Davids Urges Movement on Bipartisan Affordable Housing Legislation

Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02) urged U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to schedule a vote on bipartisan legislation that boosts affordable rental housing options in rural, suburban, and urban Kansas. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would expand and strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which has financed 38,391 affordable homes in Kansas since 1986. Passing this bill would result in 6,200 new rental homes in Kansas and generate more than a billion dollars in wages and business income over the next ten years.

“As members of the Kansas delegation, we write to emphasize the critical need to address the housing affordability crisis in our state and across the country. In 2021, it was estimated there was a shortage of 55,383 affordable rental homes available to extremely low-income renters in Kansas. The stories we've heard from numerous constituents highlight the profound impact of this shortage on their lives,” Davids and LaTurner wrote.

“To that end, we strongly support the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which seeks to improve the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit […] In Kansas alone, it is estimated this legislation would result in 6,200 rental homes and generate over a billion dollars in wages and business income over the next ten years. Increasing the housing supply will foster economic development and strengthen communities,” Davids and LaTurnercontinued.

Across Kansas, there is a shortage of rental homes that are affordable and available to low income households, causing many families to spend more than half of their monthly income on housing. It’s estimated that in 2021, Kansas had more than 55,000 fewer rental homes than needed. Also, currently 40 percent of renters in Johnson County are housing cost-burdened, meaning these families and others across the state must forego necessities — food, health care, childcare — to afford rent.

Two provisions from the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act are included in the new bipartisan tax framework, which the U.S. House may vote on as early as next week. Specifically, the provisions include restoring the 12.5 percent allocation increase for 2023 – 2025 and lowering the 50 percent bond financing threshold to 30 percent for 2024 – 2025. More information on this framework can be found here.

Full text of the letter can be found HERE.