Press Releases

Lauderdale Lakes, FL – Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) joined local housing advocates and public housing officials who help Floridians facing skyrocketing housing costs to discuss possible solutions and reforms the affordability problem confronting nearly all Floridians when it comes to keeping a roof over their head.

“Home insurance, rent, and mortgage costs keep climbing, flooding fears only grow, and we have a Republican Legislature that ignores our problems in Tallahassee, while handcuffing any local solutions at home,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Democrats are working to solve these problems, and that’s why I brought Congressman Cleaver here, so local leaders can work closely with us to help our hard-working families can afford to put a safe, comfortable roof over their head.”

“As Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, it comes as no surprise that many of the challenges facing families in South Florida are the same challenges facing families back home in Kansas City. Housing affordability has reached the point of crisis in this country, and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents an important step toward addressing some of the barriers that are driving up the cost of housing." said Cleaver. "Rep. Wasserman Schultz worked to advance provisions in the legislation important to her constituents, and I look forward to continuing to work with her to build on that progress. Today, I appreciated hearing from housing leaders about the positive impact they expect the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act to have in their communities, as well as the challenges that still require the attention of Congress.”

The discussion keyed in on federal legislative solutions that can be implemented when House Democrats take back control of the House of Representatives in the next Congress. Cleaver is the lead Democrat of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Florida ranks among the worst states for affordable rent, and recent polls show as many as half of all residents have considered leaving the state due to rising costs of living. Wasserman Schultz and Cleaver discussed how Congress can help relieve this crisis, and asked advocates and local officials to share other ideas.

Wasserman Schultz and Cleaver were joined by Pompano Beach Housing Authority Executive Director Lennard Robinson, Dania Beach Housing Authority Assistant Director Carla Pierson, Housing Finance Authority of Broward County Director Ralph Stone, National Association of Mortgage Brokers President Kimber White, Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence President & CEO Daniel Howe, Housing Authority of Broward County CEO Parnell Joyce, Area Council on Aging of Broward CEO Charlotte Mather-Taylor, Legal Aid Service of Broward County Supervising Attorney Jeff Hittleman, Mission United VP James Heaton, United Way of Broward County VP of Housing Rebecca McGuire, Deerfield Beach Public Housing Authority Executive Director LaTonya Coley-McKenly, and Deerfield Beach Public Housing Authority Community Liaison Terry Scott.