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Blunt Rochester Proposes Bipartisan Bill to Boost Affordable Housing Availability

January 31, 2024

Yesterday, Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), joined by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), introduced the bipartisan Housing Supply and Affordability Act. 

The legislation establishes a $300 million Local Housing Policy Grant (LHPG) program under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This program aims to assist states, localities, tribes, and regional coalitions in efforts to enhance housing supply, with a focus on affordability. The bill addresses rising housing costs, encourages the removal of barriers to housing supply, and ensures funds benefit both urban and rural areas. 

Rep. Blunt Rochester emphasized the importance of creating affordable housing opportunities and expressed pride in the bipartisan effort. The proposed legislation has garnered support from various organizations, including Up for Growth, National Apartment Association, and National Multifamily Housing Council.

File Photo: U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware Lisa Blunt Rochester speaks to the media during Capital One and the Delaware State University ribbon cutting ceremony to make their New Historic Downtown satellite facility Friday, February 25, 2022; in Wilmington, Delaware. Mandatory Credit: Saquan Stimpson

 

The bill outlines key provisions, including prioritizing grants for plans that increase affordable housing, issuing HUD Secretary guidance on recommended policies, and requiring routine reporting on grant fund usage. Endorsements for the Housing Supply and Affordability Act have been received from numerous organizations advocating for housing reform and affordability. For detailed information, the full text of the bill and a one-pager can be found on Representative Blunt Rochester’s official website.

The full text of the bill can be found here [bluntrochester.house.gov].

A one-pager on the bill can be found here [bluntrochester.house.gov].