Housing Availability

The term “Housing crisis” or “affordability crisis” is currently used in the United States and other English-speaking countries to refer to widespread shortages of housing in certain regions where people want to live. These shortages, caused in part by regulatory barriers to new construction, have had consequences such as elevated regional homelessness, housing insecurity, and high housing costs.

  • In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues or challenges, potential solutions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant legislation, committees, agencies, programs in addition to information on the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
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The Housing Availability category has related posts on government agencies and departments and  committees and their Chairs.

OnAir Post: Housing Availability

Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD)

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a Cabinet department in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government.

Although its beginnings were in the House and Home Financing Agency, it was founded as a Cabinet department in 1965, as part of the “Great Society” program of President Lyndon B. Johnson, to develop and execute policies on housing and metropolises.

OnAir Post: Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD)

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Mission:  Oversight over matters related to banks and banking, price controls, deposit insurance, export promotion and controls, federal monetary policy, financial aid to commerce and industry, issuance of redemption of notes, currency and coinage, public and private housing, urban development, mass transit and government contracts.

Democratic Members (Minority):
Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts, Ranking Member
Jack Reed, Rhode Island
Mark Warner, Virginia
Chris Van Hollen, Maryland
Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada
Tina Smith, Minnesota
Raphael Warnock, Georgia
Andy Kim, New Jersey
Ruben Gallego, Arizona
Lisa Blunt Rochester, Delaware
Angela Alsobrooks, Maryland

Republican Members (Majority):
Tim Scott, South Carolina, Chair
Mike Crapo, Idaho
Mike Rounds, South Dakota
Thom Tillis, North Carolina
John Kennedy, Louisiana
Bill Hagerty, Tennessee
Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming
Katie Britt, Alabama
Kevin Cramer, North Dakota
Pete Ricketts, Nebraska
Bernie Moreno, Ohio
Dave McCormick, Pennsylvania

Featured Video:
Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs conducts Annual Oversight of Wall Street Firms

OnAir Post: Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Tim Scott – SC

Current Position: US Senator since 2013
Affiliation: Republican
Former Positions: US Representative from 2011 – 2013; State Delegate from 2009 – 2011; Charleston County Council from 1995 – 2009

Tim Scott served as a city councilor in Charleston, South Carolina. He was a candidate for the Republican 2024 presidential nomination. Scott worked in financial services before serving on the Charleston County Council from 1995 to 2009.

Upon graduating from college, Scott worked as an insurance agent and financial adviser, a stepping stone toward starting his insurance agency, Tim Scott Allstate. His professional accomplishments enabled him to purchase a home for his mother.

Featured Quote: 
I voted no on #infrastructure a week ago because there was no legislative text. My mind hasn’t changed. There’s still no legislative text or explanation on how to pay for a $1T infrastructure plan.

Senator Tim Scott delivers the Republican response to the State of the Union

OnAir Post: Tim Scott – SC

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Focusing on transportation, including civil aviation, railroads, water transportation, transportation safety (except automobile safety and transportation security functions of the Department of Homeland Security), transportation infrastructure, transportation labor, and railroad retirement and unemployment (except revenue measures related thereto)

Senate Counterpart: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Subcommittees:

  • Aviation
  • Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
  • Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
  • Highways and Transit
  • Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
  • Water Resources and Environment

Chair: Sam Graves, Missouri, 
Ranking Member: Rick Larsen, Washington

Majority Staff Director: Jack Ruddy
Minority Staff Director: Katherine W Dedrick
Meeting Location: 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515; Phone: (202) 225-9446

Featured Video: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Members’ Day Hearing – April 14, 2021
Web Links

OnAir Post: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Sam Graves MO-06

Current Position: US Representative of MO District 6 since 2001
Affiliation: Republican
District:  northern Missouri, stretching across nearly the entire width of the state from Kansas to Illinois. Its largest voting population is centered in the northern portion of the Kansas City metropolitan area and the town of St. Joseph.  
Upcoming Election:

Graves is a general aviation pilot. He owns a Piper PA-11 Cub Special, is restoring a Beech AT-10, and co-owns a North American T-6 Texan and a Vultee BT-13 Valiant. Gould Peterson Municipal Airport is named after his uncle, an aviator, and is on his family’s farm. Graves is a Baptist.

Graves was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1992.[7] After one term, he was elected to the Missouri Senate in 1994 and reelected in 1998.

Source: Wikipedia

OnAir Post: Sam Graves MO-06

John B. Larson CT-01

Current Position: US Representative of CT House District 1 since 1999
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: State Senator from 1983 – 1996
Other positions:  Subcommittee on Social Security
District:  anchored by the state capital of Hartford. It encompasses much of central Connecticut and includes towns within Hartford, Litchfield, and Middlesex counties.  
Upcoming Election:

Featured Quote: 
Today, I joined my colleagues to introduce @RepAOC ‘s Green New Deal. We need bold action to invest in our communities while addressing climate change head on. This plan would do just that, and I am proud to support it!

Larson opposes Backdoor Cuts to Social Security

OnAir Post: John B. Larson CT-01

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