Reforming our Public Housing System

Statement

Yesterday, Congressman Keith Ellison introduced H.R. 6468, the Rental Housing Revitalization Act of 2010, which will revitalize public housing buildings in need of capital for repairs. This legislation is important, because chronic underfunding has led to many public housing units becoming uninhabitable or in a state of disrepair. Among other things, the Rental Housing Revitalization Act (RHRA) would allow public housing authorities to use mortgage financing to generate the upfront capital needed for these repairs.

Congressman Ellison said that "I am introducing the Rental Housing Revitalization Act because it is an innovative way to improve the way the nation provides rental assistance while also giving taxpayers more for their money. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress as well as housing stakeholders and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan to advance this proposal in the 112th Congress." The RHRA legislation builds on an earlier proposal made by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Rental Housing Revitalization Act has the support of four original co-sponsors: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Congressman Al Green (D-TX), Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD), and Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT).

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