Mobilize Now

By Ellen Lurie Hoffman, Director of Federal Policy

Doesn't it seem like we are approaching a domestic policy pivot point? Since November 9, we have been thinking about the near- and long-term implications of the election results. While we cannot predict the future, we do know that the election could have severe consequences for low income communities.

Now that President Trump has been inaugurated and the 115th Congress has begun, a number of high-stakes policy decisions in the coming months and years will pose significant threats to core affordable housing and community development programs, while others could create opportunities to expand much-needed resources. Three specific policy debates on the horizon include:

Corporate tax reform, which could eliminate the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, or significantly reduce investor demand for it by lowering corporate tax rates. Either scenario would impede the flow of private investment capital to low income neighborhoods. We must hold up the Housing Credit and tax-exempt housing bonds before Congress and the Trump Administration as positive examples of the power of the tax code to improve communities. We must tell Congress to protect and expand the Housing Credit and housing bonds to increase the availability of safe and affordable housing and revitalize local economies.

Budget negotiations could result in drastic reductions in funding for key federal affordable housing programs, like project-based Section 8, Housing Choice Vouchers, the HOME program, and Community Development Block Grants, all of which are already drastically underfunded today.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 is set to expire this year, which means that sequestration caps will return. Recently, President Trump spoke about eliminating parity by lifting the spending caps for defense programs, which would place the full weight of budget limitations on non-defense expenditures. Moreover, he proposed cutting non-defense spending by an additional one percent each year for the next 10 years. These proposals could devastate housing programs, significantly increasing poverty and homelessness in America. 

An infrastructure investment bill appears to have bipartisan support and could provide resources for housing. This week, Senate Democrats released a proposal to rebuild America's infrastructure, which would include investment in affordable housing and communities. Further, Dr. Ben Carson, the new Administration's nominee for HUD Secretary, stated that he will absolutely commit to advocating for the inclusion of housing in the President's infrastructure package. We must seize upon this possible opportunity to promote investment in housing preservation and production.

Last weekend, my family and I joined 2.7 million Americans to rally across the country for equity, justice, and civil rights. These values are directly related to the basic right to live in decent, affordable housing. To protect these rights, we urge you to call your members of Congress and inviting them to visit affordable housing in your community.