U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) on April 17 introduced bipartisan legislation that aims to improve the affordability and safety of student housing at America’s colleges and universities.
“Congress must look at the root causes that drive the college affordability crisis, including the rise of housing costs,” Rep. Wenstrup said. “Arbitrary distinctions in our tax code should not make collegiate housing more expensive. This bill will help fix this while also improving the overall safety of campuses.”
Rep. Wenstrup on Monday sponsored the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2023, H.R. 2662, with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) to update the tax code to enable not-for-profit student housing organizations to use tax-deductible donations to build, maintain, or improve student housing, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“We in Congress must do what we can to alleviate the crushing financial burden of receiving a higher education,” said Rep. Sewell. “This bipartisan bill takes critical steps to bring down the cost of college housing and provide breathing room to students and their families. I urge my colleagues to give it their full support.”
The National Panhellenic Conference and Beta Theta Pi in Oxford, Ohio, support H.R. 2662, which has been referred to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.
“This legislation has enjoyed wide bipartisan support in the past,” Rep. Wenstrup said. “It is a necessary first step while we tackle the larger overall problem of college affordability.”