Senate Appropriations Committee Boosts Funding for 202 and Section 8
Posted: July 18, 2008
The Senate Appropriations Committee has now acted on the fiscal year 2009 Transportation and HUD funding bill. The Senate has provided $765 million for Section 202 funding, an increase of $30 million over the funding provided in 2008 and $225 million over the president's request. This is identical to the funding levels adopted by the House THUD appropriations subcommittee, although the full committee has not acted on its bill yet. The funding will be allocated as follows: $623.4 million for capital advances, PRAC and PRAC renewals, and amendment funds, $15 million for the administration's leveraged mixed financing demonstration (details to be determined), $80 million for service coordinators ( to cover renewals and some new grants), $25 million for Assisted Living Conversion grants and emergency repair grants, and $20 million for predevelopment funding grants.

The Senate also approved an increase of more than one billion dollars over the budget request and more than two billion dollars over the 2008 appropriation for project based section 8 renewals in an effort to "restore some stability" to the renewal process, allowing longer term renewals instead of two to four month renewals.

In addition, the Senate provided necessary reforms for the Section 202 refinancing program, including adaptations of two provisions from the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2008, S. 2736. The appropriations bill provides the explicit authority necessary to refinance the 3% interest Section 202 mortgages as an administrative provision, Section 232. The bill also will provide funding for new project based assistance for seniors residing in the Section 202 properties built between 1959 and 1974 who do not now have rental assistance when they are refinanced. The assistance will be funded from the tenant protection account to prevent displacement when rents inevitably rise after refinancing and rehabilitation. Read excerpts from the Appropriations Committee report.

While there is no schedule for floor action for the bill, we are encouraged that when the legislation finally is adopted (and it could be next year), there will be increases in the 202 program and Section 8 and we will have at least some relief and reform for the preservation of the Section 202 properties. It's also not too late to contact your senators to encourage additional co-sponsors for S. 2736.

Don't Cancel Unspent Funds, AAHSA Member Tells Congress
Posted: July 14, 2008
Testifying before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, Robin Keller, vice president for affordable housing at Volunteers of America, urged Congress to eliminate the five-year limitation on grant funds' availability after obligation. Keller pointed out that if projects reach that deadline, factors far beyond the sponsor's control generally cause the delay in spending.

Affordable Senior Housing Campaign Flyer
Posted: Nov. 30, 2007
On Dec. 6, AAHSA is urging affordable senior housing residents to call their members of Congress and advocate for more housing funding. This flyer features all the information they will need to call their legislators toll-free. Please post it in your buildings or put copies under your residents' doors so they know about this important event

Sample Press Statement for Affordable Housing Campaign
Posted: Nov. 30, 2007
Use this sample statement to share the important role affordable senior housing plays in your community with the media.

Organization Sign On Letter Regarding MIP
Posted: Nov. 29, 2007

AAHSA Member Testifies at Senate Hearing on Gulf Coast Housing
Posted: Oct. 1, 2007
AAHSA Member Testifies at Senate Hearing on Gulf Coast Housing Description: On September 25, 2007 Alan Brown, the COO of Mississippi Methodist Senior Services (MMSS), testified before the Senate Banking Committee about the housing needs of seniors in the Gulf and the impact of S. 1668.