Kamala Harris

Guest columnist

Over the last few weeks in Iowa, an important conversation came up that echoes conversations I’ve heard across the country. The cost of living is rising, and with skyrocketing rents, too many families are struggling each month to keep a roof over their head.

In 99 percent of counties in America, a minimum wage worker, working 40 hours a week, can’t afford a one-bedroom apartment at market rate. State senators like Claire Celsi, Zach Wahls, and Kevin Kinney know first hand what this crisis means to the Iowans they represent.

In Sen. Wahls’ district, mobile home residents, many of them on low and fixed incomes, recently found out that in 60 days, their rent will go up 58 percent. Since then, he’s been working diligently with Sen. Kinney to prevent this from happening again. Sen. Celsi spoke out about the crisis, rightfully pointing out that in Iowa, just like many states, there is not enough of a commitment to providing affordable housing.

Nationally, 21 million Americans pay 30 percent or more of their income on rent and utilities, and in Iowa there are 90,000 extremely low income renter households facing this reality. That’s an unacceptable number of families left with no options for how to put a roof over their heads. And while some claim the economy is going great, the truth is, wages have remained largely flat as rent continues to climb.

When families have to put so much of their income toward housing, it takes an emotional and financial toll. In one of the most prosperous nations on earth, you shouldn’t have to work two or three jobs just to pay your rent and put food on the table.

My mother was all of five feet tall, but if you ever met her, you would have thought she was seven feet tall. She was the kind of parent where if you ever came home complaining about something, she’d look at you and say, “Well, what are you going to do about it?”

That’s why when I continued to hear from families struggling with this issue, I came up with a plan to put money in their pockets.

It’s called the Rent Relief Act. Under my plan, renters who pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing and utilities would be eligible for a refundable tax credit that they could access monthly to help cover their costs. This would ensure that families aren’t priced out of the basic security of a place to live and it would bolster the economic security of working families, strengthen our country, and increase opportunity.

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I believe access to housing is a fundamental right, a human right, a civil right. And as president, I’m going to make sure it’s a priority.

Having a safe place to live and raise your family is about more than shelter, it's about dignity. But for far too many, it’s out of reach. Black and Hispanic households are twice as likely as white households to rent their homes – so the rapidly rising cost of housing is hitting them even harder.

We can solve these problems if we focus on where people really need our help. As president, I’ll work with Sens. Celsi, Wahls, and Kinney, as well as other leaders, to make this relief a reality for Iowa families. I am committed to this cause and so many others. If you’d like to join me, go to Kamalaharris.org to stay in touch with our campaign, one that is completely For The People. I hope to see you around the state soon.

Kamala Harris is a U.S. senator from California and a current Democratic candidate for president of the United States.