Month: January, 2005

The end of a VA-HUD Subcommittee?

31 January, 2005 (11:45) | Uncategorized |

As we discussed earlier, Congress is rethinking its committee structures.  Now, via the National Council of State Housing Agencies, more details are emerging:< ?xml:namespace prefix ="" o />
 
On the spending front, newly seated House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA) has proposed eliminating the House Appropriations HUD-VA Subcommittee and two other appropriations subcommittees. Under his plan, [...]

Elderly housing: the best is yet to be?

30 January, 2005 (17:07) | Uncategorized |

Using illustration-by-example, today’s New York Times (subscription required) focuses on assisted living, a fast-growing tenure option that is also a challenge for housing policy:< ?xml:namespace prefix ="" o />
 
In the last decade the number of elderly Americans in assisted living has tripled, to nearly one million, and industry experts say the residents, overwhelmingly widowed women [...]

Of carrots, sticks, bootstraps, and cherry-picking

29 January, 2005 (13:21) | Uncategorized |

When is a tough compromise not a compromise?  When only some parts of it are implemented.< ?xml:namespace prefix ="" o ns ="" "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
 
We can consider affordable housing reform legislation as a package of four things:
 
·        Carrots: Rewards for those who behave in new and better ways.
·        Sticks: Punishments for those who don’t.
·        Bootstraps.  [...]

Section 8: a day in the life

28 January, 2005 (17:38) | Uncategorized |

< ?xml:namespace prefix ="" o ns ="" "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> “I read the news today oh, boyAbout a lucky man who made the gradeAnd though the news was rather sadWell I just had to laugh”
– The Beatles, A Day in the Life
 
With Section 8 under continuing severe pressure, the system is springing leaks in such heartland < [...]

Of old bull elephants, Tokyo subways, and Section 8

27 January, 2005 (21:17) | Uncategorized |

Today’s ever-helpful Congressional Quarterly’s online update (subscription only) breaks what may sound like the ultimate insider story:< ?xml:namespace prefix ="" o />
 
House Appropriations Chairman Jerry Lewis indicated he is serious about reshaping the Appropriations subcommittees, based on a proposal he gave to Senate counterpart Thad Cochran in a closed meeting on the topic Wednesday.
 
What, my [...]