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November 8, 2019

Lawmakers consider short-term funding extension as deadline looms

With less than two weeks to go before the current funding agreement expires, Congressional leaders from both chambers plan to meet early next week to discuss a path forward. The current Continuing Resolution (CR) averted a shutdown at the end of September by extending fiscal year 2019 funding until November 21st.

House and Senate appropriators will discuss on Tuesday whether to extend the current CR, for how long, and what that extension will entail. While the House and Senate have both passed versions of FY20 funding bills for HUD and USDA Rural Development programs, the bill versions differ slightly. The next step in the funding process is for lawmakers to negotiate the differences between their bills and reach an agreement on a final consensus bill. 

Thank you to all the NAHMA members who went to the Hill following NAHMA’s October Meeting to advocate for strong investments in affordable housing programs. NAHMA will keep members up to date as lawmakers negotiate FY20 funding bills.

Senate hearing examines affordable housing bills, Housing Credit program

This week, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee held a hearing titled ““Examining Bipartisan Bills to Promote Affordable Housing Access and Safety.” During the hearing, lawmakers heard testimony from witnesses regarding three affordable housing bills:

  • The CO ALERTS Act (S. 2160), which would require carbon monoxide detectors in federally-assisted units with carbon monoxide risk;
  • The HUD Manufactured Housing Modernization Act (S.1804), which would direct HUD to issue guidelines relating to the appropriate inclusion of residential manufactured homes in Consolidated Plans; and
  • The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act (H.R. 4300), which would target housing assistance at youth aging out of the foster care system.

The hearing also highlighted the benefits of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and opportunities to strengthen it. A recording of the hearing can be viewed online here. The House also has a hearing scheduled to discuss affordable housing initiatives on November 20th.

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