America has a housing problem. New Dems have a solution. 

You’ve probably heard of the “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) movement, but you may not be familiar with “Yes In My Backyard,” an approach that embraces affordable housing development in all communities. not. We are facing a national housing crisis, and Americans cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the needs of our neighbors, ignore the problems, or expect someone else to fix it. We need more YIMBYs.

As Chair of the New Democratic Coalition’s Affordable Housing Select Committee, I am proud to lead our YIMBY Democratic group in the House of Representatives and announce the New Democratic Party’s comprehensive policy. housing action plan To combat growing inequality in the housing crisis.

The stakes are clear.There’s not much left 3000000 Housing shortages disproportionately impact low-income households. The working-class suburban district I represent faces a housing shortage of at least 55,000 units, with nearly 80,000 people in my district living on the brink of homelessness or extreme poverty. . But even affordable homes and apartments are out of reach for most Americans.There is no state or county In this country, a renter working full time on minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment.

Historically high interest rates, a shortage of hundreds of thousands of construction workers, outdated permitting and zoning laws, and a lack of federal investment are just some of the issues Congress needs to address to bring this situation under control. It doesn’t work.

The New Democratic Action Plan shows how to expand housing production and make housing more affordable for all Americans. It outlines what the New Democratic Party and President Biden have already done to expand affordable housing and provides a framework for what we still have to do to address the future housing market. Masu.

I have worked hard with my New Democratic colleagues to make housing more available and affordable since passing. tax law Through the House of Representatives Expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit; demand an answer Concerning alleged discriminatory lending practices by Navy Federal Credit Union.

But there is still much we must do to help hardworking Americans realize their dreams of homeownership. New Democrats have spent months working with experts and stakeholders across the country to develop an action plan, a roadmap for Congress and the Biden administration to follow in this effort.

This action plan will accelerate housing construction, remove permitting and zoning barriers to construction, expand federal funding and rental assistance, expand the construction workforce, and more accurately track metrics such as affordability, eviction rates, and homelessness. It focuses on five main themes: improving data collection to more.

Through more than 20 common-sense policy recommendations, this action plan will decisively address the housing crisis through legislation, federal agency action, and partnerships with the private sector, state and local governments.

This includes: Inbee method The bill would streamline housing construction by amending outdated permitting and zoning laws and re-fund the American Rescue Plan to provide emergency assistance to hard-working families at risk of eviction. It is a bipartisan New Democratic Party-led bill that allocates. The action plan also calls for strong public-private partnerships to address supply chain disruptions and housing materials shortages, as well as innovative immigration policy solutions that will flood the construction industry with much-needed workers.

After all, we cannot solve the housing problem without addressing both supply and demand. Our action plan will take decisive action to both reduce housing costs and create safe, good-paying jobs.

In 2005, I lost my house to a fire. Being homeless is physically, mentally and financially draining and no one should have to go through it. Being able to rent or buy a safe and secure home is critical to helping your friends and neighbors realize their American dreams.

Fortunately, my family and I were able to bounce back. But for millions of Americans across the country, this is not the case. The federal government can and must do better.with the new democratic party housing action planwe are at the table ready to work with legislators on either side of the aisle on this issue because everyone deserves a roof over their head without going bankrupt.

We are not ignoring the political realities of an election year, and we know there is an uphill battle ahead. But the New Democrats, the largest ideological caucus in the House, have the power and influence to make this plan happen so all Americans can sleep better at night.

Norma Torres He represents California’s 35th District and chairs the New Democratic Coalition’s Affordable Housing Task Force.