Housing
Housing is a basic need, and I believe that no one should face homelessness, an unfair or deceptive mortgage, or barriers to accessible housing. I have worked consistently to make housing available to those fighting homelessness, to expand funding and support for affordable housing, to make housing more accessible for seniors and the disability community, and to promote and protect the dream of homeownership in the 9th Congressional District.
Legislation I've Introduced
Inclusive Home Design Act – The bill would expand the number of homes that are accessible for people with disabilities. People with mobility impairments have limited access to most homes because there are currently no federal standards for accessibility features in homes built with federal assistance.
More on Housing
CHICAGO – Today, Rep. Schakowsky stood alongside the Renters Organizing Ourselves to Stay (ROOTS) partners, elected officials and Fannie Mae, the nation’s largest foreclosing owner, to announce the acquisition of 44 rental units that will provide stable, permanently affordable housing to an estimated 200 residents. ROOTS works by leveraging cost avoidance strategies to secure discounts up to 30% on foreclosed properties, allowing Enterprise Community Partners, the Cook County Lank Bank and CMHDC to acquire properties and preserve them as long-term affordable rental housing.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky reintroduced the Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act, which would require new homes built with federal dollars to meet accessibility standards – including a zero-step entrance, wheelchair accessible doorways and bathrooms, and climate controls that are at a height reachable from a wheelchair. Rep. Schakowsky released the following statement about the bill:
CHICAGO – Today, Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Luis Gutiérrez and Mike Quigley sent Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Mel Watt a letter asking that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac not sell foreclosed properties in specific Chicago neighborhoods until a meeting is held to ensure continued access to affordable housing in those neighborhoods. The Representatives issued the following statement regarding their request:
CHICAGO – This month the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded two grants to Open Communities, a nonprofit that advocates for fair and affordable housing based in Winnetka, Illinois. With grants for $316,389 and $124,453 respectively, Open Communities will continue its critical work in the north suburbs of Chicago to help expose and eliminate housing discrimination and to support its education and outreach efforts on fair housing initiatives. Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement about this announcement:
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which passed the House yesterday.
“My District has been hit by a series of so-called ‘100-year floods’, which have damaged the homes of many residents. Similar storms have impacted families all across our country. To address this issue, I was proud to vote for the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which passed the House yesterday.