Policy Resolution HCD-18-13

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) remains dedicated to supporting the efforts which provide and maintain housing for all Americans;

WHEREAS, United States Constitution Amendment Article X, grants the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people;

WHEREAS, one of the tools used to increase the number of affordable housing units available for rent or purchase are inclusionary zoning ordinances;

WHEREAS, since the 1970s, hundreds of local jurisdictions have enacted inclusionary housing ordinances to meet their affordable housing needs;

WHEREAS, not all states have the authority to enact required inclusionary housing practices;

WHEREAS, many states have laws which require awareness and recognition of housing crises;

WHEREAS, families who pay more than 30 percent of their income in rent or mortgage payments are considered cost-burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care;

WHEREAS, an estimated 12 million renter and homeowner households now pay more than 50 percent of their annual incomes for housing; and

WHEREAS, a family with one full-time worker earning the minimum wage cannot afford the local fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the United States.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) hereby encourages the application of inclusionary housing practices in the development of both rental and for-purchase units;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges states and local municipalities to adopt ordinances which increase the development of affordable housing and rental units;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL supports programs that create affordable housing with minimal burden to developers and consumers;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL also supports and applauds the for-rent and for-purchase affordable housing programs that have been created in at least 42 states;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL recommends states to create specific reporting metrics included in their inclusionary housing programs to assess whether affordable housing is increasing concentration in high-poverty areas;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL strongly encourages the preservation of affordable housing in communities at risk of becoming gentrified; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Senator Steven Bradford (CA)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Housing and Community Development Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair(s): Senator Mamie Locke (VA) and Representative Brenda Gilmore (TN)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 2, 2017
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN), President