Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota) and Tim Kaine (Virginia) reintroduced the Affordable Housing Act to Congress. us senate We look forward to the creation of a new grant program to fund local government efforts to develop and implement housing policy plans.
The bill, announced Thursday, “allows states, local governments, and regional coalitions to increase the supply of housing, improve housing affordability, and create new “Provide technical assistance to help reduce barriers to housing development.”
Klobuchar and Kaine are working together on the Senate bill; US House of Representatives Leading candidates are Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), and Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio).
“Access to stable, quality housing is key to expanding economic opportunity for families, and the housing market is currently inaccessible for too many people,” Klobuchar said on the Senate floor. announcement Of movement. “This legislation provides state and local governments with critical resources to improve affordability and expand access to high-quality housing where it is needed most.”
Recognizing that the issue of affordable housing is nationwide, Cain explained that a constant complaint he receives from voters in Virginia is the lack of affordable housing.
“[T]Housing needs in one part of the country are not necessarily the same in another,” Cain said in a statement. “That’s why this legislation will allow local governments to work with residents to identify strategies that promote housing supply that will serve their communities.” As a former fair housing attorney, I believe that We’ve seen the difference a roof overhead can make for a family. And I encourage my colleagues to work with us to make affordable housing more accessible to everyone. ”
Specifically, the bill would create a competitive grant program of $300 million annually over five years available to state and local governments.
The announcement requires recipients to “demonstrate rising or anticipated housing cost increases and develop housing plans that increase the housing supply in the area while avoiding displacement of residents in the area.” It is said that
At least 10% of such funds should be allocated to rural development. Grants are prioritized based on “housing programs that make housing affordable to individuals of all races and income levels, reduce barriers to affordable housing development, and avoid displacement of residents.” The announcement explains that this will be added.
While the initiative is aimed at impacting the availability of affordable housing, some political and housing officials say lawmakers are trying to address more persistent obstacles to affordable housing construction, viz. They point to supply shortages and little control over local zoning ordinances.
Still, with many seats and the presidency up for grabs in November, lawmakers are feeling pressure from voters to address the issue. Voters are likely to judge lawmakers’ actions to address affordable housing issues.
