On March 10, the 18 undersigned national housing and community development organizations released the following joint statement, urging the U.S. Senate to enter conference negotiations with the House of Representatives following Senate passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
The undersigned housing and community development organizations respectfully urge the United States Senate to move deliberately and thoughtfully as it advances the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by conferencing the legislation with the United States House of Representatives to produce the strongest, most effective final package possible.
We are grateful for the Senate’s leadership and commitment to addressing the nation’s growing housing affordability challenges, and we appreciate that there is momentum to move comprehensive housing legislation forward. After more than a decade without a major housing bill, this progress is both welcome and urgently needed.
The scale of today’s affordable housing crisis demands that we get this right. Conferencing the bill with the House will allow lawmakers to ensure the final legislation delivers the greatest possible impact for renters, homebuyers, and communities nationwide. A collaborative, bicameral process will strengthen the policy, improve implementation, and maximize the bill’s effectiveness in expanding housing supply, preserving affordability, and supporting the families who need assistance most.
We stand ready to work with the Senate and House to advance a unified, bipartisan package and look forward to seeing this important legislation move forward in a way that fully meets the urgency of the moment and meaningfully addresses our nation’s housing needs.
Signees:
American Institute of Architects
Coalition on Human Needs
Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA)
Council of State Community Development Agencies
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Housing Partnership Network
Lutheran Services in America
MTW Collaborative
National Association for County Community and Economic Development
National Association of Counties
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies
National Center for Housing & Child Welfare
National Community Development Association
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
National Leased Housing Association
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA)