Sens. Franken & Portman Introduce Bipartisan Fix to Help Homeless Students Access Affordable Housing
Legislation Would Close Loophole That Prevents Students, Including Veterans, from Qualifying for Low-Income Housing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 22, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, U.S. Sens. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced a bipartisan bill to make sure that young people and veterans who have faced homelessness don’t have to make the difficult choice between a place to call home and a good education.
This important legislative fix would close a loophole that prevents many full-time students—including veterans—from qualifying for affordable rental housing funded through a key tax credit. Sens. Franken and Portman’s proposal would allow youth and veterans who experience or have recently experienced homelessness to become eligible for low-income housing while they attend school full-time. The legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Angus King (I-Maine).
“Right now, too many Minnesotan students can’t focus on their education because they don’t know where they are going to sleep at night,” said Sen. Franken, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “Young people and veterans should not be forced to choose between housing or pursuing their education. Our bipartisan bill will fix this problem by closing a loophole and giving students access to affordable housing.”
Said Sen. Portman, “Students shouldn’t have to choose between stable housing and going to school full-time. By giving low-income students access to affordable housing while they attend school, we can help to ensure that they are able to graduate and succeed.”
Said Sen. King, “One of the best avenues for homeless youth and veterans to get back on track is a good education. Our current polices often force people who have faced homelessness to make the impossible choice between advancing their education and having a place to rest their head at night – and that just isn’t right. This bill would enable these students to qualify for critical affordable housing, and I’m proud to give it my full support.”
The Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program provides a reduction in tax liability for developers that build or rehabilitate affordable rental housing units. LIHTC has been used successfully to build properties intended to house individuals and families who experience homelessness. However, current law does not allow tenants, including homeless and formerly homeless individuals, to be full-time students.
The Housing for Homeless Students Act of 2015, introduced today by Sens. Franken and Portman, would fix that problem by allowing full-time students who experience or have recently experienced homelessness to become eligible—or retain eligibility—for LIHTC housing. Sens. Franken and Portman previously introduced the bill last year.
You can read a summary of the bill and view a list of endorsers here.
