The 110th Congress presented its version of the final FY 2007 appropriations bill today. The new spending bill greatly improves and restores funding for a number of critical housing programs, thanks in large part to the efforts of Sen. Patty Murray, chair of the Senate appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“We are enormously grateful to this state’s elected officials who have championed adequate funding for these vital programs on the national level,” said King County Housing Authority Executive Director Stephen Norman.

The joint resolution marks a significant turnaround from the HUD budget proposed in the continuing resolution passed by last year’s Congress. The joint resolution makes a significant investment in programs that house the elderly, disabled and working poor. The bill provides $3.864 billion for the Public Housing Operating Fund, $300 million above the FY 2006 level, to address utility cost shortfalls, including higher energy costs. It also provides an additional $502 million for the Housing Choice Voucher program (known as tenant-based Section 8 rental assistance). This increase is necessary to prevent the loss of current vouchers. The bill also adopts a voucher funding distribution system that more accurately and efficiently captures the needs of public housing agencies. In addition, the Section 8 project-based voucher budget received an increase of $939 million. This will enable the extension of contracts for 157,000 units that would not have been renewed under the FY 2006 enacted level. The bill also puts money into a number of homeless programs and extends the authorization for the HOPE VI program.

As a result of this appropriations bill, elderly, disabled and low-income families will gain a reprieve. Families living in public housing won’t see a reduction in services. Rent burdens on households in the Section 8 program won’t increase, and regional efforts to end homelessness will move forward.

“We are thrilled that, despite a challenging budget situation, Sen. Murray was able to ensure that low-income families will not lose their housing, “ said Mr. Norman. “While the bill doesn’t solve all of our problems, it is a substantial improvement over what was proposed in the continuing resolution passed by last year’s Congress. To successfully deliver critically needed funding on behalf of the most vulnerable people in our communities in the current budget climate takes real commitment and leadership.”

KCHA administers a range of quality affordable rental and homeownership programs for residents of King County. The Authority serves more than 17,000 households including, family, elderly and disabled households.