While recent data suggests that housing supply is improving in many parts of the country, the National League of Cities (NLC) is beefing up an initiative to make sure that the issue of supply is addressed head-on.
The National Association of REALTORS® announced on Aug. 6 that it’s joining the American Planning Association and the National Association of Home Builders to help NLC is ramp up its America’s Housing Comeback initiative.
America’s Housing Comeback aims to accelerate community progress on housing supply issues using the solutions, systems and partnership approach outlined in the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook, NLC says.
The initiative will bring federal attention to policies that are successful at the state and local level, as well as promote public-private partnerships to boost supply.
“Housing attainability is a top priority for cities regardless of size, but addressing housing at scale also means upgrading or expanding public infrastructure, investing in skills training and growing the workforce, and improving systems that safeguard the health and safety of our nation’s housing stock,” says Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and executive director of the National League of Cities. “Local leaders are ready to build and improve the partnerships necessary to address these and other issues fundamental to housing supply.”
Joining America’s Housing Comeback is one of a variety of ways that NAR advocates for housing supply and affordability at the state and local level. NAR has also focused on zoning reform, improving the permitting process for new builds and educating the public about policies that have negative impacts on affordability.
“A hallmark of NAR advocacy is our ability to bring respected research and policy to the table at the state, local and federal levels. This partnership with NLC, APA and NAHB will be another important tool to increase housing supply and build on the momentum for action to address affordability, says NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn. “NAR is honored to be joining the America's Housing Comeback initiative and continuing to advocate for homeownership.”
