Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)
Rep. Gomez Slams Republicans for Having No Real Plan to Lower Health Care Costs for American Families
Washington, April 29, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jimmy Gomez criticized Republicans during a Ways and Means Committee hearing for pushing a health care agenda that would leave Americans to fend for themselves while families across the country struggle with rising medical bills and insurance premiums. Gomez warned that Republicans have no serious plan to lower costs because they refuse to be honest about what they actually believe when it comes to health care.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after voting for H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, which passed the House by a vote of 400-15. The bipartisan bill fully funds veterans’ health care and benefits while securing critical investments that can be used for the Arkansas National Guard.
Rep. Hill said, “Our veterans and service members have earned every benefit they were promised, and it is Congress’s job to make sure they receive it. This bill fully funds veterans’ health care, protects veterans’ mental health programs, and keeps faith with those who have sacrificed so much for our country. I am also proud that this bill gives the Arkansas National Guard a path to compete for critical infrastructure funding, including a new hangar and medical building our Guard members need. Taking care of the men and women in uniform and the families who stand beside them will always be one of my top priorities.”
Background
H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, provides $469.49 billion in total funding, including $157 billion in discretionary spending and $329.9 billion in mandatory spending, approximately 3 percent above FY26 enacted levels.
Several of Rep. Hill’s priorities were included in the bill:
A pathway for the Arkansas National Guard to compete for funding for a new hangar and medical building
Supporting efforts to address the unique challenges facing female veterans
Funding for the VA Office of Enterprise Integration
Support for the VA data governance and analytics efforts, which strengthen the VA’s delivery of services and benefits
Funding for VA medical services
Other key wins in the bill include:
Fully funds veterans’ health care at $138.2 billion, equal to the FY27 Budget Request
Fully funds veterans’ benefits, including $54.6 billion for the Toxic Exposures Fund to address toxic exposure-related needs, building off of the PACT Act
Maintains mental health and suicide prevention programs relied upon by veterans
Protects Second Amendment rights for veterans by prohibiting the VA from sharing veterans’ information with the FBI without a judge’s consent
Prohibits the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from China
Provides $19.2 billion for Department of Defense military construction and family housing
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen, who has represented Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District for more than 19 years, held a press conference at his office in Washington this morning to announced that he will not be a candidate for any of the newly drawn Congressional seats carved out of the 9th. His majority-Black district was gerrymandered into three Republican-leaning districts by the state General Assembly last week.
He made the following statement:
“This morning I made public my decision not to run in any of the three gerrymandered congressional districts carved out of the 9th District I have represented for more than 19 years. The state General Assembly last week diluted the Black vote in thirds to make Republican victories likely. Cases are pending that could restore the 9th District to its current contours until 2028 and, if we prevail, I will remain a candidate in the 9th, but that appears unlikely. It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the people of Memphis in my 47 years of public service, first at the state Constitutional Convention and on the Shelby County Commission, then 24 years in the state Senate and now more than 19 years in Congress. There’s no reason to be modest: No other politician has done more for the city and region – from my decisive vote to create the Regional Medical Center at Memphis (now Regional One), to the state lottery and Hope scholarships that have helped tens of thousands get a college education, to persuading the U.S. Department of Transportation to invest more than $393 million to replace the Interstate 55 bridge, the largest infrastructure investment in the state’s history. At the national level, I was Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties when we held hearings to strengthen the Voting Rights Act that the Supreme Court has now destroyed. I was the first to introduce complete Articles of Impeachment against Donald Trump. The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a project of the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, named me the fifth most effective legislator in the 118th Congress in its assessment last year. If we prevail in the courts and the 9th District remains intact for the 2026 mid-term election, I will remain a candidate and will be proud to represent its people for another two years. If not, it has been an honor serving you.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)
Over $72 million directly based on the Momnibus signed into law, bringing total to $253 million+ to date
WASHINGTON — The Black Maternal Health Caucus (BMHC) secured over $363 million for critical maternal health priorities in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act for Fiscal Year 2025, including $72 million in “Momnibus” funding based on the Momnibus Act, comprehensive legislation to end America’s maternal health crisis. The Momnibus is sponsored by BMHC Co-Founders and Co-Chairs Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12) and Rep. Lauren Underwood. Since it was founded, the Caucus has secured over $253 million in NEW funding directly through the federal appropriations process based on the Kira Johnson, Data to Save Moms, and NIH IMPROVE Acts in the Momnibus.
