Vice President Kamala Harris has been a strong advocate for affordable housing throughout her career, encompassing her time as attorney general for California to her current role in the Biden administration. Harris has been involved in various housing policy initiatives, such as the California Homeowner Bill of Rights and introducing the Rent Relief Act in 2018. Additionally, she recently announced the Pathways to Removing Obstacles for Housing (PRO Housing) project, aimed at lowering housing costs for families in the U.S.
Harris’ Contribution to Affordable Housing
Throughout her career, Harris has made significant contributions to affordable housing. As attorney general of California, she played a key role in passing the California Homeowner Bill of Rights, which protects homeowners from unfair practices. She also secured an $18 billion agreement as part of a national multistate settlement to aid homeowners who lost their homes due to foreclosure or fraud in 2012. Furthermore, as a senator, Harris introduced the Rent Relief Act, which provided tax credits to renters facing financial burdens.
The Biden administration has rolled out several housing policies aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing and lowering costs for buyers and renters. Harris has been actively involved in these policy-making decisions, indicating a continued focus on affordable housing initiatives. Experts believe that Harris will carry forward these housing blueprints as part of her presidential campaign.
Comparison of Harris’ Policies with Biden’s Proposals
One notable policy difference between Harris and Biden is the LIFT the Middle Class Act, which Harris proposed during her 2020 presidential campaign. This bill would provide a refundable tax credit to middle- and working-class Americans, potentially benefiting renters more than Biden’s proposed 5% rent cap increase. Some experts argue that the rent cap could have negative side effects, such as landlords removing properties from the rental market.
While Harris’ policies have been lauded for their focus on affordable housing, there have been challenges and criticisms. For example, the LIFT the Middle Class Act has faced push back in the past, with experts pointing out potential limitations and distortions in its implementation. Critics argue that the rent cap proposed by Biden could have unintended consequences, such as reducing the supply of housing.
Vice President Kamala Harris has been a prominent figure in advocating for affordable housing policies throughout her career. Her initiatives, ranging from the California Homeowner Bill of Rights to the recent PRO Housing project, demonstrate a commitment to addressing housing affordability issues in the U.S. While there are differences in approach between Harris and President Biden, both share a common goal of increasing access to affordable housing for all Americans. Moving forward, it will be essential to evaluate the effectiveness of these policies in addressing the growing challenges of homelessness and rising housing costs nationwide.