Resolution
 

Housing Assistance for Needy Families Act
 

WHEREAS, There are two identical bills- US Senate Bill 947 and House Bill 1841 were submitted to the US congress by the most conservative members of each house this past month and are ready to be submitted to each floor; 

WHEREAS, These block grant bills will reduce the amount of funding for housing, worsening California’s already severe housing crisis and housing assistance needs; 

WHEREAS, Block grants historically have not kept pace with the inflation let alone growing housing needs; 

WHEREAS, This bill induce housing authorities to assist fewer families and provide lower subside for these families.  Which will drive away owners of apartments and houses; 

WHEREAS, This bill will create another layer of state administration under the present California state budget crisis and will create unnecessary diversion of already inadequate housing funds; 

WHEREAS, Current wait list for housing assistance which takes 3 to more than 10 years to receive housing assistance will increase exponentially;  

WHEREAS, The elderly population in California is tripling annually, the need for housing assistance is even greater for this population; 

WHEREAS, US Housing rental cost is growing more than 25% yearly and in some counties the percentage is even greater, under this proposed bill 947 and HB 1841, the ability of the state to meet this growing demand will be insufficient; 

WHEREAS, In the current housing program, when there is an increase in family size and housing rental costs, subsidy levels will also increase to accommodate these changes; which will not be so under the propose block grant bill. 

WHEREAS, Historically California receives less grant block money compared to other states; 

WHEREAS, The National Apartment Association, the National Association of Rentals, the National Leased Housing Association and other landlord organizations opposed HANF in a February 25^th better to Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Mr. Abel Martinez. 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, We the members of this assembly request that the LULAC leadership stand together in opposition to the passing of this Housing Assistance for Needy Families block grant (Senate bill 947 and House Bill 1841). 

FURTHERMORE, we request that the LULAC leadership contact the current administration, especially the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development expressing our total opposition to this bill.  

Submitted by Garden Grove Council 2001, Santa Ana Council 147, and Sacramento Lorenzo Patino Council.

Approved this 21^st day of June, 2003

Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President