Legislative Agenda in the Lame Duck Session Remains Unclear

Congress will return to Washington on November 13 following the midterm elections and begin a lame duck session with uncertain prospects for funding affordable housing and community development programs. Currently, HUD and USDA rural housing programs are operating under a continuing resolution (CR) through December 7. It remains to be seen whether Congress will agree on a full-year appropriations package during the lame duck period or choose to pass another CR to extend temporary funding for these agencies until there’s a new Congress. The outcome of the elections will heavily influence the tone of these funding negotiations, as well as potential tax legislation that may be considered before the end of the year. Building support for affordable housing and community development programs heading into the lame duck session is critical to ensure these programs rise to the top of the list in any potential negotiations. Enterprise encourages all stakeholders to urge their members of Congress to support the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (H.R. 1661/S. 548), bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit), and the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Extension Act (H.R. 1098/S. 384), bipartisan legislation to make NMTC permanent, in any upcoming tax negotiations. Visit the ACTION Campaign website for more information to advocate for the Housing Credit (including updated state fact sheets), and the NMTC Coalition website for resources to support NMTC.