Dear Friend,
Across the country, rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program helps millions of low- and moderate-income families find affordable housing each year. Nearly 50,000 families in Washington state used the HCV program in the last year alone.
Last month, I sent a letter urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fix the inflation formula in the Housing Choice Voucher program to ensure thousands of families in Washington can continue to keep a roof over their head.
Unfortunately, the current formula used to account for inflation in the HCV program is broken. In 2012, HUD began using a new methodology that significantly hinders access to rental assistance in areas where rental costs are soaring — like the Puget Sound region, where costs are among the fastest rising in the nation. For instance, the King County Housing Authority did not receive a HCV inflation adjustment this year, even though rental costs have increased by 26 percent since 2014.
Housing Choice Vouchers were designed to provide the most vulnerable members of our community with safe, affordable housing. That’s why I called on HUD to take urgent action to ensure the HCV program continues to expand access to opportunity for low- and moderate-income families throughout the Puget Sound.
Affordable housing programs such as HCV are critical to strengthening our local communities and building an economy that works for everyone. I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure these programs remain accessible to those who need it most.
As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you, I encourage you to contact me through my website. You may also keep up-to-date on what I’m doing by following me on Twitter, Instagramand Facebook. If you need assistance dealing with a federal agency, such as the IRS or the VA, or if you are having problems with your Social Security or Medicare, please do not hesitate to contact my Bothell office at (425) 485-0085.
Sincerely,
Suzan
