Addressing local housing coalitions from across the United States at a national gathering held April 2-4 in Washington, Bob Maffin stated that “there is very little noise about housing on the hill … and not enough foot soldiers in housing at this point in time …”

This national meeting was an attempt to focus congressional attention on the housing crisis in particular as it is affecting, and is projected to affect, localities. It made those of us attending starkly realize how little focus there was. Semi-officially representing the Atlanta Coalition, and a state-wide group presently taking shape, Ernest Jackson from the Atlanta Housing Authority, Hal LeFevre from the Trust Company of Georgia, and I went to Washington to speak with the delegation and to attend senate hearings on the moratorium.

In visiting our entire Georgia congressional delegation, we discovered great concern over the president’s impoundment practices, and their ramification. Only, one, however, is actively co-sponsoring legislation to counter the moratorium. Congressman R. Stevens from Athens is supporting Senator Frank Evans on HR 4939, which requires that no less than 60 percent of all loans be made from the Farmer’s Home Rural Housing Insurance Fund to lower income borrowers and at reduced rates. It also requires that the secretary of agriculture utilize all appropriated funds for farm labor housing. Congressman Stevens is visibly addressing the problem, and stands out in our delegation for an action response.

Most of the delegation had not really expressed their concerns to the president and Secretary Lynn, but many assured us they would. We left with them a recent state report on the economic and social impact of the moratorium, and a report on the effects here in Atlanta alone. None had an access to this material previously.

We spoke to them about Senator Ervin’s bill on restricting the presidential power to unilaterally impound monies, and received positive indications that they would support such legislation, S. Bill 373. Congressman Blackburn, however, seemed to be the most supportive of the present administration’s actions, and reluctant on legislation such as Ervin’s.

We have assurances that if legislation to lift the housing moratorium is introduced, most of our delegates will be supportive of it. It is expected that Richard T. Hanna from California will be introducing such a bill soon. Senator Talmadge was non-committal on this, however, and again Congressman Blackburn seemed supportive of the need for such presidential action as a housing moratorium.

There was a consensus among the members of the delegation that they hadn’t heard much from their constituencies on the housing moratorium, either expressing opposition, or concern over its seriousness nationally and locally. After meeting in Washington and discovering that there was a general lack of knowledge about the criticalness of the president’s action, it struck me that I really hadn’t shared with you some key national and local information. The next few weeks this column will be addressing the housing moratorium.

In the interim, since we have spoken to our delegation about aforementioned proposed legislation, words of support and urgency from you, their constituents are very important. Please write.