Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity Meets With National Low Income Housing Coalition
For Immediate Release:
December 7, 2017
Contact Info:
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity met with Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), to discuss housing issues. The discussion focused on NLIHC’s data and findings on housing poverty, which refers to how few individuals and families in the country can afford a two bedroom on minimum wage, as well as housing cost burdens like affording education, child care, and other life necessities for families. They also discussed solutions to address poverty housing, including the national Housing Trust Fund and housing finance reform; reforming the mortgage interest deduction; and housing during natural disasters.
“I thank Diane for joining the Task Force today to discuss how we can expand access to affordable housing and ensure that more Americans can attain stable housing,” said Whip Hoyer. “While Republicans are attempting to slash funding for housing assistance and make it more difficult for Americans to have a roof over their heads, Democrats are committed to working with organizations like NLIHC to protect these critical programs and implement innovative solutions to ensure low-income individuals and families don’t have to make the difficult choice of paying rent or affording other necessities like education for their children or child care.”
“I am pleased that Diane joined us again today to discuss the urgent housing crisis facing our nation. Housing is a basic human right. As elected officials, we should be doing everything within our power to ensure all Americans, especially the most vulnerable have access to safe and affordable housing," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Sadly instead of working with Democrats to make the investments necessary to break down barriers to housing, Republicans are trying to gut vital housing assistance programs. We simply cannot allow this un-American agenda to persist. Democrats will remain vigilant in the fight to expand access to affordable housing and with organizations like NLIHC we will continue address the housing crisis which continues to devastate our communities.”
National Low Income Housing Coalition President and CEO Diane Yentel said, “Chronic underfunding of affordable housing has left over 8 million of the lowest income people - seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children - living on the cusp of homelessness, paying at least half of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. The lack of decent, accessible and affordable homes is one of the greatest barriers to economic success for millions of people. NLIHC is grateful for the leadership and commitment of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity and we are committed to continuing to work with them and other affordable housing champions to end homelessness and housing poverty once and for all.”
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated to achieving socially-just public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. Founded in 1974 by Cushing N. Dolbeare, NLIHC educates, organizes, and advocates for policies that ensure decent, affordable housing for everyone. Their goals are to preserve existing federally assisted homes and housing resources, expand the supply of low income housing, and establish housing stability as the primary purpose of federal low income housing policy.
Launched in 2013, the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity works to raise the awareness of Members of Congress and the American people about the ongoing crisis of poverty, the positive human and economic impacts of effective poverty alleviation programs, and the need for a comprehensive national effort to eradicate poverty. The Task Force consults with key stakeholders to develop support for strategies to eradicate poverty and build opposition to proposed cuts to anti-poverty programs by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans.
“I thank Diane for joining the Task Force today to discuss how we can expand access to affordable housing and ensure that more Americans can attain stable housing,” said Whip Hoyer. “While Republicans are attempting to slash funding for housing assistance and make it more difficult for Americans to have a roof over their heads, Democrats are committed to working with organizations like NLIHC to protect these critical programs and implement innovative solutions to ensure low-income individuals and families don’t have to make the difficult choice of paying rent or affording other necessities like education for their children or child care.”
“I am pleased that Diane joined us again today to discuss the urgent housing crisis facing our nation. Housing is a basic human right. As elected officials, we should be doing everything within our power to ensure all Americans, especially the most vulnerable have access to safe and affordable housing," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Sadly instead of working with Democrats to make the investments necessary to break down barriers to housing, Republicans are trying to gut vital housing assistance programs. We simply cannot allow this un-American agenda to persist. Democrats will remain vigilant in the fight to expand access to affordable housing and with organizations like NLIHC we will continue address the housing crisis which continues to devastate our communities.”
National Low Income Housing Coalition President and CEO Diane Yentel said, “Chronic underfunding of affordable housing has left over 8 million of the lowest income people - seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children - living on the cusp of homelessness, paying at least half of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. The lack of decent, accessible and affordable homes is one of the greatest barriers to economic success for millions of people. NLIHC is grateful for the leadership and commitment of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity and we are committed to continuing to work with them and other affordable housing champions to end homelessness and housing poverty once and for all.”
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated to achieving socially-just public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. Founded in 1974 by Cushing N. Dolbeare, NLIHC educates, organizes, and advocates for policies that ensure decent, affordable housing for everyone. Their goals are to preserve existing federally assisted homes and housing resources, expand the supply of low income housing, and establish housing stability as the primary purpose of federal low income housing policy.
Launched in 2013, the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity works to raise the awareness of Members of Congress and the American people about the ongoing crisis of poverty, the positive human and economic impacts of effective poverty alleviation programs, and the need for a comprehensive national effort to eradicate poverty. The Task Force consults with key stakeholders to develop support for strategies to eradicate poverty and build opposition to proposed cuts to anti-poverty programs by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans.