Vice President Kamala Harris has long been a vocal advocate for affordable housing throughout her career in politics. From her time as the attorney general for California to her current role as Vice President, Harris has shown a commitment to addressing the housing crisis in the United States.
One of Harris’ most notable accomplishments in the realm of housing policy is the California Homeowner Bill of Rights, which she drafted and helped pass during her tenure as attorney general. This set of laws was enacted to protect homeowners from unfair practices and became law on January 1, 2013.
As a senator, Harris introduced the Rent Relief Act in 2018, aimed at providing tax credits to renters who earn below $100,000 and spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. She later resubmitted a revised version of the bill in 2019, which included a mechanism for the Treasury to pay the tax credit on a monthly basis to eligible households.
In addition to her past policy proposals, Harris recently announced the recipients of an $85 million grant under the Pathways to Removing Obstacles for Housing (PRO Housing) project, aimed at increasing building activity and lowering housing costs for families. This came on the heels of a $5.5 billion investment through HUD to boost affordable housing and address homelessness in communities across America.
The United States is currently facing rising homelessness rates and escalating housing costs. According to a report by the Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies, a record 653,100 people experienced homelessness in 2023, reflecting a significant increase from the previous year. In response to these challenges, the Biden Administration has rolled out housing policies aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing and lowering costs for buyers and renters.
As Vice President Harris gears up for a potential presidential campaign, her housing policies are garnering attention. One policy that has gained traction is the LIFT the Middle Class Act, which would provide a refundable tax credit of up to $3,000 per person for qualifying middle- and working-class Americans. Some experts believe that the LIFT Act may be more beneficial for renters than the 5% rent cap increase proposed by President Biden. Concerns have been raised about the potential negative effects of capping rent increases, such as landlords withdrawing their properties from the rental market.
While Vice President Harris’ housing policies have been met with both praise and criticism, it is clear that she remains committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis in the United States. As the country continues to grapple with rising homelessness rates and housing costs, Harris’ initiatives offer a potential path forward for increasing access to affordable housing and alleviating the burden on renters and buyers alike.