Video & Transcript Research : 'affordability'

Page 18 of 442
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I could afford to wait, you know.
  • We don't need legislation to make it less affordable.
  • The affordability...
  • When we talk about affordability, who are we talking about?
  • So it could possibly exacerbate affordable housing and energy affordability issues for consumers, especially
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 1388 establishes the Affordable Housing Risk Reduction Program to help affordable housing providers
  • While California is experiencing an ongoing supply shortage of affordable housing, affordable housing
  • As the senator mentioned, we're facing a nationwide insurance crisis and affordable... affordable housing
  • Affordable developers are legally required to restrict rents to levels that are affordable to low-income
  • As Senator DeRazzo and my colleague shared, the Affordable Housing Risk Reduction Program will help affordable
Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills. SB 996 by Senator Padilla would let manufactured homeowners opt to title their homes as real property, with supporters saying this would improve access to conventional mortgages, consumer protections, and lower-cost financing. SB 866 by Senator Blakespear would require cities and counties to include homelessness-related information in their annual housing element reports, with supporters saying the bill would improve transparency, regional coordination, and accountability around homelessness funding and services. The committee also heard SB 1090 by Senator Perez, which would impose a temporary moratorium in Altadena on certain state housing density laws after the Eaton Fire. Supporters, including Supervisor Catherine Barger and many Altadena residents, argued the bill would protect fire survivors from speculative investors and give families time to rebuild and return home. Opponents argued the bill could limit tools that homeowners need to finance rebuilding and could reduce future housing production. After extensive testimony, the committee passed SB 1090 to the Assembly Local Government Committee on a 10-0 vote. SB 1388 by Senator Durazo would create an Affordable Housing Risk Reduction Program to help affordable housing providers reduce insurance costs through technical assistance and risk-mitigation support. Supporters said rising insurance premiums are threatening the viability of affordable housing developments and existing units. The committee also reconsidered and then voted on SB 1092, which was taken up only for reconsideration and final vote; after a split vote, the bill ultimately passed the committee. Final recorded votes showed SB 866 and SB 996 passing unanimously, SB 1388 passing with one no vote and one not voting, and SB 1092 passing 7-5 after reconsideration.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Land & Resource Management Apr 3rd, 2025

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • not affordable to them.
  • Charlie Coleman: Yeah, afford the affordability, and that's - I know you brought it up earlier.
  • I try to stay away from affordable housing, talk about reasonable housing, but when we say affordable
  • , what can folks afford to buy?
  • to be affordable.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Millions of Californians struggle to find affordable housing.
  • Billions of Californians struggle to find affordable housing.
  • counties, with extremely low-income households that can't afford the average rent in any county.
  • And then even an affordable housing unit, we know that some people wait for years.
  • And then even an affordable housing unit, we know that some people wait for years.
Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing bills. AB 2270, by Assemblymember Arambula, would give farmworker housing projects scoring parity in the state low-income housing tax credit program so they are not disadvantaged by amenity-proximity criteria that do not fit rural agricultural areas. Supporters, including La Cooperativa Campesina, said the bill would help farmworker projects compete fairly for credits; there was no opposition, and the bill was later approved 11-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 2552, which would clarify use of the state’s new CEQA vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation bank for affordable housing near transit. The author and supporters from the California Building Industry Association and business groups said the bill would add guardrails so the program is cost-effective and usable, while Housing California, the Planning and Conservation League, and others opposed the least-cost requirement, arguing it could undercut the new mitigation bank before implementation. After discussion about balancing housing and environmental goals, the bill passed 11-1 to Appropriations. AB 2689 would require good cause for nonrenewal of certain state-subsidized housing tenancies when a household’s income exceeds 140% of area median income for two consecutive years, with notice requirements and protections if the tenant cannot afford market rent. Some members supported the bill as a way to free up scarce subsidized units and create a housing “ladder,” while others objected that it could punish people for increasing their income. The bill was amended and passed 11-1. The consent calendar items AB 2308, AB 2397, and AB 2512 were also approved unanimously.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House/Senate DFL Press Conference 3/18/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:07:23.160> place seniors looking for an affordable place seniors looking for an affordable
  • No amount of money can make it affordable anymore at this time.
