Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced the “Project Turnkey Act” (H.R.1042) on February 6. The NLIHC-endorsed legislation provides flexible funding to quickly convert unused buildings into affordable housing and emergency shelter units to address the homelessness crisis and expand access to safe, stable housing.
The “Project Turnkey Act” is modeled after Oregon’s successful Project Turnkey Program, which leveraged federal investments from the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020” to convert unused buildings into non-congregate emergency shelter and long-term permanent supportive housing. Project Turnkey housing is created, operated, and owned by local governments, tribes, or nonprofit community partners, ensuring the units are designed to meet the unique needs of the community. If enacted, the “Project Turnkey Act” would enable communities to repurpose hotels, motels, schools, hospitals, and office buildings into affordable housing developments, while also providing funding for the repair and expansion of existing shelters, helping communities address immediate housing needs while permanent affordable housing is developed.
“During the pandemic, Congress acted with urgency to provide historic and unprecedented resources to address the health and housing needs of America’s lowest-income and most marginalized households, including people experiencing homelessness. With these investments, Congress saved lives and prevented a wave of evictions and an increase in homelessness,” said Renee Willis, interim president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “Congress must build on the tremendous successes and lessons learned from the pandemic to build a stronger housing safety net by enacting Rep. Bonamici’s ‘Project Turnkey Act’ and other critical legislation.”
Read the full press release at: https://tinyurl.com/h2w3wyz.
Read the bill text at: https://tinyurl.com/33cu6me7.