Rep. Torres to Fight ‘Housing Insecurity’ As New Co-Chair of NewDem Housing Task Force

November 15, 2019 by Dan McCue
Rep. Torres to Fight ‘Housing Insecurity’ As New Co-Chair of NewDem Housing Task Force

WASHINGTON – Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif., vowed to fight housing insecurity in her district and across the United States following her elevation Thursday to co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition Housing Task Force.

Rep. Torres joins fellow co-chairs Rep. Denny Heck, D- Wash., and Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, in seeking pragmatic policy solutions to address the nation’s housing crisis.

 “I bought my first home at the age of twenty-three – not many can say the same today,” Rep. Torres said after her appointment was announced.As a longtime resident of the Inland Empire, I know that the biggest barrier preventing our community from reaching its full economic potential is lack of affordable housing units.”

The Inland Empire is a large metropolitan area adjacent to Los Angeles in Southern California.

According to Christopher Thornberg, director of the UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development, the Inland Empire has a robust economy and the 14th largest labor force in the nation.

Over the past five years, the area joined the Bay Area in fastest job growth in California. However, the region’s housing scarcity overshadows this success and presents a real threat to future economic growth.    

 “Much like the Inland Empire, the country at large continues to face a housing shortage,” Torres continued. “As the new Co-Chair of the NewDem Housing Task Force, I will fight every day to end housing insecurity in our community, and across the United States.”

New Democrat Coalition chair Derek Kilmer said he’s excited about the unique perspective and impressive ideas that Norma will bring to the task force.

“At a time when America is facing a housing crisis, we need to act to address the housing shortage and pursue solutions that address housing insecurity,” Rep. Kilmer said. “It’s more important than ever that we target some areas where we can move the ball forward and advance policies that help Americans.”

The New Democrat Coalition Housing Task Force acts to address the housing shortage and pursue solutions that address housing insecurity. This includes investing in housing stock as well as addressing land use, inadequate construction financing, and the mismatch of labor supply for the demand.

The other members of the New Democrat Coalition Housing Task Force are Reps. Charlie Crist, D-Fla.; Al Lawson, D- Fla.; Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla.; Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo.; Scott Peters, D-Calif.; Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y.; Harley Rouda, D-Calif.; and David Scott, D-Ga.

A+
a-
  • housing
  • Housing Task Force
  • New Democrat Coalition
  • Norma Torres
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Affordable Housing

    August 2, 2022
    by Tom Ramstack
    Skyrocketing Rent Creates a Housing Crisis That Raises More Questions Than Answers

    WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is bemoaning a new monthly report showing the highest inflation rate since 1982 while housing... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is bemoaning a new monthly report showing the highest inflation rate since 1982 while housing advocates in the Senate Tuesday said the result could mean more families living in cars. A day earlier was the first of the month. “That means... Read More

    May 26, 2022
    by Tom Ramstack
    Mobile Homes Advocated to Congress as Remedy to Lack of Affordable Housing

    WASHINGTON — Many of the problems for low-income persons seeking affordable housing would disappear if the government encouraged more ownership... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Many of the problems for low-income persons seeking affordable housing would disappear if the government encouraged more ownership of manufactured homes, according to industry advocates who testified to Congress Thursday. Manufactured homes can cost half as much as traditional houses but offer the same... Read More

    March 15, 2022
    by Dan McCue
    Idaho Sues to End Tent Protest Near State Capitol Building

    BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden filed a lawsuit Tuesday to bring an end... Read More

    BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden filed a lawsuit Tuesday to bring an end to a monthslong protest by campers outside the Capitol Annex intended to bring attention to homelessness in the state. Specifically, Little and Wasden are seeking an... Read More

    Rents Reach 'Insane' Levels Across US with No End in Sight

    Krystal Guerra's Miami apartment has a tiny kitchen, cracked tiles, warped cabinets, no dishwasher and hardly any storage space. But... Read More

    Krystal Guerra's Miami apartment has a tiny kitchen, cracked tiles, warped cabinets, no dishwasher and hardly any storage space. But Guerra was fine with the apartment's shortcomings. It was all part of being a 32-year-old graduate student in South Florida, she reasoned, and she was happy... Read More

    August 31, 2021
    by Tom Ramstack
    U.S. Attorney General Asks Lawyers to Help Renters Avoid Evictions

    WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Justice Department sent out an urgent request this week for attorneys nationwide to volunteer to represent... Read More

    WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Justice Department sent out an urgent request this week for attorneys nationwide to volunteer to represent an expected flood of renters trying to avoid eviction. A letter from U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland asked "the entire legal community" to help prevent hundreds... Read More

    August 5, 2021
    by Alexa Hornbeck
    The New Social Determinants Caucus

    Two weeks ago, Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill.,Tom Cole, R-Okla., G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., and Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., created a new Social... Read More

    Two weeks ago, Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill.,Tom Cole, R-Okla., G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., and Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., created a new Social Determinants Caucus, which will coordinate federal investments in health and social drivers of health such as food, housing and transportation. “The reason you start a caucus... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top