Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Issues Statement Regarding Today's Visit with Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick released the following statement regarding today’s visit from Secretary Marcia Fudge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:

“Core to the American dream is a simple but profound promise that each generation will be better off than the last, a promise that by working hard and playing by the rules you’ll be able to find good job, home, and future for your family. The median home price in Broward County is now over $350,000. That is up over 12% from a year ago. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 people in Fort Lauderdale are living in poverty.

“These two facts paint an unfortunate future for those who are already struggling. There must be action to meet this crisis. With Americans around the country being priced out of their neighborhoods and towns, leaders around the country are duty bound to provide solutions.

“I was happy to stand with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge today and I am thrilled that HUD has announced a new program – Our Way Home – whose goal is to increase the U.S. housing supply by helping local communities preserve and add affordable housing in their area, both for rentals and homeownership. The process is flexible, and HUD expects it to include several initiatives, like advocating for zoning changes, holding roundtables to engage local and state leadership for solutions, and more. Our Way Home promises to not only provide tools and resources necessary to address the supply shortages plaguing the country, but it will also improve vital HUD programs based on feedback gained through this effort.

“It is my honor to fight for our district in Congress, and I am proud to have secured much-needed funding for affordable housing projects. These projects included but not limited to; First Time Homebuyer Program through the City of Tamarac (350k), Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth (250k), Catholic Charities (roughly 4million), and Salvation Army (750k), Compass (over 500k).  I will continue to fight for our district to ensure that have access to federal funding needed to make our community stronger.

“Additionally, I have joined 36 other members of the House in introducing H.R. 7739, the Affordable Housing and Area Median Income Fairness Act of 2022.  The bill provides urgent support for affordable housing infrastructure in the nation’s most populated areas by authorizing $5 billion for each fiscal year from 2023 through 2032 to the Housing Trust Fund, Community Development Block Grants, and the Home Investment Partnership Program.This would represent an incredible investment in the effort to tackle the shortage of affordable housing we are seeing in this country.

“Congress can no longer sit idly by and watch an entire generation of Americans be denied the American Dream. There are also existing resources that we must make sure get to those who need it the most.

“$676 million from the Homeowner’s Assistance Fund has been allocated to the state of Florida by the Treasury Department. It is incumbent upon Florida to ensure that those in need are connected with these resources.

“My office will continue to support Floridians who seek to get funding from this program, and we are very excited by the impact that this can have in south Florida.

“We owe it to our children and to the next generation of Americans to ensure that the American Dream and the promise of future prosperity is something that all Americans can be the beneficiaries of.”