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“INTRODUCTION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY TRANSPARENCY ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1407 on July 22, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
TRANSPARENCY ACT
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HON. EARL BLUMENAUER
of oregon
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the Transportation and Housing Affordability Transparency Act, or ``THAT Act.'' This legislation will provide homebuyers, renters, and policy makers with the information they need to make informed decisions about their housing choices.
The average family spends about half of its income on transportation and housing costs. Housing affordability has traditionally been measured as the extent to which a household's income can cover the purchase price of a home or the monthly rent. However, transportation costs can vary based on the location of a home. The cost of transportation has been growing as people move further from their jobs and community development patterns require families to drive for most of their outings. In certain auto-dependent areas, transportation costs can be very high, leaving families with less money for housing, food, healthcare, education, and other important expenses.
Transportation costs and savings are not currently taken into account in government affordability measures and standards, and information is not generally available to consumers looking to purchase or rent homes. For example, low-income housing tax credits, down payment assistance grants, and rental assistance under Section 8 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 are all awarded and used without regard to this transportation cost burden. At a time of increasing gas prices and the pending expiration of many of the federal subsidies that keep housing near transit affordable, it's important for consumers and decision-makers to take transportation costs into account.
This legislation requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to work with the Department of Transportation and other stakeholders to develop a transportation affordability index that measures the transportation costs associated with the location of a home. The bill requires HUD to take into consideration a number of factors that determine transportation costs, including the location and frequency of transit service, the average vehicle miles travelled in the area, and the availability of services such as grocery stores, bike lanes, community centers, and schools. HUD will be required to share this information with the general public, realtors, regional and local housing and planning agencies, states, and entities that engage in transportation demand management programs. The bill also requires HUD, where feasible, to incorporate transportation costs into its housing programs and work with other federal agencies, states, and local governments to incorporate transportation costs into their housing programs.
The information made available by this legislation will ensure transparency in housing and transportation costs for consumers, housing providers, local and regional planning agencies, and other stakeholders. It will also enable HUD, where appropriate, to incorporate transportation costs into its affordability measures and standards. Finally, it will help communities recognize the importance of providing affordable transportation and housing choices for their residents, and give them the tools they need to do so.
I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this simple legislation to help make our families safer, healthier, and more economically secure.
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