  • housing available, and it’s true affordable housing that’s getting to be no longer affordable.
  • housing available, and it’s true affordable housing that’s getting to be no longer affordable.
  • housing available, and it’s true affordable housing that’s getting to be no longer affordable.
Keywords: 1183, house
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • housing, capital-A affordable, and also housing that is more affordable for the residents of the Commonwealth
  • There's nothing requiring affordability.
  • There's no restriction that they're affordable.
  • We understand that there is a housing affordability crisis, but this is also, I think, tied to affordability
  • Small unfinished capes on small lots that they could afford to buy.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-03, House Bill 5000, which would allow single-family homes on small lots in areas with adequate infrastructure. Committee chairs outlined the Article 48 process and the hearing format, then heard first from two subject-matter experts. Under Secretary Chris Clutchman of Housing and Livable Communities explained that the proposal would amend Chapter 40A’s Section 3 (the Dover Amendment) to require most municipalities, except Boston, to allow single-family homes on residentially zoned lots of at least 5,000 square feet with 50 feet of frontage and access to public water and sewer, while still allowing reasonable local regulations on setbacks, height, bulk, and short-term rentals. He distinguished the proposal from Chapter 40Y starter-home zoning, said implementation would likely require regulations to address issues such as wetlands, infrastructure capacity, and nonconforming lots, and answered committee questions about lot subdivision, MBTA Communities, and the relationship to existing zoning tools. Attorney Susan Murphy testified that the petition would significantly override local zoning and could create conflicts with existing statutes, including Chapter 40A Section 6 protections for certain nonconforming lots, subdivision control law, and other residential zoning districts. She raised concerns about how “access” to water and sewer would be defined, whether the measure could apply in business or industrial districts where residential uses are allowed, and whether the proposal could allow large homes on small lots without any affordability limits. She also warned that the measure could have significant infrastructure impacts and argued that the Legislature should consider broader, more comprehensive housing legislation rather than expanding exceptions to the zoning framework. Committee members asked both experts about frontage, lot size, infrastructure capacity, and how the proposal would interact with 40Y and MBTA Communities. The proponents, led by Andrew McCulla of the Legalized Starter Homes Coalition, argued that Massachusetts faces a severe housing shortage and affordability crisis, citing high home prices, high rents, declining listings, and outmigration of younger residents. They said the measure would legalize modest single-family homes on smaller lots, increase housing supply, and help first-time buyers and downsizing seniors, while leaving most other local rules in place. Other proponents, including representatives from Abundant Housing Massachusetts, the Charles River Regional Chamber, and individual residents, emphasized workforce retention, the need for more starter homes, and the view that large minimum lot sizes are a major barrier to production. Committee members pressed the panel on the lack of any home-size or affordability requirement, possible effects on 40B compliance, the number of new lots and homes that might result, and the fact that the ballot initiative would not be amendable by the Legislature. The hearing then turned to opponents from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, who urged the committee to take no action. MMA leaders said zoning should remain a local decision made by residents and elected local officials, and argued that the proposal would preempt local control with a one-size-fits-all mandate. They also said the measure is impractical because many communities with water and sewer are already at or near capacity, so infrastructure availability does not necessarily mean development capacity. The hearing ended during the MMA’s testimony, with no vote or final committee action taken.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/04/25

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • members providing deeply affordable members providing deeply affordable housing<00:31:54.360>
  • of homes and the lack of affordable of homes and the lack of affordable financing<00:46:24.200><
  • of affordable housing, and the protection and rights of people who need affordable places to call home
  • housing the the preservation affordable housing the the preservation of<01:08:56.560> affordable<
  • whose right to Safe stable affordable whose right to Safe stable affordable and<01:09:30.359>
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • communities and restore affordability communities and restore affordability diversity<00:02:11.280
  • > and<00:02:11.480> affordability<00:02:12.040> when diversity and affordability
  • Builders say they can't afford to build affordable homes or apartments, partly because of restrictive
  • Builders say they can't afford to build affordable homes or apartments, partly because of restrictive
  • Builders say they can't afford to build affordable homes or apartments, partly because of restrictive
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Land & Resource Management Mar 27th, 2025

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • They built affordable housing next to it.