The BMHC led efforts to secure these resources in the final FY25 appropriations package; their inclusion reflects the strength of the BMHC’s advocacy and broad, bipartisan recognition of the urgent need to address our nation’s growing maternal health crisis and its disproportionate impact on Black moms.
“For the sixth year in a row, the Black Maternal Health Caucus secured significant federal resources to address our maternal health crisis and save moms’ lives. As a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I fought to ensure that evidence-based maternal health priorities were funded at the highest levels to support moms across the country and to directly address the drivers of maternal mortality and morbidity,” Rep. Lauren Underwood said. “But our work is far from done. Moms across America are demanding a comprehensive solution, and they cannot afford to wait any longer. We must pass the Momnibus now.”
“Through a hard-fought budget process emerges good news for mothers – especially expectant Black mothers,” said Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. “Funding increases for vital research like the NIH IMPROVE Initiative will help reduce maternal mortality and by addressing the disparities that have made the childbirth more dangerous for so many women. Other critical maternal health projects Congresswoman Underwood and I have been fighting for through our work with the Black Maternal Health Caucus were preserved as well. As we work to close racial health gaps, Congressional Democratic Leadership continues to show their commitment to creating an equitable society for all Americans.”
The FY25 appropriations package includes:
$53.4 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Implementing a Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) initiative.
The BMHC has championed IMPROVE since its establishment in 2019 and secured robust funding every year since. The FY25 funds will allow NIH to expand research on the leading causes of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities, and identify clinical and non-clinical interventions that will save lives and promote maternal health equity. BMHC Co-Chair Underwood has also introduced legislation, the NIH IMPROVE Act, to permanently authorize this program. The list of FY24 funding announcements is available here.
$10 million through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to fund research grants at minority serving institutions to study maternal health disparities.
This funding is based on the Data to Save Moms Act in the Momnibus. The BMHC worked with the House Appropriations Committee to secure this NEW funding for the first time in FY23 and has successfully secured additional funding every year since.
$9.3 million, an increase of $2.3 million, through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health to fund community-based organizations that are supporting moms in geographic areas with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes.
This funding is based on Co-Chair Adams’s Kira Johnson Act in the Momnibus.
$23 million to fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers & Babies (SET-NET) program, which detects the effects of new health threats on pregnant people and their babies by collecting key data.
This funding is based on Co-Chair Underwood’s Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act in the Momnibus.
Report Language that continues to support $15 million for implementation of the Protecting Moms Who Served Act (P.L.117-69) at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Co-Chair Underwood’s Protecting Moms Who Served Act, enacted in 2021 under the Biden-Harris Administration, was the first Momnibus bill signed into law.
$55 million through HRSA to fund State Maternal Health Innovation Grants.
With this funding requested by the BMHC, states collaborate with maternal health experts to implement state-specific action plans to improve access to maternal care services, identify and address workforce needs, and support postpartum and interconception care services. These grants play an important role in improving access to comprehensive and high-quality care for populations disproportionately impacted by maternal mortality and severe morbidity.
$110.5 million through CDC for Safe Motherhood programs.
This funding requested by the BMHC will help to improve health outcomes during and after pregnancy, including reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes.
$8 million through HRSA to expand the maternal health workforce in Maternity Care Target Areas.
This funding requested by the BMHC supports efforts through the National Health Service Corps to identify areas experiencing a shortage of maternity care providers and provide loan repayment and scholarships for the maternal health workforce in these underserved areas.
$5 million in funding for midwifery education and training through HRSA.
This funding will support grants to educate midwives and address the national shortage of maternity care providers, one of BMHC’s key priorities.
$8 million through HRSA to support training for Certified Nurse Midwives.
This funding supports loan repayment and scholarships for Certified Nurse Midwives who commit to serve in “Maternity Care Target Areas.”
$10 million in funding for Rural Maternity and Obstetric Management Strategic (RMOMS) program at HRSA.
The RMOMS program funds critical initiatives to expand access to services in rural communities and is strongly supported by the BMHC.
$38.1 million to fund substance use disorder treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum individuals through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
This funding requested by the BMHC addresses one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in states across the country.
$11 million, a $1 million increase, through HRSA for Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression and Related Disorders.
This funding will expand access to community treatment and recovery support services for pregnant people and new mothers with maternal mental and behavioral health conditions, a major priority of the BMHC.
$200,000 to fund an Advisory Committee to monitor and report on the implementation of the recommendations from the Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women (PRGLAC) through the HHS Office of the Secretary.
This funding will advance efforts to promote the safe inclusion of pregnant and lactating individuals in clinical trials for vaccines and therapeutics, a priority supported by BMHC.
