Congressman Al Green Passes First Amendment, Secures $7.7 Million to Combat Housing Discrimination

(Washington, DC)--The House of Representatives passed an amendment offered by Representatives Al Green (TX-9) to increase funding to curb housing discrimination by $7.7 million. The amendment was accepted late Wednesday night during debate of the Transportation, Treasury, HUD and Judiciary appropriations by a vote of 231 to 191.

"With more than 3.7 million federal housing violations annually, I couldn't be more pleased that this Congress has acted, in a bipartisan fashion, to continue our efforts to end a practice that plagues many of the least among us," Congressman Al Green said." Fair housing initiatives protect not only the disabled from discrimination but it prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, and national origin. This is a victory for all those seeking an equal opportunity to build a better future for their families by having a place to call home."

Congressman Al Green was joined by Representatives Barbara Lee, Alcee Hastings, and Raul Grijalva, who served as co-sponsors. The amendment will provide additional funds to fair housing organizations, non-profit groups, and state fair housing enforcement agencies to educate consumers on the trappings of housing discrimination and provide resources for enforcement. More importantly, it funds investigative efforts which provide proof of housing discrimination.

Below is Congressman Al Green's complete floor statement:

"Mr. Chairman, I rise in the spirit of a great and noble American, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who reminded us that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

"I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have fought injustice in housing; especially Chairman Knollenberg, Ranking Member Olver and my Ranking Member on the Financial Services Committee, Congressman Barney Frank.

"I thank those Democrats and Republican of good will who have been engaged in this fight for housing justice, because fighting injustice in housing is neither a Democratic nor Republican cause.

"Fighting injustice in housing is an American cause. All people of good will understand that we cannot allow invidious discrimination to steal the great American ideal of having a place to call home.

"This is why 37 years ago this august body passed the Federal Fair Housing Act. However, 37 years later, we still have more than 3.7 million Fair Housing violations annually. This is why my colleagues have supported funding of, the Fair Housing Initiative Program and the Fair Housing Assistance Program.

"Mr. Chairman, I thank God for those Democrats and Republicans who have supported the funding of these vital programs that not only educate consumers about housing discrimination but more importantly promulgate investigations that produce evidence of Housing discrimination.

"Mr. Chairman, these vital programs are being cut by nearly eight million dollars. So today, I call upon Democrats and Republicans of good will to restore these vital programs to FY 2005 levels. If we are to keep real the American ideal of homeownership for all, we need to restore this funding.

"If we want the American dream embodied in the adage 'there is no place like home' to thrive and survive not only for those in the suites of life, but also those in the streets of life, we ought to restore this funding.

"When it comes to housing, we cannot claim justice for all of us as long as there is injustice against any one of us."