Press Releases

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“For years, members of the Congressional Black Caucus have led the charge in addressing the housing crisis in the United States Congress. The actions and decisions made thus far by the Trump Administration have added further pressure to the already severe shortage of affordable housing options across the country. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) offers an opportunity to achieve a largely bipartisan solution to the affordable housing challenges impacting families nationwide. However, it is critical that, as lawmakers, we conduct due diligence to ensure that H.R. 6644 is equipped with all the necessary tools to alleviate housing costs for hardworking Americans.

“Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, has requested a conference to improve and strengthen H.R. 6644 due to the Senate version’s omission of key provisions—namely, provisions that would broaden access to homeownership, expedite the construction of manufactured housing, expand the availability of small-dollar mortgages, better protect borrowers and families living in public or assisted housing, enhance federal oversight of housing providers, and lay the groundwork for the development of new affordable homes across America. Congresswoman Waters and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, who serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, led the House in securing these provisions, which were pivotal to its overwhelmingly bipartisan passage and widely supported by advocacy organizations within the housing community.

“It is absolutely imperative that the House and Senate conference on this legislation to restore these critical provisions. Any legislation that fails to do so is not in service to the communities we are elected to represent. It is our responsibility to ensure that families across America receive the support they need to address the growing housing affordability crisis. The CBC is demanding that both chambers return to conference, reconcile the House and Senate versions, and produce the strongest possible housing legislation for communities across the nation.”