Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) cheered the House’s passage last night of H.R. 5850, the FY 2011 Transportation-HUD Appropriations Act, which will provide funding for the Section 8 and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs, among other vital programs. Nadler, joined by colleagues and the leadership of the Appropriations Committee, fought successfully to increase funding for these essential and chronically underfunded initiatives. The bill contains $19.4 billion for tenant-based rental assistance; $9.4 billion for project-based rental assistance; $75 million for 10,000 new Section 8 vouchers for homeless veterans; and, $350 million for HOPWA, which will provide housing assistance for over 60,000 households nationwide.

“I am very happy that we are able to increase funding for affordable housing for our most vulnerable citizens,” said Nadler. “Year after year, I have fought for more housing assistance for those who are in need, and it is gratifying that Congress has been responsive. In 2010, mounting economic and budgetary pressures have taxed the resources available for affordable housing – particularly for the Section 8 voucher program. Challenges are particularly severe for those who are low-income, elderly or HIV-positive. I thank Chairman Olver and Members of the Appropriations Committee for their commitment to these communities.”

Nadler issued the following statement in support of the legislation:

“Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the FY 2011 Transportation-HUD Appropriations Act. As we all know, this is a very tight budget year, but Chairman Olver and the other Members of the Committee are to be commended for providing increased funding for critical transportation and housing programs.

“Many of my colleagues joined me in requesting increases for Section 8 and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program – also known as HOPWA. I am pleased that this bill increases funding for Section 8 programs by approximately $2 billion. The bill includes $9.4 billion for project based rental assistance, and $19.4 billion for tenant-based rental assistance, which should be enough to renew all existing vouchers covering more than two million families. The bill also has $350 million for HOPWA, which is $15 million more than last year and $10 million over the President’s request. I thank the Chairman for his efforts to secure these badly needed resources.

“Many Members also joined me in requesting an increase for federal transit programs so that we can maintain our public transportation systems in a state of good repair and accommodate increased ridership. I would like to thank the Chairman for including $11.3 billion for federal transit programs, which is an increase of over $500 million from last year. The bill includes increased funding for transit capital programs as well as $250 million for operating assistance. While I believe the operating assistance provision could be better this is a step in the right direction.

“I commend Chairman Olver for his leadership and I thank him for his continued support for these critical transportation and housing resources. I look forward to working with him and the rest of my colleagues to preserve and increase these funding levels as this bill moves through Congress. Thank you.”