Bill Summary
The proposed resolution expresses the urgent need for the United States to address the ongoing national housing crisis, which has resulted in a significant shortage of affordable rental homes, particularly for extremely low-income households. Key points include:
1. **Crisis Overview**: There is an estimated shortage of over 7 million rental homes affordable to extremely low-income individuals, contributing to widespread housing instability and rising homelessness.
2. **Cost Burden**: Nearly half of renter households are financially strained, with over 12 million spending more than 50% of their income on housing, which compromises their ability to afford other essential needs.
3. **Economic Disparity**: Rental prices have surged by over 35% since 2020, while median household incomes have only risen by 22%, exacerbating the housing crisis.
4. **Need for Action**: The resolution emphasizes that the private housing market alone cannot meet the needs of low-income renters, and that public investment in affordable housing must increase to keep pace with demand.
5. **Policy Recommendations**: It calls for coordinated action among federal, state, and local governments, as well as partnerships with private and nonprofit sectors, to enhance the supply of affordable housing, preserve existing units, and ensure protections for tenants.
6. **Commitment to Solutions**: The resolution affirms that housing is a basic human need and calls for comprehensive policies to support the development and preservation of affordable housing, ultimately promoting housing equity and stability for all communities.
In summary, this resolution seeks to mobilize a collective response to the housing crisis, advocating for increased investment, policy alignment, and community engagement to secure safe and affordable housing for all Americans.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation outlined in the resolution could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Affordable Housing**: The resolution calls for coordinated efforts to increase the supply of affordable rental housing. This could lead to the construction of new affordable units and the preservation of existing ones, directly benefiting low-income households by providing them with more options for safe and stable housing. This would help reduce the number of families who are cost-burdened, allowing them to allocate their incomes to other essential needs like food, healthcare, and education.
2. **Enhanced Rental Assistance Programs**: By urging Congress to prioritize rental assistance and housing development programs, the resolution aims to expand support to families in need. This could mean that more eligible households receive financial aid to help cover their rent, which would alleviate the financial strain on millions of renters. As a result, families would be less likely to face eviction or homelessness, contributing to overall community stability and well-being.
3. **Community Empowerment and Collaboration**: The resolution encourages the involvement of private and nonprofit sectors in developing innovative housing solutions. This collaboration can lead to community-based initiatives that address specific local needs, such as affordable housing for seniors or accessible units for people with disabilities. By promoting housing equity and tenant protections, the legislation could empower marginalized groups and foster inclusive communities, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 493 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 493
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United
States must take urgent, coordinated action to address the national
housing crisis through preservation and production of affordable
housing.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 10, 2025
Ms. Brown (for herself and Mrs. Beatty) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United
States must take urgent, coordinated action to address the national
housing crisis through preservation and production of affordable
housing.
Whereas the United States is experiencing a severe housing crisis, with an
estimated shortage of more than 7,000,000 rental homes affordable and
available to extremely low-income households, leaving millions without
access to safe and stable housing;
Whereas nearly half of all renter households are cost-burdened, with over
12,000,000 spending more than 50 percent of their income on housing,
threatening their ability to afford other basic necessities;
Whereas rental prices have increased by more than 35 percent since 2020, while
median household incomes have grown by only 22 percent over the same
period, contributing to rising homelessness and housing instability;
Whereas shelter inflation continues to drive core services inflation,
disproportionately impacting low- and moderate-income households and
impeding economic mobility;
Whereas the private housing market alone cannot meet the needs of extremely low-
income renters, and public investment in affordable housing has not kept
pace with demand;
Whereas Federal rental assistance reaches only 1 in 4 eligible households,
leaving millions without support despite meeting income qualifications;
Whereas significant portions of the Nation's subsidized housing stock are aging,
with some properties facing mismanagement, disrepair, or loss from
affordability requirements;
Whereas the housing crisis impacts every region and demographic,
disproportionately harming communities of color, seniors, people with
disabilities, low-wage workers, and single-parent households;
Whereas solving the housing crisis requires coordinated action across Federal,
State, and local governments, and the engagement of private, nonprofit,
and philanthropic sectors to expand supply, preserve affordability, and
ensure tenant protections; and
Whereas policies that encourage responsible development, incentivize
preservation, and protect vulnerable renters are essential to
stabilizing communities and promoting housing equity: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) affirms that housing is a foundational human need and
economic necessity, and that the housing crisis is a national
emergency;
(2) supports comprehensive Federal, State, and local
efforts to increase the supply of deeply affordable rental
housing and preserve existing units;
(3) urges Congress to prioritize supporting rental
assistance, housing preservation, and affordable housing
development programs;
(4) encourages private and nonprofit sector partners to
invest in sensible housing solutions and collaborate on
innovative, community-based models that are responsive to
community needs;
(5) calls on policy makers across all levels of government
to align housing, zoning, and infrastructure policies in
support of affordability, availability, and preservation; and
(6) commits to advancing solutions that ensure safe,
affordable housing for all individuals, families, and
communities across the United States.
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