SCHAKOWSKY VOWS TO TURN BACK ASSAULT BY BUSH ADMINISTRATION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

August 28, 2003
Press Release
AUGUST 28, 2003

SCHAKOWSKY VOWS TO TURN BACK
ASSAULT BY BUSH ADMINISTRATION
ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

CHICAGO, IL - Speaking to hundreds of community activists and neighborhood residents at a rally in Gale School Park, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said that affordable housing must become a national priority for the Bush Administration. Schakowsky vowed that she would work to restore cuts made by President Bush and Republicans in Congress to critical affordable housing programs.

"If you live in a million dollar house, you got a generous tax break from President Bush. If you are one of the thousands of families struggling to afford a place to live, you can look forward to more cuts from President Bush in the Section 8 program," said Schakowsky, who added that 60,000 fewer families would receive vouchers, over 2,430 in Illinois, if the House passed VA/HUD bill becomes law.

Statistics are showing that the housing crisis is growing. For example:

  • The Chicago area is short at least 150,000 affordable housing units.
  • Forty percent of Illinois residents cannot afford fair market rents.
  • In 2002, Chicago had a 22 percent increase in requests for emergency shelters and a 35 percent increase in requests for shelter by families.
  • In Illinois, there are one million renters in need of housing assistance who must compete for 230,000 assisted-housing units
  • Nearly five million people are facing worst case housing needs -- they spend 50% or more of their income on housing.
  • 90,000 affordable housing units are lost every year.


William McNary, President of USAction, community residents, and representatives from Family Matters, a non-profit organization that assists families in the Rogers Park neighborhood, joined Schakowsky at the rally.

"Republicans are leading a national assault on affordable housing. In real dollars, HUD's budget is one third of what it was during the Ford Administration. The Bush Administration will continue the attack until we stand together and change the direction in Washington. I am looking forward to that fight knowing that together we will succeed," Schakowsky concluded.