Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, reintroduced her bill entitled, the “Strengthening Housing Supply Act,” which aims to tackle the nation’s worsening affordable housing crisis. Waters previously introduced this bill in the 118th Congress, H.R. 6948 and in the 117th Congress, H.R. 9522. During the 117th Congress, Waters also successfully attached this bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, during House consideration, although it was not yet passed into law.

Specifically, this bill would authorize the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support the development of affordable housing and establish a maximum limit for affordable rents. Currently, CDBG rules limit the use of these funds for new housing construction. By expanding eligibility, Waters’ bill would give state and local governments greater flexibility to address the affordable housing shortage and promote neighborhood revitalization.

The need for action is dire. Since May 2020, housing prices have risen by nearly 40 percent, locking millions of families out of homeownership and forcing more renters than ever to spend over 30 percent of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. Today, more than half a million people, including children and seniors, have been pushed into homelessness. And on any given night, over 770,000 people experience homelessness, the highest number ever recorded in our nation’s history.

“Over the years, I have introduced and secured support for several urgently needed housing bills aimed at expanding affordable housing and addressing our nation’s growing homelessness crisis. While we have worked tirelessly to increase access to affordable housing for hard-working American families and vulnerable communities, we must do more,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters. “Therefore, I am reintroducing my bill the ‘Strengthening Housing Supply Act.’ By allowing Community Development Block Grants to be used for new affordable housing construction, my bill empowers local governments to take direct action to address this worsening shortage and create safe, stable, and affordable housing for families, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness. Addressing this crisis is an urgent, bipartisan priority. I look forward to getting this bill across the finish line.”

See the full bill text HERE.

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