CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE

August 11, 1967

Page 22379

RENT SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM AIDS THE ELDERLY

Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I rise in support of the rent supplement program, not only as it pertains to the general problem of housing for low income families, but as it applies to housing for the elderly.

The Subcommittee on Housing for the Elderly of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, recently concluded hearings on the rent supplement program as it affects our low income elderly citizens. The hearings clearly illustrate the great need for a rent supplement program.

The 1960 census, taken over 7 years ago, indicates that out of 6.5 million households headed by persons 65 and over, 3 million live in substandard and deteriorating housing. Many of these people live in four story walk-up, rat-infested quarters without baths or kitchens. Denied dignity, they live in the very midst of abject poverty.

Rent supplements, as applied to the elderly, would enable those low income, older citizens to live in decent housing, adapted to their special needs. They would gain social and economic security, and much of the emotional burden of meeting the problems of day-to-day living would be relieved.

The rent supplement program as proposed by President Johnson is modest. He has requested $40 million in additional funds which would provide 45,000 housing units. A substantial number of older people would benefit from this program.

The recent action of the House in eliminating entirely the rent supplement program represents a failure to serve adequately the needs of the low income family and the elderly poor.

I have said before, and I repeat, that housing is one of the most personal and immediate needs of any family. This need is even more evident when applied to 3 million elderly who have little to enjoy other than their home surroundings.

The elderly poor have had two great and unique problems -- medical care and housing. In 1965, the Congress recognized the first, and enacted the medicare bill. The time is now upon us when we should recognize the second major problem -- housing.

By enlisting the resources of private enterprise and by combining with the existing public housing program, the rent supplement program would mark a significant step toward providing decent housing for our low income older citizens.

I urge again that full appropriations be restored to the rent supplement program.