House Republican Press Release

March 12, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Burns: Bristol Public Housing Tenants May Get Reprieve from Threatened Rent Hikes

Appropriations Committee Okays Bill to Restore Funding for State Housing Projects

Tenants who live in state public housing projects administered by the Bristol Housing Authority could get a reprieve from steep pending rent increases, thanks to a bill approved this week by the state legislature’s Appropriations Committee, state Representative Ron Burns, a committee member, said today.

Many BHA tenants who were facing sharp rent increases because of cuts in a program that helps fund state housing projects administered by the authority were concerned that they would not be able to afford the higher rents, said Representative Burns, R-77^th District, who co-sponsored the measure (House Bill 5031) and voted Monday to approve it.

“The fact that the Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to pass this legislation bodes well for its eventual approval by the state House of Representatives and the state Senate. The committee’s action should go a long way toward easing the concerns of tenants on fixed incomes who already are struggling with increases in the cost of living,” Representative Burns said.

“Many were worried about being forced out of their apartments and possibly becoming homeless because they could not afford the rent increases. We were determined to prevent hardship situations like these from occurring and our unanimous vote to approve this legislation was a reflection of that concern,” Representative Burns said.

“On behalf of the Bristol Housing Authority, I’d like to express our thanks to the members of the Appropriations Committee for their action this week. We are thrilled with their strong endorsement of this legislation,” BHA Chairman Gary Schaffrick said. “Hopefully, the state House and Senate will concur with the committee’s vote and pass it on to Governor Rell to be signed into law so our tenants won’t be faced with stiff rent increases.”

Mountain Laurel Manor, Dutton Heights and Zbikowski Park tenants will be facing rent increases amounting to $65 a month if the legislation fails to pass, Schaffrick added.

The Appropriations Committee voted 43 – 0 to approve the measure, which now goes to the state House of Representatives for further action.