Susan stands with volunteers from Rebuilding Together in front of a home they upgraded in Golden Hill.

On the Issues

Housing

As the housing crisis continues to threaten communities throughout the nation, Susan has advocated for federal action to help individuals and families cope.

 
Legislation


Mortgage Crisis
Thousands of homeowners locally and across the nation have either already lost their homes or face foreclosure as a result of the subprime mortgage crisis.  Susan supported action to prevent the crisis from hurting even more individuals and families.  She voted in favor of the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221) to address the mortgage crisis to preserve home ownership and encourage it for years to come.  First, the package provides homeowners at risk with the opportunity to refinance out of costly adjustable-rate or interest-only loan and into an affordable fixed-rate mortgage.  The homeowner remains responsible for repaying the loan.  The program simply allows the borrower and the lender the opportunity to agree to new terms.  Unfortunately, many homes have already been foreclosed upon leaving abandoned properties in neighborhoods and communities.  For that reason, the legislation also provides $15 billion in grants and loans so cities can rehabilitate already foreclosed into affordable housing units.  H.R. 3221 would also permanently designate Southern California as a “high-cost” real estate market allowing homeowners to select mortgages with lower interest rates.  It is the right thing to do to help families keep their homes while stimulating the housing market and economy.


Affordable Housing
As housing costs and availability have reached crisis levels, Susan has worked to defend affordable housing programs and increase the supply of housing units in San Diego.  Susan has brought thousands of dollars to the region to build housing units in low-income areas and to improve area homeless shelters.  She has been active in the fight to preserve and expand the Section 8 voucher program providing rental assistance to thousands of working families.  Susan voted in favor of the Section 8 Housing Reform Act (H.R. 1851) to achieve greater funding and additional vouchers.  In addition, H.R. 1851 improves the formula used to calculate need to better reflect the high cost of housing prices in the San Diego area.  The legislation also creates a program to provide $10,000 grants to low-income families to actually purchase their own homes.


The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Earlier in the 110th Congress, Susan enthusiastically supported legislation on the House floor establishing the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund.  The fund will construct, preserve, or rehabilitate as many as 1.5 million low-income housing units over the next 10 years.  These housing units will go exclusively to low-income individuals and families.  The provisions creating the Fund were also included in the legislative package passed to address the mortgage crisis.  Susan has been a loud advocate for creating the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund since coming to Congress.


Home Ownership
Susan has long advocated for home ownership for San Diego’s families.  She has sponsored numerous bills helping veterans purchase homes after leaving the military.  Just recently, the President signed provisions into law from legislation Susan introduced, the Home Ownership for America’s Veterans Act (H.R. 551).  The provisions allow veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to take advantage of the CalVet home loan program.  Susan is pushing for several other improvements to federal law to help all San Diegans achieve home ownership, including higher conforming loan limits and protection for sub-prime buyers.


Housing Resources
If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage and fear foreclosure, there are some people you can turn to for help and advice.  You may also be able to attend housing clinics throughout the region with specialists who can review documents and give one on one advice.


HUD Mortgage Crisis Assistance Line – 1 (800) 569-4287


San Diego Housing Opportunities Collaborative – (619) 282-6647

San Diego Housing Commission: Administers the Section 8 program in the City of San Diego and other housing programs.  619-231-9400

County of San Diego’s Housing & Community Development Department:  Administers the Section 8 program in Coronado, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove an the unincorporated area of San Diego County and other housing programs.  858-694-4801

Cal Vet Home Loan San Diego Office:  Home financing services for qualified veterans.  619-525-3700

San Diego Housing Federation:  Non-profit organization that provides information on local affordable housing.  619-239-6693