Congresswoman Becca Balint joined Champlain Housing Trust, other Vermont affordable housing leaders, and elected officials on June 15 to announce the reintroduction of the Community Housing Act which would make significant investments in affordable housing programs, including shared equity homeownership, to lead the country out of the housing affordability crisis.
“The bill offers creative solutions and big investments, and it would increase the affordable housing supply,” said Balint at the press conference. “It would ensure that affordable housing stays available for years to come. It would give renters the support that they need to stay in their homes. It would strengthen and preserve pathways to home ownership. And it would encourage the revamping of zoning codes to eliminate some barriers to construction.”
“Regardless of what district you live in, again, whether you represent a Republican district or a Democratic district or a swing district, you are hearing from your constituents, ‘I can’t afford housing,’” added Balint .
The bill appropriates $450 billion over ten years for programs such as the National Housing Trust Fund, and creates a first-time Shared Equity Housing Fund with $500 million to support the development and expansion of permanently affordable homeownership, modeled after successful programs at CHT and throughout Vermont.
CHT shared equity homeowner Hayley Shriner of Burlington spoke at the press event. “I’ll never forget the moment I realized it could be possible for me to purchase a home… There are so many people like us in our community: working class individuals and families seeking stability. People who want safe and dignified housing that they can call their own. I want to share my immense gratitude to Representative Balint, for prioritizing affordable housing and especially shared equity on a federal level.”