Congress
LIHTC, $154 Billion in Housing Spending Now Included in Build Back Better Act
House leadership recently released an updated version of the Build Back Better Act, which now includes $153.95 billion in direct housing spending provisions as well as several key LIHTC provisions.
Elevate Energy Publishes Chicago Tribune Op-Ed on Importance of Equitable Building Electrification
Trisha Miller with Elevate Energy authored an op-ed for the Chicago Tribune highlighting the benefits of equitable building electrification.
Congress Punts on Debt Limit
The House voted to raise the debt limit by $480 billion through December 3, the same day federal appropriations will run out.
High-Stakes Congressional Action Ahead, Contact Democratic Elected Officials About Housing Now!
High-stakes is an understatement. Appropriations for the federal government are set expire at 11:59 p.m. ET tomorrow, September 30. If a bill isn’t passed by both chambers and signed by the President before then, the federal government will shut down amidst a resurging global pandemic.
House Committees Mark Up Reconciliation Bills with Major Housing Investments
The House Financial Services Committee completed their work on Tuesday and sent their portion of the bill to the House floor with a 30-24 party-line vote. The committee voted down all of the amendments offered by Republicans.
Joint Letter to Chairwoman Waters on Amending Emergency Rental Assistance Authorizing Statute
The National Council of State Housing Agencies, along with other major national organizations representing Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) grantees sent a letter to House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) providing recommendations on amending the ERA program to eliminate statutory barriers in administration and expedite the provision of assistance to eligible households.
111 Representatives Sign Dear Colleague Letter Supporting the Inclusion of Affordable Housing in Reconciliation
A Dear Colleague letter, led by Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Don Beyer (D-VA), asking Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to include LIHTC provision in the partisan reconciliation package was signed by 111 representatives.
House Advance Partisan Reconciliation Package
The House Aug. 24 passed the Senate-passed budget reconciliation instructions with a 220-212 party-line vote (S.Con.Res.14).
Senator Wyden to Introduce DASH Act
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) has released the text of his soon to be introduced Decent, Affordable, Safe Housing for All (DASH) Act (full text, overall summary, section by section summary).
Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Partisan Reconciliation Bill
The Senate voted 69-31 August 10 to pass the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure package (with $550 billion in new spending), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684). All 50 Democrats and 19 Republicans voted in favor of the bill. This legislation does not include any LIHTC provisions, but it does include several housing-adjacent provisions.
Senate Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2022 Rural Development Funding
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its FY 2022 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration. The bill contains substantial funding increases for several USDA rural housing programs, including $1.45 billion for rural rental assistance, an increase of $40 million.
Senate Banking Committee Approves Smith Nomination to HUD General Counsel
The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee voted unanimously to favorably report the nomination of Damon Smith to serve as HUD general counsel. Smith currently serves as acting general counsel and was principal general deputy counsel for HUD during the Obama administration.