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.
