What will it take to expand housing supply, improve affordability, and turn policy priorities into meaningful progress in 2027? These questions will be at the center of the National Housing Conference’s (NHC) annual Solutions for Affordable Housing convening at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on December 8.
This convening will assemble policymakers, lenders, developers, advocates, researchers, housing providers, and other leaders from across the country to examine the economic, political, and regulatory forces shaping housing in the year —and years—ahead. Through a series of timely discussions, participants will explore tangible, achievable, and impactful solutions to increase housing production, expand access to homeownership and rental housing, address workforce challenges, and navigate a changing policy landscape.
The convening comes at a critical time for the housing industry. Implementation of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is underway, a new Congress will soon be seated, and persistent economic challenges continue to roil the nation’s housing markets. Discussions will focus not only on the difficulties we face, but also on the innovations and solutions that can move us forward. Here is a brief look at what’s in store for those attending the event.
What lies ahead for the housing market in 2027?
Cotality Chief Economist Selma Hepp will set the stage by examining the economic forces shaping housing in 2027, including home prices, mortgage rates, inventory, sales, and regional market differences. Selma’s presentation will be followed by a discussion of the state of the housing market led by Wall Street Journal reporter Rebecca Picciotto. She will be joined by NAHB President and CEO Jim Tobin, NMHC President Sharon Wilson Géno, LISC President and CEO Michael Pugh, and Council of Federal Home Loan Banks President and CEO Ryan Donovan to discuss the most significant issues affecting housing supply and affordability and the policy and industry actions needed to address them.
The session After the Election: What’s Next for Affordable Housing? will explore how the election results could shape housing priorities in Congress, the Administration, and state governments. This discussion will feature Ralph Perrey, Executive Director of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency; Marisa Calderón, President and CEO of Prosperity Now; and Bryan Greene, Vice President of Policy Advocacy at the National Association of REALTORS®, to examine opportunities for continued bipartisan progress, emerging policy priorities, and the debates likely to shape the housing agenda in 2027.
How can we expand housing supply and overcome barriers to development?
Housing supply will be a major focus throughout the day. The session From NIMBY to YIMBY: What’s Working will examine how public attitudes toward housing development are changing, which zoning and land-use reforms are producing results, and what it takes to translate pro-housing policies into new homes. Joining the discussion will be Sara Bronin, Founder & CEO of National Zoning Atlas, and Beth Sorce, Senior Director of Housing Stability at Rocket Companies.
In recent years, states have taken a more active role in advancing housing solutions for their citizens. States Taking the Lead: New Approaches to Housing Supply will explore efforts to remove barriers to housing production through zoning and permitting reforms, infrastructure investment, and innovative approaches to making renting and homeownership more attainable. Featured speakers include Jacob Day, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and Kathryn Watts, Senior Vice President of Field Operations at NeighborWorks® America.
Expanding housing production also requires a skilled construction workforce. Building the Workforce to Build More Housing will examine how labor shortages, an aging construction workforce, and gaps in the skilled trades are affecting housing development. The session will consider strategies to strengthen the housing construction workforce, including training and apprenticeship programs, partnerships with employers and educational institutions, new pathways into the trades, and innovations that can improve construction productivity.
How are market forces and federal policies affecting housing finance?
The session Wall Street and Main Street: Affordability at a Crossroads will bring together Chris Killian, Managing Director and Head of Securitization at SIFMA; Laurie Goodman, Founder of the Housing Finance Policy Center at the Urban Institute; Heather Long, Chief Economist at Navy Federal Credit Union; and Michael Calhoun, President of the Center for Responsible Lending. Moderated by Sam Valverde, Managing Director at Falcon Capital Advisors, the discussion will examine how broader financial market trends are affecting mortgage affordability, consumer sentiment, and the availability of affordable rental housing.
Federal housing finance policy will also be in focus. The Regulatory Outlook for Housing Finance, moderated by Keith Bickel, Senior Vice President of Public Policy at Bank of America, will feature Nanci L. Weissgold, Partner at Alston & Bird; Pete Carroll, Executive Vice President of Public Policy and Industry Relations at Cotality; and Gisele Roget, Founding Principal of Overbrook Square Group. Panelists will examine the regulatory landscape heading into 2027, including proposals affecting the Community Reinvestment Act, Duty to Serve, and other programs that influence access to credit, housing investment, and community development.
What does the changing fair housing landscape mean for housing stakeholders?
The convening will also tackle some of the most consequential civil rights and regulatory issues facing the housing community. In Fair Housing in a Changing Policy Landscape, Lisa Rice, President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance; Laura Arce, Senior Vice President for Economic Initiatives at UnidosUS; and Arthur Gailes, Research Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, will join NHC’s President and CEO David Dworkin for a discussion of federal civil rights developments, emerging legal and regulatory questions, and the direction of fair housing enforcement. The conversation will consider the implications for housing providers, lenders, communities, and consumers.
Join us on December 8
Just as no single policy or program will solve America’s housing affordability crisis, neither will a single convening. But bringing some of the sharpest minds in housing together to consider what is working and to identify opportunities for collaboration and action is one of the ways we can advance housing access and affordability.
That is what Solutions for Affordable Housing is about.
Registration is open, with discounted rates available to NHC members. With housing leaders from across the country coming together for a full day of substantive conversations and networking, I encourage you to join us.
There are also sponsorship opportunities available for organizations that would like to demonstrate their commitment to advancing practical solutions to the nation’s housing challenges. Sponsorship provides an opportunity to support the convening while connecting with leaders from across the housing community.
As we look toward 2027, the housing industry has an opportunity to build on the growing national focus on affordability and supply to translate momentum into meaningful progress. I hope you will join us on December 8 at the National Press Club and be part of what comes next for housing in America.