Since 2003, FSPAC has championed the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act (CHIA) (H.R. 2662 / S. 1420).

CHIA allows 501(c)(3) organizations, like fraternities and sororities, to use tax-deductible donations to build and maintain student housing in the same manner as properties owned and operated by universities. Currently, the tax code only allows colleges and universities to use deductible donations for student housing improvements. This disparity leaves fraternities and sororities at a disadvantage in providing the best quality living experience for its members.

Andrew Bregman, a senior at the University of Alabama, has personally seen the need for CHIA as the President of Chi Phi.

Our fraternity house has been in dire need of certain upgrades, including improvements to our study areas and safety enhancements. With CHIA, these necessary improvements could become a reality, significantly enhancing the quality of life for our fraternity members and future residents.

During the Fraternal Government Relations Coalition (FGRC) Hill Day in April, Bregman met with Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-4) to talk about CHIA and other Greek legislative priorities. Rep. Aderholt signed onto co-sponsor CHIA on May 10, a significant accomplishment for Bregman. FSPAC, along with the North American Interfraternity Conference, the National Panhellenic Conference and the Fraternity and Sorority Action Fund, make up the coalition.

In addition to improving members’ living experiences, CHIA increases college affordability. At most public institutions, students spend more money on room and board than tuition. Universities are able to bring down the overall cost of attendance by Greek organizations providing affordable housing after students complete their on-campus live-in requirement. Colleges often cannot guarantee on-campus housing for all four years. Without non-profit housing options, this leaves students with expensive off-campus, for-profit housing companies as their only choice.

CHIA benefits from long-standing bipartisan support. CHIA has historically garnered support from both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate. In fact, CHIA has had as many as 237 House sponsors and 40 Senate sponsors, making it one of the most popular and bipartisan tax code reforms proposed by Congress in the last few years. So far in the 118^th Congress, CHIA has 12 House cosponsors and 4 Senate cosponsors: 11 Republicans and 6 Democrats.