House Approves Housing Bill, Sets Stage for New Veto Battle

House Democrats won passage of a $15.9-billion omnibus housing authorization bill today, setting the stage for a new veto battle with President Reagan.

The Senate passed a similar measure in March, and the two chambers are expected to resolve differences in the two bills quickly and send the legislation to the White House, where officials have warned that a veto is likely.

The House bill was passed on a 285-120 vote.

The Senate bill would authorize $15.6 billion for the various government housing programs. Both measures basically seek to keep housing programs at their current levels, with the House bill allowing for inflation.

No Regular Bill Since ’80

Largely because of Administration objections to the costs and strategies of existing housing programs, Congress has not been able to pass a regular housing authorization bill since 1980. Democrats charge that Reagan’s policies have led to a shortage of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families.

Since 1981, appropriations for federally assisted housing programs dropped from $31.9 billion to as low as $9.4 billion. Almost no new public housing units have been built over the last five years.