New legislation from Congressman John Carney (D) seeks to give more flexibility to more public housing programs across the country.
Unveiled Tuesday in Dover, the bill expands the number of agencies that can enroll in the federal Moving to Work program that encourages participants to eventually get off of public assistance.
That number would go from 39 currently to 60 if approved.
In place in Delaware since 1999, those receiving subsidized housing must leave the program within five years under normal circumstances while the state helps them to keep a steady job and save for their future.
Some critics say that punishes the working poor who need discounted rents to survive. Delaware State Housing Authority Director Anas Ben Addi says it’s a trade off.
“Is it a good thing or a bad thing that you have to evict somebody at the end if they are not ready? But at the same time, I feel that there is a responsibility for us to give a shot to the other 6,000 who are on our waiting list," Ben Addi said.
Carney, a member of the Financial Services Committee overseeing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, says he sees a bright future for the revenue-neutral bill, despite Republicans controlling both the U.S. House and Senate.
“Both Democrats and Republicans support the notion of public assistance programs that help people work their way off public assistance and it’s not just a lifetime tenure on public housing or welfare or whatever the case may be," he said.
Carney says the bill will be introduced this week.