Sandy Tax Relief Plan Common Sense, says Network
NJ legislature introduces resolution urging Congressional approval

A bipartisan coalition of U.S. Representatives have introduced tax relief legislation to provide additional assistance to families and businesses struggling to rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Concurrently, members of the New Jersey Legislature have introduced resolutions urging Congress to enact the Hurricane Sandy Tax Relief Act of 2013 into law.

"Recovering from Sandy has been an immense struggle for so many people that any assistance we can get to these devastated areas will be most welcome," said Staci Berger, executive director of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network). "If the Sandy Tax Relief bill is enacted, it would create a significant opportunity for those in disaster areas having trouble finding an affordable place to live."

The Network has worked with leaders in the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate to introduce a resolution that would urge legislators in Washington, D.C. to vote in favor of the Hurricane Sandy Tax Relief Act of 2013. Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-Essex/Morris) and Senator Brian P. Stack (D-Hudson) are prime sponsors of the resolution in their respective legislative chambers.

A portion of the proposed legislation which would permit an additional allocation of low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) to states suffering damage from Hurricane Sandy. The bill would temporarily increase the applicable limitation for LIHTCs for each state to the greater of $8 multiplied by the population of the affected area.

"Similar legislation has previously passed after other major disasters and those like Sandy and Oklahoma should be no exception," said Arnold Cohen, policy coordinator for the Network. "The package as a whole would be the economic boon our state needs but specifically the Low Income Tax Credit increase will be a huge weight lifted off the shoulders of those unable to afford to remain in their communities. This bill will provide four times more than what we currently receive from the federal government and that is the economic stimulus we need at this time."

The bipartisan coalition sponsoring the Hurricane Sandy Tax Relief Act of 2013 include U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Michael Grimm (R-NY), John Larson (D-CT), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Tom Reed (R-NY) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY).

To learn more about the Hurricane Sandy Tax Relief Act of 2013, visit http://tinyurl.com/nghy5q8.
For more information: Nina Arce
Housing & Community Development Network of NJ
(609) 393-3752 x12
[email protected]
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