NAHRO Honors Congresswoman Maxine Waters with Legislator of the Year Award
On Tuesday, June 2, The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) honored Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Cali.) with the Legislator of the Year award. On a webinar, Congresswoman Waters told NAHRO members she was “deeply honored to receive [the award]. Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve always made housing a priority. Our duty in Congress is to ensure that everyone has a safe, decent, affordable place to call home, especially in the current COVID-19 crisis.”
The Congresswoman, who is also the Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, also noted that any future aid package must include funding for public housing. “Now is a time when we must be fighting to preserve every unit of affordable housing we have” she said, “especially in the wake of the pandemic, which has left so many more people struggling to pay the rent.”
“Congresswoman Waters is a proven champion of housers and affordable housing, “said NAHRO President Sunny Shaw. “The $70 billion she requested for the Capital Fund in the Housing is Infrastructure Act and the additional resources and flexibilities provided to PHAs in the CARES Act are just two examples of her support. We’re thrilled to present her with this award, and look forward to continuing to work with her to provide affordable housing in healthy communities nationwide.”
Congresswoman Waters has been a dedicated advocate for affordable housing throughout her entire career, a priority that has taken center stage during the COVID-19 crisis. Her “Housing is Infrastructure” Act also asks for another $70 billion in Capital Funds to address the capital backlog, $10 billion for the Community Development Block Grant, $1 billion for the Native American housing block grant, and $5 billion in HOME funding. For these reasons, NAHRO leadership will honor her as one of our Legislators of the Year.
“NAHRO is grateful to Chairperson Waters for her active support of affordable housing,” said NAHRO CEO Adrianne Todman. “We need Congressional leadership who not only understands that federal affordable housing and community development programs are vital to families and healthy, thriving communities…but also acts on that understanding.”
About the Award
NAHRO’s Legislator of the Year Award honors members of Congress who are strong advocates for housing and community development programs and for the NAHRO members who administer them.
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.