  • They're not going to be... ...affordable by law; they had to be affordable.
  • it. afford such a system any longer.
  • I can't afford to go to an HOA.
  • Likewise, though, families and other groups need affordable housing. ...affordable housing close to campus
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • In recent years, voters have committed over $150 million to affordable housing.
  • As a member of the Affordable Housing Trust, I know how critical affordable housing is for the community
  • As a member of the Affordable Housing Trust, I know how critical affordable housing is for the community
  • You can't get more affordable than free.
  • You can't get more affordable than free.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing heard testimony on several housing bills, with much of the discussion focused on seasonal communities and funding for year-round housing in places like Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod, and the Berkshires. Speakers supported bills including H. 4410/S. 966 and related seasonal communities legislation, which would allow local option real estate transfer fees and expand tools for towns to preserve and create affordable housing. Testimony emphasized severe housing shortages, high home prices, workforce displacement, and impacts on public safety, schools, health care, and local businesses. Many witnesses said the transfer fee would provide a sustainable local revenue stream, citing prior land bank models on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as proof the approach can work. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3989 regarding seasonal community designation, with supporters arguing that towns should be included automatically or through a simpler opt-in process, and on H. 4568 to expand the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which would broaden access to a federal voucher-based savings and self-sufficiency model. Senator Edwards testified in support of a bill to create training for municipal board members, describing it as a toolkit to improve informed local decision-making. Senator O’Connor testified for a bed bug bill, saying it would create clearer landlord and tenant notification and treatment requirements and provide needed legal guidance after his family’s experience with an infestation. Senator Lovely also testified for the Homeworks program, which provides transportation so homeless children in motels and shelters can attend after-school activities. The committee further heard testimony on a bill to fund housing in seasonal communities through a transfer fee and on a companion measure to expand the seasonal communities toolkit, with repeated calls for favorable reports. Witnesses from public safety, health care, housing nonprofits, schools, and local government described staffing shortages and housing insecurity as urgent problems. Later, the committee took testimony on H. 1559/S. 102 to maintain stable housing for families with pets, with animal welfare groups supporting protections against eviction, breed discrimination, and excessive pet rent. They said housing-related pet surrenders are a major driver of shelter intake. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1498 to limit criminalization of homelessness, which would restrict citations, fines, and related consequences for outdoor camping tied solely to homelessness.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 29th, 2026

Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Millions of Californians struggle to find affordable housing.
  • Millions of Californians struggle to find affordable housing.
  • counties, with extremely low-income households that can't afford the average rent in any county.
  • And then even an affordable housing unit, we know that some people wait for years.
  • And then even an affordable housing unit, we know that some people wait for years.
Keywords: 988, house, all
Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills. AB 2270, by Assembly Member Arambula, would create scoring parity for farmworker housing projects in the state low-income housing tax credit program, with supporters arguing that rural farmworker developments are unfairly disadvantaged because they must be located near agricultural jobs rather than urban amenities. The committee accepted amendments and moved the bill forward on a unanimous vote to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 2552, by Assembly Member Lee, which would clarify how a CEQA vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation program tied to affordable housing near transit may be used. Supporters said the bill would preserve cost-effectiveness and guard against litigation, while opponents from Housing California, the Planning and Conservation League, and others warned that the amended bill could undermine the new statewide VMT mitigation bank before it is fully implemented by making cost the key trigger for use. After discussion about balancing environmental and housing goals, the bill passed to Appropriations on an 11-1 vote. AB 2689, also by Assembly Member Lee, would establish good-cause renewal protections for tenants in state-subsidized housing whose incomes rise above 140% of area median income for two consecutive years, while requiring notice and limiting displacement if tenants cannot afford market rent. Some members supported the bill as a way to free up scarce subsidized units for lower-income households, while others objected that it could punish people for improving their financial situation. The committee approved the bill as amended on an 11-1 vote. The committee also approved three consent items—AB 2308, AB 2397, and AB 2512—without discussion.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House DFL Press Conference 3/4/26

Transcript Highlights:
  • President Trump has said that affordability...
