Congressman Cleaver’s Co-Authored Bipartisan Housing Bill Passes Senate

First major legislation to pass through Congress with a unanimous vote in years.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — H.R. 3700, The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act, successfully passed through the Senate. This bill, sponsored by Missouri Congressmen Emanuel Cleaver, II and Blaine Luetkemeyer, passed unanimously in the House on February 2, 2016. The bill was later introduced in the Senate by Senator Menendez, Senator Scott, Senator Coons, and Missouri Senator Roy Blunt. It successfully passed on July 14, 2016, and is now on its way to President Barack Obama’s desk for signature.

It represents the most significant changes to programs and processes in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service in a quarter of a century.

“The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act is an example of successful bi-partisan efforts,” Congressman Cleaver stated. “As someone who grew up in public housing, I know personally the importance of having a safe, affordable home. I want to thank Congressman Luetkemeyer, Senator Menendez, and Senator Blunt for their efforts. By working together we were able to pass one of the largest sweeping reforms of our nation’s housing programs in the last two decades, providing safe and affordable housing for all Americans.”

This bill would:

Streamline the inspection and income review process for families living in Section 8 units.
Increase aid to former foster care children receiving housing assistance through the Family Unification Program by extending the age of eligibility from 21 years to 24 and by increasing the time of assistance to 36 months.
Improve condo ownership opportunities through improvements to the FHA mortgage insurance program.
Increase access to rural housing loans for low and moderate income households to purchase, build, or rehab homes.
Support our veterans through the appointment of a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs in the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“I am incredibly pleased the Senate came together and passed this comprehensive legislation which represents real reforms to our nation’s housing programs and policies,” Congressman Luetkemeyer said. “I would like to thank Senators Roy Blunt, Bob Menendez, Tim Scott and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver for their unwavering support in seeing this legislation through the House and Senate. Now that both chambers have unanimously supported this legislation, it is my hope that the President will make this bill a law without delay. It is time to take the first meaningful step to changing our nation’s housing policies.”

More information on the bill is available here.

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.

For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or .