Bipartisan Policy Center Commission Recommends New Systems for Housing Finance and Federal Rental Assistance

Demographic shifts transform nation's housing needs

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A bipartisan commission of former Cabinet secretaries, former Senators and other leading housing and economic experts unveiled a new vision for housing policy today, which aims to further our nation's economic recovery and improve the lives of millions of Americans.  The recommendations propose scaling back the government role in the nation's housing finance system and reforming housing assistance programs to better meet the needs of America's most vulnerable households.

The commission is co-chaired by former Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell, former Senator Christopher S. "Kit" Bond, former Senator and HUD Secretary Mel Martinez, and former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, and includes 17 other individuals from diverse professional and political backgrounds.

The report from the Bipartisan Policy Center's Housing Commission, entitled Housing America's Future: New Directions for National Policy, proposes a new housing finance system that calls for a far greater role for the private sector, a continued but limited role for the federal government, the elimination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and reform of the Federal Housing Administration to improve efficiency and avoid crowd-out of private capital.

Through these reforms, the plan would address the broken mortgage finance system while creating a stable and strong housing market that provides greater taxpayer protection and supports a more vibrant economy.

"At this critical time in our nation's history, we can no longer afford to defer bipartisan action on housing," said the co-chairs in an op-ed in POLITICO today.  "We believe our report can serve as a framework for Congress and the administration to act in the best interests of all Americans."

"Profound demographic changes are transforming the country and our housing needs. The aging of the Baby Boomers, the formation of new households by millions of young Echo Boomers striking out on their own, and the increasing diversity of the American population will present new challenges and opportunities for housing providers and policy makers."

The plan calls for reforms that would establish a new performance-based system for delivering federal rental assistance with greater devolution of responsibilities to state and local providers. The commission also proposes to shift existing resources to assist more effectively the most vulnerable households, and to preserve and expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to increase the supply of affordable rental housing.  

For first-time home buyers, the report emphasizes the importance of housing counseling as a means of preparing for homeownership.  The commission recommends proposals to enable seniors to "age in place" safely and affordably while integrating housing with health care and other programs.  For the one-third of Americans who live in rural areas, the commission recommends continued support for homeownership and rental assistance in those communities. 

"Six years after the collapse of the housing market, the problems in housing remain as severe as ever and solutions continue to be elusive," says the op-ed.  "We hope [our report] will serve as a catalyst for action."

To read the full report of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Housing Commission, please visit www.bipartisanpolicy.org/housing.

The commission's work was made possible by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 

About the Bipartisan Policy Center:
Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a non-profit organization that drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation, and respectful dialogue. With projects in multiple issue areas, BPC combines politically-balanced policymaking with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach.  For more information, please visit our website: www.bipartisanpolicy.org.

SOURCE Bipartisan Policy Center