Watch Pressley Discuss the Provision in Committee Markup

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the House Financial Services Committee included in the House American Rescue Plan Act a measure championed by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), in partnership with Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (NY-14) and Joe Neguse (CO-02), that would to invest nearly $5 billion in additional funding to support vulnerable families and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Congresswoman Pressley discussed the measure during the committee’s markup this week. Full video is available here.

“Housing is a critical determinant of health, economic opportunity and social mobility,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “With this pandemic continuing to rage and the threat of homelessness looming large for families across the Massachusetts 7^th and nationwide, our relief efforts must continue to prioritize keeping families safely housed. I’m grateful to Representatives Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez and Neguse for their partnership, and I thank my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee for including this important provision in the next COVID relief package.”  

Experts estimate that $5 billion in additional resources is critical to help communities across the country provide safe and secure shelter for those experiencing homelessness. This provision is responsive to the needs of community and advocates and will provide cities and states the flexibility needed to make long term investments to combat the homelessness crisis like the conversion of hotels and motels into non-congregate shelters.

From the onset of the pandemic, Congresswoman Pressley has fought tirelessly to provide robust investments to combat the homelessness crisis and strengthen housing protections for families in Massachusetts and across the nation.

• On March 18, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling or a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
• On March 19, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.
• On March 23, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.
• On April 10, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.
• On April 17, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
• On May 11, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On July 24, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.
• On July 28, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In January 2021, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) led a group of 63 lawmakers in sending a letter to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris urging them to using executive action to extend and strengthen the national eviction moratorium for the duration of the pandemic.

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