Durbin, Duckworth, Foster Introduce Bill to Expand Affordable Housing

WASHINGTON – Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Representative Bill Foster introduced legislation to increase the supply of affordable homes in the United States. The Advancing Better Options for Dwellings Everywhere Act would create a national design competition for single- and multi-family homes with a focus on cost, energy efficiency, durability, and accessibility. The program would direct funding to areas with severe housing shortages, reward builders for sustainable construction, and require HUD to report to Congress on projects completed and homes built. The bill responds to a national shortage of more than seven million affordable homes, particularly starter homes, which now account for only about nine percent of new construction compared with 40 percent in the 1980’s. The legislation has been endorsed by the Illinois Housing Council.