Washington, D.C., May 12, 2026 — David M. Dworkin, President and CEO of the National Housing Conference (NHC), released the following statement on bipartisan congressional efforts to increase housing supply, improve affordability, and expand access to both homeownership and rental housing opportunities across the country:
“President Trump’s support for the first major housing supply and reform legislation in decades is essential to moving meaningful housing legislation across the finish line at a time when affordability challenges continue to put both renting and homeownership out of reach for millions of Americans.
The Senate’s proposal to ban institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes reflects not only the President’s priorities, but the growing urgency of preserving homeownership opportunities for first-time buyers who are increasingly being priced out of the market.
Housing remains a major driver of discontent among Americans. A registered nurse can no longer afford to buy a home in 217 metro areas – 146 more than in 2019. A middle school teacher can’t afford to buy one in 299 metro areas, up from 114 in 2019. And 7,968 new occupation and metro area pairings can no longer afford to rent a one-bedroom apartment over the same period, according to NHC’s Paycheck to Paycheck database.
The House should move quickly to pass its bill and conference it with the Senate to finalize legislation that builds on this strong bipartisan foundation. The House approach can further strengthen the final package by ensuring it is fully consistent with the President’s executive order while doing everything possible to support the construction of much-needed housing for both homebuyers and renters. Misguided language that effectively bans the construction of single-family rental units was specifically excluded in the President’s Executive Order for good reason and should remain out of the legislation.
At a time when housing affordability remains out of reach for too many Americans, Congress has an opportunity to take meaningful action to expand housing supply, strengthen communities, and restore pathways to homeownership.”
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About the National Housing Conference (NHC): Founded in 1931, the National Housing Conference is the oldest and broadest housing coalition in America. NHC is a diverse continuum of affordable housing stakeholders who convene and collaborate through dialogue, advocacy, research, and education, to develop equitable solutions that serve our common interest—an America where everyone is able to live in a quality, affordable home in a thriving community. Politically diverse and nonpartisan, NHC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. To learn more about NHC, visit www.nhc.org.