U.S. Conference of Mayors Applauds Introduction of the Housing for the 21st Century Act

In a newly released letter, the nation's mayors assert the bill's provisions are key to ensuring "a foundation for opportunity, dignity and stability" for American families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (R-AR) introduced the Housing for the 21^st Century Act, co-sponsored by Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO). The bipartisan legislation is poised to significantly boost the supply of housing nationwide by increasing efficiencies and removing barriers to the development of housing in America's cities. At a time when housing affordability is a leading concern for rural, urban, red, and blue communities alike, the introduction of this bill represents vital progress.

Today, in a letter to Chairman Hill, Ranking Member Waters, Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver, the nation's mayors praise the bill's focus on a central priority of the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors and propose a local-federal partnership to ensure the passage of the legislation.

The letter reads in part:

We are pleased to see the House Financial Services Committee engaged in significant, bipartisan action on this issue which has come to impact every corner of our country, every political persuasion, and every rung of the socioeconomic ladder.

The provisions within the legislation are both pragmatic and impactful ranging from critical regulatory reforms to the reauthorization of HOME to expanding new affordable housing construction as eligible use of Community Development Block Grants funds. This bill lays the groundwork to address the nation's urgent need to boost housing supply by increasing efficiencies and removing barriers to the development of more housing.

"America's mayors are grateful for the introduction of the Housing for the 21^st Century Act. This bipartisan legislation represents an impactful step forward in federal efforts to address the housing needs of cities nationwide," said USCM President David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City. "The U.S. Conference of Mayors looks forward to working with members of the House Financial Services Committee and all our federal partners on both sides of the aisle to ensure the bill's success."

"Chairman Hill and Ranking Member Waters have laid the groundwork for leaders at all levels of government to take meaningful action toward addressing the housing crisis," said Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew Ginther, former USCM president. "America's mayors are eager to collaborate with Congress to ensure every American family in every corner of the country has access to stable and affordable housing."

The full text of the letter can be found below, and a copy is linked here.

Dear Chairman Hill, Ranking Member Waters, Chairman Flood, and Ranking Member Cleaver,

On behalf of the United States Conference of Mayors, we write to express our appreciation for your leadership in the development and introduction of the Housing for the 21st Century Act. This critical piece of legislation focuses on a central priority of our organization - addressing the national housing crisis.

Mayors from across the country have spent the last year advocating for Congressional leaders to join them in taking action to drastically increase our nation's housing supply while creating greater pathways to affordable housing. We are pleased to see the House Financial Services Committee engaged in significant, bipartisan action on this issue which has come to impact every corner of our country, every political persuasion, and every rung of the socioeconomic ladder.

The provisions within the legislation are both pragmatic and impactful ranging from critical regulatory reforms to the reauthorization of HOME to expanding new affordable housing construction as eligible use of Community Development Block Grants funds. This bill lays the groundwork to address the nation's urgent need to boost housing supply by increasing efficiencies and removing barriers to the development of more housing.

We support the Housing for the 21st Century Act because we believe housing is critical to the success of our nation - a foundation for opportunity, dignity and stability. Every family in every community deserves a safe, affordable place to call home.

America's mayors thank you for your efforts and are eager to work with you to ensure the bill is successful in addressing the housing needs of cities.

Sincerely,