Bonamici Introduces Bill to Make Child Care Available at Affordable Housing Buildings

WASHINGTON, DC [12/1/22] – Today Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced legislation to make child care more accessible to people who live in affordable housing.

The Build Housing with Care Act would provide $500 million to help construct child care centers and support home-based child care providers connected with affordable housing buildings. Funding would be prioritized for projects located in child care deserts or rural communities, including qualified Head Start providers and providers that serve low-income children.

“Too many families struggle to find affordable child care in their communities,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “This can keep parents out of the workforce or force them to make impossible choices between paying for basic needs like child care, food, or rent. Co-locating child care with affordable housing will reach those who need help the most. I’ve seen how co-location is benefitting Oregonians, and I’m introducing the Build Housing with Care Act to make this lifechanging service available to more families.”

It is estimated that funding from the Build Housing with Care Act could build more than 120 new co-located child care centers, supporting the development of critical care supply in connection with affordable housing.

“The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) applauds Congresswoman Bonamici for introducing the Build Housing with Care Act to help increase supply, innovate solutions, and streamline family access to housing and child care – two of the highest costs families face,” said Kim Latimer-Nelligan, President of LIIF. “This innovative new grant program is directly responsive to family needs and designed to reflect the unique challenges and strengths of child care providers, affordable housing developers, and Community Development Financial Institutions. LIIF is proud to endorse this bill and will work to achieve its far-reaching benefits for families in Oregon and nationwide.”

“Congresswoman Bonamici’s Build Housing with Care Act is a commendable effort to connect affordable housing with child care centers,” said Tess Hembree, Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. “Low-income families in affordable housing units often lack access to quality, convenient child care services. Rep. Bonamici’s efforts through this legislation would increase child care options for low-income children across the nation.”

“Children’s Institute sees the Build Housing with Care Act, introduced by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, as an essential step in creating high-quality child care opportunities for more children from low-income families,” said Kali Thorne Ladd, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Institute. “We know that a strong child care sector supports early learning and healthy development for young children. It also helps parents stay working, supporting their families and their future. In Oregon, every county in the state is considered a child care desert. Many families, particularly low-income families, do not have feasible options when it comes to care for their children. A federal investment will help create immediate solutions for the children and families who need it most.”

“The child care crisis across the country continues to worsen,” said Courtney Helstein, Sr. Political Director for Family Forward Oregon. “More than 100,000 Americans missed work last month because of child care problems, an all-time high that’s even greater than during the height of the pandemic, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We need immediate and meaningful action from lawmakers. Families, employers, and our economy all depend on it. We are so grateful for Congresswoman Bonamici’s leadership on this issue and for her commitment to Oregon’s families.”

A fact sheet on the Build Housing with Care Act can be found here, and the full text can be found here.

Original cosponsors to Congresswoman Bonamici’s legislation include Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D (D-NY), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Marie Newman (D-IL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).

The legislation is endorsed by the Low Income Investment Fund, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Housing Conference, Enterprise Community Partners, National Education Association, National Women’s Law Center, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, National Housing Law Project, Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, American Federation of Teachers, ZERO TO THREE, National Children’s Facilities Network, First Five Years Fund, MomsRising, First Focus Campaign for Children, YWCA USA, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, Capital Impact Partners, National Association for County Community and Economic Development, Prosperity Now, Save the Children, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Home Grown, National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA), African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, IFF, Purpose Built Communities Foundation, Family Forward Oregon, and Children’s Institute.

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