Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on yesterday afternoon’s passage of the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act, H.R. 1227, which addresses the housing needs of the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This legislation is the first of several bills that the House will soon consider to deal with the unmet needs of the people of the Gulf Coast.

“House Democrats are delivering on our promise to bring a new direction to the Gulf Coast region and help these families recover from the largest natural disaster in our nation’s history. The Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act is a crucial first step. The bill will speed up the repair and rebuilding of homes and affordable rental housing in affected areas, ensure continued rental assistance for displaced families and those who have moved back home, and provide reimbursements to communities and landlords that generously assisted evacuees.

“The Supplemental Appropriations bill the House will consider this week will also provide vitally-needed emergency funding for the struggling Gulf Coast region.

“The Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act is the product of the dedicated work of the House Financial Services Committee, whose members wrote this legislation based on hearings in the Gulf Coast region. The oversight hearings being held by this Congress will continue to produce results and improve the lives of the American people. Democrats will continue to fulfill our commitment to help those displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita rebuild their homes and their lives.”

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