NAHMA Joins Over 4,700 Organizations Requesting Congress Fund Affordable Housing, Community Development Programs
Last week, NAHMA joined over 4,700 organization to send a letter urging Congress to provide the highest level of funding possible for affordable housing, community development, and transportation programs in fiscal year 2021 (FY21). The letter is available here on NAHMA Grassroots Action Resources.
Bill Introduced to Provide Tenants Facing Eviction Legal Assistance
Early this month, Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) introduced the “Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act”. According to Sen. Bennet’s press release:
The Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act would:
- Provide grants to non-profit or governmental entities to provide no-cost legal assistance to low-income and cost-burdened tenants facing eviction.
- Favor organizations that have a track record of providing legal services to low-income populations and provide services in Census tracts with high rates of eviction.
- Give preference to jurisdictions that promote tenant rights, including a right to counsel in eviction cases, while ensuring that all grants supplement, rather than supplant, existing efforts.
- Ensure that grant funds assist tenants in both urban and rural areas.
NAHMA will work with our Federal Affairs Committee and Board to establish an NAHMA’s position for this bill and other eviction-related legislation. Evictions continue to be a congressional point of interest.