The biggest obstacle to affordable housing is the lack of housing supply.

One of the main reasons for this lack of supply is the amount of excessive time it takes for local and state governments to approve housing developments. As Senator, I will do three things to solve this problem and increase access to affordable housing.

First, I will expand the low income tax credit for affordable housing, which doesn’t punish recipients from seeking higher incomes and better employment as other programs do.
Second, I will introduce a bill that takes $2 billion of the nearly $4 billion currently designated for community development block grants in the Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, and require that that money be spent specifically on affordable housing developments, all across the nation. Third, with the creation of this new fund. I will stipulate that the funds will only be released if the state and local governments can fast track affordable housing developments within a 24-month time frame.

Currently, housing development projects take an estimated five years between submission and actual breaking of ground. My plan reduces that length of time and increases housing availability. It brings more homes to the market and affordable housing to workers who can’t afford to live in the cities that they work in. This is how we solve problems. I will be a problem solver for you and your family in the United States Senate.