After reports of high- earning families living in affordable housing surfaced, Congressional leaders are considering of evicting them.
According to boston.cbslocal.com, one of the earlier reports showed a family of four living in Roxbury complex is apparently earning $228,000 while Mission Hill houses five families with six- figure salaries.
Inspector General of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a report detailing an estimate of "over- income" 25,000 families living in public housing. The report said that these families were qualified of availing a public housing unit. However, when an increase in their salary took place, none form the Housing Authority told them they are no longer allowed to stay in a public housing.
Local authorities defended their decision of letting them stay by saying that these high- earning families were "add economic diversity to the public housing developments and serve as good role models."
However, Rep. Michael Capuano (D-7th District) said "At some point, a good role model would make room for somebody else who needs the housing. I think the concept of public housing is a good thing, but I also think it should be for people in need."
Other representatives also support this proposal. In a report by cnsnews.com, Rep. Bradley Byrne drafted the "Public Housing Accountability Act of 2015" which will require an income review of the families living in public housing yearly aside from the evaluation during the time of their initial occupancy.
The bill also "requires that within 30 days of receipt of a notice that the family makes too much money to qualify for public housing, they must either appeal the notice with additional documentation that was not included during the income review, or they must vacate the housing."
Rep. Byrne said "There is far too much fraud and abuse within our nation's welfare programs. That's why I have introduced the Public Housing Accountability Act, which will help prevent over-income families from residing in taxpayer funded public housing."
What are your thoughts about Rep. Byrne's proposed bill? Sound it in the comments!
