Statement by National Low Income Housing Coalition President and CEO Diane Yentel on the Announcement of National Housing Trust Fund State-by-State Funding Levels

Washington, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) applauds HUD Secretary Julián Castro’s announcement of state-by-state funding levels for the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF). Today’s announcement moves communities in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories one step closer to beginning to ameliorate the severe shortage of homes affordable to the lowest income people.

The NHTF is the first new federal funding in a generation targeted at expanding the supply of affordable rental homes for extremely low income (ELI) households. This year, HUD will make nearly $174 million available for producing, preserving, and rehabilitating rental housing for ELI households, those with incomes at or below 30% of area median income.

For almost two decades, NLIHC has led the national campaign to create and fund the NHTF. With today’s announcement of the first NHTF dollars beginning to flow to communities, we redouble our efforts. We will work closely with the administration, and our national and state partners to ensure the funding is used efficiently and effectively, creating homes for some of the poorest Americans. And we will continue our campaign to protect, preserve and expand this critical funding source.

Today’s announcement is not the end of our efforts—it is just the beginning. We look forward to working with the administration and our state partners as we put these dollars to work building affordable homes for the lowest income people.

HUD’s press release can be found here: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2016/HUDNo_16-068

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About National Low Income Housing Coalition
NLIHC is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization dedicated solely 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 to ensure decent, affordable housing for everyone. NLIHC’s 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.

PRESS CONTACT
Renee Willis
Vice President for Field & Communications
(202) 662-1530 x247