Friday, February 05, 2016

Roe wants to limit access to public housing
U.S. Congressman Phil Roe, of the First District has introduced what he calls the Fairness in Public Housing Act. It would require tenants in public housing who have earned more than 125% of Median Area Income for more than one year to move out so that other needy families can move in. In Newport, for instance, the estimated median household income in 2013 was $21,070. After hearing of long waits for public housing, the Republican lawmaker argues there are so many families who are truly in need of assistance and so HUD should prioritize those most in need. Adds Roe, “Public and subsidized housing is available to help struggling individuals and families, and it’s encouraging to know many people have been able to get back on their feet and increase their wages. Still, I strongly believe that once a family has risen out of poverty, other needy families should be given the same opportunity." Congressman Roe requested an audit in 2013 to determine the number of families who exceed current income limits but still live in government-subsidized housing. The U.S. Office of Inspector General found more than 25,000 families in the U.S. whose income exceeded the limit, stayed in public housing or received housing assistance in 2014. Nearly 18,000 of those families had earned more than the qualifying amount for more than one year. The study estimates that HUD will spend as much as $104 million in the next year for housing occupied by families who have income above the limit.


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