On September 22, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced draft legislation to create a new tax credit to incentivize developers to build and preserve housing that is affordable to families earning the Area Median Income (AMI). Senator Wyden circulated a Dear Colleague letter, urging Senators to cosponsor his bill. The National Low Income Housing Coalition opposes this bill.
While we are pleased to have Senator Ron Wyden prioritizing solutions to the affordable housing crisis, his proposed Middle Income Housing Tax Credit program would be a misguided and wasteful use of federal resources. NLIHC strongly believes that any new federal housing resource should be targeted to serve those with the greatest, clearest needs—families with extremely low incomes. Instead, Senator Wyden’s bill would serve families who, the data show, do not face significant housing challenges.
NLIHC’s recent report found that just 2% of middle-income renters nationwide are severely cost burdened, compared with 75% of the poorest renters who pay more than half their income towards their rent. These households include seniors, people with disabilities and families with children who struggle to keep a roof over their heads.
Take Action
Contact Your Senators and ask them to oppose Senator Wyden’s draft legislation and NOT become a cosponsor. Tell them that Congress should increase affordable housing resources for those with the greatest needs, not higher-income families.
Sample Script:
“I am [title] of [organization] based in [city, state]. Senator Wyden recently introduced draft legislation to create a new tax credit program to incentivize developers to build housing for families who earn the median income. I am calling to encourage the Senator to oppose this legislation and NOT become a cosponsor.
While we are pleased to have Senator Ron Wyden prioritizing solutions to the affordable housing crisis, his proposed Middle Income Housing Tax Credit program would be a misguided and wasteful use of federal resources. We strongly believe that any new federal housing program should be aimed to helping those families with the greatest needs—extremely low-income families. Instead, Senator Wyden’s bill would serve families who, the data show, do not face significant housing challenges. Just 2% of middle-income renters nationwide are severely cost burdened, compared with 75% of the poorest renters who pay more than half their income towards their rent.
There is overwhelming evidence that the need for affordable housing is primarily concentrated among extremely low-income families in our state and across the nation. Please oppose the Wyden bill and help ensure that critical resources go to those with the greatest needs.
Thank you.”
To contact your Senators’ offices by phone, call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or go to NLIHC’s website at http://nlihc.org and enter your zip code in the “Contact Congress” box at the bottom right of the screen.
To read NLIHC’s statement in opposition to the Middle Income Housing Tax Credit Act of 2016, see: http://nlihc.org/press/releases/7163.