Congress
House Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2021 HUD Funding
Yesterday, the full House Committee on Appropriations voted along party lines to approve the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (T-HUD) bill. A summary of the HUD provisions can be found here. The full committee added the and amendment that allows certain CDBG-DR grantees to request relief from recaptures for overpayments.
House Passes Infrastructure Bill
Last week the House of Representatives passed a $1.5 trillion infrastructure package (H.R. 2), which includes several housing provisions. A summary of the housing provisions in the bill can be found here. The measure passed by a vote of 233 to 188, with three Republicans crossing party lines to support it and two Democrats breaking […]
House Appropriations Committee Passes FY-2021 HUD Funding Measure
On June 7, 2020 the House Appropriations Committee released its draft fiscal year 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill. The measure was adopted by the Subcommittee on July 8, 2020. The measure heads next to the Full Committee for an additional markup. The bill provides a total of $50.6 billion […]
Bipartisan Policy Center Publishes Brief on Housing Assistance as a COVID-19 Priority
On June 12 the Bipartsan Policy Center published a new brief entitled “Housing Assistance is a COVID-19 Response and Racial Justice Priority.” The brief finds that the public health and economic crisis that COVID-19 triggered has put millions of low-income households at risk of eviction and homelessness and has widened racial disparities in housing and health outcomes.
House Passes Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020
The House of Representatives passed the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020 (H.R. 7301) to provide relief for homeowners, renters, landlords and people experiencing homelessness amidst the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The provisions of this bill were largely included in the HEROES Act as passed by the House in May, which has yet to be voted on in the Senate.
House Uses CRA to Reverse OCC’s CRA Rule
The House of Representatives voted along party lines to pass a resolution of disapproval to nullify the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s new rule on Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The Congressional Review Act of 1996 gives Congress the power to rescind administration rules within 60 calendar days. The bill (H.J. Res 90) would need to be passed by the Senate (with a simple majority) and be signed by the President, both of which seem unlikely to happen.
House Dems $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Package Includes Affordable Housing Provisions
The House Democrats’ recently released infrastructure bill, Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2), includes a myriad of housing provisions. A vote on the legislation is expected before the Fourth of July recess. While the bill is likely to pass the Democrat-led House, it will face greater resistance in the GOP-led Senate. The bill does not include any pay-fors and Republicans are already panning the bill as dead-on-arrival. However, the bill may set an important marker for future infrastructure negotiations. The Trump administration is reportedly drafting a $1 trillion infrastructure package aimed at spurring the economy.
HFSC Hearing: The Rent is Still Due
Earlier today the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) held a virtual hearing on The Rent Is Still Due: America’s Renters, COVID-19 and an Unprecedented Eviction Crisis. Witnesses Cashauna Hill, Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center; Mike Kingsella, Up for Growth; Ann Oliva, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Jenny Schuetz, The Brookings Institution discussed the need for ongoing financial assistance to families.
Senate Banking Hearing: Oversight of Housing Regulators
The Senate Banking Committee held a hearing on June 9 entitled Oversight of Housing Regulators. The witnesses included HUD Secretary Benjamin Carson and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria.
Updated Four Percent LIHTC Factsheets
The ACTION Campaign developed a fact sheet showing the nationwide impact of the four percent LIHTC, as well as state-specific fact sheets for 21 states and the District of Columbia, which would most benefit from a minimum four percent LIHTC rate.
67 U.S. Mayors Join ACTION Campaign Letter to Congress
Sixty-seven mayors representing communities across 28 states and the District of Columbia, joined a letter urging Congress to include provisions that support the LIHTC in the next Coronavirus response package.
House Democrats Introduce $1 Trillion HEROES Act
On Tuesday, House Democrats unveiled the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act) and summary. While the House is expected to vote on the $3 trillion bill on Friday, it is unlikely to become law, at least not in its current form. The bill is largely a messaging document that lays the groundwork for negotiations with the Senate and Republicans.