Rep. Lofgren Issues Statement on the Passage of Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today issued the following statement in response to the passage of the bipartisan Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007. The bill authorizes the Section 8 low-income housing voucher program through FY 2012, alters calculations of income, tenant rent, and public housing authority (PHA) funding, and establishes a new reliable funding allocation formula for the renewal of Section 8 vouchers.

“Working families deserve access to safe, affordable housing. This bill, which includes provisions to expand rental assistance opportunities, improve program efficiencies, and encourage family self-sufficiency, gives local housing authorities the resources and tools they need to make housing more accessible to those in need. The bill authorizes a total of 100,000 new vouchers over the next five years and allows housing agencies to let families use housing vouchers as a down-payment on a first-time home purchase. Adequate and safe housing should not be a luxury only afforded to the wealthy.”

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her seventh term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. She serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She also Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.