PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

HUD Resident Leaders and Advocates Rally to Save Our Homes and Stop Bush Housing Cuts in P
by Craig Stevens Thursday, Oct. 09, 2003 at 11:54 AM
craig@housingalliancepa.org 412-441-3080 5877 Commerce St., Pittsburgh PA 15206

For Pittsburgh Indymedia: HUD resident leaders and affordable housing advocates from housing, labor, and disabilities groups held a rally at the Federal Building in Pittsburgh to call on Congress to fully fund the Section 8 and Public Housing programs in this year's HUD budget.

HUD Resident Leaders and Advocates Rally to Save Our Homes and Stop Bush Housing Cuts in Pittsburgh
October 9, 2003

HUD multifamily housing resident leaders and affordable and fair housing, homeless prevention, labor and other advocates turned out for a sprited rally to "Save Our Homes and Stop Bush Housing Cuts" in front of the Federal Building in Pittsburgh today. Over 50 participants stood in front of the federal building where Senator Specters regional office is located.

The rally was organized by the Housing Alliance of PA and Southwestern PA Alliance of HUD Tenants. They were joined by members of SEIU local 29, which is leading the "Justice for Janitors" campaign to win decent health care benefits for janitors serving downtown businesses. Their members understand what it means to decide between decent housing and health care. People with disabilities and advocates from the Three Rivers Independent Living Council, Fair Housing Partnership, Community Human Services Corporation, and the Northside Coalition for Fair Housing also participated in the rally.

Marvin Harpool, HUD tenant leader, explained that the "Save Our Homes" Rally was part of a nationwide series of protests organized by the National Alliance of HUD Tenants (NAHT), ENFRONT - Public Housing Residents Coalition, and the National Coalition for the Homeless and marked International Housing Rights Day and the UN's World Habitat Day. Harpool is a Board member of NAHT as well as leader of the local HUD tenant alliance.

The over 50 participants chanted and held signs saying "Specter, Specter, Do you care; We want Housing & Health Care!"; "Housing Cuts Hurt Children, Elderly and Disabled"; "Federal Budget Cuts Equal Homelessness"; and "Specter, Santorum - No Cuts to Section 8!"

The protest was held to call on Pennsylvania's U.S. Senators and the region's House Representatives to vote for full funding for Section 8 rental assistance renewals and Public Housing operating and capitol improvement budgets for the 2004 federal fiscal year which began October 1, 2003. The Senate will be voting on the HUD Appropriations Bill as early as next week.

The rally also called on State and local governments to commit resources to saving, improving and building new affordable housing for extremely low income families, elderly and people with disabilities - those living below the poverty line.

George Moses, HUD tenant and Board member of the Housing Alliance of PA and the National Low Income Housing Coalition, told the rally participants "we need organize to win passage in Congress of a National Housing Trust Fund which would biuild 1.5 million affordable homes over the next decade. We also want a commitment from local governments to preserve or replace all existing subsidized housing using all available federal, state and local services."

Raymond Davis, HUD tenant leader from the Federal American Properties in East Liberty, said "it doesn't make sense that Bush is proposing spending $80 billion in Iraq to occupy and rebuild that country but is cutting back on housing and other needed programs here."

The Housing Alliance and SPAHT plan to continue their campaign to save, improve and expand subsidized housing at the local, state and federal level. Craig Stevens, W. PA Coordinator for the Housing Alliance, said that their long term goals is to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have the opportunity to live in safe, quality, affordable and accessible housing - with dignity -especially those with low incomes.

Reported by Craig Stevens, Housing Alliance of PA

www.housingalliancepa.org

add your comments