Political Quotes

“housing is a human right, but as everyone knows, we are facing a housing crisis right now. On any given night right now, more than three-quarters of a million people are unhoused nationwide. The last time the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour was increased was in 2009. Since then, average rental costs have increased 76 percent. That is just completely wild. We need action at every level of government. I know that many of our local elected officials are desperate to reduce housing costs and need the Federal Government's partnership. We know often here in this Chamber there are officials that will not promote affordable housing or address the unique barriers that our communities are facing. That is why I introduced the Housing Our Communities Act, and it is meant to address it immediately. This is part of a legislative package that passed out of the Financial Services Committee this past year. My bill directs the HUD Secretary to establish a competitive grant program to support a wide array of affordable housing planning and implementation activities.”