Cobb Reporter

With President Biden's Build Back Better Plan hanging in the balance in Congress, Rep. David Scott (D-GA)  is urging the inclusion of stipulations for affordable housing in any passing version of the bill. 

Scott spoke last month during a Financial Services Committee hearing to examine recent severe declines in American homeownership, saying down-payment assistance should be included in the bill to "give a hand up to all American families and ensure access to safe and affordable housing for all communities," according to a press release from Scott's office.

“Congress must act swiftly to address the barriers that far too many Americans face when seeking to enter the housing market," Scott said after the meeting, according to the release. "I am grateful for the witnesses who joined us today to help shed light on some of the obstacles that hinder working families and those in marginalized communities.”

An FSC hearing witness, Director of Mass Affordable Housing Alliance Symon Crawford, agreed that the plan would make a meaningful impact on the decline in homeownership and financial stability for Americans, the release said.

"The Build Back Better Act will create millions of good-paying jobs, enable more Americans to join and remain in the labor force, spur long-term growth, reduce price pressures and set the United States on course to meet its clean energy ambitions," the framework for the agenda said, according to CNN.

Per the press release, Americans struggling with high student loan debts, credit issues and the nationwide housing supply shortage would be the first beneficiaries of this plan.

The bill faces significant Republican opposition in Congress.