Providing for Consideration of H.R. 839, HAMP Termination Act of 2011; And Providing for Consideration of H.R. 861, NSP Termination Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 861, which would terminate all funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The program has really helped families and communities in Alabama's Seventh Congressional District tremendously.

Our Nation is recovering from one of the worst recessions experienced in our lifetime, and in my district, the economic downturn happened long before the rest of the Nation began to experience it. The foreclosure rate in my district has reached 8 percent. These foreclosures have devastated homeowners. The foreclosures have had a debilitating effect on the neighborhoods, leading to blight, decay, and reduced property values.

The NSP program provides States and hard-hit cities with program funding to help them recover from the effects of foreclosures, abandoned properties, and declining property values. The City of Birmingham, the City of Bessemer, Jefferson County, and the State of Alabama have received funding from this program. In my district, the NSP program has revitalized 259 homes, relocated 69 families, and has saved at least nine distressed neighborhoods.

In speaking recently with the mayor of the City of Birmingham, Mayor Bell, about the effectiveness of this program, he informed me that the program has benefited greatly distressed neighborhoods in Birmingham. I've also heard from families whose neighborhoods have been improved because of this funding.

My colleagues across the aisle want to terminate NSP, but I respectfully disagree. There's still much work to be done for our families and our communities. Without a doubt, we must reduce our national budget and Congress must work together to make the tough cuts. However, such cuts cannot be made on the backs of our communities, families, and seniors.

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