Congressman Al Green Testifies on Behalf of Fair and Affordable Housing for Our Servicemembers

(Washington, DC)--Today, Congressman Al Green testified before the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity regarding HR 3186, the Build Houses for Our Militarys Enlisted Servicemembers (Build HOMES) Act.  The legislation would provide increased access to quality affordable housing for our men and women in uniform and end what Congressman Al Green calls "added income discrimination."

"The men and women serving in our nations armed forces take many risks and make many sacrifices in the protection of liberty both here and abroad.  Just as they have made a commitment to us, we should make a commitment to them, ensuring that their families have a place to call home," Congressman Al Green said.

Today, many military bases across the country are experiencing severe housing shortages. Currently, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers the military basic allowance for housing (BAH) as income in determining if a person qualifies for low-income housing.  However, HUD does not consider civilian Section 8 housing vouchers as income for the same purpose. 

"Soldiers should not suffer because of their added income.  This is a form of discrimination. The discrepancy in these regulations penalizes our military families and makes access to affordable housing that much more difficult.  This is an issue of fairness," Congressman Al Green said.

If enacted, the Build HOMES Act would allow more military personnel to qualify for low-income housing assistance by directing HUD not to consider BAH as income when determining a servicemembers eligibility for low-income housing. Due to the Base Realignment and Closure Process (BRAC), service-members are moving to new bases; thus, increasing and shifting affordable housing needs quickly for our military bases.  Texas alone will become home to 9,700 new military personnel as a result of BRAC. 

"This bill would fairly amend our low-income housing program to allow more service-members access to affordable, low-income housing the same way civilian persons qualify. This would end the added income discrimination our military personnel currently experience," Congressman Al Green said.

"Today, there are 1.5 million service-men and women protecting our country.  I firmly believe that this bill can help improve the quality of life for thousands of service-men and women by giving them and their families access to the affordable housing they have earned," Congressman Al Green said.

The bill currently has 19 cosponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

###