Peoria Standard

Darin LaHood, representative for Illinois' 16th Congressional District, said that provisions in the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act included in the reconciliation bill will directly address the housing crisis.

"Affordable housing is critical to economic growth and a better quality of life for hardworking Americans," said LaHood, U.S. Representative of Illinois's 16th congressional district (R), according to Facebook. "The language from my Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act that is included in the reconciliation bill will address the housing crisis head on."

A housing shortage in the United States is impacting both buyers and renters. According to an April 2024 NPR report, the deficit is estimated at four million to seven million homes. Alex Horowitz, director of Pew’s Housing Policy Initiative, said the lack of sufficient new home construction is partly due to restrictive zoning laws. However, he noted that actions by state and local governments provide reasons for optimism.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood's May 30 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood's Facebook page

U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood and Suzan DelBene introduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act in the current Congress to improve financing for affordable housing. LaHood told the Springfield Business Journal that they are optimistic about including the bill in the tax reconciliation package. He said the tax credit will help builders increase workforce housing supply in rural, urban, and suburban areas.

The bill aims to boost affordable housing through private activity bonds and improve financing for workforce housing by reducing the private activity threshold required for funding via housing credits. It would increase the number of affordable housing credits available to states by 50%, according to a press release. LaHood said that the shortage of affordable housing is a common concern throughout Illinois’ 16th Congressional District and emphasized the need for Congress to enhance investment tools to expand housing options for working families nationwide.

Congressman Darin LaHood has represented Illinois since 2015, initially serving in the 18th Congressional District from 2015-2023; after redistricting, he now represents the 16th District. His political experience includes four years in the state senate from 2011-2015. He was a state and federal prosecutor for more than nine years and worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada. He 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 with his wife in Peoria, according to his official biography.