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Slotkin Proposes National Housing Emergency Bill

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/01/0 .. in-proposes-national-housing-emergency-bill.html
  Published in House and Home on Friday, January 9th 2026 at 10:50 GMT by ABC12

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI-07) has introduced the "Emergency Housing Stabilization Act," a bill aiming to formally declare a national housing emergency. The legislation, announced today, Friday, January 9th, 2026, seeks to unlock significant federal resources to bolster the construction of affordable housing units and provide crucial support to individuals and families facing housing instability or homelessness. The move comes as housing affordability continues to plummet across the United States, impacting communities from rural Michigan to major metropolitan areas.

For years, the availability of affordable housing has been dwindling, creating a situation where working families are increasingly priced out of their desired locations. This isn't merely a financial issue; it's having cascading effects on the national economy, the workforce, and even the quality of education, as families are forced to relocate frequently. Slotkin argues that simply acknowledging the severity of the problem isn't enough--decisive action is required.

"For years, families in Michigan and across the country have struggled to find affordable places to live," Slotkin stated. "It's gotten to the point where people are being priced out of their communities, and the lack of affordable housing is impacting everything from our workforce to our schools. Declaring a national emergency is a necessary first step to getting resources flowing and addressing this crisis with the urgency it deserves."

The Emergency Housing Stabilization Act proposes a multifaceted approach to combatting the crisis. Its core component is the formal declaration of a national housing emergency. This declaration isn't symbolic; it's intended to unlock access to existing, but underutilized, federal programs designed for rapid response to national crises. By framing the housing shortage as an emergency, Slotkin's bill aims to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and expedite the allocation of funds.

Specifically, the bill outlines several key provisions:

• Resource Mobilization: The act will facilitate the repurposing of funds from existing federal programs towards increasing the supply of affordable housing. This isn't about creating new programs but rather streamlining the use of existing ones.
• Direct Financial Assistance: Funding will be allocated for emergency rental assistance programs, bolstering services for the homeless population, and providing accessible housing counseling to prevent evictions and guide individuals toward stable housing options.
• Project Streamlining: A significant bottleneck in affordable housing development is the lengthy and complex approval process. The act seeks to streamline this process, reducing delays and accelerating the construction of new units.
• National Strategy Development: The bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to formulate a comprehensive national strategy to address the underlying causes of the housing crisis and ensure long-term sustainability.

This isn't Slotkin's first foray into addressing housing insecurity. She previously championed legislation to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, a vital tool for developers building affordable housing, and advocated for increased funding for the Housing Trust Fund, a dedicated source of funding for affordable housing production. These previous efforts, while impactful, were seen as insufficient to address the scale of the current crisis.

The concept of housing as a human right is central to Slotkin's proposal. Advocates for affordable housing have long argued that access to safe and stable housing is fundamental to individual well-being and societal progress. The bill reflects this philosophy, positioning housing not merely as a commodity but as a basic necessity.

"Housing is a basic human right, and it's time we start treating it like one," Slotkin emphasized. "This bill is a critical step towards ensuring that everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home."

The bill's success will depend on gaining bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, as well as navigating potential budgetary challenges. Critics may argue about the scope of the emergency declaration and the potential impact on the federal budget. However, with the housing crisis reaching a critical point, the need for bold and decisive action is increasingly apparent. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Slotkin's Emergency Housing Stabilization Act can become a reality and offer a much-needed lifeline to millions of Americans struggling to find affordable housing.