Housing-related proposals make up about 1% of all legislation
Congress could be doing more to address issues in housing given its importance and urgency for all Americans, according to an analysis by Apartment List.
The analysis noted that the current Congress’ record of being one of the least legislatively productive in the past three decades is a trend that has been mirrored in housing policy. A total of 10,222 bills have been introduced in both houses, with the 115 housing-related proposals making up about 1% of all legislation.
None of the housing proposals have become law.
“This highlights a troubling sign as home prices are predicted to rise twice as fast as the speed of inflation and pay, and nearly half of all renters in the United States are spending more than 30% of their incomes on housing. Regardless as to whether or not an individual aspires to rent or own a home, the issue of housing is not at the forefront of federal lawmaker’s minds,” Apartment List said.
Other findings include that just 14 % of the members of Congress have an easily accessible housing issues page on their website. Also, 70% of congressmen and congresswomen who are taking the most tangible action on housing policy are members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, or the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Apartment List also noted that the state of housing affordability within a state does not necessarily correlate to housing policy activity.