  • accessible, effective, and affordable. accessible, effective, and affordable.
  • address housing affordable address housing affordable affordability. affordability. affordability
  • affordability game about affordability except<00:12:41.400> for<00:12:41.520> when<00:
  • affordability is a hoax. affordability is a hoax.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: House DFL leaders held a press event outlining an affordability agenda focused on housing, child care, health care, groceries, energy, and taxes. Speakers argued that Minnesota families are being squeezed by rising costs and income inequality, and said the caucus would pursue policies aimed at lowering everyday expenses and shifting more costs onto corporations and wealthy residents. Representative Bierman said health care costs are pushing people to skip care and called for system reforms, including moving toward a more universal model and reducing the role of insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. Representative Kotiza-Wazhushk said the caucus is pushing for universal or low-cost child care, expanded pre-K and community-based care, and a bill to stop grocery surveillance price gouging. Representative Acomb and other energy leaders said the House DFL wants to lower utility bills through more energy assistance, weatherization, renewable energy support, limits on utility cost recovery for lobbying and executive pay, and stronger PUC authority to prevent shutoffs and limit rate increases. Representative Agbaje described housing as unaffordable for many renters and homeowners, cited a shortage of housing units, and said the caucus supports restricting private equity and corporate purchases of single-family homes. Leader Stevenson framed the agenda as a response to a budget picture that he said reflects gains for corporations and wealthy Minnesotans, and he criticized federal tax policy and Medicaid cuts. In response to questions about cost, he said several proposals would not require state spending, while others could be funded by looking at new revenue and at those who benefited most from recent tax changes. The event also included a detailed explanation of the grocery surveillance pricing proposal, which would restrict the use of personal data and AI to set individualized prices and limit rapid electronic shelf price changes. No votes were taken.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • That is how the state of California finances affordable housing.
  • of affordable housing funding available to projects in California.
  • For much of my affordable housing career of 30 years, I was an affordable housing developer at Mercy
  • Secondly, the affordable rental housing function.
  • We are a nonprofit affordable housing developer across two states.
Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs. Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs. Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Feb 13th, 2026 at 09:37 am

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • The GRT deduction for affordable housing is going to save millions of dollars for much needed affordable
  • That's affordable housing.
  • So while we call this affordable housing, affordable... ...expand.
  • So while we call this affordable housing, affordable housing is workforce housing also.
  • He says you can't cap GRT in affordable housing. So how, I mean... GRT and affordable housing.
Bills: SB151, HB8, SB177
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • affordable home ownership since 1995. affordable home ownership since 1995.
  • . affordable. affordable.
  • improve affordability. improve affordability.
  • We need more affordability.
  • he says, "Dad, I can't afford it. he says, "Dad, I can't afford it.
Bills: HF3902, HF3895
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Task Force on Homeowners and Commercial Property Insurance 9/10/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • expand affordable housing. expand affordable housing. >> Hi<00:04:52.800> everyone.
  • <00:48:11.760> Um affordable space anyway. Um affordable space anyway.
