Senator Reverend Warnock joined a bipartisan cohort of senators to re-introduce the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, which would improve the federal government’s largest rental assistance program

The bipartisan bill would increase housing choices and improve access to high-opportunity neighborhoods for eligible families

Senator Reverend Warnock: “As a Senator who grew up in public housing, I know that increasing the availability of federal housing vouchers will change lives and pave a brighter future for hardworking families across my home state and the country”

Senator Reverend Warnock is a tireless advocate for bringing more affordable housing to Georgia, and last year secured $170 million in federal housing investments for Georgia

Washington D.C. — Last week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined a bipartisan cohort of senators to re-introduce the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, which seeks to improve the federal government’s largest rental assistance program. The bipartisan bill would make it easier to access Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) — often referred to as Section 8 vouchers — and attract and retain landlords to the program. As a result, eligible low-income families would have increased housing choices and improved access to high-opportunity neighborhoods.

“Housing means dignity, safety, and security, and I’m proud to join colleagues from both sides of the aisle to reintroduce the bipartisan Choice in Affordable Housing Act,” said Senator Warnock.“As a Senator who grew up in public housing, I know that increasing the availability of federal housing vouchers will change lives and pave a brighter future for hardworking families across my home state and the country.”

Rents skyrocketed in 2022: Since 2019, Georgia renters have faced a 13.7% increase in median rents, the 12th highest rate in the country and far exceeding income growth over the same period. More and more Georgians are paying a substantial proportion of their income on rent, forcing many to pick between paying for rent or other essentials such as food or prescription drugs. As housing has become increasingly unaffordable, more prospective homeowners are forced to remain in the renters market, increasing rent prices further.

Senator Warnock is a tireless advocate for bringing more affordable housing to Georgia. The recipient of the 2022 Affordable Housing Award from the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA), last May, Senator Warnock secured $170 million in federal housing investments for Georgia. Additionally, last August, Senator Warnock introduced a robust legislative package that would lower housing costs and help homebuyers. During the last Congress Senator Warnock also unveiled a legislative package that would combat skyrocketing housing costs for military servicemembers and their families.

The Choice in Affordable Housing Act is sponsored by Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and is supported as well by Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Jerry Moran (R-KS). The bill has been introduced in the House by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO).