Rep. Schiff Introduces Bill to Expand Affordable Housing, Child Care Centers
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the Affordable Housing and Childcare Investment Act, legislation that would address the affordable housing and child care center shortage by investing in the HOME Investment Partnerships Program by funding it at $1.5 billion annually for the next five fiscal years, with an additional $500 million for the building and rehabilitation of child care facilities.
Rep. Schiff’s bill comes in response to a reported 67 percent cut to HOME funding through House appropriations. This proposed cut would result in nearly 17,000 fewer affordable homes built or rehabilitated this year compared to the Senate’s FY24 proposal of $1.5 billion which is level with FY23 funding. The cuts to HOME would have long-lasting impacts on the housing market and the economy as a whole.
HOME is one of the largest federal grant programs administered directly to state and local governments to develop affordable housing and fund on-site or nearby facilities to provide supportive services for low-income households. HOME provides flexible grants that allow communities to build, buy, and rehabilitate housing for rent and homeownership and even provides direct rental assistance to tenants. This critical program increases the availability of safe and affordable housing and supports the development of housing projects that would not be feasible without federal assistance.
"In today's America, the financial pressures of housing and childcare weigh heavily on families, threatening the promise of the American dream. The Affordable Housing and Childcare Investment Act will help families afford a safe home for their children, and good-quality accessible childcare. By investing in the foundations of our society—housing and our kids and families—we're investing in what makes America succeed: its people,” said Representative Schiff.
“Families are at the center of every community. Congress must pass the Affordable Housing and Childcare Investment Act to ensure more families can access safe, affordable housing and quality childcare. CSH has seen how connecting families with supportive housing and critical supports like childcare can help them to thrive. This legislation would address immediate needs, foster thriving communities, and drive a robust economy. CSH supports the proposed funding of the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and its bold focus on housing and childcare for a brighter, more equitable future for all," said Deborah De Santis, President and CEO, Corporation for Supportive Housing.
Since 1992, HOME has invested $35.6 billion to help build and preserve more than 1.34 million affordable homes across the country, while providing direct rental assistance to over 403,000 families. California alone has seen $5.27 billion HOME dollars invested since 1992, allowing for the creation and preservation of 121,727 affordable units statewide and serving over 43,000 families with rental assistance.
The Affordable Housing and Childcare Investment Act is supported by the National Education Association, American Institute of Architects Los Angeles (AIALA), City of Glendale, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), LeadingAge.
The Affordable Housing and Childcare Investment Act is cosponsored by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.)
To read the full bill text, click HERE.
###