Torres Introduces Bill to Help Americans Find & Keep Homes During Pandemic
Lawmaker Calls for Unused TARP Funds to Help Pay for Rent, Mortgages & Homeless Housing
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today introduced the Keep Your Home and Prevent Homelessness Act, which would help homeowners, renters, and homeless individuals keep or find a home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Torres' bill would allow the U.S. Treasury to invest at least $500 million, and potentially billions of dollars left over from the 2008 TARP program into the Hardest Hit Fund and the Emergency Solutions Grants Program.
Rep. Torres released the following statement:
"I've heard from residents across the Inland Empire who are struggling to keep a roof overhead during this economic downturn," Rep. Torres said. "Ensuring a safe place to shelter from this pandemic is crucial to preventing virus spread and saving lives, which is exactly what my bill does. In the midst of a once-in-a-century outbreak, the Keep Your Home and Prevent Homelessness Act is a commonsense way to deliver meaningful relief, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me to make it a reality."
Torres has long been an advocate for affordable housing, and has used her position on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and as the NewDem Housing Taskforce Chair to deliver relief for Inland Empire residents throughout the pandemic.
Prior to her time in Congress, Torres led efforts in the State Legislature to provide financial assistance to millions of California families negatively impacted by the great recession, helped secure $2 billion in federal funds for the "Keep Your Home California" program, passed the Homeowner's Bill of Rights, and authored legislation to accelerate the construction of affordable housing, help delinquent homeowners refinance their second mortgages, and make it easier for returning veterans to purchase homes.
The full text of the Keep Your Home and Prevent Homelessness Act is available here.
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WASHINGTON, DC – La Congresista Norma J. Torres (CA-35) presentó hoy el proyecto de ley: Keep Your Home and Prevent Homelessness Act, que ayudaría a los dueños de casa, inquilinos, y personas sin hogar a retener o encontrar un hogar durante la pandemia de COVID-19.
El proyecto de ley de Torres permitiría al Departamento de Tesoro de los Estados Unidos invertir al menos $500 millones y potencialmente miles de millones de dólares que sobraron del 2008 TARP programa a los fondos Hardest Hit Fund y la Emergency Solution Grants Program.
Representante Torres publico la siguiente declaración:
"He escuchado de residentes de todo el Inland Empire que están luchando por mantener un techo sobre su cabeza durante esta recesión económica," dijo la represéntate Torres. "Garantizar un lugar seguro para refugiarse de esta pandemia es crucial para prevenir la propagación del virus y salvar vidas, lo cual es exactamente lo que hace mi proyecto de ley. En medio de un evento que ocurre una vez en un siglo, el proyecto de ley Keep Your Home and Prevent Homelessness ACT es una forma de sentido común de brindar un alivio significativo, e insisto a mis colegas de ambos lados a que se unan conmigo para hacerlo realidad."
Torres ha sido durante mucho tiempo una defensora de la vivienda asequible y ha utilizado su posición en el poderoso Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara y como presidenta del NewDem grupo especializado de Vivienda, para brindar ayuda a los residentes del Inland Empire durante la pandemia.
Antes de su cargo en el Congreso, Torres lidero los esfuerzos en la Legislatura del Estado de California para brindar asistencia financiera a millones de familias en California afectadas negativamente por la gran recesión, ayudo a asegurar $2 mil millones en fondos federales para el programa "Keep Your Home California", aprobó el Homeowner's Bill of Rights y legislación autorizada para acelerar la construcción de viviendas asequibles, ayudar a los dueños de casa a refinanciar sus segundas hipotecas, y facilitar la compra de casas para los veteranos.
El texto complete de la Keep Your Home and Prevent Homelessness Act está disponible aquí.
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