U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and 43 of her colleagues have urged Congress to fund the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NeighborWorks America) in the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Bill. NeighborWorks is a congressionally chartered national nonprofit that facilitates opportunities for Americans to live in affordable and safe homes.
In FY23, NeighborWorks created and maintained over 45,000 jobs, repaired 82,500 homes, and empowered 16,300 new homeowners. Additionally, it provided affordable housing counseling to 111,600 families. Despite these achievements, Congress reduced its budget by $12 million in FY24 from FY23 levels.
"As you consider the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act," wrote the lawmakers, "we ask that you provide at least $185 million for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation... With the nation’s housing crisis continuing to worsen... now is the time to increase our investment in ensuring that Americans have access to reasonably-priced and quality housing options."
The letter further stated: "For FY25, Congress should recommit to battling the affordable housing crisis... Given NeighborWorks’ demonstrated record of success... we request that you provide NeighborWorks at least $185 million in funding in FY25."
The appeal was directed to the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. It was signed by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Angus King (I-ME), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tom Carper (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jon Tester(D-MT ), Jeanne Shaheen(D-NH ), Maggie Hassan(D-NH ), Bob Menendez(D-NJ ), Cory Booker(D-NJ ), Martin Heinrich(D-NM ), Ben Ray Luján(D-NM ), Kirsten Gillibrand(D-NY ), Sherrod Brown(D-OH ), Ron Wyden(D-OR ), Jeff Merkley(D-OR ), Bob Casey Jr.( D -PA ) , Jack Reed( D-RI ) , Sheldon Whitehouse( D-RI ) , Catherine Cortez Masto( D -NV ) , Jacky Rosen( D -NV ) , Mark Warner( D -VA ) , Tim Kaine( D -VA ) , Maria Cantwell( D-WA ) , Tammy Baldwin( D-WI ).
The full text of the letter is available here.
###