HUD Senior Housing Construction Funding Still at Risk in Congress

Although President Obama’s budget requested $100 million for new Section 202 projects in fiscal 2013, the Senate Committee on Appropriations included no new development money in the fiscal 2013 spending bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved on April 19. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and HUD is expected to consider its version of the 2013 HUD spending bill early in June.

If the House does not include funding for new Section 202 construction, it will likely mean a second consecutive year with no funding for new Section 202 projects, which would be very difficult to reverse in future years.

 We are urging the House to fully fund the Administration’s request for $475 million for the 202 Housing for the Elderly program. The Senate bill does include $375 million for the 202 program, but this is just enough to renew PRAC funding for existing 202 properties. An additional $100 million increment to continue production of affordable housing for the growing population of low-income elderly households is critical to the future of this program. We have met repeatedly with HUD leaders, confirmed their commitment to the future of the program, and are confident of their strong and active support for the requested funding.

Now we need appropriators to receive a strong message about the importance and impact of this program on seniors in need of affordable housing.

Please contact your House member as quickly as possible. Ask him/her to discuss the importance of new Section 202 housing construction with colleagues on the Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee and urge that at least $100 million for new construction be included in the 2013 appropriations bill. Take action now.