California Representative Maxine Waters introduced three bills on Wednesday that would expand low-income housing and narrow the country’s racial wealth gap. If passed, the trio of bills will allocate $100 billion in direct assistance to first-time homebuyers; more than $150 billion in fair and affordable housing investments; and will expand the housing voucher program, commonly known as Section 8, to make it accessible to every American family that qualifies.
The bills would make homeownership more affordable and create more affordable housing development for first-generation homebuyers, socially and economically disadvantaged homebuyers, and individuals currently experiencing homelessness, The New York Times reports.
“Housing should be our number one priority. Every member of Congress has not one but two decent places to live — one in Washington, D.C., and one in our home district,” Ms. Waters said in an interview. “We cannot continue to claim we are the greatest nation on earth with people living on the street and without their basic needs being taken care of.”
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