In a move aimed at calling attention to America’s rental housing crisis, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution designating next September as “National Month for Renters.”
The resolution, which was supported by Make Room and introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), calls for a national response involving all levels of government, the private sector, and the philanthropic community.
“This is a landmark day,” says Ali Solis, president and CEO of Make Room. “For the first time, the entire U.S. Senate has acknowledged the devastating impact of America’s rental affordability crisis on families and communities and the need for a comprehensive and sustained response. We are deeply grateful to Sens. Cassidy and Van Hollen for moving this critical legislation so quickly through the Senate.”
The resolution, which states that there are 11 million households spending more 50% of their income on rent and utilities, making these households severely cost-burdened, designates both September 2017 and 2018 as “National Month for Renters.”
“Solving the rental affordability crisis can lead to tremendous benefits—more stable families and communities, greater equality of opportunity, and stronger economic growth,” Solis says. “It’s my hope that passage of S. Res. 312 will jump-start the effort to craft meaningful solutions.”
In July, Reps. Bruce Poliquin (R-Maine) and Denny Heck (D-Wash.) introduced a House version (H. Res. 475) of the resolution.
Make Room is a nonprofit working to end the national rental housing crisis.
