Public Policy And Advocacy
At Cinnaire, we invest in people and places to transform lives through equitable financial and development solutions. We work to achieve that vision by creating partnerships that drive investment in the communities we serve, including rural and urban areas that are underserved by the mainstream financial sector. To be successful, our work requires public-private partnerships and public policies that encourage investment in all communities. We believe it is essential to educate policymakers on the role of critical programs and advocate for policies that will boost opportunities in the communities we serve.
Cinnaire's public policy and advocacy efforts rely on close coordination with our partners throughout our footprint. We are most effective when we highlight the positive impact of quality, affordable housing and community facilities for the individuals we serve.
To learn more about Cinnaire's public policy priorities and partnerships, click below or contact Chris Neary, Cinnaire's Vice President for Policy, Research and Advocacy.
FEDERAL POLICY & ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
POLICY ACTIONS FOR ADVANCING COMMUNITIES
ENHANCE THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT
The severe lack of affordable rental housing continues to be a pressing challenge for communities across the country, including both rural and urban areas. No program has been as successful at creating affordable housing than the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit), a public-private partnership with broad, bipartisan support. By encouraging private investment in the production and preservation of affordable housing, the Housing Credit has financed more than 3 million homes for low-income households, including desperately needed housing options for veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, development of affordable housing lags far behind the demand and availability of the Housing Credit. More than 11 million low-income households – roughly one in four renters – spend more than half of their income on rent.
Cinnaire urges Congress to enhance the effective public-private partnership by passing the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA). This bipartisan legislation (S. 1557, H.R. 3238) would strengthen and expand the proven Housing Credit program, creating 2 million additional affordable homes over the next ten years. The bill includes several additional reforms to enhance the effectiveness of this public-private partnership.
BOOST CRITICAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) operates several programs that are critical to increasing affordable housing for low-income residents. Unfortunately, federal housing programs have been chronically underfunded. Today, just one in four families eligible for federal housing assistance get the assistance they need.
Cinnaire urges Congress to fund programs that help make rents affordable by increasing rental assistance and helping local communities increase the supply of affordable housing. In particular, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is a proven, effective and locally-driven tool for helping communities meet the demand for affordable housing. Despite its success, the HOME program has been underfunded for years. HOME is critical to filling gaps in financing for the development of affordable housing, including many projects supported by the Housing Credit.
EXPAND THE NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT (NMTC) PROGRAM
The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program attracts private capital to some of the most distressed rural and urban communities across the country by providing a federal tax credit for impactful investments. With deep experience in investment in low-income communities, Cinnaire has provided $431 million in NMTC allocation to distressed communities..
Cinnaire urges Congress to pass the New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2023, which is H.R. 2539 in the House and S. 234 in the Senate. These bills would permanently extend the NMTC program and increase the annual allocation of credits available under this highly competitive and successful program.
ENSURE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT REFORM DOES NOT HARM AFFORDABLE HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) continues to serve as a critical driver of community development and investment in low-income communities. Cinnaire recognizes the need for CRA regulations to reflect changes in the way banks do business, as well as the need to give banks more certainty with respect to their CRA activities. However, policymakers should be careful to ensure that any changes do not inadvertently hinder investment in affordable housing and community development.
Cinnaire urges all 3 banking agencies with jurisdiction over CRA to adopt consistent rules that provide certainty for banks while avoiding policies that would discourage investment in the communities that need it most, including the proven Housing Credit program and bank partnerships with CDFIs.
SUPPORT KEY PROGRAMS ENABLING CDFIS TO REACH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Cinnaire Lending has received several awards from the Treasury Department’s CDFI Fund through its Financial Assistance grants and the Capital Magnet Fund. These flexible sources of capital allow Cinnaire to empower our community partners to meet their needs. Cinnaire encourages federal lawmakers to increase funding for the CDFI Fund to $341 million in Fiscal Year 2025 and to ensure that the Capital Magnet Fund continues to receive support from the GSEs.
MAINTAIN SUPPORT FROM GSEs FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Bank System -- known as Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) -- remain critical drivers of the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the United States. It is critical for Congress and the GSEs’ regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), to maintain this role by preserving affordable housing goals, duty to serve requirements, contributions to the Housing Trust Fund, Capital Magnet Fund, the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and other mechanisms to finance affordable housing development in the United States.
Chris Neary
Senior Vice President, Policy, Research & Advocacy
(302) 434-6065
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