NLIHC Calls on Advocates to Submit “Blank Slate Proposal” to Senators

NLIHC and the United for Homes campaign continue to urge Senators to include the United for Homes proposal to fund the National Housing Trust Fund through a modification of the mortgage interest deduction as part of any submission in response to the “blank slate” exercise initiated by Senate Committee on Finance Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) (see Memo, 6/28). Senate offices have been asked to submit detailed proposals on their priorities for tax expenditure, if all tax expenditures were eliminated and recreated. Senators have until July 26 to submit their proposals.Senate offices have been given instructions by the Senate Committee on Finance as to how to submit proposals, which will be kept confidential by the Committee.NLIHC is sending a letter to each Senator making this request and has made available a cover letter outlying the United for Homes proposal, as well as a one-pager and sample legislative language that should also be submitted to Senate offices. NLIHC also supports the inclusion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit in any request. Advocates should contact their Senators as soon as possible, and definitely far in advance of the July 26 deadline.View NLIHC’s blank slate letter to Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY): http://bit.ly/18XVOHe View a blank slate cover letter template at: http://bit.ly/184iSVh View the United for Homes proposal at: http://bit.ly/18IItTk View the draft legislative language at: http://bit.ly/1drUVV9