Ansari Details HAVEN Act to Improve Housing Affordability, 'Housing is a Human Right'

Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) posted a video to X (formerly Twitter) describing the provisions of her Housing Accessibility and Voucher Expansion Now (HAVEN) Act, which she introduced in May, saying, "Housing is a human right."

"My HAVEN Act will guarantee affordable, accessible, safe housing options for everyone," Rep. Ansari added in her tweet.

As she explained within the clip, "In the midst of a national housing shortage, housing affordability is a massive issue all across America."

Rep. Ansari noted that in Congressional District 3, which includes most of Phoenix, "it now takes an average income of $66,000 to be able to afford the median rent of $1600 per month for a two-bedroom apartment."

"That is crazy," the Arizona Congresswoman continued, "that is why so many working families are struggling to pay their rent or even consider buying a home."

As a result, the HAVEN Act updates the definition of "affordability" in the context of housing, as the definition has remained in place since the 1970s. An "affordable home" means rent is approximately 30% of the occupant's income.

"Now we know since then, the price of childcare, the price of transportation, and so many of our basic costs have gone up," Ansari said, "and so what this bill would do is decrease that definition to 20%."

Additionally, the HAVEN Act increases the availability of housing vouchers, as she suggests that "times on these waitlists can take up to years."

Finally, Ansari's bill includes a $20 million federal grant for states' affordable housing projects, "so there are more options for good quality places to live."

"So I am really excited to keep pushing this bill forward as part of my broader affordability agenda to make life more affordable for everyone," Ansari concluded. "And I know from talking to my constituents day in and day out that housing is absolutely where we need to focus on."

In April, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) signaled support for President Donald Trump's proposal to possibly open federal lands to housing development, thereby solving the housing crisis.