Rep. Lofgren Votes for Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Bill Would Expand and Protect Access to Affordable Housing

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today voted in favor of H.R. 2895, The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007, which establishes a national affordable housing trust fund to build or preserve 1.5 million homes or apartments over the next 10 years. The bill will initially allocate between $800 million and $1 billion annually directly to states and local communities and is funded through fees from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and does not increase government spending or the federal deficit. The Trust Fund will focus on funding the construction of affordable housing and on helping lower income families facing the greatest housing affordability challenges. Grant recipients have to match every dollar of trust funds with either 25% in other federal funds, 12.5% in state, local, or private resources, or a combination of the two. The bill also includes a provision that allows state and local governments to give preference to public employees, first responders, public safety officers, and teachers who meet the income eligibility requirements when filling for affordable housing.

“I’m proud to have both voted for and co-sponsored this important legislation,” stated Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “Accessibility to safe and affordable housing is a growing concern among the working families of Santa Clara County. This bill will help state and local governments across the Country fund the creation and preservation of much needed affordable housing. The bill also ensures that funds will only be spent on the actual housing needs by prohibiting the use of funds for administrative costs or expenses, political activities, advocacy, lobbying, counseling, and travel expenses. I will continue working to address the need for safe, adequate, and affordable housing in our communities.”

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her seventh term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. She serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She also Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.