$7 million in funding for the Maternal Mental Health Hotline.
The hotline, a BMHC priority, provides 24/7 free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy, including phone or text access to professional counselors, real-time support and information, and services in both English and Spanish. The hotline is available at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
Prioritization of birth center expansions at HRSA
HRSA must develop a plan to assist in birth center expansion in rural and urban maternity care deserts.
Underwood and Adams co-founded the BMHC in 2019 to advance federal solutions that save moms’ lives. The United States is one of the most dangerous countries on earth to give birth, with the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country. The situation is even more dire for Black women, who are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications. Our moms are dying, and the Momnibus is the only comprehensive federal legislation that will address every driver of our maternal health crisis.
As we consider future Appropriations bills, the BMHC is continuing to advocate for urgent federal action to fully fund the Momnibus and solve our nation’s maternal health crisis.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Danny K. Davis today issued the following statement regarding Congressman Steve Cohen’s announcement that he will not seek reelection to the United States House of Representatives:
Congressman Steve Cohen has dedicated his life to public service and social justice, and his retirement marks the conclusion of an extraordinary chapter in the history of the United States Congress.
Throughout his career, Congressman Cohen has been a fearless advocate for civil rights, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and equality under the law. His leadership and moral clarity have helped move our nation forward on some of the most important issues facing the American people.
For many years, Congressman Cohen and I worked together as partners within the House Democratic Caucus and alongside members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other coalitions committed to advancing civil rights, criminal justice reform, voting rights protections, and racial justice. We stood together on efforts to strengthen our democracy, address inequities within the justice system, and ensure that the promise of equality under the law applied to every American. His partnership and willingness to build bridges across communities and coalitions made him an effective and respected voice in Congress.
As a proud son of Memphis and the first Jewish member elected to Congress from Tennessee, Congressman Cohen brought both courage and conviction to public service. He consistently used his voice to stand up for working families, expand access to healthcare and education, and defend the constitutional rights of all Americans.
I especially appreciate Congressman Cohen’s unwavering commitment to racial justice and his efforts to confront difficult truths in our nation’s history, including his leadership on the historic congressional apology for slavery.
Steve Cohen leaves behind a remarkable legacy of principled leadership and dedicated service. I thank him for his friendship, his partnership, and his many years of service to the people of Tennessee and the nation. I wish him continued health, happiness, and success in the years ahead.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jimmy Gomez released the following statement after voting for the third time for a War Powers Resolution to force an end to President Trump’s unauthorized war with Iran.
“I voted once again to end Trump’s reckless war with Iran,” said Congressman Gomez. This was the third time I voted to stop Trump from taking us even further down this disastrous path, and support for these resolutions keeps growing because more Republicans are realizing the American people are paying the price for Trump’s chaos.
“Trump blew past the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution and is pretending this war has somehow magically ‘ended’ while U.S. troops remain deployed and military operations continue. That’s not how the law works.
“Families are already feeling the consequences. Gas prices are rising. Costs are going up. Meanwhile, Trump refuses to take responsibility for the mess he created.
“The closer these votes get, the more obvious it becomes that support for Trump’s war is collapsing. Congress has a constitutional duty to act, and I’ll keep voting to end this war for as long as it takes.”
The House vote marked the third congressional vote this year on legislation seeking to limit President Trump’s military actions against Iran without congressional authorization. The latest resolution came after the expiration of the 60-day deadline established under the War Powers Resolution of 1973.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)
Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) voted along with a majority of the House of Representatives to pass the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill provides annual funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as military infrastructure.
“The FY27 MilCon/VA Appropriations bill approved by the House today upholds our commitments to our veterans as well as our active duty servicemembers,” said Rep. Calvert. “By fully funding the healthcare and benefits programs our veterans rely on, we can ensure they get the resources they need. The bill also includes robust funding for military construction, enabling continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The following provisions were included in the bill at Rep. Calvert’s request:
VA CALL WAIT TIMES – The bill voices concern about the VA’s lack of consistent data on call wait times and call response times across the network, notably crisis and suicide lines, as well as standard customer service lines. Inconsistent tracking of call metrics may prevent the Department from identifying delays or barriers to care. Therefore, the bill requires the VA to compile a report evaluating the Department’s ability to measure and report call wait times and response performance across VA facilities, and provide recommendations to improve response times and ensure consistent tracking of call performance metrics.
