Congress Passes Continuing Resolution to Keep Government Open
This week, Congress enacted a Continuing Resolution (CR) to avert a shutdown and fund the government until November 21, 2019. The short-term spending measure continues current funding levels even as the new fiscal year begins next week; NAHMA is urging lawmakers to utilize the extra time to reach a compromise for full-year funding.
The Senate passed the CR on Thursday by a vote of 82-15 after the House of Representatives advanced the bipartisan measure last week. The Resolution will now be sent to the President for his signature.
Funding for federal programs, including HUD and USDA affordable housing programs, will be extended at FY2019 levels. Some activities, including HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, will receive slight increases, called anomalies, to help meet increased costs and avoid delays. The measure also extends the expiring National Flood Insurance Program until November 21st.
Upcoming Webinar on Preparing for Congressional Visits and Deadline for Requesting Advocacy Assistance
Joining NAHMA’s advocacy program is easier than you think! Head to Capitol Hill (Hill) with your fellow NAHMA members and NAHMA’s government affairs staff to let lawmakers know why our industry matters.
Here are the steps for making your voice heard on affordable housing issues while in town for the NAHMA October Meeting:
- Please let us know by Wednesday, October 2, if you want to know more about how to get involved or want help setting up Hill Visits
- Save for the date for Friday, October 11, at 2pm EST for a Hill Visit prep webinar where we will go over messaging and best practices for successful meetings with lawmakers.
More information, including materials, how-to’s, and a scheduling request form, are available online here.
Senators Introduce Legislation to Prevent Evictions
This week, Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the “Prevent Evictions Act.” S. 2486 aims to address escalating evictions numbers, including through landlord-tenant mediation programs and rent insurance programs.
According to Senator Hassan’s press release, the bill would:
- Create a landlord-tenant mediation grant program to bring landlords and tenants to the table to find informal, mutually agreed upon solutions that keep tenants in their homes,
- Provide grant funding for translators, ensuring that all individuals have the ability to participate, and
- Direct HUD to study the potential for certain types of rent insurance to be cost-effective eviction mitigation tools.
The bill was referred to the Senate Banking Committee; NAHMA will keep members up-to-date on its progress.