House Democratic Policy & Communications Committee (DPCC) Co-Chair Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Representative Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh unveiled a comprehensive proposal in Boston, MA on May 7 to address the public housing crisis in America. The proposal, A Better Deal for Public Housing & Ladders of Opportunity for American Families, proposes to invest $70 billion over five years in America’s public housing and offers measures to empower residents, foster safer neighborhoods, and create economic opportunities.
The announcement was part of the Our Homes, Our Voices National Housing Week of Action, May 1-8, during which thousands of advocates at more than 125 events and activities around the country called for greater federal investments in affordable rental homes. “This proposal to make a sustained investment in public housing is a clear rebuke of proposals to cut housing benefits – whether by slashing investments in public housing and other federal housing programs or imposing rigid, punitive work requirements on millions of low income families,” stated NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel at the Boston event announcing the proposal.
Public housing has been underfunded for decades, leading to tens of billions of dollars in backlogged capital repair needs. The proposal includes a significant and sustained reinvestment in public housing infrastructure to ensure this critical source of affordable rental homes is available for America’s lowest income residents. The plan also includes significant resources to provide struggling families living in public housing with the job counseling and training, educational and after-school enrichment programs, and other services to help lift families out of poverty.
Learn more about A Better Deal at: https://bit.ly/2yPZKgo
Read NLIHC’s press release commending the announcement at: https://bit.ly/2I3W2oO