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Tag: housing

Housing Update: HUD and LIHTC

March 12, 2025

BY: Sue Polis

HUD Staffing

Our partners at the National Low Income Housing Coalition are circulating a sign-on letter to address the planned staff changes at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Trump Administration is expected to terminate at least half of all HUD employees, making it significantly more difficult for states and communities to access the federal housing, community development, and homelessness investments they need to address their most pressing challenges. Learn more.

ICYMI: The National Homelessness Law Center recently hosted a web forum on Trump, Homelessness and the Road Ahead. Access the recording and transcript.

LIHTC

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) is bipartisan legislation introduced in the House and Senate to expand and strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to encourage private investment in the development and preservation of affordable housing. The Action Campaign is seeking help to build broader support and co-sponsorship for this bill. You can learn more here.

Sue Polis is Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs at Lutheran Services in America.

Leadership of Key Congressional Committees Finalized

February 10, 2025

BY: Sarah Dobson

With Republicans in the majority in both chambers of Congress, leadership changes on key committees that affect healthcare, workforce, and housing policy are now finalized. Lutheran Services in America will engage these leaders in partnership with members to strengthen relationships and advance advocacy priorities.

HOUSING: Across our network, we are committed to addressing housing insecurity as an economic and health crisis. Our work in Congress on this issue will focus on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, now chaired by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) serving as the lead Democrat, and the House Financial Services Committee, led by Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA).

HEALTH & WORKFORCE: Turning to healthcare and workforce issues, multiple committees have jurisdiction over various areas of the law. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will now be led by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) serving as the lead minority member.  At the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees health programs under the Social Security Act, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) has become chair, and Sen. Ron Wyden will lead Democrats on the panel.

In the House, the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee has broad jurisdiction over healthcare and the regulations and laws that govern the sector, while the Ways and Means Committee has jurisdiction over revenue-related aspects of the Social Security system, Medicare, and social services programs, including foster care and adoption programs—and like Senate Finance, also has a key role in shaping tax policy, including an expected 2025 tax bill. Finally, the House Education and Workforce Committee has jurisdiction over education, workforce development, and workforce policy.

Here is where things stand with key House committees:

  • House Energy & Commerce: Brett Guthrie (R-KY) was elected as chair while Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) will serve as ranking minority member for Democrats.
  • House Ways & Means: Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) will hold the top spot at Ways & Means (W&M). Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) will remain in his role as the committee’s top Democrat.
  • House Education and Workforce Committee: Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) will be the new Republican chair, with Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) leading the Democrats.

Contact Sarah Dobson for more information.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Lutheran Services in America.

Housing Issues to See New Leadership in Congress, Administration

December 19, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

Across the Lutheran Services in America network, we are committed to addressing housing insecurity as an economic and health crisis, advocating for affordable housing not only as shelter but also to ensure that members of the community are healthy and connected to the supportive services—food, social connection, transportation and mental health care—that are necessary to thrive. Therefore, we are carefully tracking announcements on who will be moving into leadership roles in Congress and the new administration on these issues.

President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate former Texas state Rep. Scott Turner to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Turner was twice elected to the Texas House of Representatives, serving from 2013 to 2017. In 2019, during his first term, Trump appointed Turner to lead a council tasked with turning around distressed communities, including directing private investment money toward “Opportunity Zones.” Turner now chairs the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former staffers from Trump’s first presidency.

In Congress, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has signaled his desire to chair the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which holds jurisdiction over key housing policy. Former ranking member Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) lost his bid for re-election, and as such, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is expected to take his place as top Democrat on the panel. Sen. Brown was the champion of S. 3910, the “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) Act. The legislation seeks to break down regulatory and zoning barriers for churches and other faith-based institutions to use existing land and property to develop housing. Having endorsed the bill, we will be working to help identify a new lead senator to move this effort forward.

In the House of Representatives, the Financial Services Committee has jurisdiction on housing-related issues. The new ranking chair is Rep. French Hill (R-AR), while Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) will retain her role as the ranking members for Democrats.

Our staff is working across our network to strengthen and develop relationships with these key stakeholders to advance our key policy priorities:

  • Grow our collective capacity to increase the availability of affordable housing within communities.
  • Expand the integration and reach of effective models of supportive services in housing for older adults and people with disabilities.
  • Advocate policies and funding to advance affordable housing, reimbursement for social determinants of health services and ultimately, improve health equity.

