House Republican Press Release

April 3, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Burns, Hamzy: BHA Tenants would Avoid Rent Hikes under Bill Okayed by State Legislature Thursday

Measure would Restore Funding for State Housing Projects Administered by Housing Authority

Tenants who live in state public housing projects administered by the Bristol Housing Authority could get a reprieve from steep pending rent increases under a bill approved unanimously Thursday by the state House of Representatives and the state Senate, state representatives Ron Burns and William A. Hamzy said today.

Many 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 representatives Burns and Hamzy, who voted for the measure (House Bill 5031).

The bill passed the House on a vote of 146-0 and was immediately transmitted to the state Senate, where it also passed unanimously. The measure now goes to Governor Rell to be signed into law.

“Today’s unanimous vote by the state House of Representatives and the state Senate is good news for Dutton Heights, Mountain Laurel Manor and Zbikowski Park tenants,” said Representative Burns, who cosponsored the measure. “Many tenants who are worried about an increase in their monthly rent already are watching their nickels and dimes. A $65 increase in their monthly rent would really put them over the edge.”

Representative Burns also serves on the Appropriations Committee, which approved the bill on a vote of 43-0 last month.

“This bill enjoyed overwhelming support from legislators on both sides of the aisle as evidenced by the fact that it passed both chambers unanimously at a relatively early point in the legislative session,” said Representative Hamzy, a deputy house Republican leader. “I am confident Governor Rell will sign it into law in the very near future.”

“We were very pleased to learn that legislation was approved today by the state legislature that will enable the Housing Authority to avoid increasing rents for tenants at our moderate income rental properties,” said Bristol Housing Authority Executive Director Mitzy Rowe. “The $65 rent increase that would be necessary if this legislation does not become law would be extremely burdensome for many of our tenants, who already are having trouble making ends meet because of increases in their cost of living.  I’d like to thank our local state representatives, Bill Hamzy and Ron Burns, for their strong support for this legislation.”