On Wednesday, October 10, 2007, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2895, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007, by a vote of 264-148. Since that vote, faith and affordable housing advocates have been working to secure bipartisan support for a similar measure in the Senate so that it may be formally introduced for consideration on the Senate floor with momentum. At present, there is hope that this will happen in December 2007 or early January 2008.

For more on the House's passage of the National Housing Trust Fund, see the press release issued by the National Low Income Housing Coalition: http://www.nlihc.org/detail/article.cfm?article_id=4628&id=40 

The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 was first introduced in the House in June by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA). The Act would allow for a housing trust fund independent of appropriations, drawing on money from Government Sponsored Enterprises (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) and expanding the FHA's home equity conversion mortgage product. The Trust Fund aims to make monetary resources available to developers who are willing to operate low-income housing for extremely low-income families. Most of the resources of the Housing Trust Fund will be used to develop affordable rental housing. For more, visit www.nhft.org .

Policy Base

The ELCA believes that all people should live in safe, affordable, and decent housing. As stated in the ELCA message, "Homelessness," "Housing is a fundamental human right." The ELCA supports the preservation and production of affordable housing for people with low incomes, particularly older adults and people with disabilities.