing, but a funding squeeze and various actions taken by Congress and the Bush Administration have weakened these programs considerably, just when the need is rising.… -
Number of Homeless Families Climbing Due To Recession
January 8, 2009
Executive Summary New data indicate that the number of homeless families with children has climbed in recent months and continues to mount. Although the recovery package that Congress will consider in coming weeks is expected to include measures to restore several million jobs, an unusually large number of people are still likely to fall into severe poverty and to be at risk … -
Recession Could Cause Large Increases in Poverty and Push Millions into Deep Poverty
November 24, 2008
[T]he current downturn is likely to cause significant increases both in the number of Americans who are poor and the number living in "deep poverty," with incomes below half of the poverty line...There are a series of steps that federal and state policymakers could take to soften the recession’s harshest impacts and limit the extent of the increases in deep poverty, destitution, and homelessness.
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Testimony: How to Promote Housing Integration and Choice through the Section 8 Voucher Program
October 6, 2008
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is by far the nation’s largest low-income housing program. More than 2.2 million housing vouchers have been authorized by Congress and allocated to the approximately 2,400 housing agencies that administer the program. It is also the housing program that is the most targeted on the … -
National and State Voucher Utilization Data, 2004 - 2008
July 16, 2008
Of the 2,191,371 vouchers authorized for agencies nationwide, only 90 percent were used by families last year. In contrast, 96 percent of authorized vouchers were used in 2004, before policy changes and underfunding led to a decline in utilization, representing a loss of vouchers for about 120,000 families. This year, housing … -
HUD Budget Contains Major Funding Shortfalls
May 5, 2008
Last year, Congress rejected deep cuts the Administration proposed in affordable housing and community development programs and funded the Department of Housing and Urban Development at $2.1 billion above the Administration’s budget request for 2008. For 2009, Congress will have to provide a substantially larger increase — totaling … -
Testimony: Enhancing Affordable Housing Opportunities: Reforming the Housing Voucher Program"
April 16, 2008
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 … -
Senate Bill Would Update And Streamline Housing Voucher Program
March 10, 2008
On March 3, 2008, Senate Banking Committee Chair Chris Dodd, Senate Housing Subcommittee Chair Charles Schumer, and several other Senators introduced S. 2684, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA). SEVRA would make significant changes to the “Section 8” Housing Choice Voucher program and related changes in other … -
Preliminary Analysis of the HUD Provisions of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for FY 2008
Revised January 4, 2008
Here is a preliminary assessment of the HUD provisions of H.R. 2764, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 (or “omnibus”), which includes funding for programs administered by HUD and every other federal agency outside of Defense. The bill was approved by Congress on December 19 and signed into law by the President on … -
HUD Bill Avoids Deep Cuts in 2008
Revised November 16, 2007
Executive Summary Congress is expected to approve soon an appropriations bill (H.R. 3074) to fund programs administered by the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Transportation, and a few smaller agencies. The President has threatened to veto this and other domestic appropriations bills that do not contain the level of … -
Housing Vouchers Could Be at Risk in 2008
September 28, 2007
This fall, Congress will seek to finalize its appropriations bills for fiscal year 2008, including the Transportation-HUD bill, which funds “Section 8” Housing Choice Vouchers and other affordable housing programs. Section 8 vouchers are the nation’s leading source of housing assistance for low-income elderly, people with … -
Bipartisan Legislation Would Build on Housing Voucher Program's Success
Revised July 26, 2007
On July 12, 2007, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 1851, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA) by a bipartisan vote of 333-83. SEVRA would make significant changes to the housing voucher program and also institute related changes in laws governing other housing assistance programs. Similar legislation is expected to be … -
Congress Should Increase HUD’s Budget to Prevent Families from Losing Assistance and Address Growing Needs
Revised June 1, 2007
The President’s budget for fiscal year 2008 proposes to cut $2 billion (5 percent) from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), compared to the 2007 funding level, adjusted for inflation.[1] The deepest cuts would be made in housing for the elderly and disabled (a 29 percent cut), Community Development Block Grants (a … -
Testimony: Barbara Sard, Director of Housing Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
March 9, 2007
I appreciate the opportunity to testify concerning the proposed Section 8 Voucher Reform Act. I am Barbara Sard, director of housing policy at 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 … -
Cuts in Federal Housing Assistance Are Undermining Community Plans to End Homelessness
February 1, 2007
Executive Summary Five years ago, the Bush Administration announced a commitment to end chronic homelessness and reduce other types of homelessness within ten years.[2] If successful, this important initiative would alleviate the severe hardships endured by many of the approximately 3 million Americans who experience homelessness every year, including … -
The Effects of the Federal Budget Squeeze on Low-Income Housing Assistance
February 1, 2007
Executive Summary Federal housing assistance programs for low-income families face growing budget challenges. Housing costs have grown faster than most families’ incomes in recent years, and a growing number of low-income families — including many working-poorfamilies — face housing costs that are unaffordably high. Yet … -
Fixing the Housing Voucher Formula: A No-Cost Way to Strengthen the “Section 8” Program
November 1, 2006
Congress will reconvene in mid-November for a “lame duck” session to finish work on the nine unfinished appropriations bills for fiscal year 2007. Among the bills to be completed is the Transportation-Treasury-HUD bill, which includes funding for most federal housing programs. A key item in the bill is the appropriation for … -
