Peoria Standard

Darin LaHood, representative for Illinois' 16th Congressional District, announced the reintroduction of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act to address the shortage of affordable housing in Illinois. He made this announcement in a Facebook post on April 8.

"The lack of affordable housing across #IL16 is stifling economic growth and stretching families' budgets thin," said LaHood, U.S. Representative, according to Facebook. "I was proud to reintroduce the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act alongside Representative DelBene and a bipartisan group of colleagues to help tackle this crisis."

According to LaHood's Facebook post, the Act aims to strengthen and expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. "I frequently hear how the shortage of affordable housing impacts our communities throughout central and northwestern Illinois. 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," said LaHood.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood's April 8 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood Facebook page

The proposed legislation is designed to finance nearly two million new affordable homes nationwide. It plans to increase each state's allocation of affordable housing credits by 50% over two years. Furthermore, it will make permanent a 12.5% increase from 2018 and improve the Housing Credit program to better serve at-risk and underserved communities, including victims of domestic violence, rural Americans, and veterans. The Act also seeks to expand financing eligibility for affordable housing projects through private activity bonds.

This initiative is not isolated in its aim to increase affordable housing units in Illinois. According to Illinois Policy, House Bill 1813 in the state House of Representatives proposes boosting affordable housing by allowing accessory dwellings like basement apartments and granny houses while preventing cities from prohibiting them. The bill permits local governments to impose reasonable regulations without blocking construction efforts.

Congressman Darin LaHood has represented Illinois since 2015. Initially serving in the 18th Congressional District until redistricting shifted him to represent the 16th District in 2023. His political career includes four years in the state senate from 2011-2015 and over nine years as a state and federal prosecutor with experience at the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada.

LaHood holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois-Chicago John Marshall Law School. He resides in Peoria with his wife.