This morning, Senator Warnock welcomed Secretary Fudge to Atlanta to advocate for affordable housing investments, equitable pathways to housing included in the Build Back Better economic package

Following tour of Herndon Square, Senator Warnock highlighted how federal affordable housing and public transportation investments are key components to helping move Georgians and Americans beyond the pandemic

Senator Reverend Warnock: “The pathway to housing should be fair and equitable for everyone, and access to affordable housing is the infrastructure people in our communities need to elevate families into the working class and the middle class. It is the foundation that helps people support their families and contribute to their economies” –– Read more below

HUD Secretary Fudge meets with Atlanta Mayor Bottoms to promote affordable housing–– Read More on the Atlanta Voice

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) welcomed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge to Atlanta for a tour of the new Herndon Square senior community––redeveloped following the closure of the former Herndon Homes public housing–– and highlighted how Georgia would benefit from the strengthened federal investments for affordable and equitable housing infrastructure included in the Build Back Better plan. Senator Warnock has been a vocal advocate for bolstering investments in affordable housing and public transportation, and during remarks following the tour, reiterated how access to affordable housing helps elevate Georgians into the middle class.

As part of the Build Back Better plan, Senator Warnock is working to include provisions in the legislation to provide assistance to first-generation homebuyers, low-income households and renters, while also fighting to secure additional funding that will help revitalize public housing, invest in climate-resilient homes, combat lead hazards and more. Senator Warnock and Secretary Fudge were joined by Senator Ossoff, Atlanta Mayor Bottoms, Representative Williams, and Atlanta Housing officials.

Read key excerpts from Senator Warnock’s remarks:

“Housing is stability. Housing is dignity. Housing is absolutely necessary, critical infrastructure. I’m proud to stand beside leaders from our state who have been in the fight to ensure a pathway to safe, stable and affordable housing for all Georgians”

“The pathway to housing should be fair and equitable for everyone, and access to affordable housing is the infrastructure people in our communities need to elevate families into the working class and the middle class. It is the foundation that helps people support their families and contribute to their economies.”

“Housing is connected to public transportation. People need physical mobility in order to have upward economic mobility.”

“Congress needs to pass the bipartisan infrastructure package and the Build Back Better economic package, those two bills go together. We can restore our communities, build and revitalize our affordable housing units. We can assist our renters, and first-generation homebuyers.”

“I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of a couple of pieces of legislation which in different ways help first time homebuyers acquire home, and also facilitates their ability to gain equity in their homes.”

“When you look at the wealth gap–– the racial wealth gap–– all of that is very much connected to housing. This is really important work for all of us to do. We need to provide energy-efficient and climate-resilient housing. All of this comes with the Build Back Better agenda.”

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our housing and care infrastructure and pave the road for entire communities beyond this pandemic and into the future.”

“I believe everybody should be able to live in dignity with a roof over their head, and a secure place to call home.”

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