  • terms like affordable terms like affordable affordable<00:49:37.760> in<00:49:37.920>
  • But that concept of affordability of both being able to afford to buy it and then also be able to afford
  • <01:00:05.520> I can afford a home or not. Yeah. Okay. I can afford a home or not. Yeah.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The task force held its first meeting on the insurance affordability crisis affecting single-family housing, common interest communities, and multifamily rental housing. Members and staff introduced themselves, including representatives from insurers, the Department of Commerce, housing advocates, affordable housing developers, and HOA/community association interests. Representative Steve Elkins was elected chair by roll call vote with 10 members in favor, after discussion that the Senate appointee’s formal appointment had not yet arrived; the group noted the intent to later move to co-chair leadership once that appointment is finalized. Staff reviewed the task force’s enabling statute and open meeting law requirements. The task force is charged with studying homeowners and commercial property insurance, property resilience and risk mitigation, liability laws and possible tort reform, notice and oversight issues, public reporting, and the state-supported insurance program, including possible expansion to a catastrophic reinsurance fund or self-insured pool. The final report is due February 15 and will go to the commissioners of commerce, housing finance, and employment and economic development, as well as relevant legislative committees. Members were also briefed on meeting logistics, a draft charter to be voted on at the second meeting, a resource page for shared materials, and the schedule of future meetings. The Department of Commerce then gave an overview of Minnesota’s property and casualty insurance market. Commerce described its regulatory role, the state’s competitiveness test, and how homeowners insurance is often filed under a “file and use” process rather than prior approval. The presentation emphasized that homeowners coverage has been under pressure for years: insurers have lost money in many recent years, premiums have risen, some consumers are taking on more risk through higher deductibles or reduced coverage, and some are moving into the surplus market. Commerce also highlighted the impact of severe weather losses, the growth in premiums since 2014, and gaps in oversight for homeowners associations and related policies. The meeting then shifted to brainstorming the problems the task force should address. Early discussion focused on climate and construction-related resilience, including hail and wind-driven rain damage, discontinued building materials, and whether stronger materials are reflected in insurance pricing. Members also raised the need to study programs like Alabama’s fortified roof model and Minnesota’s own Strengthen Minnesota Homes effort, along with questions about whether the construction industry is prepared to support broader resilience measures. No additional votes were taken during the discussion segment.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Repealing requirement to adopt a new residential energy code 3/10/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Additionally, a home is not affordable if it is not affordable to live in.
  • Additionally, a home is not affordable Additionally, a home is not affordable if<00:03:36.080>
  • if it is not affordable to live in. if it is not affordable to live in.
  • affordability.
  • affordability.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: Representative Mecklin moved House File 3545 to the general register and offered a DE amendment that removed the commissioner’s authority to choose a more efficient standard and removed the requirement that the 2038 residential energy code achieve a 70% reduction in annual net energy consumption compared with the 2006 energy use index. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was then discussed as amended. Mecklin said the bill was intended to address home affordability, arguing that energy code requirements add to housing costs and make it harder for younger Minnesotans to buy homes. Several testifiers opposed the bill, including representatives from the Center for Energy and the Environment, AIA Minnesota, Sierra Club, Fresh Energy, Housing First Minnesota, and ARXUS. They argued that energy codes are not a primary driver of housing costs, that stronger codes do not slow housing production, and that more efficient homes lower utility bills and improve comfort, safety, resilience, and climate outcomes. Testifiers cited studies and examples showing payback over time, including estimates that efficiency upgrades could pay for themselves in five to nine years and save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars over 30 years. The Department of Labor and Industry said it had concerns about the bill because it would move away from a more energy-efficient standard and could create unintended consequences in the code adoption process, though it said the current technical advisory group process already considers cost concerns. Members questioned the cost and savings estimates, especially the comparison between higher upfront mortgage costs and lower utility bills. Fresh Energy explained that its figures were based on Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Slipstream analyses using a typical Minnesota home and that the savings were modeled over time. Representative Johnson expressed skepticism about the assumptions behind the savings numbers and argued that utility costs are not the main barrier to homeownership. The chair said the committee intended to take a vote on the bill that day, but the transcript ends before any final vote or disposition is shown.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, January 9, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • affordable homes in the United States. affordable homes in the United States.
  • That is not affordable.
  • That is not affordable.
  • It simply made homes harder to afford. It simply made homes harder to afford.
  • Affordable Homes Act. I yield back. Affordable Homes Act. I yield back.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 11th, 2026 at 08:37 am

House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • In addition to the housing shortage, we have an affordability crisis.
  • buildings, directly addressing this affordability crisis.
  • This now presents opportunities to create affordable housing.
  • Chair, housing is almost, I don't want to call it affordable anymore.
  • So affordable is a word that, I don't know.
Keywords: 996, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • my house today, or my kids can't afford to live near here, or I work in your community and I can't afford
  • years for 40 years but I couldn't afford years for 40 years but I couldn't afford my<00:02:12.360
  • my house today or my kids can't afford my house today or my kids can't afford to<00:02:16.239>
  • to affordable housing at the lower end of our affordability scale—is 114,000.
  • needs and so the inclusion in the afford needs and so the inclusion in the afford affordable<01:
Keywords: 1183, house