Congressman Dan Goldman Calls for Crucial Rental Assistance in FY 24 Budget
Low-Income Households Pay More than Half of Income on Rent
Rental Housing Crises Contributing to Growing Rates of Homelessness
Read Letter Here
Washington D.C. - Last week, Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) in leading a group of 90 members of Congress to call for funding that would provide crucial rental assistance to help ensure affordable housing for low-income households. With the end of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, renters continue to face barriers to housing stability in the face of rising rental costs, inflation, and the end of COVID federal and local eviction protections. In 2022, the average low-income household paid more than half of their income on rent. Fully funded rental assistance programs would help ensure that the lowest income households have access to safe, affordable housing.
“The current housing crisis is leaving far too many households unable to pay rent and placing huge financial strain on the most vulnerable families,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Access to affordable housing is a lifeline for families across the country but the end of the transformative Emergency Rental Assistance Program makes it likely many families will fall into poverty or homelessness. I am proud to lead my colleagues in advocating for working families through vital rental assistance programs.”
Representatives Goldman, Waters, and Pressley led their colleagues in requesting full funding for Public Housing, Section 8, Section 202, and Section 811 rental assistance programs including housing choice vouchers and the Public Housing Operating Fund. The members have also requested an additional $1 billion in funding to create and support new affordable housing units.
Since the 1930s, public housing and affordable housing assistance has served an indispensable role on the continuum of affordable housing, providing a home to more than 2 million families who may otherwise have no housing options affordable and available to them in the private market. The housing crisis has pushed more families to the brink as homelessness continues to rise for the 5th consecutive year. Fully funding these programs will uplift working families out of poverty and keep them in their homes.
Congressman Goldman is committed to supporting New York’s working families by ensuring they have access to safe, quality, affordable housing.
As one of his first acts in Congress, Goldman, along with Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), introduced the Public Housing Emergency Response Act. This bill would allocate $70 billion in funding for capital repairs and upgrades to public housing throughout the country. $32 billion of the allotted aid would be expected to flow directly to the New York City Housing Authority, the nation’s largest Public Housing Authority.
Congressman Goldman’s office has been working directly with tenants to address specific issues occurring in various housing developments in his district. Last month, Congressman Goldman’s office helped NYCHA tenants in Campos Plaza II fix long-broken locks and regain access to their mailboxes. The Congressman also called an emergency meeting with NYCHA to address sewage backup issues in the Campos Plaza Community Center.
Last month, Congressman Goldman hosted his first pop-up constituent services clinic at Meltzer Towers. The Congressman and his office helped residents with a variety of issues, from mold and plaster issues, leaks, and health and safety conditions in apartments.
The Congressman's office is also working with Red Hook Houses to get a Recovery and Resiliency update meeting for residents updating them on Hurricane Sandy related repairs.
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