Take Action: Ask Congress to Reinvest Scarce Federal Resources into Key Affordable Rental Housing Programs

United For Homes

Take Action: Ask Congress to Reinvest Scarce Federal Resources into Key Affordable Rental Housing Programs

Ask your Representatives to sign onto Rep. Keith Ellison's (D-MN) Dear Colleague Letter, urging Congress to reinvest any savings from changes to the mortgage interest deduction and other homeownership tax benefits into key affordable rental housing programs for people with the greatest needs.

As Congress begins to focus on comprehensive tax reform, it has become clear that policymakers are actively considering reforms to the mortgage interest deduction and other homeownership tax benefits that largely serve higher-income households. Rep. Ellison has issued a Dear Colleague Letter calling on Congress to reinvest any savings from reforming these tax benefits-whether through direct changes or by increasing the standard tax deduction-into highly targeted rental housing programs. This includes the national Housing Trust Fund, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit with improvements to ensure deeper income targeting, and other rental assistance and production programs.

BACKGROUND

Our nation is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. Growing demand has resulted in higher rents, and more families than ever before struggle to pay their rent each month. Every Congressional district and state across the nation is impacted. Yet, despite the need, federal investments that reduce homelessness and housing poverty are sorely underfunded. As a result, just one in four families eligible for housing assistance receive the help they need.

Comprehensive tax reform provides one of the best opportunities to end homelessness and housing poverty once and for all. By reinvesting the savings from reforming the mortgage interest deduction and other homeownership tax benefits, Congress can make the critical investments that our nation needs to help America's families, our local communities, and our national economy thrive. Given America's growing affordable rental housing crisis, it is critical that Congress reinvest scarce federal resources into providing affordable rental homes for people with the greatest needs.

The key to reducing poverty and increasing economic mobility is access to safe and affordable homes. Increasing access to affordable homes bolsters child and family success, economic growth, wages, and productivity. And, each dollar invested in developing and preserving affordable homes boosts local economies by leveraging public and private resources to generate income and supports job creation and retention.

HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION

1. Ask your Representative to sign onto Rep. Ellison's Dear Colleague Letter, urging Congress to reinvest any savings from reforming the mortgage interest deduction and other homeownership tax benefits into providing affordable rental housing to low-income families. The deadline for Representatives to sign on is January 27!  

Make a Call! 

2. Sign our petition in support of Rep. Ellison's Dear Colleague Letter and join more than 2000 housing advocacy organizations who support reinvesting savings from reforms to housing tax benefits into affordable housing programs. 

 Sign here! 

3. Please share this letter with your network and encourage others to call their Representatives and sign the letter!