SR6: urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development to rescind the limitation on rental assistance under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

SR 6 - AS INTRODUCED

2004 SESSION

04-3267

05/09

SENATE RESOLUTION 6

A RESOLUTION urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development to rescind the limitation on rental assistance under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

SPONSORS: Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. Green, Dist 6; Sen. Clegg, Dist 14; Sen. Eaton, Dist 10; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. Johnson. Dist 2; Sen. Kenney, Dist 3; Sen. Below, Dist 5; Sen. Flanders, Dist 7; Sen. Odell, Dist 8; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9; Sen. Peterson, Dist 11; Sen. O'Hearn, Dist 12; Sen. Foster, Dist 13; Sen. Gatsas, Dist 16; Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. Martel, Dist 18; Sen. Sapareto, Dist 19; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Estabrook, Dist 21; Sen. Morse, Dist 22; Sen. Prescott, Dist 23; Sen. Cohen, Dist 24

COMMITTEE:

ANALYSIS

This senate resolution urges the Department of Housing and Urban Development to rescind the limitation on rental assistance under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

04-3267

05/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Four

A RESOLUTION urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development to rescind the limitation on rental assistance under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Whereas, the United States Congress passed an appropriation for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program intended to fully fund all existing vouchers; and

Whereas, in late April, with only 60 days remaining in the fiscal year of many housing finance authorities, including the New Hampshire housing finance authority, the Department of Housing and Urban Development notified the agencies of a change in the rules for federal reimbursement of voucher expenditures; and

Whereas, the New Hampshire housing finance authority anticipates an estimated $1,700,000 shortfall with few options for making up that shortfall; and

Whereas, the New Hampshire housing finance authority faces the potential of denying payment for one month's rent to 2,900 households, of which 1/3 are elderly, 1/3 are disabled, and 1/3 are low-income working households; and

Whereas, the reduction in rental assistance will have long term repercussions on the financial soundness of the Housing Choice Voucher Program in New Hampshire, and a devastating impact on landlords, the viability of certain low income housing developments, local community assistance budgets, and consequently on local property taxpayers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the New Hampshire senate hereby calls upon the New Hampshire Congressional delegation to take all necessary steps to require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to rescind the limitation on rental assistance under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and to prevent the budget reduction that threatens the financial stability of nearly 3,000 households in New Hampshire; and

That copies of this resolution be sent by the senate clerk to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and to each member of the New Hampshire Congressional delegation.