LIMB LOSS MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH – The VA has a comprehensive approach to care for veterans living with limb loss and those at risk of amputation, including partnerships connecting veterans to peer visitors, support networks, and evidence-based educational resources that play a vital role in recovery, mental health, and long-term quality of life. The bill encourages the VA to expand its efforts to reach all veteran amputees nationwide and to strengthen its current program by providing enhanced care coordination services. The bill requires the VA to compile a report on efforts to enhance care coordination, increase veteran participation in peer support programs, and address gaps in access to limb loss resources across the continuum of care.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan amendment to combat veteran suicide led by Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO) has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Crow’s effort, based on his bipartisan Veterans’ Sentinel Act, aims to address suicides on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) campuses by improving the collection and analysis of data regarding veteran on-campus suicides and attempted suicides.
“Our veterans deserve nothing but the best when they return home. But right now, high suicide death rates among veterans make it clear we are failing to live up to our promises as a country,” said Congressman Crow. “I’m glad to see Congress act in a bipartisan fashion to help veterans in need.”
Veterans make up approximately six percent of the population, yet in 2022 represented a disproportionate 13.4% of all suicide deaths among adults annually. In 2019, The Washington Postand Military Timesreported on the troubling increase in veterans taking their own lives on VA campuses. Many did so to protest against problems with access to VA care; others did so because they knew their families would be taken care of. This amendment establishes a working group focused on accurately collecting and analyzing data, following an investigation that revealed serious mistakesin the VA’s reporting of on-campus suicides.
Crow previously introducedthe Veterans’ Sentinel Actalong with Congressman Jake Ellzey (R-TX). Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) joined Crow in offering the amendment. All three are military veterans, with Crow having served in combat as a paratrooper and Army Ranger.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
ICYMI: Dingell Spearheads Effort Blocking Chinese Companies from Disrupting American Manufacturing and Workers
Washington, May 15, 2026
This week, as President Trump was in China for a two-day summit with Xi Jinping, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) called on the president to keep his word to the American people and not allow China to manufacture in the U.S. or let Chinese car companies disrupt the American auto industry.
Congresswoman Dingell helped spearhead a bipartisan legislative effort alongside Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI-04), Chairman of the Select Committee on China. The duo introduced the Connected Vehicle Security Act, legislation that would prohibit the importation, manufacture, and sale of connected vehicles, software, and hardware linked to China.
ICYMI, media coverage of their bipartisan efforts can be found below:
Bipartisan lawmakers from Michigan on Tuesday announced legislation that would ban Chinese-made “connected vehicles,” software and hardware from the U.S. market, ahead of President Donald Trump’s meeting this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., chairman of the House Select Committee on China, and Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., rolled out the “Connected Vehicle Security Act,” […] that would codify Biden-era connected vehicle restrictions over national security and data collection concerns. Connected vehicles have internet access and wireless connectivity with other cars or trucks, technology that supporters say can enhance roadway safety.
“We are not competing on a level playing field when China subsidizes its manufacturers, it manipulates its currency [and] it uses slave labor. That’s not a level playing field,” Dingell said in a press conference Tuesday announcing the bill. “What [China is] trying to do is to get inside our country and fight us from within.”
A bipartisan duo of Michigan lawmakers is backing a push to ban Chinese vehicles from the United States, adding yet more force behind a widespread effort to keep President Donald Trump from opening the American marketplace to a major competitive threat.
Trump has repeatedly signaled openness to allowing Chinese automakers to manufacture in the United States, on the campaign trail in 2024 and notably during an appearance at the Detroit Economic Club earlier this year.
Dingell led a group of Democratic U.S. House members in writing a letter to Trump. Moolenaar, who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on China, joined Republican members on their own letter.
President Donald Trump arrives in China today for a long-anticipated summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders have much to discuss — the bitter trade war, the actual war in Iran, the future of Taiwanese sovereignty. One issue is top of mind for a bipartisan cohort of lawmakers: cars.
“President Trump is President Trump, and you never quite know what he’s going to do until he does it,” Dingell said.
Dingell said she was sympathetic toward buyers who want a cheap alternative to cars already in the U.S., particularly with constituents grappling with inflation and high fuel costs. But she warned China could jack up prices once it has cornered the market.
“China has a pattern of coming in, subsidizing the cost, to keep the price lower, destroying industry, and then jack up the price,” Dingell told us. “This is about America’s future. This is about the American worker’s future. We know their pattern, and we’re not going to let them do it.”
The Connected Vehicle Security Act stems from the fear that Chinese cars pose a threat to our auto industry and national security.
“When the Chinese subsidizes its manufacturers, it manipulates its currency, it uses slave labor. That’s not a level playing field and what they’re trying to do is fight us from within,” Dingell said.
