Sen. Wyden and Rep. Hoyle reintroduce bill to address US housing shortage and affordability

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTVZ) -- Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Val Hoyle (OR-4) reintroduced the Decent, Affordable, Safe Housing for All Act (DASH Act) yesterday in Washington, D.C. The comprehensive housing legislation aims to tackle the housing affordability crisis and end homelessness nationwide.

The bill would expand the production of affordable housing for low-income and middle-income families, create a new down payment tax credit for first-time homebuyers and provide key services to help keep people housed.

The DASH Act is designed to spur construction of millions of housing units for working-class and middle-class Americans. The legislation also seeks to lower housing costs and make a landmark investment to end homelessness.

Sen. Wyden, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "The housing crisis deepens every year in Oregon and across the country, dimming people's dreams of homeownership and pushing more working-class families onto the street because they can't cover rent," Wyden said.

The bill proposes to house everyone experiencing homelessness within five years, prioritizing children and families for placement by issuing them a Housing Choice Voucher. It also aims to expand physical and mental health, child care, financial and nutrition services to help families and individuals achieve unassisted housing stability.

To address housing shortages, the DASH Act would greatly increase housing production by investing more in deeply affordable housing for extremely low-income households. It would strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and establish a Renter's Tax Credit and Middle-Income Housing Tax Credit.

The legislation also seeks to invest in homeownership for underserved communities and low-income Americans with new down payment assistance. The bill introduces an advanceable and seamless down payment tax credit for first-time homebuyers, a key update from previous versions of the bill. Sen. Wyden highlighted this opportunity, stating, "the new tax credit for first time buyers is an important opportunity to help a lot more people, particularly young families just starting out, achieve the American dream of homeownership."

Additionally, the bill includes a new provision allowing low- and middle-income Americans who sell their homes for less than their original purchase price to claim a tax deduction for the amount they lose on the sale, up to $100,000.

Congresswoman Hoyle underscored the critical need for immediate action. "People cannot wait any longer for relief. America's housing and affordability crisis is devastating our communities," Hoyle said. "The DASH act addresses both the immediate issues and the underlying causes behind our growing homeless and housing crisis."

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson also voiced his support for the legislation. "With their leadership on this important legislation, Sen. Wyden and Congresswoman Hoyle are tackling the housing crisis head-on," Wilson said. "The DASH Act would be a gamechanger for Portland's efforts to reduce homelessness, build more affordable housing and provide greater homeownership opportunities for families."

Congresswoman Hoyle said she was proud to introduce the bill in 2024 and is urging her colleagues to take it up again in 2026.