Though housing didn’t take center stage during the 2020 election season, those who work in affordable housing were keeping a close eye on the race, and are now looking expectantly at President-elect Joe Biden’s $640 billion housing plan originally proposed in February. Many organizations took the time to welcome the new administration but did not shy away from reminding him of his campaign promises and the need for swift aid.
Sarah Saadian, vice president of public policy for the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said starting day one, Biden will need to take immediate action to prevent a wave of evictions by issuing a strengthened eviction moratorium. Saadian noted the current moratorium – issued by the CDC and set to end Dec. 31 – has shortcomings that leave many renters unprotected.
“After issuing an eviction moratorium, President-elect Biden must work with Congress to pass a coronavirus relief package that includes emergency housing and homelessness resources to help renters when back rent is owed,” Saadian said. “It will take incredible leadership and focus to ensure that these resources reach renters as quickly as possible.
“In terms of longer-term opportunities, President-elect Biden ran on a bold housing platform, including expanding rental assistance, investing $20 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund, and enforcing fair housing laws, among other measures. There is a tremendous opportunity – whether in an infrastructure or stimulus package or other legislation – for the incoming administration to make strides in addressing one of the most critical issues facing extremely low-income families today: the lack of decent, accessible, and affordable housing,” Saadian said.
David Dworkin, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference, applauded Biden’s appointment of two housing industry experts to his transition team.
“On behalf of the National Housing Conference, I would like to congratulate President-elect Biden for moving quickly to appoint Don Graves and Erika Poethig as leaders within the agency review teams.
“A smooth transfer of knowledge and power, through the work of highly qualified public policy professionals, protects the interests of the American people, and is one of the clearest signals of a well-functioning democracy,” Dworkin said. “Don Graves is a trusted advisor to President-elect Biden with decades of experience in the Treasury Department as well as community lending. Erica Poethig has led some of the most innovative research in housing and community development at the Urban Institute, while having extensive experience at HUD. These choices are an excellent indication of the kind of leadership we can look forward to.
“With their exceptional backgrounds in domestic and economic affairs, the choice of Graves and Poethig demonstrate the President-elect’s commitment to create a new administration that fully serves our nation in an extraordinary time. NHC looks forward to supporting the transition teams and working with the incoming administration on our shared housing priorities on behalf of our 320 members,” Dworkin said.
