NHT Updates
Policy makers should ensure that families across the country maintain their homes through the crisis by reflecting these core principles.
As affordable housing organizations committed to advancing equal access to decent, affordable housing, National Housing Trust and partners strongly oppose HUD’s termination of the AFFH rule.
The National Housing Trust stands in solidarity with Black Americans demanding an end to racial injustice. We remember those that have lost their lives to racial violence: Emmett Till, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, among many. We are saddened to commit more names to memory: George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor. Racism is real and it’s long past time to confront the racial disparities that exist in all parts of our society, including housing. Black lives matter.
Until now, most of the policy response to the health and financial crisis has focused appropriately on immediate relief to those who need it most, including renters. However, a national response is also needed to address renters facing long-term unemployment and heavy housing burdens. New project-based rental assistance would simultaneously stabilize renters, protect scarce properties from deterioration, and preserve rent affordability.
With over 750,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States, state and local officials are beginning to acknowledge who is most impacted by the virus. For those of us who work to promote affordable housing and energy efficiency, it came as no surprise to learn that African-Americans are the hardest hit in this pandemic.
State and local officials should prioritize the use of CDBG funds to provide rental assistance to ensure that impacted families can remain stably housed during and after the COVID-19 crisis.