Housing for Homeless Students Act introduced by Wenstrup

Bipartisan legislation offered on Feb. 7 by U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) would increase affordable housing for homeless students by improving the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).

The Housing for Homeless Students Act, H.R. 7278, which Rep. Wenstrup cosponsored alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), would create a limited exception to the LIHTC student rule to allow homeless or recently homeless individuals who are full‑time students to live in LIHTC units. This would include homeless youth, veterans, and foster youth, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“Students and veterans should never have to choose between pursuing a full-time education and stable housing. This bill helps those in need to invest in their futures and sets them on the path to achieving the American dream,” Rep. Wenstrup said. “I’m pleased that this bipartisan bill addresses one aspect of the affordable housing crisis, and I am proud to reintroduce this legislation with my colleague, Rep. Danny Davis.”

The LIHTC, which reduces the tax liability for developers that build or rehabilitate affordable rental housing units, includes the current “student rule” prohibiting full-time students from living in LIHTC-funded properties. The rule was intended to prevent the building of dorms with LIHTC funds, but excludes students who currently struggle or recently struggled with homelessness who would otherwise qualify for housing, the summary says.

“I am proud to work with Dr. Wenstrup to improve the successful Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to ensure that youth and veterans struggling with homelessness do not have to choose between completing a college degree or stable housing,” said Rep. Davis. “This fix is needed now more than ever when research shows that over one-third of all college students and almost half of community college students were housing insecure.”

The measure is supported by myriad groups, including the National Network for Youth, SchoolHouse Connection, A Way Home America, the Center for Economic Justice and Action, Youth Jobs Connect, the Center for Law and Social Policy, the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness, among many others.