Alex Padilla: “I rise to speak in support of the Housing Act for All Act of 2022, which I introduced today. The homelessness and…”

“I rise to speak in support of the Housing Act for All Act of 2022, which I introduced today. The homelessness and housing crises have worsened in recent years. As of January 2020, more than 580,000 individuals in the country, disproportionately people of color, were experiencing homelessness. Rates of unsheltered homelessness have increased over the last few years, and people experiencing unsheltered homelessness have a mortality rate four to nine times higher than that of the general public. A lack of affordable housing and housing assistance programs have contributed to homelessness. There is a shortage of 6.8 million affordable rental homes in the United States. Even before the pandemic, one in four renters spent half of their monthly income on rent, and nearly a million tenants were evicted each year. I believe every person has a right to housing. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill, which represents a comprehensive approach to tackling housing and homelessness. If enacted, it would invest in and align Federal resources to support those experiencing housing instability. To address the homelessness and housing crises, we must invest in policies that support strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and ensure quality affordable homes for all.…”