Source: CBPP, 7/21/11
“The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has released a new report on Section 8:
· Contrary to the concerns expressed by some lawmakers, there is no evidence that the Section 8 rental assistance programs for low-income families — the Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Rental Assistance programs — are crowding out spending on other HUD programs. Indeed, an analysis of program spending data shows that Section 8’s share of HUD spending has changed little since the late 1990s.· The cost trends in the Section 8 programs are precisely what one should expect for well-managed programs that are structured as public-private partnerships to maximize efficiency and flexibility and rely on the participation of private owners of rental housing to meet its goals. · Nevertheless, Congress and HUD can and should take steps to make Section 8 even more cost-effective without reducing rental assistance for needy families. Specifically, Congress should enact Section 8 reform legislation that will simplify and streamline program rules and requirements, reduce costs, and encourage housing agencies to assist more families with available funds. The report, entitled “Section 8 Rental Assistance Programs Are Not Growing as Share of HUD Budget; Proposed Reforms Would Make Section 8 Even More Efficient,” by Douglas Rice, is available for download on the Center’s web site, as is an appendix explaining the methodology and sources used in the report. We also posted a blog on the new paper here.”
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