The issue I would like to address is the need for additional funding for federal housing programs and projects. Affordable housing continues to be a major barrier for low-income individuals. The availability of affordable continues to decrease, as does funds dedicated to affordable housing programs such as public housing and housing choice vouchers (HCV). It is dire that more funding be allocated to updating and increasing affordable housing programs, so that our most vulnerable populations have access to safe and affordable housing. The wait lists for most programs are several years long and during that time period these families continue to struggle to meet the basic needs of their households, with more than 30% being used for rent (Jun,
