Vice President Kamala Harris has long been an advocate for affordable housing initiatives throughout her political career. From her time as the Attorney General of California to her current position in the Biden administration, Harris has championed policies aimed at protecting homeowners and renters alike. Even as she is set to become the Democratic nominee for president, the question remains: how much will her policies align with those of President Joe Biden?
During her tenure as Attorney General of California, Harris drafted and helped pass the California Homeowner Bill of Rights. This set of laws was designed to protect homeowners from unfair practices and became law on January 1, 2013. Harris was instrumental in securing an $18 billion agreement as part of a national multistate settlement to benefit homeowners who faced foreclosure or fraud in 2012. These early actions laid the foundation for Harris’ ongoing commitment to housing affordability.
As a Senator, Harris introduced the Rent Relief Act in 2018. This bill aimed to provide tax credits to renters earning below $100,000 who spent over 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Harris re-submitted an updated version of the bill in 2019, which included a mechanism for the Treasury to pay the tax credit on a monthly basis to eligible households. The bill also capped the credit at 100% of small area fair market rents. These efforts showcased Harris’ dedication to addressing the housing needs of working-class Americans.
In a recent announcement, Harris revealed the recipients of an $85 million grant under the Pathways to Removing Obstacles for Housing (PRO Housing) project. This initiative, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, aims to increase building activity and lower housing and rental costs for families across the country. This grant came following a previous announcement where Harris allocated $5.5 billion through HUD to boost affordable housing, economic growth, wealth-building, and homelessness solutions in communities nationwide.
A policy that garnered attention during Harris’ 2020 Presidential campaign was the LIFT the Middle Class Act. This proposed bill sought to provide a refundable tax credit of up to $3,000 per person, or $6,000 per married couples filing joint tax returns, for qualifying middle- and working-class Americans. Some experts believe that the LIFT Act may offer more benefits for renters compared to the 5% rent cap increase proposed by President Biden. Harris’ tax credit proposal aims to address the negative impacts of rent inflation without creating the same potential distortions as a rent cap.
As Vice President Kamala Harris continues to be a leading voice in the push for affordable housing, her track record speaks to her commitment to this critical issue. From her early work on the California Homeowner Bill of Rights to her current efforts with the Biden administration, Harris has consistently advocated for policies that protect homeowners, support renters, and address homelessness. While the specifics of her housing policies may evolve over time, one thing remains clear: Harris is dedicated to finding solutions to the housing challenges facing Americans today.
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