Urge Senators to Improve Income Targeting in S. 2636

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Call Both of Your Senators

Message: At least 25% of new dollars for purchasing foreclosed homes must serve extremely low income households.

Timing: The Senate will begin considering a mortgage foreclosure assistance bill Wednesday afternoon, April 2.

Background: The underlying bill the Senate will consider, S. 2636, would provide $4 billion through the Community Development Block Grant program to buy and redevelop homes that have already gone through foreclosure. Currently, the bill would allow all of the $4 billion in new resources to assist families with incomes up to 120% of area median income (AMI).

NLIHC strongly opposes the bill's failure to assure that some portion of these new dollars are used to help people with the most serious housing needs.

Action: NLIHC is urging that at least 25% of the resources be used to benefit extremely low income households, those with incomes below 30% of AMI.

Extremely low income families are the only income group for whom there is already a national shortage of affordable rental homes. As more and more families lose their homes to foreclosure, they will be flooding the rental housing market that is already under strain. It is indefensible for Congress to appropriate such a large amount of funding for housing and not consider the needs of those who have the most difficult time finding stable affordable homes.

Please use this toll free number, 1-877-210-5351, for the congressional switchboard and asked to be connected to the housing staffer for your senator's office. You can also click on the blue Take Action link above, to enter your zip code and find your senator's number.