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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 14, 2023 09:08 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Frank Burns |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Requiring the LBFC to Evaluate Public Housing in Johnstown |
| Currently, residents of large cities in the Commonwealth can circumvent their city’s Housing Authority’s long waiting list by claiming residency in Johnstown and receiving Section 8 vouchers for the city, only to move to another location after a short time. Due to current policy at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Johnstown Housing Authority (JHA) still has to foot the bill for the voucher holders when they leave the city. This practice is putting a burden on local school districts, taxpayers, law enforcement, and social service providers in Cambria County. At one point in 2020, the JHA was paying nearly $1.8 million to support families that no longer lived in the county. Unfortunately, without a change, individuals will continue to game the system and take advantage of the JHA and similar small-city housing authorities. That is why I plan to introduce a resolution requiring the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to evaluate if there is a disproportionate number of public housing units in Johnstown based on its size and population. The evaluation will also include a comparison of Johnstown to other cities in the Commonwealth and nationally. This resolution will give information that can help us as legislators to prevent individuals from abusing public housing system through this process. I ask that you please join me in co-sponsoring this important resolution. |