House Committee Proposes $80B Infrastructure Investment in Public Housing
This story was updated on Sept. 14
NAHRO members’ advocacy helps secure key funding!
The House Committee on Financial Services released historic housing infrastructure legislation overnight on September 9, proposing over $300 billion in investments in housing. The bill includes proposals for $80 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund and $75 billion for new incremental vouchers as the committee’s portion of the $3.5 trillion infrastructure legislation is expected to move through Congress this fall.
Earlier this summer, Congress approved a budget resolution that provided committees with broad instructions on how to write the infrastructure legislation. (Please note that this is a distinct bill and process that is separate from the $1 trillion bipartisan package agreed to in principle this summer.) The budget resolution instructed the Financial Services Committee to spend $332 billion on housing and transportation programs. The text released details over $300 billion in housing investments, which demonstrates that housing is a top priority for lawmakers.
Highlights:
- Public Housing Capital Fund: $80 billion
- New Incremental Vouchers: $75 billion
- Community Development Block Grant: $8.5 billion
- HOME Investment Partnerships: $35 billion
- Housing Trust Fund: $37 billion
- Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance: $15 billion
- PBRA property improvements: $4 billion
- Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief: $1 billion
- Supportive Housing for Elderly: $1 billion
- Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities: $2.5 billion
- Loans for Water and Energy Efficiency: $6 billion
- Housing Investment Fund through CDFI: $9.64 billion
- Native Housing Block Grant: $1.65 billion
In response to the bill, Interim CEO Mike Gerber said, “In August, NAHRO members sent more than 43,000 letters supporting housing investments and NAHRO has been heard! We will continue to put pressure on Congress and the White House to approve this legislation that invests in local communities and provides housing for millions of families. NAHRO thanks Chairwoman Waters and her staff for their tireless support for public housing and community development.” His full statement is available on the NAHRO website.
On Monday, September 13, the House Committee on Financial services considered the legislation in a mark-up session. Several members offered amendments to change the proposal. NAHRO will provide a full analysis of the legislation, including any changes made, in the days following the mark-up. The recorded session is available on the committee’s website.
Once the Financial Services Committee approves the legislation, the bill will be added to bills from other committees and approved on the House floor as one, $3.5 trillion package. Passage in the House is far from guaranteed; though a simple majority is needed to approve the legislation, Democrats control a small majority in the House. Your voice is still needed to move this historic legislation forward. Visit NAHRO’s Action Alert Center to send an updated letter to your lawmakers in support of these investments.