HOUSING

PROTECT

Guarantee housing as a human right
Nationally adopt “Housing First” practices
End homelessness and housing insecurity with a Homes Guarantee
Expand and protect the homeowner mortgage interest benefit, and eliminate the “second home” and “yacht” loopholes
Impose taxes on unoccupied homes (vacancy tax) and investment rental “homestay” properties to curb speculation

DEVELOPMENT

Repeal the Faircloth Amendment so that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can build public housing again
Expand HUD and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Programs for first-time home buyers, with down-payment assistance, direct guaranteed loans, and pre-purchase housing counseling
Prohibit predatory lending, require clearly listed mortgage costs and risks, and no fine print

RENTING

Eliminate credit checks from rental applications
Implement universal rent control and a prohibition on excessive rental deposits
Support a Universal Tenant's Bill of Rights
Direct the Department of Labor to assist with the establishment of a National Tenants Union
Expand House Choice Initiatives, and provide full funding to all existing project-based rental assistance contracts

PROVIDE

Fund social housing as part of the Real Green New Deal to build at least 15 million green, union-built, publicly-owned homes over the next 10 years
Expand House Choice Initiatives, and provide full funding to all existing project-based rental assistance contracts
Reinvigorate federal housing programs that build publicly-owned housing for families, for the elderly, and people with disabilities

ACCOUNTABILITY

Utilize civil asset forfeiture against companies guilty of violating workers’ protections (standards to be determined)