If you are interested in engaging in advocacy with the network on housing and services issues, please contact Sarah Dobson.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Lutheran Services in America.

Advocacy in Action: Member CEO Ted Goins Uses Letter to the Editor to Urge Sen. Scott’s Support of YIGBY

October 9, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

With the support of Lutheran Services in America, Ted Goins, president and CEO of Lutheran Services Carolinas, recently had a letter to the editor published in The State newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina. Ted reflected on the shortage of affordable housing in the state and how faith-based nonprofits could be better supported in filling that gap.

Thanking Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) for his longtime support of legislation addressing the housing crisis, Ted urged him to now support the “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) bill (S. 3910,) a housing policy priority for our network. The bill aims to help faith-based institutions and churches use land they already own to ease the housing crisis in their communities.

Given Sen. Scott’s position as the senior-most Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, his support will play a key role in whether provisions of the bill are included in any housing legislation passed before the end of this Congress. To learn more or join us in these efforts, please contact me.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Lutheran Services in America.

Supporting Innovative Approaches to Expand Accessible Housing

August 23, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

As part of a broader effort to support innovative approaches to increasing housing availability and affordability, Lutheran Services in America has endorsed the “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) bill (S. 3910.)

This legislation was introduced in March by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio,) chair of the Senate Banking Committee (which has jurisdiction over housing issues). The bill aims to help faith-based institutions and churches use land they already own to ease the housing crisis in their communities. The legislation seeks to break down regulatory and zoning barriers for churches and other faith-based institutions to use existing unused land and property to develop housing.

Most recently, we included support for this bill as one of our policy priorities during visits with Congressional offices as part of our May Health & Housing Solutions Summit. As Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is the senior-most Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, he will play a key role in whether the YIGBY provisions are included in any housing legislation passed before the end of current session of Congress. As such, we are now aligning efforts across our network to seek his support.

Contact me to learn more.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Lutheran Services in America.

Join the Conversation on New HUD Funding

August 23, 2024

BY: Susan Newton

Housing affordability and availability remain critical challenges for Lutheran Services in America members and their communities. Lutheran Services in America understands the urgent need for solutions that truly make a difference. To help address this, we are hosting a conversation on September 5 to explore whether HUD’s new Continuum of Care (CoC) funding is the right opportunity for your organization.

HUD’s recent announcement of an unprecedented $3.5 billion investment in homeless services organizations—its largest-ever single-year commitment—provides a unique chance to secure competitive, streamlined funding for housing and supportive services. This is a pivotal opportunity to strengthen your homelessness response efforts.

Don’t miss this chance to learn more and discuss how your organization can benefit from this funding. Together with Lutheran Services in America members who receive CoC funding and other national partners, we’ll explore how to maximize this resource to better serve our communities.

Contact me for more details. We look forward to your participation in this vital discussion!

Susan Newton is Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Lutheran Services in America.

Forging Connections at Grantmakers in Health 2024 Conference

June 25, 2024

BY: LSA Staff

As part of our work to strengthen relationships with community-based and national health funders, Susan Newton, senior director of strategic initiatives at Lutheran Services in America, attended the Grantmakers in Health 2024 Conference in Portland, Oregon. She joined timely and relevant discussions aimed at improving public health and equitable healthcare outcomes across the nation.

It was an opportunity to highlight innovative efforts happening across our member network ranging from successful initiatives in fostering whole-person care to robust community engagement approaches and leadership in developing and advancing housing solutions. As an example, as part of a rural health discussion, the work of our Rural Aging Action Network was highlighted, focusing on how members are leveraging social determinants of health assessments to uncover previously undetected needs.

Ensuring the work of our members is included in key conversations as the future of funding is considered a top priority for our organization. We hope to continue to take advantage of these opportunities on an on-going basis. For more information, contact Susan Newton at Snewton@lutheranservices.org.

Housing Solutions Summit Brings Together over 60 Leaders

May 29, 2024

BY: Alesia Frerichs

Earlier this month at our Health and Housing Solutions Summit, Lutheran Services in America united 60 leaders, including members from our Housing Solutions Collaborative, with industry experts, policymakers, church and thought leaders from across the country. Over two days, we deeply explored and exchanged ideas and opportunities around three framing questions:

  • What is the housing crisis we are seeing in our communities?
  • What is or can be unique about the Lutheran response, and
  • What shared solutions can we unite around to strengthen our response on a local and national level?

