Earlier this week the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) released its annual report “Out of Reach.” Representative Barney Frank, incoming chair of the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee – the committee with jurisdiction over federal housing programs – noted in the report’s introduction that affordable housing has been “out of sight” on the federal level as well. For nearly 30 years we have seen a downward trend in federal affordable housing spending. Some of the most dramatic cuts have occurred in the past six years. (See NPACH report on p.6.)
Are we at the end of this trend? Only time will tell. One thing is for certain: reversing the trend has never seemed more possible. Representative Frank is a chief proponent of the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a proposal that would produce, rehabilitate, and preserve 1,500,000 units of housing over the next 10 years. He also supports affordable housing programs generally. Representative Frank will control the issues that are heard in his committee. He will also strongly influence the committee’s priorities.
It’s time for us to step up. Let’s move beyond playing defense and start talking about what federal housing policy should look like and how much that sound policy will cost. Minnesota has three new Representatives elected to Congress and one new Senator. We can help shape how our new Congressional Delegation addresses our state’s affordable housing needs. MCH is a lead organization in a growing coalition to address federal housing policy – the Minnesota Federal Housing Action Committee. We would love to tap you into these efforts … so give us a call to find out what you can do.
Minnesota needs affordable housing to become a priority. “Out of Reach” reports that our state has a “housing wage” of $14.47 – that is, a full-time worker must make $14.47 per hour in order to afford the average two-bedroom apartment in our state. Unfortunately, the average wage for a renter is $11.07 an hour. Housing is becoming more unaffordable. It is our job as advocates to do something about it.
The “Out of Reach Report” is available at www.nlihc.org.
Contact Michael Dahl at dahl@mnhomelesscoalition or 612-230-3284 for more information on how to become involved with MN Federal Housing Action Committee.