New voucher utilization data shows
HUD's 2004 request $1.25 billion short

HUD data, gathered from the April 9 submissions by housing authorities across the country and analyzed by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, shows that the 2004 HUD budget request will be $1.25 billion short. Based on current trends, utilization in 2004 will be 96.7 percent with the average voucher costing $6,871. This shortfall will mean that 184,000 families receiving tenant-based Section 8 assistance on October 1, 2003 will no longer be able to receive assistance in 2004 if HUD's proposed budget is enacted.

The House VA/HUD appropriations subcommittee will be marking up the 2004 appropriations bill the week of July 14. PHADA members need to notify their Representatives and Senators of the devastating impact this shortfall will have on their communities.

PHADA has joined with a coalition of dozens of groups to support call-in days to Congress on July 14th and 15th to preserve Section 8 funding. With members of these groups calling on the same days, the coalition hopes to send Congress the message of how critical it is to adequately fund the Section 8 program. Please contact your Representative and Senators with the message that, unless the administration request is increased by $1.25 billion, 184,000 families using the Section 8 program will lose their assistance and probably their housing.

This issue will be one of several important matters at the forefront this coming fall when Congress finalizes action on the 2004 spending bill, making the timing for PHADA's upcoming Legislative Forum even more opportune.

PHADA FRONT