Central Missouri News

U.S. Representatives Mark Alford and Emanuel Cleaver, both from Missouri, have joined the Honorary Congressional Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy. They are joined by Representative Scott Peters from California in this initiative aimed at addressing America's housing challenges.

The council is composed of 18 bipartisan members of Congress who are committed to improving housing affordability and accessibility nationwide. "The housing affordability crisis requires a collective response," said Congressman Mark Alford. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts from lawmakers across party lines to deliver effective solutions, including cutting bureaucratic red tape and promoting affordable housing access.

Congressman Cleaver echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the crisis cannot be solved by one party or policy alone. "It’s going to take collective action from good-faith lawmakers of every background and across all ideologies to address these challenges," he stated. As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, Cleaver looks forward to working with the council to tackle issues such as zoning laws, housing construction, and cost reduction.

Dennis Shea, executive director of the J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Reps. Alford, Cleaver, and Peters to the council. "Their diverse experiences and deep commitment to housing will be invaluable as we work to increase the supply of affordable homes," Shea noted.

The J. Ronald Terwilliger Center is focused on advancing bipartisan solutions for national affordability and accessibility challenges through research and stakeholder engagement. The Bipartisan Policy Center aims to facilitate cross-party collaboration among policymakers to develop durable laws that improve lives.

For media inquiries related to Congressman Alford, contact Lauren Hanemann at Lauren.Hanemann@mail.house.gov.