MARYSVILLE—Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01), on Thursday, February 22, toured the Westend Apartments, an affordable housing development financed by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). DelBene also hosted a roundtable with the Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO), affordable housing advocates, and apartment residents on the urgent need for the Senate to pass the bipartisan tax package. The measure cleared the House of Representatives by an overwhelmingly bipartisan 357-70 vote in January and would create 200,000 additional affordable homes, including 7,000 in Washington, by building on the success of the credit.
The Housing Credit is the nation’s most successful federal affordable housing program. Since its creation nearly four decades ago, it has been responsible for building or rehabilitating over 3.7 million affordable housing units nationwide, including over 103,000 in Washington.
“It’s great to witness the impact that the Housing Credit program is having in Marysville,” said DelBene. “However, there is still more to do to address the affordable housing shortage that is straining family budgets and holding communities back nationwide. We have a proven solution in the Housing Credit, but we know it can do more. The bipartisan tax package that recently passed the House would strengthen and expand this proven tax incentive to build more affordable homes nationwide. I’m urging the Senate to quickly pass this legislation.”
Westend is operated by the Housing Authority of Snohomish County and has 133 affordable housing units. The development has utilized the Housing Credit twice for renovations and rehabilitation.
“Westend serves as an excellent example of the advancements achievable through the utilization of tax credits and supportive measures. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program plays a pivotal role in our capacity to sustain the development and conservation of affordable housing. HASCO takes pride in its ongoing commitment to delivering secure, high-quality, and affordable housing solutions for the residents of Snohomish County,” said Jenisa Story, Chief Operating Officer, Housing Authority of Snohomish County.
DelBene introduced bipartisan legislation that would increase affordable housing production by expanding and enhancing the Housing Credit. Key provisions of this legislation were included in the bipartisan tax package. More information about the legislation can be found here.
SOURCE: Office of Representative Suzan DelBene
Author: Mario Lotmore
