NAHRO CEO Adrianne Todman Comments on the 2019 State of the Union Address

Another year, another missed opportunity to acknowledge that quality affordable housing keeps the state of the union strong. 

We are heartened to hear the call for “a great rebuilding of America’s crumbling infrastructure.” Our nation relies on its roads, its dams and its transportation systems, and they must be repaired. But housing is also infrastructure and is just as vital. We must commit not only to supporting the public and assisted housing that shelters millions of low- and middle-income families, but also to investing in new housing throughout the country.

Any future infrastructure proposal should include, at a minimum:

• A commitment to increase the Public Housing Capital Fund to remedy the $57 billion backlog in repairs needed to this vital housing portfolio;
• Full funding of the HOME and CDBG programs that will help localities address pressing needs; and
• A commitment to strengthen and enhance the Low Income Housing Tax Credit.

Safe, stable and affordable housing provides children and adults alike with opportunities to thrive. It is linked to improved health outcomes, academic performance, and job stability.  No matter the political bent of the country’s chief executive, housing should be at the forefront of every State of the Union address, and not left as an afterthought for another day.

Contact: Sylvia Gimenez

About NAHRO

NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of almost 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.