Paul Eisenstein, the editor of Headlight.News tells CBS Detroit that the high-tech but far less expensive Chinese vehicles could tear down the auto brands based in Metro Detroit that employ hundreds of thousands of Michiganders.
Lawmakers say national security is another key aspect of this new proposed legislation.
Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday will introduce legislation to toughen a U.S. government ban on Chinese automakers from entering the American market just before President Donald Trump heads to China for talks.
In March, auto trade groups representing nearly all major car companies — including the Detroit Three, Volkswagen (VOWG.DE), opens new tab, Hyundai (005380.KS), opens new tab and Toyota (7203.T), opens new tab , parts manufacturers, auto dealers and others urged the U.S. government to keep out Chinese carmakers, citing “serious concerns about China’s ongoing efforts to dominate global automotive manufacturing and to gain access to the U.S. market.”
They added China poses “a direct threat to America’s global competitiveness, national security, and automotive industrial base.”
Chinese autos also face high tariffs, but U.S. consumers have become more interested in the vehicles, recent surveys show.
In January, Trump said he was open to Chinese automakers building vehicles in the United States.
Ann Arbor Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has introduced bipartisan legislation with Caledonia Republican John Moolenaar to ban Chinese vehicles in the U.S.
Called the Connected Vehicle Securities Act, the legislation would prohibit the importation, manufacture and sale of vehicles, software and hardware linked to China.
Dingell says the timing is important with this week’s upcoming China-U.S. summit.
China has been accused of using technology to collect and transmit sensitive information from vehicles it produces.
U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and John Moolenaar (R-Caledonia) introduced legislation into the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday to prohibit the importation, manufacture and sale of connected vehicles, software, and hardware linked to China.
The legislation, known as the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, would also apply to vehicles or related software and hardware from Russia, North Korea or Iran.
Dingell joined Democratic members of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, which Moolenaar chairs, on a tour of a General Motors plant and a United Auto Workers chapter in metro Detroit on Saturday, to similarly discuss the impact of Chinese manufacturing and supporting
“We are not competing on a level playing field, when China subsidizes its manufacturers, it manipulates its currency, it uses slave labor,” Dingell said in the press conference with Moolenaar. “That’s not a level playing field. And what they’re trying to do is to get inside our country and fight us from within.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) reintroduced the Habitable Housing Conversion Pilot Program of 2026 or the “Basement Bill.” The measure would establish a 5-year pilot program to provide grants for homeowners to transform their basements into safe apartment units. Converting underused basement space allows homeowner to offset rising costs through rental income while expanding much-needed housing options for low-to-moderate income earners.
Through consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the program will prioritize homes in areas most vulnerable to natural disasters and provide them with much-needed financial security in the face of increasing climate threats.
“This legislation will help protect renters from the devastating impacts of natural disasters while also creating new opportunities for homeowners to earn additional income,” said Congressman Meeks. “Many seniors and retired homeowners use the funding received from renting basement apartments to help cover rising costs and provide financial relief. This bill creates a pathway for homeowners to access financing to bring these spaces up to code, improve safety, and expand safe and affordable housing options in our communities. This bill is a practical solution to rising costs and will help improve affordability for both homeowners and renters in New York.”
“Safe, affordable housing should be a right for every New Yorker, not a luxury reserved for a few,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “This bill helps homeowners convert their basement apartments into livable, code-compliant units, creating safer spaces for renters while giving more families a way to earn extra income. The Habitable Housing Conversion Pilot Program of 2026 is a step toward easing our housing crunch, and it does so while putting safety and resilience against natural disasters front and center.”
“Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation is proud to support the Habitable Housing Conversion Pilot Program Act,” said Michael G. Johnson, Executive Director, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation. “After years of inaction, New York City and New York State have begun taking important steps to address the reality that basement apartments are a critical part of our housing stock, providing affordable homes for many low-income tenants while also helping stabilize homeownership for low- and moderate-income families. In working-class immigrant communities and communities of color, these homes have long existed in the shadows without the financing and support needed to make them safe and legal. This legislation recognizes that the federal government also has a role to play in addressing our housing crisis by helping homeowners access the resources needed to bring these units up to code while expanding safe, affordable housing options in communities like ours.”
More specifically, the legislation would expand the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)’s 203 (k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program to finance improvements necessary to convert space in the basements of owner-occupied properties, into safe and habitable dwelling units that are to be made available for rental. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would carry out the pilot program for a duration of five years and will insure up to 150,000 mortgages.