By Lucas Eisenberg, NLIHC Policy Intern
Legislators in both chambers have recently introduced bills to expand access to affordable housing and homelessness resources. The bills would expand shelter capacity and permanent supportive housing, help preserve existing HUD-assisted affordable housing, and increase investments in the National Housing Trust Fund.
“Building and Maintaining Homeless Shelters Act” – Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)
Senator Smith introduced the “Building and Maintaining Homeless Shelters Act” (S.5534), which would create a new grant program to help communities construct shelters and permanent supportive housing. The bill would provide more than $1.5 billion over the course of five years to increase the capacity of homeless shelters, preserve existing supportive housing stock, and maintain these buildings through repairs. At a time when homelessness is on the rise, this bill would provide shelter and housing providers with the funding they desperately need to connect people experiencing homelessness with safe shelter and a permanent place to call home.
“Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act” – Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Representatives Shontel Brown (D-OH), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), and Michael Lawler (R-NY)
The “Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act” (S.5500/H.R.10534)—bipartisan, bicameral legislation—would help preserve existing HUD-assisted affordable housing by providing loans to properties in need of critical physical improvements. While deeply affordable new supply is needed to address our nation's housing crisis, we similarly need to invest in aging affordable properties to ensure that existing housing remains safe, accessible, and affordable.
“Transit-Oriented Development Act” – Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)
The “Transit-Oriented Development Act” (S.5553) invests $300 billion over ten years into the National Housing Trust Fund and expands other housing resources with a priority toward building and preserving affordable housing near transit hubs. The bill would create more than two million new affordable housing units across the country. The National Housing Trust Fund is the only federal resource specifically targeted toward building and preserving rental homes for extremely low-income households who face the most severe shortage of affordable, accessible housing.
Read the “Building and Maintaining Homeless Shelters Act.”
Read the “Affordable Housing and Protection Act.”
Read the “Transit-Oriented Development Act.”