04 Oct 2022 A Bold, Bipartisan Response to the Housing Affordability Crisis: The American Housing Act of 2023 in Housing
Every American deserves to live in a decent home at an affordable price. Stable housing in a safe neighborhood is essential for families’ physical and mental well-being—and the cost of affording a place to live should not be an overwhelming burden.
Explore BPC Action’s legislative brief with bipartisan solutions to the housing crisis and check out BPC’s latest polling data on housing affordability here.
See legislation introduced in the 118th Congress that includes elements of the American Housing Act here.
What They’re Saying:
“The Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy is always on the front lines of solutions to address our nation’s housing affordability crisis and help ensure families have safe and stable homes. I applaud the Center’s efforts to identify bipartisan proposals to tackle the root causes of these problems, and I look forward to continued collaboration to advance our shared goals.” – Senator Todd Young (R-IN)
“Without access to housing, nothing else in life works – not your job, your health or your family. Millions of Americans are paying over 50% of their monthly paychecks for rent, leaving them financially vulnerable. For millions more, even the idea of homeownership is simply out of reach and unattainable. Meanwhile, we have hundreds of thousands of Americans who are homeless on any given night. As a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, I know there are solutions to help tackle this crisis that we can agree on. I applaud the Bipartisan Policy Center for outlining this response to the housing crisis. I look forward to delving into the details and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider what we can do to help the millions of Americans who are struggling with the high cost of housing.” – Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)
“Our housing affordability crisis – and high core inflation – is the result of years of underinvestment in affordable housing production. The only way we can effectively address this crisis is by building more affordable housing where it is needed most. This package of legislation is desperately needed and should be adopted as soon as possible. As a principal author of the 1949 and 1968 national housing acts, the National Housing Conference is proud to endorse and work to support this important legislation from the Bipartisan Policy Center. Effective and sustainable policy is always made from the center out.” – David Dworkin, President and CEO, National Housing Conference
“From cities to suburbs to rural America, the cost of housing and demand for it has significantly outpaced salaries and supply. Up for Growth’s recent Housing Underproduction in the U.S. report found that America fell 3.8 million homes short of meeting housing needs as of 2019. Indeed, a new survey data from Morning Consult shows most Americans believe that federal action is needed to solve a national crisis. The Bipartisan Policy Center’s J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy’s American Housing Act of 2023 represents a comprehensive approach. The proposal would break down barriers and boost production by increasing federal resources for housing production and supporting state and local efforts to eliminate exclusionary zoning. Up for Growth Action applauds this proposal and looks forward to working with the BPC on this critical initiative.” – Mike Kingsella, CEO, Up for Growth Action
“A future in which every American has equitable access to a safe, decent, and affordable home requires steadfast commitment across the political spectrum. Habitat for Humanity International strongly supports bipartisan investment in housing at the local, state and federal level that would substantially increase the supply of housing, reduce racial homeownership and wealth gaps, and build stronger communities across the country that could drive greater economic opportunity for everyone.” – Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International
“The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition applauds the Bipartisan Policy Center for recognizing the importance of expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit as a foundational part of this ambitious plan to address our nation’s affordable housing crisis. The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Commission was a leader in calling for an expansion of the Housing Credit nearly a decade ago, and the need has only grown since then. We look forward to working with the Bipartisan Policy Center to enact these broadly supported proposals to make a meaningful dent in our nation’s vast and growing affordable housing shortage.” - Emily Cadik, CEO, Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition
“Our nation’s affordable housing crisis impacts all communities throughout the country, with lowest income families hit the hardest. LISC supports the Bipartisan Policy Center’s efforts to elevate legislative proposals that have bipartisan support and will increase affordable housing options for underserved families, including proposals that would strengthen the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and would enact a new Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit to support the development and rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes in distressed communities.” – Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President of Policy, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
“The Bipartisan Policy Center’s J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy’s American Housing Act of 2023 provides Congress with a clear, bipartisan solution to address our nation’s affordable housing crisis and ensure working families can access quality, affordable homes. In particular, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act proposals are key to deliver the necessary resources to produce and preserve much-needed housing in communities across the country. Enterprise is committed to working closely with the Bipartisan Policy Center to advance these commonsense priorities, delivering on our mission of making home a place of power, pride and belonging.” – Liz Osborn, Vice President of Policy, Enterprise Community Partners
