NEWS: 1,500+ Mayors Endorse Senator Schiff’s Proposals to Address Housing Crisis, Lower Risk to Homes from Wildfires and Floods

U.S. Conference of Mayors this week endorsed two Schiff proposals designed to spur new housing construction and lower disaster risks to homes

Long Beach, CA - This week, the United States Conference of Mayors voted to endorse multiple housing bills written by U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) designed to spur new housing construction, address high housing costs, and lower disaster risks posed to homes.

The endorsements were backed by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who was elected this weekend as the bipartisan group's President.

"America needs to make generational investments to increase the supply of housing across the country; to bring down the costs of building, protecting, and living in a home; and make life more affordable for families. That's why I've proposed landmark bills like the Housing BOOM Act and the FIREWALL Act - to jumpstart housing construction to dramatically increase the supply of new homes and improve resiliency against worsening disasters in places like California. I'm grateful these bills now have the support of more than 1,500 Mayors in this fight, including the Conference's new President Mayor Todd Gloria, to make real progress at ending America's housing crisis," said Senator Schiff.

"Across America, mayors hear the same thing from residents every day: housing costs too much, and too many families are struggling to find a place they can afford. We need every level of government working together to build more homes, lower housing costs, and help more families achieve the dream of homeownership. That's why I was proud to sponsor resolutions endorsing Senator Schiff's Housing BOOM Act and FIREWALL Act. These proposals help address two challenges cities face every day: increasing our housing supply and making homes and communities more resilient to natural disasters. As President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I look forward to working with leaders from both parties to advance practical solutions that build more homes, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity. The American Dream starts with a safe place to live, and we need policies that help more people achieve it," said San Diego, CA Mayor and U.S Conference of Mayors President Todd Gloria.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsed Schiff's Housing BOOM (Building Occupancy Opportunities for Millions) Act, legislation introduced last year to dramatically expand housing construction through a raft of new measures aimed at rapidly boosting construction of both affordable and middle-income housing.

The Housing BOOM Act includes:

• a landmark expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
• a new housing construction fund for middle income Americans
• expanded rental assistance for low- and middle-income families
• measures to expand access to affordable housing options, combat homelessness, protect renters, and safeguard critical federal housing programs

The Housing BOOM Act is endorsed by the California State Association of Counties, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, National Leased Housing Association, and the National Women's Shelter Network.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors also endorsed the Facilitating Increased Resilience, Environmental Weatherization and Lowered Liability (FIREWALL) Act, Schiff's bipartisan bill aimed at promoting community resilience to natural disasters through the creation of a new federal tax credit.

The tax credit would cover 50% of the eligible upgrades up to $25,000 for families who make less than $200,000 a year, with the credit phasing out for families making below $300,000. Eligible upgrades include fire resistant building materials and roofing, stormwater barriers, air filtration, and the removal of vegetation posing a risk to a home.

The FIREWALL Act is also supported by the International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Counties.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more, representing more than 1,500 cities across the U.S.

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