House Republican Press Release

February 19, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Greene to Housing Committee: Support Restoration of Funding for Public Housing Programs

Seymour, Ansonia Housing Authority Tenants Hard Hit by Rent Hikes Stemming from Program Cuts

Seymour and Ansonia housing authority tenants have been hard hit by rent increases stemming from cuts in state funding for two public housing programs, state Representative Len Greene testified today, urging members of the state legislature’s Select Committee on Housing to support restoration of funding for both programs.

“The loss of these funds has had a significant impact on my district in the Towns of Seymour and Ansonia,” said Representative Greene, R-105^th District. “Particularly, within the community of Seymour, I have received correspondence from many residents who rent from the Seymour Housing Authority.  On a fixed income, and already struggling to meet the rising cost of living, they have been devastated by the unexpected $65 increase in their rent, and are beside themselves about how they will be able to afford it.”

“The impact on Seymour was so severe and the outcry so great within the community, that anonymous gift card donations began arriving at the authority. The gift cards were donated by sympathetic neighbors to help public housing tenants who are having problems paying their rent and keeping current on other expenses,” said Representative Greene, who introduced a similar bill to restore funding for the programs earlier in the 2008 legislative session.

“I recognize that we already have broken the spending cap during the current fiscal year. It is my hope that the Appropriations Committee can find a way to restore funding during the 2007-08 fiscal year without breaking the spending cap again,” Representative Greene said.

“In addition, I strongly recommend that funding for the program be restored permanently, continuing into next year and beyond to provide badly needed help to residents who depend on these programs to keep a roof over their heads,”  Representative Greene said.

The legislation (House Bill 5031) would restore $2,204,000 for the public housing payment in lieu of taxes program for the 2008 fiscal year and another $2,204,000 for the 2009 fiscal year. The measure also would restore $1, 704,890 for the low and moderate income tax abatement program for the 2008 fiscal year and another $1, 704,890 for the 2009 fiscal year.