On July 8, NAR sent a letterpdf to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, requesting full funding for essential housing programs in the FY 2026 appropriations bill. The letter emphasizes that America faces an unprecedented housing crisis with an inventory shortage making housing increasingly unaffordable and pushing the American Dream of homeownership further out of reach for families.
NAR's funding priorities include maintaining robust support for programs that help communities address the full spectrum of housing needs while supporting efficient real estate transactions by reducing barriers to homeownership.
The letter requests full funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which provides housing stability for millions of families and a consistent source of income for mom-and-pop landlords. The program's success depends on collaboration with local property owners, including many REALTORS®, and benefits both families and property owners participating in the program. Full funding ensures these vital partnerships can continue and expand, supporting housing choice for families and stability for property owners across the country.
NAR also supports robust fair housing enforcement through full funding of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, the Fair Housing Assistance Program, and adequate staffing of HUD's Office of Fair Housing. In the letter, NAR notes that many REALTOR® associations collaborate with local fair housing centers on education and advocacy initiatives, and discrimination in housing can derail transactions, creating costly setbacks for all parties involved.
Additional priority programs include the HUD Housing Counseling Assistance program, which helps first-time buyers navigate an increasingly difficult housing market, and the HOME Investment Partnerships and Community Development Block Grant programs, which provide locally-driven approaches to address pressing housing needs while leveraging private sector investment.