Codes and Standards

Trump’s proposed corporate tax rate changes said to stifle funding for affordable housing

May 16, 2017

Proposed changes to the corporate tax rates have stymied funding for affordable housing, according to a California housing executive.

The Trump Administration has vowed to lower taxes for businesses, and this stance has caused a halt since December 2016 in the issuance of letters of intent from major investors in affordable housing. About 90% of affordable rental housing projects stem from the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).

This program encourages the investment of private equity in the development of affordable rental housing for low-income households through tax incentives. With the uncertain impacts of tax reform, big banks are currently reluctant to commit to specific deals.

Some are calling on Congress to protect the LIHTC and increase the allocation of credits to prevent an affordable housing crisis from getting worse.

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