Peoria Standard

Congressman Darin LaHood and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene have reintroduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act in Washington, D.C. They are backed by Representatives Claudia Tenney, Don Beyer, Randy Feenstra, and Jimmy Panetta. This bill aims to support the financing and development of affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

"As I travel throughout Illinois' 16th Congressional District, I frequently hear how the shortage of affordable housing impacts our communities throughout central and northwestern Illinois," said Rep. LaHood. "To address this growing crisis across the country, Congress must strengthen tools to drive investment into affordable workforce housing and expand housing options for hardworking families nationwide. I am proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act alongside Representatives DelBene, Tenney, Beyer, Feenstra, and Panetta to strengthen our communities and support economic development."

Rep. DelBene highlighted, "Too many families are struggling to find a safe, affordable place to call home. This is a pervasive problem across America and in Washington. When people have stable housing, it has a ripple effect throughout other aspects of life. They’re better able to support their families and succeed at work. This overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation makes smart, targeted investments to increase affordable housing supply and help meet the needs of growing communities both in Washington and across the country."

Rep. Tenney noted, "Since 1986, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit has supported the development of more than 8,300 units through $55M of allocations in NY-24 alone. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act leverages private investments to increase access to affordable housing for low-income families in rural communities. It is a privilege to join my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation to ensure this vital program continues to serve those who need it most."

"My community, like many others around the country, is facing a crisis in affordable housing," said Rep. Beyer. "This bill would expand and update the most effective tool for financing affordable housing, and take a big step forward in addressing the massive need for affordable housing across the nation."

Rep. Feenstra commented on the rural impact, saying, "In rural Iowa, access to affordable housing is critical for young families looking to plant their roots, local businesses attracting employees, and the long-term growth of our economy. However, with housing costs consistently increasing and construction projects being more difficult to finance in rural areas, we need to enact smart and cost-effective strategies to expand the housing supply and bring down prices. I’m glad to work with my Ways and Means Committee colleague, Rep. Darin LaHood, to introduce the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act to expand and improve incentives in the tax code to build more housing. This commonsense policy will pay dividends for affordable housing in rural Iowa and help our families find housing options that fit their budgets."

Rep. Panetta added, "Too many working families struggle to find affordable housing, be it in California's 19th Congressional District or across the country. The bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, helping finance nearly 2 million affordable homes over the next decade while creating jobs and generating economic growth. By incentivizing the development of affordable housing through this public-private partnership, we can start to tackle the housing crisis and provide more families with the opportunity to not just work, but also to live in the same community."

Ayrianne Parks and Jennifer Schwartz, co-chairs of the ACTION Campaign, expressed their support stating, "The reintroduction of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act is a vital step toward addressing our nation’s housing crisis. Expanding the Housing Credit is the most effective way to increase the supply of affordable housing, leveraging public-private partnerships to build and preserve homes for working families, seniors, and vulnerable communities. At a time when rents are rising and supply is lagging, strengthening the Housing Credit will ensure that more Americans have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing."

Emily Cadik, Chief Executive Officer of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, stated, "The overwhelming bipartisan support for the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 underscores the critical need to increase the supply of affordable rental homes. We thank Congressman LaHood, Congresswoman DelBene, Congresswoman Tenney, Congressman Beyer, Congressman Feenstra, and Congressman Panetta for their leadership and the more than 100 bipartisan cosponsors for supporting this commonsense solution to expand and strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, a proven, pro-growth tool with a nearly 40-year record of leveraging private investment to fill a critical need."

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act aims to finance nearly two million new affordable homes through strategies such as increasing state credit allocations by 50% for the next two years and making temporary increases permanent, supporting projects with private activity bonds, and focusing on underserved communities.