1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Housing America’s Workforce Act of 2017 . 2. Findings and Purposes (a) Findings The Congress finds the following: (1) Resurgent housing markets are pricing out low- and moderate-income families and are producing few lower-cost units. (2) In many markets, housing costs have far outgrown the rate of inflation and the gap between wages and housing costs is widening, pushing affordable housing beyond the reach of an increasing number of working families. (3) Despite some of the lowest mortgage rates in our Nation’s history, millions of working families still find it extremely difficult to rent or purchase a home. Many workers who fill jobs that provide the backbone of our communities—teachers, firefighters, and police officers—often cannot afford to live in the communities in which they serve. (4) The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers housing affordable when a family spends no more than 30 percent of its monthly income on rent and utilities. Entry-level wage earners with annual incomes of up to $30,000 spending no more than 30 percent of their income on rent can only afford to pay up to $750 for rent. In the high job growth areas, such rents are not readily available. (5) Affordable housing is the key to creating and sustaining healthy, economically vibrant communities. (6) The lack of affordable housing across the United States has been shown to cause or contribute to labor shortages. (7) Under employer-assisted housing (EAH) programs employers provide much needed housing assistance to their employees. (8) EAH programs are innovative local solutions that have increased affordable housing opportunities for thousands of working families across America while benefiting the economy. (9) According to findings of the Rutgers University American Affordable Housing Institute, employer-assisted housing increases productivity by reducing commuting time as well as saves money on recruitment and retention. (10) The future growth of EAH programs