Your Action Needed Today!
Possibly the Last Chance to Pass National Housing Trust Fund Legislation This Year

ACTION NEEDED

Calls should come from every state.
Please call Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Ranking Member Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) TODAY. These two senators are the gatekeepers of this legislation.

Tell Senators Dodd and Shelby that you want the Kerry-Snowe National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act (S. 2523) to be included in the major housing bill that the Senate Banking Committee takes up this week or next week.

 

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee will take up a major housing bill this week or next to address the foreclosure crisis. The bill is expected to include the Senate's version of regulatory reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including the creation of an Affordable Housing Fund. This fund will be the first source of dedicated funding for the National Housing Trust Fund.

HOWEVER, as of yet, there is no commitment to take up S. 2523 (the Kerry-Snowe National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007) as part of this major housing bill. Unless the Kerry-Snowe bill is included, there is no assurance that 100% of the funds will go to housing, and no assurance that any of the funds will be targeted to extremely low income people.

Please call:
Senator Dodd (202) 224-282
Senator Shelby (202) 224-5744
Senate Banking Committee (202) 224-7391

 

USCCB POSITION
Catholic Social Teaching has long recognized housing as a basic human right. The Catholic community—through its parishes, diocesan structures, and Catholic Charities agencies—is one of the largest providers of shelter in the nation. Since the late 1960's, the federal government through the Department of Housing and Urban Development has solicited, encouraged, and funded a variety of Church sponsored housing--particularly senior housing, transitional housing, homeless shelters, and some family units.

Bishop William Murphy, on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has written to the Senate urging support of a National Housing Trust Fund as “a genuine opportunity to let the American people know that the housing needs of low-income families are a national priority.” And to “demonstrate how vitally important housing is to the well-being of families and our communities.”

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Thom Shellabarger at the USCCB, 202 541 3189 or tshellabarger@usccb.org