Sheila Crowley, NLIHC
This week, Congress has found money–and legislative vehicles–for three housing items: $1 billion more for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, $1 billion to make loans to unemployed homeowners so they can make their mortgage payments, and $140 million for yet another extension of the homebuyer tax credit.
But Congress still has not funded the National Housing Trust Fund. The House passed H.R. 4213, the tax extender bill, with $1.065 billion for the NHTF in late May, but the Senate has not been able to get enough votes to pass the whole bill. Yesterday, a slimmed down substitute for H.R. 4213 including unemployment insurance and extension of the homebuyer credit was offered by Senate leadership.
We can’t let legislators off the hook on the NHTF. Not only are the homes the NHTF will produce desperately needed to address the increase in family homelessness due to the recession, but $1.065 billion in NHTF funding will produce 18,900 jobs.
Congress must provide $1.065 billion in funding for the National Housing Trust Fund THIS WEEK before adjourning for its July 4th recess. Several bills could move before Congress adjourns, including the unemployment extension bill, a small business bill, and a supplemental appropriations bill that will include significant domestic spending.
We need you to help fight to have the NHTF included in one of these bills.
Tell them that before they go on recess, they MUST provide $1.065 billion in funding for the National Housing Trust Fund, as part of any bill that moves forward this week. Our families and communities cannot wait!
Remind them that in an unprecedented show of support, organizations in every Congressional district in the country have signed a letter in support of funding the National Housing Trust Fund. And remind them how much in funding your state will receive from the initial NHTF allocation.
Click here for the contact information for your representative and Minnesota Senators Klobuchar and Franken.
Thank you for your continued support. Please email outreach@nlihc.org with the reports of any calls.
