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Conference of Mayors, AIA Call on Congress for Action on Housing
The U.S. housing shortfall is expected to grow by more than two million units over the next five years unless Congress acts, according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and American Institute of Architects (AIA). That estimated shortfall reflects the input of 120 cities in the just-released USCM-AIA National Housing Survey.
A third of responding mayors reported that more than 50% of households in their city were cost-burdened by housing. Nearly all mayors reported higher median costs in rental prices, sale prices and cost per square foot. Without congressional action, more than 80% of mayors expected that housing affordability, access, economic opportunity and homelessness will worsen significantly.
“A national crisis calls for a national response,” said USCM president and Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew Ginther. “We need Congress and the new administration to work with us and invest in affordable housing for American families. Inaction is not an option.”
Four out of five cities have recently updated land use or zoning policies to support additional housing development, or are currently reviewing these policies. Nearly 90% of respondents called on Congress to protect existing federal housing programs.
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