Bill Overview
Title: Strengthening Housing Supply Act of 2022
Description: This bill includes the construction of affordable housing as an allowable use of the Community Development Block Grant (federal assistance for states and local governments to support neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation, and community economic development efforts).
Sponsors: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
Target Audience
Population: People needing affordable housing
Estimated Size: 35000000
- The bill impacts the construction of affordable housing, which directly affects low to middle-income families who struggle with current housing costs.
- Affordable housing initiatives can help reduce homelessness, thus affecting homeless populations.
- Community Development Block Grant adjustments can lead to broader community and economic development, impacting entire neighborhoods and local economies.
- Housing affordability can be a concern for various demographics, including students, young professionals, elderly individuals on fixed incomes, and larger family units.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets individuals who are in need of affordable housing. This includes low-to-middle income families, homeless individuals, and decreasingly affordable urban renters.
- The budget constraints mean the program will need to focus on high-density areas to maximize impact, likely urban areas where the cost of living pressures are more acute.
- There is a significant population that remains unaffected, as the policy does not extend housing aid broadly to populations already adequately housed, or those in extremely high-income brackets that do not face housing affordability issues.
- We consider perspectives from a diverse demographic, ranging from young professionals, families with young children, to retirees, to capture the broad spectrum of housing needs.
- Given the scale and nature of this policy, the estimated benefit will primarily be reflected in the medium to long-term improvements of wellbeing for those directly benefitted.
Simulated Interviews
Graphic Designer (New York City, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The current rent is incredibly high and barely affordable with my salary.
- This policy seems important as it might allow people like me to stay in the city.
- I hope affordable housing means not having to constantly worry about rent increases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Construction Worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My family struggles with housing costs. It's hard to find something bigger as the kids are growing.
- The policy sounds promising if it brings more affordable housing closer to work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Freelance Musician (Austin, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more affordable housing options would definitely ease financial stress.
- It might help me live independently without overpaying for a studio apartment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Retired (Tampa, FL)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With my fixed income, rent just keeps getting tighter.
- Affordable housing policies are essential for folks like me who can't keep up with rising costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Tech Support Specialist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I had to move further from the city, increasing commute time due to rent.
- New affordable housing could reduce my commute and living stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Small Business Owner (Cleveland, OH)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increasing rent is pushing both personal and business budgets to the limit.
- Affordable housing can free up funds for business reinvestment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Affordable housing would be a game changer, decreasing stress about rent and allowing me to save or spend on my children.
- Children's future options are a driver for my concern about housing policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even with a good job, rent in the Bay Area consumes so much of my income.
- Affordable options are crucial for people just starting their careers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The current rent is a significant burden alongside other living costs.
- If this policy means lower rent, it could make a big difference in family wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Mechanic (Detroit, MI)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With retirement coming up, affordable housing takes a lot of pressure off.
- Policies like this provide needed security for those whose earnings dwindle after retirement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000000 (Low: $1800000000, High: $2200000000)
Year 2: $2000000000 (Low: $1800000000, High: $2200000000)
Year 3: $1900000000 (Low: $1700000000, High: $2100000000)
Year 5: $1800000000 (Low: $1600000000, High: $2000000000)
Year 10: $1600000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The long-term effects on local housing markets, including potential rent stabilization.
- Environmental impact assessments and community zoning regulations that could delay project timelines.
- The administrative capacity of local governments to effectively allocate and utilize grants.