The White House is implementing strategies to increase the availability of affordable housing while also strengthening protections for renters in an innovative and effective manner.
The housing initiatives announced on Thursday include allocating $85 million in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help communities overcome barriers to affordable housing. These barriers often arise from zoning restrictions that impede the expansion and density of affordable housing. HUD intends to provide grants of at least $10 million to address these challenges on a case-by-case basis.
In a statement, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge emphasized the unique housing challenges faced by different communities and expressed the agency’s commitment to expanding the supply of affordable housing. Fudge highlighted the importance of increasing the availability of affordable housing as a key factor in reducing housing costs and hinted at future collaborations with local communities.
Furthermore, the White House announced the establishment of an inter-agency task force to explore financing options for converting commercial buildings into residential units, with a special focus on zero emissions and affordable housing. Converting office spaces into housing presents a potential solution for revitalizing struggling downtown areas that were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dennis Shea, executive director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy, acknowledged the pressing need to bridge the gap between the demand for housing and the limited supply of affordable options. Shea identified the housing affordability crisis as the result of this mismatch.
These measures are part of a broader initiative by the White House to address the chronic shortage of housing. The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates that the nation requires 7.3 million affordable rental homes to bridge this gap. Additionally, evictions have escalated in various cities across the country, reverting to levels observed prior to the pandemic.
Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, welcomed the announced measures but emphasized the need for further action. Yentel stressed the urgency for robust federal investments and initiatives to counteract rising rents, homelessness, and deteriorating public housing. She called on Congress to act swiftly in enacting essential housing investments and tenant protections.
To aid renters, the White House has implemented measures such as a requirement for landlords to provide 30 days’ notice to public housing tenants before terminating leases due to nonpayment of rent. Additionally, $10 million has been allocated to educate and engage tenants about their rights.
HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge emphasized the importance of equipping renters with the necessary resources and knowledge to protect their interests and communicate effectively with landlords. Fudge underscored HUD’s dedication to collaborating with renters and ensuring they are well-informed about their rights.
The White House acknowledged that these renter-focused policies complement previous efforts taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts include providing 11 million emergency rental payments totaling $46.5 billion in emergency rental assistance, as well as implementing eviction prevention initiatives in several cities and states.
Furthermore, the White House highlighted other initiatives previously announced but emphasized again on Thursday. These include a $27 billion allocation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for retrofitting homes and constructing zero-emission buildings. Additionally, a $3.2 billion program from the U.S. Department of Transportation aims to improve transportation access in low-income communities.
In conclusion, the White House is proactively addressing the shortage of affordable housing and safeguarding renters through a combination of funding, inter-agency collaborations, and legislative measures. These efforts reflect the administration’s commitment to tackling the housing affordability crisis by providing resources, knowledge, and protection to renters while exploring innovative solutions for increasing the availability of affordable housing.
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