Our most recent (September 20) call on “HoUSed: Universal, Stable, Affordable Housing” addressed the $327 billion in housing investments included in the budget reconciliation package, shared how the HoUSed campaign’s policy priorities can impact renters, and provided updates from the field.
NLIHC’s Sarah Saadian provided updates from Capitol Hill, including where Congress stands on enacting the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package, which contains $327 billion in investments for affordable housing and community development. The package also contains funding for NLIHC’s HoUsed campaign’s top policy priorities: $90 billion to expand housing vouchers, $80 billion for public housing, and $37 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund. Advocates should continue to call their members of Congress and urge them to include these vital resources in any reconciliation package.
Ann Olivia, vice president of housing policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), shared CBPP’s analysis of how many renters would be helped in each state if the $90 billion proposed for housing vouchers in the reconciliation package is enacted into law. CBPP estimates the funding would extend rental assistance to an estimated 750,000 of the lowest-income households. Sarah Saadian also shared NLIHC’s estimate of how much funding for the national Housing Trust Fund each state will receive if the reconciliation package is enacted.
Cathy Garcia, a community organizer from Chainbreaker Collective in New Mexico, shared field updates on eviction prevention and the state’s eviction moratorium. Brian Hanlon, chief executive officer of California YIMBY discussed SB-09 and SB-10, California state legislation that changes zoning codes to allow for construction of more affordable multifamily housing in previously inaccessible areas. Christine Hess, executive director of the Nevada Housing Coalition, gave updates on recent affordable housing round table discussions with other housing organizations in Nevada.
NLIHC’s Sarah Gallagher and Emma Foley presented updates on Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) implementation that can be found on NLIHC’s treasury ERA dashboard. Erin Kemple from the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, an ERASE Project grantee, provided updates on how the center is using its grant funding to expand access to ERA across the state.
Our next national call will be on Tuesday, September 28 at 2:30 pm ET. We will be joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and we will provide updates from Capitol Hill, hear the latest from the field, and more. Register for the upcoming call at: tinyurl.com/ru73qan
View presentation slides at: tinyurl.com/23k753r2
Watch recording at: tinyurl.com/4e43s9d4