NYC Gazette

Caucus to Elevate Voices and Priorities of American Renters in Federal Policymaking

Needs of Renters Underrepresented in Nation’s Capital as they are Left to Bear the Brunt of Housing Crisis

Video of the Launch Announcement is Available Here

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today joined Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Congressmembers Rob Menendez (NJ-8) and affordable housing advocates to launch the Congressional Renters Caucus. The caucus aims to address the challenges faced by millions of renters, advocate for their rights, and promote affordable and safe housing options.

“Delivering for the millions of Americans who rent their homes must be a priority for this Congress,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “New York City has one of the highest renter populations in the country, with nearly half paying over 30 percent of their income on rent. The nationwide housing crisis calls for a reinvigorated effort to ensure that everyone has access to high-quality, stable, and affordable housing. I am proud to join my colleagues as a founding member of the Congressional Renters Caucus in fighting for legislation that uplifts and supports renting families here in New York and across the country.”

Congressman Jimmy Gomez said, “As the burden of rent has increased significantly, far outpacing the increase in real wages, it’s become clear that we need a strong, coordinated effort in Congress to advocate for the millions of renters in our country. That’s why I’m proud to launch the first-ever congressional caucus to fight for renters and affordable, quality living. Representing the highest percentage of renters in California and third highest in the nation, I see firsthand the challenges faced by renters—soaring costs, often subpar living conditions, discriminatory barriers. The unreasonable cost of rent not only affects individual families, in fact economists warn it will have significant impact on the country’s GDP, meaning this is an issue that affects everyone. This long overdue caucus will be the launching pad for legislative efforts and advocacy to finally give renters a voice in Washington.”

The Congressional Renters Caucus launches as recent studies show that for the first time in 20 years, the average American is rent burdened, paying over 30 percent of their income on rent. Over 44 million households nationwide live in rental accommodations, so it is imperative to prioritize their needs and concerns.

The Congressional Renters Caucus will work to expand assistance for all eligible cost-burdened renters, eliminate bureaucratic and discriminatory barriers to accessing affordable housing; and improve the quality, availability, and affordability of our nation’s rental housing stock.

The founding members of the Congressional Renter’s Caucus include Congressmembers Jimmy Gomez, Dan Goldman, Ritchie Torres, Ayanna Pressley, Rob Menendez, Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Dwight Evans, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Lloyd Doggett, Grace Meng, Ted Lieu and Pramila Jayapal.

Original source can be found here.