FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Jesse Jacobs - 202-224-4524
Thursday, April 4, 2002

Craig Davis - 202-224-7391


SARBANES ANNOUNCES HEARING ON
HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM


Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD), Chairman of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, announced that the full Committee will meet to hear testimony from housing and community development groups regarding proposals to improve the federal Housing Voucher Program.

The Section 8 housing voucher program is the largest housing assistance program, assisting over 1.5 million American families in affording decent and safe housing. Unfortunately, not all families given voucher assistance are able to find decent, safe and adequate housing. The Committee will examine proposals to ensure that the voucher program operates more effectively and ways to expand housing opportunities for low-income families.

The hearing will be held:

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2002
2:30 PM
538 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING

Scheduled to testify are:

  • Ms. Ann O'Hara, Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative, representing the National Low Income Housing Coalition;
  • Mr. Benson Roberts, Vice President for Policy, Local Initiatives Support Corporation;
  • Ms. Ophelia Basgal, Executive Director, Housing Authority of the County of Alameda, representing the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; and
  • Mr. Scott Gardner, President, National Apartment Association.


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