Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver Propose New Vision For Affordable Housing And Economic Opportunity
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today (April 23, 2021), U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), joined by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri) in the House, re-introduced the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act. The legislation expands the scope of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and updates where and how banks are examined under the law. It also provides a comprehensive policy approach to the nation’s affordable housing crisis and the country’s legacy of redlining and discriminatory lending.
Jesse Van Tol, CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (www.ncrc.org), made the following statement:
“Senator Warren and Congressman Cleaver present a vision for updating the Community Reinvestment Act that places the well-being of lower-income communities at the center of it. Strengthening and expanding the reach of CRA and duties to serve throughout the financial sector has to be at the forefront of policy questions about racial equity, the racial wealth gap and expanding financial inclusion for lower income communities.
“The American Housing and Economic Mobility Act also tackles the increasing rent burden, the dearth of affordable housing and barriers to homeownership faced by millions of Americans. Our organization has released a series of reports showing that too many neighborhoods redlined almost a century ago remain underinvested today. The financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic has set back these communities further. The nation has to be focused and deliberate about addressing these longstanding disparities and ensuring an equitable recovery from the pandemic.
“This bill would directly address decades-old injustices – launching a new program for first-time homebuyers living in formerly redlined areas and extending the post-World War II GI bill’s guaranteed home loans to the descendants of veterans who were prevented from accessing the benefit because of discrimination. These steps are long overdue. The legislation would also create new incentives for local communities to eliminate land use restrictions that impede the production of affordable housing.
“By making modest adjustments in the estate tax and policies around intergenerational wealth transfer, the nation can make a historic investment in addressing racial inequities and the renters and home buyers of the future – providing the next generation of Americans the opportunity to build wealth.
“Senator Warren and Congressman Cleaver have outlined a broad commitment to safer and more accessible economic opportunity in neighborhoods, communities, cities and rural areas across the country. This legislation should have the support of every fair-minded member of the House and Senate.”
