CARH BROADCAST EMAIL—Legislative Alert

May 2, 2019

On April 30, 2019, both the House of Representatives and the Administration elevated the discussions on passage of a bi-partisan infrastructure package. In the House, the Financial Services Committee held a hearing entitled: “Housing in America: Assessing the Infrastructure Needs of America’s Housing Stock”. CARH submitted written testimony. At the same time, Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) released a draft of legislation that she intends to introduce. Included in this legislation is $1 billion to help fund the pipeline of transactions that have or would be eligible for the funding from Rural Development’s (RD) Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization program (MPR). 

Certain programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would also receive infrastructure funding. While the process is just beginning to move forward, it is important that housing appears to be a part of the conversation. As members know, for the last two years, CARH has been an active participant with the Rebuild Rural Coalition in an effort to garner support for housing as part of the infrastructure discussion. It appears that the House Financial Services Committee recognizes the important contribution that housing would make to any infrastructure initiatives.

The Administration also made important first steps in garnering support from the Democratic Leadership in the House and Senate, when President Trump met with the House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and the Senate Democratic Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY). The meeting appears to have yielded a general agreement on a $2 trillion infrastructure package. Details as to what will be supported by the Administration and Congress, and how to pay for the spending, will be discussed at meetings later in the month.

As your CARH team continues to advocate for the positive role that housing plays in the economic viability of communities throughout rural America, please continue your excellent efforts showcasing your properties to members of Congress. Recent rehabilitations underscore the importance of providing infrastructure spending that will go for preservation of the existing portfolio.