Dear Mr. Ventrone:

I am hereby transmitting several copies of PHADA's comments and suggestions on H.R. 2 as the subcommittee prepares to begin work on this important legislation. We thank you and your staff for issuing the bill so early in the session.

PHADA offers so many suggestions because the bill will profoundly affect the day-to-day operations of housing authorities around the country. Thus, it is essential that Congress consider even the most minute changes to the fullest extent possible. For the sake of easy citation, I have noted the specific page and line numbers where PHADA either has comments or would like to see modifications. While this correspondence covers a broad array of issues in H.R. 2, there are obviously some sections that are more important to our members than others. We are particularly concerned with the following provisions: rent-setting and income targeting; accreditation; resident elections to housing authority boards; the housing management plan; the eight hour work requirement and self sufficiency contract; pets; occupancy standards; and the funding formulas.

We look forward to working with Representative Lazio and other members of the House and Senate to obtain passage of this legislation during the 105th Congress. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or require further clarification concerning any of PHADA's positions. Once again, thank you for permitting PHADA to register its input on this legislation.

Sincerely,

Timothy G. Kaiser
Executive Director

cc: House, Senate Housing Subcommittee Staff

Encl.