Key Votes

HR 2 - Public Housing bill - Key Vote

National Key Votes

Lamar Smith voted Yea (Passage) on this legislation.

Read recent statements Lamar Smith made in this general time period.

Stages

Family

Issues

Stage Details

Legislation - Bill Sent To Committee (Senate) -

Legislation - Bill Passed (House) (293-132) - (Key vote)

Title: Public Housing bill

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that allots block grants to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and gives the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) more authority over "chronically troubled" PHAs and other regulations.

Highlights:
  • Repeals the United States Housing Act of 1937.
  • Allocates funds to create mixed income communities, increases the accountability of public housing agencies by appropriating grants to reward performance, and reinstates the voucher program.
  • Requires residents of public housing to contribute at least 8 hours of community service per month.
  • Allows families residing in a public housing dwelling unit to choose either a flat rent structure or an income based rent structure that is no greater than 30 percent of the monthly adjusted family income.
  • Requires families and the Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to agree to a target date when the family intends stop receiving public housing assistance.
  • Directs PHAs to submit a statement of mission, goals and objectives, and an overview of capital improvement plans every 5 years.
  • Directs PHAs to submit a performance and evaluation report concerning their use of funds.
  • Gives each state Governor control over distribution of funds, except when action is required by the State legislature.
  • Establishes a Capital Fund of $2.5 billion and an Operating Fund of $2.9 billion for PHAs for each of the fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.
  • Expresses the sense of Congress that PHAs should adopt preferences for victims of domestic violence.
  • Requires PHAs to inspect each public housing development annually and allows them to demolish nonmarketable public housing developments.
  • Requires a nationwide study of housing assistance programs with findings reported to Congress.
  • Allows Secretary of HUD to assist "chronically troubled" PHAs by contracting for management, taking over the PHA, or petitioning for a receiver.
See The Voting Record

Legislation - Introduced (House) -

Title: Public Housing bill


Sponsors

  • Rick A. Lazio (NY - ) (Out Of Office)

Co-sponsors

  • Robert Laurence 'Bob' Barr Jr. (GA - ) (Out Of Office)
  • Michael N. 'Mike' Castle (DE - R) (Out Of Office)
  • Richard A. 'Rick' Hill (MT - ) (Out Of Office)
  • Robert William 'Bob' Ney (OH - R) (Out Of Office)
  • Michael G. Oxley (OH - R) (Out Of Office)
  • Deborah D. Pryce (OH - R) (Out Of Office)