[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  INTRODUCTION OF THE RENT RELIEF ACT

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2022

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, today I introduce the 
Rent Relief Act to create an innovative tax credit to help millions of 
struggling renters. Thomas Jefferson once said: ``The care of human 
life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only 
object of good government.'' Unfortunately, 213 years later, I still 
witness thousands of people in Chicago struggling to pay rent. I see 
people pushed into the streets because they simply could not afford 
their housing. During the pandemic we saw clearly that the tax code can 
help provide direct financial assistance to struggling Americans to 
alleviate poverty and improve quality of life. The Rent Relief Act is 
an example of good government policy that cares for human life.
  It is unacceptable that 36 percent of children in Chicago, and 30 
percent of children nationwide, wonder if today may be the last day 
they have a roof over their heads. It is unthinkable that nearly 45 
percent of Hispanic and Black children experienced housing insecurity 
in the midst of a pandemic. Safe housing is at the foundation of 
social, emotional, and economic well-being, and Congress must do more 
to meet the profound need of millions of Americans for stable housing.
  This is why I am proud to join with Representatives Jimmy Gomez, 
Scott Peters, and Jimmy Panetta to champion the Rent Relief Act. The 
bill would create a fully-refundable tax credit that would cover a 
share of the difference between 30 percent of one's adjusted gross 
income and the actual cost of rent and utilities, capping the benefit 
at 100 percent of Small Area Fair Market Rent. Importantly, the bill 
targets the families in greatest need by limiting the credit to those 
earning less than $100,000. If you earn less than $25,000, the credit 
would cover the entire income-to-rent gap, with the credit phasing out 
as one's income increases.
  Direct grant assistance, affordable housing, eviction moratoriums, 
and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit are essential federal tools to 
increasing housing stability. Unfortunately, only 1 in 4 eligible 
households receives any help, and some households spend years on 
waitlists due to inadequate funding. A renter's credit could help every 
eligible taxpayer afford housing and improve their quality of life, 
working in concert with other federal programs to help end America's 
housing crisis.
  By enacting the Rent Relief Act, families will not fall into the 
spiral of missed payment after missed payment because it wasn't their 
turn on a waiting list. They will be able to get rental help when they 
need it to pay the bills when they need to.
  As a government, it is our duty to care for human life and that 
begins with making sure that Americans enjoy housing stability so they 
can live without the fear of eviction or making the horrible choice 
between a roof over their heads or medicine and food for their 
children.

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