[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 109 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY 
                            TRANSPARENCY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2010

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the 
Transportation and Housing Affordability Transparency Act, or ``THAT 
Act.'' This legislation will provide homebuyers, renters, and policy 
makers with the information they need to make informed decisions about 
their housing choices.
  The average family spends about half of its income on transportation 
and housing costs. Housing affordability has traditionally been 
measured as the extent to which a household's income can cover the 
purchase price of a home or the monthly rent. However, transportation 
costs can vary based on the location of a home. The cost of 
transportation has been growing as people move further from their jobs 
and community development patterns require families to drive for most 
of their outings. In certain auto-dependent areas, transportation costs 
can be very high, leaving families with less money for housing, food, 
healthcare, education, and other important expenses.
  Transportation costs and savings are not currently taken into account 
in government affordability measures and standards, and information is 
not generally available to consumers looking to purchase or rent homes. 
For example, low-income housing tax credits, down payment assistance 
grants, and rental assistance under Section 8 of the U.S. Housing Act 
of 1937 are all awarded and used without regard to this transportation 
cost burden. At a time of increasing gas prices and the pending 
expiration of many of the federal subsidies that keep housing near 
transit affordable, it's important for consumers and decision-makers to 
take transportation costs into account.
  This legislation requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD) to work with the Department of Transportation and 
other stakeholders to develop a transportation affordability index that 
measures the transportation costs associated with the location of a 
home. The bill requires HUD to take into consideration a number of 
factors that determine transportation costs, including the location and 
frequency of transit service, the average vehicle miles travelled in 
the area, and the availability of services such as grocery stores, bike 
lanes, community centers, and schools. HUD will be required to share 
this information with the general public, realtors, regional and local 
housing and planning agencies, states, and entities that engage in 
transportation demand management programs. The bill also requires HUD, 
where feasible, to incorporate transportation costs into its housing 
programs and work with other federal agencies, states, and local 
governments to incorporate transportation costs into their housing 
programs.
  The information made available by this legislation will ensure 
transparency in housing and transportation costs for consumers, housing 
providers, local and regional planning agencies, and other 
stakeholders. It will also enable HUD, where appropriate, to 
incorporate transportation costs into its affordability measures and 
standards. Finally, it will help communities recognize the importance 
of providing affordable transportation and housing choices for their 
residents, and give them the tools they need to do so.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this simple 
legislation to help make our families safer, healthier, and more 
economically secure.

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