Summer 2021 - Legislative Update

FEDERAL

Congressional leadership and the White House are currently negotiating a bi-partisan infrastructure deal and a budget reconciliation package. All federal housing provisions, including several provisions of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, are expected to be included in the reconciliation package. The first step in the budget reconciliation process is passing a budget resolution that sets the spending amount for overall funds and sets spending limits for each relevant congressional committee. Next, each committee writes a bill to achieve its spending targets. Once the committees pass each of their respective spending bills, each committee bill is consolidated into a single budget reconciliation package and voted on by each chamber. ADOH will know more about the specific housing provisions that will impact the agency once the relevant committee approves its spending bill.

STATE

The Fifty-Fifth Legislature- First Regular Session adjourned Sine Die on June 30, 2021. In the final days of session, the legislature passed and the Governor signed two notable housing bills. S1124 established the state Affordable Housing Tax Credit program which will be administered by the Arizona Department of Housing. The bill allocates $4 million in annual credits for four years, and the program will expire on December 31, 2025. S1848 is a second notable bill that will impact the Department. S1848 requires ADOH to contract with a non-profit entity to provide shelter beds for homeless seniors in Western Maricopa County. The Department plans to use federal funds for this project.

Brian Norman is the Legislative Liaison/Policy Advisor for the Arizona Department of Housing.
He can be reached at: [email protected]

Housing Matters | Summer 2021