[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 123 (Thursday, July 17, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMERICA FACES A HOUSING CRISIS
(Mr. LICCARDO asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. LICCARDO. Mr. Speaker, America faces a housing crisis. One part
of the solution to that crisis, though, lies right in our backyards.
The solution has many names: granny flats, backyard cottages, or
accessory dwelling units, but all expand our affordable housing supply.
When I was mayor of San Jose, we made building backyard apartments
easier by enabling thousands of homeowners to be able to get their
permits online in a single day. The problem, though, is that many
homeowners of modest means could never get a shovel in the ground
because they couldn't get financing.
We talked to the banks and the banks said they would lend if
homeowners could get FHA insurance, or if Fannie or Freddie would
backstop the loans.
Today, along with my Republican colleague Andrew Garbarino, I have
introduced a bill to do just that. The bipartisan SUPPLY Act will
empower homeowners to become home providers.
Mr. Speaker, together we can make affordable housing a reality for
thousands more Americans.
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