The suggestion by a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives that federal lawmakers should get a housing allowance to live in the District of Columbia has been roundly rejected by some D.C. residents.

“I really do believe Congress would be much better served if there was a housing allowance for members of Congress,” Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican who resigned from the House on June 30, said according to the June 27 edition of The Hill newspaper. “In today’s climate, nobody’s going to suggest or vote for a pay raise. But you shouldn’t have to be among the wealthiest of Americans to serve properly in Congress.”

FILE – In this May 20, 2017 file photo, U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz waves after addressing the Utah GOP Convention in Sandy, Utah. Chaffetz, a Republican who is quitting Congress at the end of the week is heading to Fox News. Fox News Channel announced on Wednesday, June 28 that five-term Chaffetz will be a contributor effective July 1, offering political analysis on various Fox programs. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Chaffetz served in the House from 2009 until last week. During that time, he slept in his office when he was in Washington. Members of Congress earn $174,000 a year and receive health and retirement benefits as federal employees.

The office of D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) did not respond to requests for comment by the AFRO. However, her constituents had plenty to say about Chaffetz’s suggestion.

“Hell no, members of Congress shouldn’t get a housing allowance,” said resident Jason J. Clark. “They get a pretty decent salary and they make more than the average D.C. resident. He shouldn’t have to struggle to find housing.”

The financial website GoBanking Rates reported in April that one needs to make $80,273 a year to live comfortably in the District. The median cost of a house in the District is $562,900 and the median cost of rent is $2,695, according to the May 2016 edition of Zillow, an online publication that tracks housing prices.

Jacque Patterson, a longtime resident of Ward 8 and former advisory neighborhood commissioner and Ward 8 Democrats president, said that Chaffetz’s suggestion may seem outrageous, but the former lawmaker may have a point.

“He actually proves that we need more affordable housing in the city,” Patterson said. “It is becoming difficult for individuals who have jobs to live here. D.C. is very expensive and the U.S. Congress should do something about that.”

Ed Potillo, a politically active Ward 7 resident, agrees with Clark, saying that Chaffetz didn’t have to live in his office and could have found housing in the city.

“Considering the salary that members of Congress make, that shouldn’t be a problem,” Potillo said. “I know of instances where members of Congress live together in the city and make it work.”

Among such instances is the famous “Alpha House” arrangement, which saw lawmakers such as Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) live in a D.C. residence owned by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.).

Potillo added that, in the past, many lawmakers didn’t travel to their home districts on the weekends but stayed in the District and bonded.

“That’s how Social Security became a reality and so did programs like Head Start,” Potillo said. “Relations were allowed to develop and people from different parties and philosophies learned how to work together by sharing expenses.”

Ward 8 advisory neighborhood commissioner Mary Cuthbert said that Chaffetz should have more thoroughly researched being a member of Congress when he decided to run.

“If you can’t afford to have two places, don’t run,” Cuthbert said. “Members of Congress make more than the average citizen in terms of salary and benefits but you have to understand what you are running for.”

Cuthbert advises commissioner candidates to look at the position before they decide to run.

“Commissioners aren’t paid, and if you can’t afford it, don’t run,” she said.

Clark said Chaffetz maybe should have re-assessed his finances.

“He should have lowered his standards, he didn’t have to live in an expensive mansion next to the Obamas in Kalorama,” he said. “He could have been a commuter, like other people.”

Patterson added that Chaffetz may have had an entitlement mentality because of his position.

“They should be looking out for the residents instead of themselves,” he said.