[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 80 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E747-E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HOUSING FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 19, 2016

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, today, along with fellow Members of 
Congress, Erik Paulsen, Keith Ellison, and Dave Reichert, I am 
introducing bipartisan legislation to improve the Low Income Housing 
Tax Credit to ensure low-income families do not have to choose between 
stable, affordable housing and education.
   The Low Income Housing Tax Credit is a highly successful tool for 
financing affordable housing and one of the premier examples of the 
government leveraging its resources in order to maximize outcomes 
through public-private partnerships. Unfortunately, a well-intentioned 
limitation called the ``student rule'' currently forces some of the 
most in-need to choose between housing and education.
   The ``student rule'' was designed to prohibit Low Income Housing Tax 
Credit funds from being used to construct dormitories and to prevent 
college students, who often have temporarily low incomes, from 
utilizing resources meant for individuals and families with more 
serious and longer-term housing needs. Unfortunately, there are no 
exceptions for those who want to pursue full-time education and are 
truly in need of housing assistance.
   Because of this, students may lose access to Low Income Housing Tax 
Credit-funded housing units if they go to school full-time. 
Alternatively, if they choose to attend school part-time in order to 
keep their LIHTC housing eligibility, these students may lose access to 
grants, loans, and scholarships that are limited to full-time students. 
The unintended outcome of the ``student rule'' is to hold back truly 
low-income individuals trying to obtain an education.
   Our legislation adds two exceptions to the student rule; for 
formerly homeless youth and

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for formerly homeless veterans. Both of these populations are 
vulnerable to a return to homelessness. Ensuring they can go to school 
while maintaining access to affordable housing can help prevent this 
regression and promote financial independence.
   These small changes can provide immeasurable help and I hope all of 
my colleagues will join me in passing this legislation.

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