FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2005	Contact: Michele Anapol (202) 466-2121 x226 manapol@nhc.org

Statement by Conrad Egan,
President and CEO of the National Housing Conference

Congress Introduces Employer Assisted Housing Act Aimed at
Helping America’s Working Families

“In metropolitan areas across the country the gap between housing and wages is growing, impacting our nation’s vital community workers such as firefighters, police officers and teachers. As a result, today the Housing America’s Workforce Act of 2005 was introduced in the Senate by Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Gordon Smith (R-OR), and Mel Martinez (R-FL) and in the House by Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-NY). This essential piece of legislation offers an innovate local solution for increasing affordable housing opportunities by implementing a Federal tax-based employer assisted housing (EAH) program that will help working families in America. With benefits such as downpayment assistance and rental assistance, many experts believe it can and will become as popular as employee healthcare.

According to NHC’s research affiliate the Center for Housing Policy, the number of low- to moderate-income working families paying more than half their income for housing grew 76 percent to 4.2 million between 1997 and 2003. Many employers are having a difficult time retaining employees due to lack of affordable housing and their subsequent increased commuting times. The Housing America’s Workforce Act directly addresses this problem and increases affordable housing opportunities for working families while benefiting employers and communities.

Specifically, EAH programs are usually a ‘win-win-win’ situation. First, they are a win for employers who benefit from a stable workforce that is often the result of living near work. This reduction in recruitment ultimately results in financial savings for an employer. Second, employees win because they enjoy the extra time provided by living closer to work, time that could have been spent in traffic, but instead is spent with family and friends. And third, communities benefit from increased investment and reduced congestion as a result of families and individuals who may have just been passing through but instead decide to purchase a home.

NHC is pleased that the Senate and the House have recognized the significant role that EAH can play in addressing the housing challenges faced by working families nationwide and looks forward to working with the Senators and Representatives in ensuring support for the bill.”

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