House Passes $1.75 Trillion Build Back Better Act
House Takes Steps Toward Historic Housing Investments
The largest single housing investment in American history took a monumental step forward this morning, passing the House by a narrow 220-213 margin. The Build Back Better Act now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
NAHRO led the fight to fully fund the Public Housing Capital Fund backlog at $70 billion, strongly championed the expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and ardently supports the increase in Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Rental Assistance contracts.
NAHRO members – thank you for raising your voices in support of affordable housing! The more than 50,000 letters you sent to Congress and the White House this year, maintained the spotlight on housing as infrastructure and made sure the critical housing provisions remained in the Build Back Better bill. But the fight isn’t over yet! Be ready to speak out after Thanksgiving to preserve housing in the bill as it moves to the Senate.
The vote was originally scheduled for Thursday night, but an extended floor speech by Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) delayed the final vote. Build Back Better passed along party lines, with a single Democrat opposing.
The path forward is not clear in the Senate, as several Democratic Senators have issues with several provisions. Negotiations are expected to heat up after Thanksgiving, aiming for a final vote in the Senate by Christmas. Though there is widespread support for the housing provisions in Build Back Better, it is possible that changes to the bill could put the housing investments at risk. If the bill is approved by the Senate, it is likely to go back to the House for another vote.
NAHRO member advocacy will be needed to ensure these critical housing resources remain in the Build Back Better bill as it is debated in the Senate. NAHRO will be reaching out to you through future Direct News emails and also follow NAHRO on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin) for the latest information.
The bill currently proposes the largest one-time investment in housing and community development programs ever, including:
- $65 billion for Public Housing investments
- $24 billion for Housing Choice Vouchers
- Expanded Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
- $15 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund
- $10 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program
- $3 billion for Community Development Block Grants
- $1 billion for Project-Based Rental Assistance
- $450 million for Section 811 Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities
- $450 million for Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Want more information? Check out NAHRO’s detailed breakdown of the bill’s housing provisions.