Bipartisan Bill in House Would Make Marked Improvements in Housing Voucher Program
Revised August 16, 2006
Executive Summary On May 22, 2006, a bipartisan group of leaders of the House Financial Services Committee introduced the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA), which would make a series of changes in the housing voucher program and other housing assistance programs. The bill (H.R. 5443), which the Housing and Community … -
Rent Changes In Housing Bill Will Help Many Tenants
Revised August 1, 2006
On June 14, 2006 the House Financial Services Committee passed H.R. 5443, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA). The bill would alter the rules for setting rents for tenants in public housing and project-based Section 8 units, as well as for voucher holders. [1] The full House will likely consider the bill in the … -
Inspector General Reports on HUD’s Moving To Work Demonstration Raise Serious Questions
July 13, 2006
A series of reports by HUD’s Inspector General have found serious flaws in the implementation of the Moving to Work (MTW) housing demonstration, including ineffective oversight by HUD and poor use of funds by some local housing agencies. These findings, considered together with other risks posed by MTW, suggest that … -
President's 2007 Budget Renews Same Number of Housing Vouchers Funded in 2006
Revised April 25, 2006
Executive Summary The President’s budget requests $15.9 billion in fiscal year 2007 for tenant-based rental assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the nation’s largest low-income housing program. The request would renew approximately 2,070,000 vouchers in 2007, about equal to the total number of … -
Press Release: Many Communities Would Be Forced To Reduce Number of Housing Vouchers Under Administration’s Budget
March 13, 2006
The Administration’s proposed budget for the Housing Choice Voucher Program for 2007 would underfund roughly 70 percent of the state and local housing agencies that administer the program, according to a new Center analysis. These agencies would be forced to reduce the number of low-income … -
State Fact Sheets: Winners and Losers Under Administration's 2007 Housing Voucher Funding Plan
March 13, 2006
State-specific fact sheets containing information on the impact of the Administration's housing voucher funding plan are provided through the links below. Alabama Kentucky … -
Interested Parties Memo on the Initial Assessment of the President’s 2007 Budget: Impacts on Housing Voucher Program and Hurricane Recovery
Revised February 17, 2006
On February 6, the President released a budget request for fiscal year 2007 that proposes to cut $622 million (1.8 percent) from the HUD budget, in comparison to FY 2006 funding levels, not counting losses due to inflation. The request recommends major cutbacks in community development, … -
HUD Data Show Housing Voucher Costs Leveled Off Starting In 2003 As Rental Market Cooled
Revised August 23, 2005
The Administration has pointed to “spiraling” costs for the Housing Choice Voucher program to justify radical changes in the program’s funding structure and the elimination of many key protections for low-income families. HUD and Treasury data indicate, however, that far from spiraling, growth both in the … -
Newly Proposed Housing Legislation Would Leave Public Housing Agencies Vulnerable to Substantial Funding Cuts and Shifting HUD Mandates
May 3, 2005
The State and Local Housing Flexibility Act of 2005, proposed by HUD and introduced in Congress in April, [1] would make sweeping changes in federal housing policy. Among other things, the proposed legislation would convert the Section 8 housing voucher program into a block grant, eliminate the requirement that rents be … -
Press Release: Low-Income Housing Vouchers Could be Cut Significantly Under Administration Budget Proposal
February 18, 2005
While the Administration’s new budget includes a small increase in 2006 in the number of housing vouchers for low-income families, it includes substantial cuts in housing programs in years after 2006 that could reduce by 370,000 the number of low-income families, seniors, and people … -
APPENDIX: The Basis for the Estimate that the Budget Would Support 370,000 Fewer Vouchers in 2010
February 18, 2005
This analysis concludes that the level of funding proposed in the President’s budget for low-income housing vouchers in 2010 would support 370,000 fewer vouchers that year than are being funded in 2005. The Administration may argue that this conclusion is unjustified because the President’s budget does not provide … -
Appropriations Shortfall Cuts Funding for 80,000 Housing Vouchers This Year
Revised February 11, 2005
Executive Summary On December 8, 2004, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2005 (P.L. 108-447), setting spending levels for 13 federal departments including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Administration had originally proposed cutting funding for the leading … -
Funding Instability Threatens to Erode Business Community’s Confidence In The Housing Voucher Program
October 14, 2004
At its core, the Section 8 housing voucher program represents a partnership between the private sector, which builds and maintains the housing occupied by voucher holders, and the public sector, which provides a subsidy to make the housing affordable to low-income families. For 30 years, this partnership has worked well, … -
Large Families Face Higher Rent Burdens and Fewer Housing Opportunities Under New HUD Rent Rules
Revised October 14, 2004
On October 1, 2004, HUD put into effect new rent standards — known as Fair Market Rents or FMRs — that will be used to set maximum rent levels for the “Section 8” housing voucher program and other low-income housing assistance programs during fiscal year 2005. In many local areas, the Fair Market Rents … -
State Fact Sheets: Local Data on Final 2005 Fair Market Rents
October 12, 2004
Alabama Illinois Mississippi Oregon Arizona Indiana Missouri Pennsylvania … -
Nearly All Recent Section 8 Growth Results From Rising Housing Costs and Congressional Decisions To Serve More Needy Families
February 2, 2004
Administration officials have raised concerns that the Section 8 housing voucher program, the nation’s principal low-income housing assistance program, has grown excessively in recent years. They have said the Administration’s forthcoming budget will include proposals to reduce voucher costs. [1] Analysis of total … -
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Revised March 28, 2001
What is the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program? FSS is a program designed to promote employment and increase savings among families receiving Section 8 vouchers or certificates or living in public housing. There are two main features to FSS: an escrow account and case management. …
