“President Clinton this week proposed increasing the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fiscal Year 2001 budget by $6 billion, bringing the HUD budget to $32.1 billion – the largest HUD budget in over 20 years. The proposed budget would bring increases in every program area, though not in Tacoma and Pierce County. Increased funding and voucher allotments in this area would bring an additional $1,8445,405 in funding to Tacoma; $1,496,461 to Pierce County; $497,667 to Olympia; and $23,887,670 more to the state in 2001. Washington currently receives $148,278,951 in funding and vouchers during the Fiscal Year 2000 budget.This budget shows that HUD is back in business, and has achieved a new level of public trust and confidence by proving it can create and run quality programs, said HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo. The budget will build on HUD’s success and help unlock the door to prosperity for people and places left behind in these good economic times.Cuomo said the new budget would result in increased Section 8 vouchers for subsidized housing and more public housing, needed, he added, to accommodate an increasing senior population in the U.S. The budget also includes the largest increase in HUD’s history for homeless assistance.What Cuomo called a new credibility helped to bring this large budget into being he said during a press conference.Just a few years ago, our critics were calling for the elimination of HUD, Cuomo said. Today, HUD is held up as a model of successful government reinvention.Cuomo said the budget the President submitted to Congress on Monday provides HUD with the tools it needs to deliver on its core mission of promoting adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity, and a suitable living environment free from discrimination.The economy is very strong, but we still have much to do, Cuomo said. The HUD budget is the right place for investment.While the increased budget may seem aggressive, Cuomo said when the increase is viewed in terms of the need, it is modest.This country has the greatest need for affordable housing in its history, Cuomo said, noting the strong economy is part of the problem by driving up rents that people with fixed or low incomes cannot reach. He called it an affordability crisis.I think Congress will be receptive to this, we’ve had a good track record with Congress this past year, Cuomo said. He said he believes that affordable housing is a basic need and isn’t something that can be sacrificed.Whether Congress will be as receptive to the proposed HUD budget during this election year is up in the air.”