WASHINGTON – On behalf of the National Housing Conference (NHC), I would like to commend President-elect Joseph Biden for moving quickly to put forth a comprehensive plan to introduce additional emergency rental assistance. As industry leaders have expressed, the first $25 billion was a significant down payment towards the rental crisis, but research has proven an additional $25 billion is certainly needed. President-elect Biden’s plan, coupled with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s efforts to expeditiously provide funds to states and localities, represents monumental steps in the right direction.
In addition to extended unemployment benefits to provide economic stability to individuals and families, this plan would save millions of renters from eviction and provide much-needed support for mom-and-pop landlords who have gone nearly a year without rental payments. As our nation faces an economic crisis, the focus should be on putting Americans back to work. One of the most impactful ways to achieve that is through major investments in housing construction, which were already needed prior to the pandemic and are vital to our nation’s economic recovery.
Furthermore, an effective stimulus and vaccination rollout will help prevent the need for additional rental assistance.
The National Housing Conference has been defending our American Home since 1931. #OurAmericanHome @natlhousingconf @davidmdworkin
About NHC: The National Housing Conference has been defending the American Home since 1931. Everyone in America should have equal opportunity to live in a quality, affordable home in a thriving community. NHC convenes and collaborates with our diverse membership and the broader housing and community development sectors to advance our policy, research and communications initiatives to effect positive change at the federal, state and local levels. Politically diverse and nonpartisan, NHC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
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