Donovan testifies before THUD on FY’10 Budget
Shaun Donovan, HUD Secretary
On Thursday June 11, 2009, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies about the proposed FY’10 HUD Budget. He defended the overall budget and the need to transform HUD. Questions were asked by Senator Patty Murray (Chairman) (WA), Senator Christopher Bond (Ranking Member) (MO) and our very own Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ).
To read Secretary Shaun Donovan’s testimony click here.
To view the hearing click here. (This will open a new page).
Senator Lautenberg spoke passionately about how “HUD is an area where we must put additional resources.” He noted that the rising foreclosure crisis in New Jersey and stated that “many renters cannot find a place to rent that they can afford.”
Senator Bond spoke of the success of supportive housing in ending homelessness. He stressed the importance of an effective Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) in assisting us in moving away from viewing homelessness as being hopeless to a situation we can solve.
Secretary Donovan, who is currently the vice-chair of ICH, stressed that he believes that this is a crucial tool in helping to end homelessness. He noted that the ICH is currently interviewing candidates to serve as Executive Director.
Secretary Donovan then expressed his appreciation to the Senators for providing the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) funds as part of the stimulus package. HPRP according to the Secretary “has allowed us to take our efforts to end homelessness to the next level.”
All three Senators spoke up for reform of Section 8 and public housing authorities. Secretary Donovan endorsed SEVRA and other reforms to improve the delivery of both Section 8 and public housing to low income renters.
In response to questions about homeless veterans from Senators Murray and Bond about homeless veterans and the lack of VASH funding in the new budget, Secretary Donovan spoke of the last two years as a demonstration that might encourage housing authorities after the passage of SEVRA to use their own vouchers for the same purpose. Based on his experience managing a Section 8 program he stated he did not want to add a burden on local housing authorities by providing different types of vouchers.
He also stated that of the first 10,000 VASH vouchers 79% have been issued and 40% are leased. The second 10,000 will be released soon.
Senator Murray noted that the stimulus act had provided $75 million in funding for homeless children to the Department of Education. She stressed that “education and a place to call home is crucial to young children.” The Secretory stated that he is working with Education Secretary Arne Duncan on this issue and that guidelines on using the funds will be distributed to the Continuums of Care and schools soon so that these funds can be implemented in an integrated and effective manner.
To read Secretary Shaun Donovan’s testimony click here.
To view the hearing click here. (This will open a new page).
