The Senate voted 92-6 today, August 1, to approve its fiscal year (FY) 2019 Transportation-HUD (THUD) spending bill, which provides robust funding for affordable housing and community development programs.
For more information on the Senate bill and the FY19 funding process, see NLIHC’s analysis of the bill and join a webinar hosted by NLIHC and the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) on August 6 at 2:00 pm ET. Register for the webinar here.
Several amendments impacting federal affordable housing programs were added to the Senate spending bill, including:
- An amendment introduced by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) that would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to report to Congress on the agency’s strategy – and the tools and resources needed – to preserve affordable rental homes in rural America.
- An amendment introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) that would direct HUD to ensure landlords cannot unlawfully evict or deny housing to people based on their status as survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- An amendment introduced by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) that requires HUD and the Environmental Protection Agency to report on efforts related to the removal of lead-based paint and other hazardous materials.
- An amendment introduced by Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) that would prohibit people charged with certain crimes from receiving housing assistance. NLIHC has concerns about how this amendment would be implemented.
Most of the amendments NLIHC opposed – including one from Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) to prohibit HUD from implementing its Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule – were not adopted.
Congressional leaders are expected to negotiate a final spending bill later this year. This gives advocates an opportunity to continue to engage their senators and representatives to ensure the highest funding possible for affordable housing programs.
Register for the August 6, 2pmET webinar to learn more about the FY19 THUD bill at: https://bit.ly/2NZEDfO
Thank you for your advocacy!