While the NAHB “supports bipartisan efforts” to draft the coronavirus relief package, the association states that President Biden’s $1.9 trillion plan offers “a better path forward” for the housing sector and broader economy than the $618 billion plan offered by 10 Republican U.S. senators.
In a post on the NAHB Now blog Feb. 3, the association outlines its engagement with the Biden administration on this topic, as well as its efforts to encourage members to receive COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as they are available, and compares and contrasts the contents of the two relief proposals.
While both the Biden and Republican plans offer identical amounts for direct pandemic response ($160 billion) and small business relief ($50 billion), the GOP blueprint provides no funding for rental assistance.
By contrast, Biden would provide an additional $25 billion in rental assistance on top of the $25 billion that Congress approved in December. The plan also calls for $5 billion to help people cover home energy and water costs and provides $5 billion to states and localities to offer emergency housing for families facing homelessness.
The Republican proposal offers no funding for state and local governments while Biden is pushing for $350 billion in funding plus $20 billion for public transit systems.
