February 24, 2006
The Honorable James Nussle
303 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Nussle:
United Disability Housing Partnership is a cross-disability coalition of organizations from across Massachusetts, dedicated to expanding affordable, accessible, and safe housing opportunities for persons living with disabilities. United Housing is made up of 48 member organizations, representing well over 250,000 individuals.
On February 6, President Bush released his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2007. While United Housing is pleased that the administration at least level funded and did not decrease certain line items that help provide housing opportunities for low income and homeless persons living with disabilities (such as Section 8 rental vouchers and HOPWA), we are deeply concerned with the proposed cut to HUD’s Section 811 Program, Housing for Persons with Disabilities.
811 is the only HUD program specifically charged with the creation of rental housing that allows persons living with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community. This assistance can be in the form of either interest-free capital advances to facilitate construction and rehabilitation, or rental assistance to help defray operating costs.
Safe, affordable, and accessible housing is a need shared by all persons living with disabilities – regardless of the specific nature of their disability. Across the nation, non profit organizations struggle to find ways to finance and operate housing units for low income and homeless individuals with disabilities. In many cases, 811 is the lifeline that keeps these housing programs afloat.
Unfortunately, President Bush’s budget proposes a 50% cut in this important program – from the FY 2006 enacted level of $237 million to $119 for FY 2007. A cut in 811 of this magnitude would put into jeopardy HUD assistance for programs that it has already committed to helping.
Last year, the Congress heeded calls from the disability community to resist a similar proposed cut to 811, and restored funding to the previous year’s level. United Housing again calls on you to stand up to this draconian budget proposal and preserve a program that does so much for disability housing across the country.
As Senator Arlen Specter said earlier this month, “The President’s FY07 budget proposal is going to require substantial modifications by the Congress.” We call on you to stand on the side of those living with disabilities and resist efforts to reduce the stock of housing available to this vulnerable population.
Thank you for your consideration and please do not hesitate to contact Matt Noyes at 617-927-0088 x26 or mnoyes
ahc.org if you have any questions or would like more information.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Members of United Disability Housing Partnership
cc: Members, House Budget Committee
cc: Members, Senate Budget Committee
cc: Massachusetts Congressional Delegation