Senator Nelson Calls on President Trump to Fund Housing Programs at "Unprecedented Level"

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) on February 8 sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to include “unprecedented” funding for affordable housing in his FY19 budget request, which is set to be released on February 12. Mr. Nelson cites the lack of affordable housing in his home state to illustrate the need for an increase in financial allocations to HUD and Department of Agriculture housing assistance programs.

Nearly 70% of low-income renters in Florida pay more than 40% of their incomes on housing costs. The shortage of affordable units is exacerbated by the influx of Hurricane Maria survivors from Puerto Rico seeking refuge in Florida. “For too long, affordable housing has been treated like a luxury, rather than a basic need. This defies common sense,” Mr. Nelson wrote. The letter recognizes the role state and local governments play in providing affordable housing, but asserts that “without meaningful support for affordable housing at all levels of government, we risk condemning a whole lot of Americans to a life of distress and despair.”

Read Senator Nelson’s letter at: http://bit.ly/2C6ESPv