Gottheimer backs bipartisan bills aimed at easing housing costs for middle-class families
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., joined Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., in introducing two bipartisan bills aimed at addressing housing affordability for middle-class families and first responders.
The proposals, titled the Housing for America’s Middle Class Act and the Housing for Heroes Act, seek to expand access to housing assistance and homeownership opportunities, particularly for essential workers who may not qualify for traditional affordable housing programs.
Gottheimer said rising housing costs in North Jersey have left many police officers, firefighters, teachers and nurses struggling to afford homes in the communities where they work.
“Bottom line: we’ve got to make housing more affordable for families. Hard-working Jersey families and our first responders shouldn’t be priced out of their own communities,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “These commonsense bipartisan bills will cut red tape and help make homeownership and more affordable housing a reality for our communities and the heroes who keep them safe.”
Lawler said middle-class families are facing mounting housing pressures.
“The cost of housing is crushing middle-class families. Teachers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, and working families are being priced out of their own communities. These bipartisan bills take a practical approach to modernizing housing policy and expanding access to homeownership, especially for the people who keep our communities safe and strong,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).
The Housing for America’s Middle Class Act would direct a study of housing affordability challenges facing middle-income households, identify gaps in federal housing programs and recommend a standardized income-based definition of “workforce housing.”
The Housing for Heroes Act would expand eligibility for certain HUD-owned homes at a 50% discount nationwide. Under the proposal, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, teachers and members of the armed forces could participate regardless of location, provided they agree to live in the home for at least three years.