The two days included:

  • 41 Lutheran Services in America Housing Solutions Collaborative leaders from 20 organizations who together manage nearly $2 billion in assets, including strong portfolios in affordable housing.
  • 3 founding members of the Lutheran Services in America Housing Leadership Circle, supporting and committing to exploring innovative products, services and partnerships to advance our shared goals.
  • Interactive solutioning sessions designed to dive deeper into promising practices across the network and the broader Lutheran community led by our partner and housing thought leader, Jeff Lubell of Abt Global.
  • An A-list of federal, state and local policymakers and experts including Assistant HUD Secretary Julia Gordon to inform opportunities to shape future efforts.
  • Exploration of our shared strengths including a whole person and community centered approach and the opportunity for a focused alignment with a broader eco system of church partners, schools, financial institutions and other resources and expertise.
  • Advocacy training, messaging and Hill visits with 21 policy makers. These included meetings with committee staff for Chairs and Ranking Members (minority party leaders) for key committees.

What happens next? Through the Housing Solutions Collaborative we will advance tangible actions and opportunities. Initial areas of focus include:

  • Flexible funding streams. We will work with our partners to build pathways to new and flexible sources of funding in the coming year.
  • Scale and replication. Our Housing Solutions Collaborative will continue to be a place to provide peer-to-peer dialog and we will formalize effective ways to identify and scale promising practices.
  • Amplify our united faith-based voice. We will grow our collective capacity to lead and effect change as a trusted presence in communities.

It was a powerful two days of commitment, passion, possibility and capability!

United, we are taking action together as one of the largest faith-based provider networks; we have the reach, we have the expertise and we have the responsibility.

If you missed our Summit, but are interested in joining our work, please contact Susan Newton at snewton@lutheranservices.org.

Alesia Frerichs is the President & CEO of Lutheran Services in America.

Unlocking Opportunities: Join us at the Housing Solutions Summit

April 29, 2024

BY: Allie Broxton

We’re excited to extend an invitation to all stakeholders interested in addressing housing challenges to join us on May 7 at the Housing Solutions Summit in Washington, D.C. This convening marks a crucial step forward in our collective efforts to tackle housing issues impacting children, youth and families across our communities.

At the summit, participants can expect an engaging dialogue that delves into the core reasons behind our commitment to addressing housing challenges. Through insightful discussions and collaborative sessions, we aim to not only highlight the pressing need for affordable housing but also to explore innovative solutions that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

One of the key highlights of the summit will be the release of the Abt Associates white paper, a comprehensive study that sheds light on the intricate dynamics of housing insecurity and offers actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners and advocates alike. This white paper serves as a cornerstone in our ongoing efforts to drive impactful change in the realm of housing and community development.

Furthermore, we’re thrilled to emphasize our partnership with the ELCA, a collaboration that underscores our shared commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Together, we’re leveraging our strengths to address the multifaceted challenges faced by children, youth and families, with a particular focus on ensuring access to safe, stable housing for all.

Join us as we march forward in our mission to create caring communities where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Together, let’s harness the power of partnership and innovation to advance health and opportunity for all.

Allie Broxton is Director of Health & Housing at Lutheran Services in America.

Taking Action to Advance Housing Solutions

April 30, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

To build on the work of our network to advance housing solutions in communities across the country, Lutheran Services in America is supporting the federal expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Provisions in pending legislation represent what would be the largest single investment in affordable housing in decades.

Earlier this year, the House passed with strong bipartisan support the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024), which includes key provisions to expand LIHTC. Action has moved to the Senate, and we are asking you to contact your senators and urge them to pass this legislation to better address our nation’s housing crisis by meeting critical, urgent needs that have been under-resourced.

If passed, this bipartisan legislation will expand and strengthen LIHTC by financing the construction or preservation of an estimated 200,000 additional affordable housing units nationwide, generating more than $34 billion in wages and business income, supporting over 304,000 jobs, and generating almost $12 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue.

We hope you will join us in raising our collective voice on this urgent issue. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Dobson.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Lutheran Services in America.

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