A new President and a flurry of executive actions, the fate of the GSEs & NAHREP CA takes on housing inventory

Celebrating NAHREP familia, cultura, politics, and grassroots action

January 21, 2021

Qué onda mi gente?!

Today we wake up to a new President. Yesterday we saw the first Latina Supreme Court Justice swear in the first woman of color to the office of Vice President, and J-Lo reclaimed our place in this country by singing “This Land is Our Land.” So much to unpack there. However, between last week and this week a whole lotta POLICY that applies to our mission happened so let’s get right to it.

President Biden begins his presidency with a slew of executive actions

Many of the executive actions being taken by the Biden Administration relate to our advocacy work and our mission. Here are some highlights:

• Reverse the recent executive order that would exclude undocumented immigrants from being counted in the 2020 Census and ending family separations at the border.
• Strengthening DACA and directing Congress to create a path to citizenship for DREAMERS.
• Stopping border wall construction.
• Eviction and foreclosure moratoriums to be extended until March 31, 2021 and calling on Congress to expand rental assistance. The administration will be asking federal agencies to continue offering forbearance options until March 31, 2021.
• In an initiative to Advance Racial Equity, the administration will direct every federal agency to undertake a baseline review of the state of equity within their agency and to develop a plan within 200 days to address unequal barriers to opportunity. Office of Management and Budget will work to more equitably allocate federal resources to invest in communities of color.

The Trump Administrations ends with an assurance that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will stay in Conservatorship and FHA will once again issue DACA loans

A week ago, the Trump Administration announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would not exit conservatorship. This means that the federal government will still has control and oversight over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which is a good thing given that we are in a moment of uncertainty and economic strain as a country. Learn more.

And the best news: DACA Recipients will once again be allowed to receive FHA loans. One more policy issue to include in our win column!

Additional Biden COVID Relief Plan

Last week, I attended a briefing with the Biden Transition Team that outlined the new COVID-relief plan that President Biden is sending to Congress.

Some highlights of the proposal:

• Direct Payments to Individuals: The plan would send an additional $1,400 per person to eligible recipients, on top of the $600 payments that were approved by Congress in December — for a total of $2,000. This would include mixed status families.
• Unemployment Aid: The plan increases the federal boost the jobless receive to $400 a week.
• More Assistance for Small Businesses: The plan provides $15 billion to create a new grant program for small business owners, separate from the existing Paycheck Protection Program. It will also make a $35 billion investment in some state, local, tribal, and non-profit financing programs that provide low-interest loans and venture capital to entrepreneurs.

NAHREP Takes Housing Inventory Advocacy to Sacramento

Given that California ranks 49th out of 50 in housing units per capita (Utah ranks as number 50), NAHREP Government Affairs Directors held the first ever “State Day of Action” and met with state legislators from Sacramento to San Diego urging them to pass a suite of housing inventory bills. California NAC members are advocating for state legislators to think outside the box in regards to housing inventory, including rezoning commercially zoned properties to include residential housing and allowing for lot subdivisions. We encourage any GADS from around the country that are interested in a State Day of Action in their state to reach out to us.

Let me know if you have any questions about these updates. I know I jammed packed a lot into one blog, but hey, A LOT HAPPENED!

Un abrazo.