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Press Releases
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The Bush Administration's Budget Proposals
Could Deepen Growing Housing Crisis for Children |
Washington, D.C. - The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) today released a report titled, "The Bush Administration Set to Exacerbate the Growing Housing Crisis for Families with Children." The report reveals that more than 3.6 million children live in low-income families who pay more than half of their income for rent or live in severely substandard housing. Demand for affordable housing has been growing over the years and now far exceeds the available supply. The report also illustrates that families with children make up 40 percent of the U.S. homeless population.
Addressing the housing crisis rather than eroding housing policies should be the direction of the Administration.
Despite the vast numbers of families facing housing issues, the Bush Administration is backing away from the federal government's commitment to provide low-income rental housing assistance through the Section 8 program to our nation's families. Section 8 is a voucher program that currently provides housing to approximately two million low-income households of which 1.2 million are families with children. The Bush Administration's FY 2005 budget proposal would slash funding for the Section 8 program, leaving it underfunded by $1.6 billion. This gap abandons 150,000 families along with 280,000 children, leaving them with no place to live.
"The Administration's actions are creating fear among tenants, skepticism among Section 8 landlords, and hesitancy on the part of housing authorities to reissue Section 8 vouchers to new families," said Richelle Friedman, Senior Program Associate for the Children's Defense Fund. If enacted, the Administration's proposals for Section 8 housing could increase the cost of rent for low-income families by almost 10 percent, leaving them without any assistance, or even homeless. "It is unconscionable that HUD is knowingly putting vulnerable families and their children at risk by pulling back from the federal government's longstanding housing commitment to low-income families," said Friedman.
Next week Congress will take its first important action in response to the proposed cuts when the House Appropriations Committee considers the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill. The Committee also will address the Administration's recommendation to give housing authorities unprecedented power to target assistance to higher-income families and to increase rents, putting an even greater number of families at risk. "The Committee has the opportunity to show their support by fully funding the Section 8 program and ensure people have a roof over their heads," said Friedman. CDF's report addresses the need for affordable housing and the Administration's attempt to disengage from the federal government's commitment to provide low-income housing assistance.
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Full Report:
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The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds. |
The Bush Administration Set to Exacerbate Growing Housing Crisis for Families with Children