February 11, 2009

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate approved its economic recovery bill and went to conference with the House to agree on a final version. Things are moving very rapidly and many agreements have already been reached. CHFA's national trade association, NCSHA, continues to be fully engaged with key Congressional committee staff on those issues that would help CHFA and our customers continue our work to ensure Coloradans have access to safe, decent and affordable housing. You can support these efforts now by weighing in with Colorado's Congressional delegation members on a few critical issues.

Urge your Colorado Representatives and Senators to ask the conferees to include:

• At least $2 billion for Housing Credit gap funding to be distributed directly to Housing Credit allocating agencies in amounts proportionate to their annual Housing Credit authority to administer in accordance with Housing Credit rules, with as few additional rules and requirements as possible;
  
  
• The House Housing Credit exchange program; and
  
  
• No prohibition against using Mortgage Revenue Bonds (MRB) in conjunction with either the current or any new home buyer tax credit.

Please stress that Colorado has “ready to go” Housing Credit developments that could be brought to production immediately with the help of gap-filling funds and the exchange program. Make clear Colorado needs both the Housing Credit gap funding and exchange provisions to make as many of the ready-to-go developments feasible as possible.

Please make these calls now, because House and Senate negotiators hope to finalize this bill today or tomorrow.

Rep. Diana DeGette (CD1)
303.844.4988
202.225.4431

Rep. Jared Polis (CD 2)
303.484.9596
202.225.2101

Rep. John Salazar (CD3)
719.543.8200
202.225.4761

Rep. Betsy Markey (CD 4)
970.221.7110
202.225.4676

Rep. Doug Lamborn (CD 5)
719.520.0055
202.225.4422

Rep. Mike Coffman (CD 6)
720.283.9772
202.225.7882

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CD 7)
303.274.7944
202.225.2645

Sen. Mark Udall
877.768.3255 (toll-free number)
202.224.5941

Sen. Michael Bennet
866.455.9866 (toll-free number)
202.224.5852