Senator Warnock received the Affordable Housing Award from the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA) during their 2022 Leadership Affordable Housing Conference where he gave brief acceptance remarks

In July, Senator Warnock introduced a legislative package that will help servicemembers across Georgia and the country obtain sufficient and affordable housing

Since joining the Senate, Senator Warnock has been working to address Georgia’s affordable housing crisis, recently securing $170 million in federal housing investments for Georgia

Senator Reverend Warnock: “I believe housing is a human right, and I understand how it provides dignity and security to working families. The issue of housing is personal to me. I grew up about a mile and a half from where we are this morning, in the Kayton Homes Housing Projects”

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Today, it is harder than ever for Georgia’s families to cover their housing costs, which have risen twelve percent since last year.  That is why it is more timely than ever that I find myself in Savannah to accept this award for my work in the Senate to make affordable housing available to Georgians in every corner of the state. In fact, later today I plan to take another step in those efforts by unveiling a new package of legislation that will lower housing costs for people in Georgia and across our country by helping them cover their rent, and save up to buy a home”

Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) received the Affordable Housing Award from the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA) during their 2022 Leadership Affordable Housing Conference where he gave brief acceptance remarks. Senator Warnock accepted the award hours before he unveiled new legislation to lower housing costs and help homebuyers in a visit to the Savannah-Chatham area.

Those remarks, as prepared, can be found below:

“Hello to the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association! It is a privilege to join you all here today.

“I want to start by thanking you for this recognition. I’m humbled to receive the Affordable Housing Advocate award, especially here in my hometown of Savannah.

“It was during my childhood in Savannah that I first learned the importance of caring for your neighbor, and creating what Dr. King called the “Beloved Community.”

The work of SAHMA to ensure everyone has access to affordable housing is helping complete Dr. King’s unfinished business to create that beloved community.

“I believe housing is a human right, and I understand how it provides dignity and security to working families.

“The issue of housing is personal to me. I grew up about a mile and a half from where we are this morning, in the Kayton Homes Housing Projects.

“I benefited from programs like Head Start, and Upward Bound, which put me on a college campus for the first time.

“My story is the American story: that a kid who grew up in public housing could grow up to be elected to the United States Senate is a testament to the greatness of our country.

“I’m living proof that Georgia’s children can aspire to anything—and that it starts with having a safe, affordable place to live. 

“After all, Georgia children can’t dream to cure cancer, go to Mars, or design the next piece of cutting-edge technology if they don’t know where they’ll be sleeping that night. Or, if their home is uninhabitable  or unsafe.

“Today, it is harder than ever for Georgia’s families to cover their housing costs, which have risen twelve percent since last year.

“That is why it is more timely than ever that I find myself in Savannah to accept this award for my work in the Senate to make affordable housing available to Georgians in every corner of the state.

“In fact, later today I plan to take another step in those efforts by unveiling a new package of legislation that will lower housing costs for people in Georgia and across our country by helping them cover their rent, and save up to buy a home.

“First, my legislative package includes the Rent Relief Act, which will lower housing costs for renters by providing tax credits to folks who are paying more than 30% of their income in rent.

“Rent prices have skyrocketed since this time last year. Here in the Savannah area, some estimate that rental costs for one and two- bedroom residences have jumped nearly twenty percent just in the past year.

“It’s no secret that the rent is too high, and Georgians need relief now—especially as so many people continue working to navigate our changing economy. So my legislation will address those high rental costs by providing relief at the federal level.

“Rent increases and rising housing costs have also made it harder for folks looking to buy a home. The Savannah Morning News reported earlier this summer that the average home sale increased by more than thirty-six percent from last May.

“So my package also includes legislation called The American Dream Down Payment Act, which takes steps to help hardworking Georgians afford to purchase a home.

“I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for hardworking people to afford a home—in fact, I’ve lived it.

“My parents were no strangers to hard work. My dad would fix broken cars throughout the week and fix broken people on Sunday as a preacher.

“I remember my father coming home so tired some days that he would be almost asleep at the dinner table.

“Despite the fact that my parents worked hard every day since they were teenagers, they were not able to buy a home and build generational wealth until much later in their lives. 

“That’s why the legislation I’m introducing will also help families move from renting to homeownership by allowing folks to create a tax-free savings account to cover closing costs and down payments.

“This legislation complements another piece of legislation I introduced last year, my Downpayment Toward Equity Act, which provides federal grants to aid first-generation homebuyers with down payment and closing costs.

“Put together, these two bills will help address the widening homeownership gap and provide all Georgians the opportunity to build generational wealth. 

“Lastly, I’m introducing legislation in my package called The Housing Market Transparency Act which will allow HUD to collect property data on properties receiving low income housing tax credits from the federal government.

“Under my bill, HUD would have to publish the information they collect on these properties like property ownership, whether the owner is acting as a pass through entity, habitability standards, and more.

“This information will empower tenants with the information they need to avoid bad actors–and federal authorities with the data they need to conduct oversight, hold property owners accountable and protect future tenants.

“I’m excited to unveil this package, and I will be working in the coming weeks to get it across the finish line in the Senate. But that’s not all we need to do on the federal level to strengthen housing affordability for Georgians. 

“I was proud to help secure $10 billion in the American Rescue Plan for the Homeowner Assistance Fund, a program at the Treasury Department to help homeowners behind on their mortgage and utility payments avoid foreclosure and eviction. We must keep building on those efforts.

“And, I’ve brought HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to Georgia so she can see firsthand how our state benefits from federal investments in affordable housing…because as a member of the Senate committee that deals with housing, I’ll continue conducting important oversight of federal housing agencies and programs.

“That includes questioning HUD officials on how they will ensure that Georgians in every corner of our state–from Savannah to Garden City to Pooler and beyond–will have access to federal housing resources. 

“Know that I’ll continue to keep housing affordability front and center in my work in Washington. And let me be clear: these efforts are successful, and made easier, with the work of exceptional partners like SAHMA.

“Since 1982, your organization has connected and educated housing professionals in our communities to create and preserve affordable housing.

“Thank you for providing tools and resources for your members to work towards the ultimate goal of ensuring every family in Georgia and across the Southeast has an affordable place to live.  

“We all know that housing in Georgia is becoming more expensive. That’s why your organization’s mission of producing and preserving multi-family, affordable housing is more crucial than ever.

“I’ll close with another sincere thank you for your dedicated work. Know you will always have a partner and champion in me, fighting alongside you in Washington.

“And that I will continue to be a proud advocate for your organization’s mission.

“Thank you for your partnership in this righteous fight. 

“Keep the faith, and keep looking up.” 

###