Senators Al Franken (D-MN) and Rob Portmann (R-OH) introduced legislation May 21, 2015 to modify the tax code so that homeless youth and veterans who are full-time students are eligible to live in low-income housing tax credit properties.

The current LIHTC “student rule” does not allow full-time students to be tenants of LIHTC properties. This provision intends to prevent LIHTC funds from being used to build dormitories and to preserve the LIHTC program’s aim to support families with long-term housing needs, as opposed to college students whose needs tend to be shorter term.

The Housing for Homeless Students Act of 2015 (S. 1412) has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.

Co-Sponsors for the bill as of May 27, 2015 include:

  • Susan Collins (R-ME)
  • Angus King (I-ME)
  • Patty Murray (D-WA)