At a time when America sorely needed new and better solutions to address its persistent housing challenges, the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act demonstrated that meaningful bipartisan action on housing is still possible. And although it won’t single-handedly cure all that ails our housing market, the legislation offered needed reforms to increase housing supply, modernize federal programs, and expand housing opportunities. But passage of the bill was only the beginning. The focus now turns to implementation to ensure that this landmark legislation delivers tangible results for households and communities.
As federal agencies begin putting the law into practice, housing practitioners continue to confront macroeconomic uncertainty, high costs, inadequate supply, workforce shortages, regulatory shifts, and other factors that make delivering affordable housing difficult.
On December 8, the National Housing Conference (NHC) will gather housing leaders from across the country at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., for our annual Solutions for Affordable Housing convening. This year’s event will focus on how we turn the momentum created in 2026 into results in 2027 and beyond.
Solutions for Affordable Housing brings together policymakers, lenders, developers, advocates, researchers, housing providers, and other stakeholders to identify tangible, impactful, and achievable solutions that can move housing policy and practice forward. Throughout the day, leading voices from across the housing industry will examine the economic, policy, and market forces that will shape our collective work in the year ahead. Cotality’s Chief Economist Selma Hepp will examine the economic forces shaping housing in 2027, including home prices, mortgage rates, inventory, sales, and regional market differences. NAHB President and CEO Jim Tobin, NMHC President Sharon Wilson Géno, and LISC President and CEO Michael Pugh will assess the state of the housing market, the most significant challenges ahead, and the policy and industry actions needed to capitalize on opportunities to expand supply and improve affordability.
What will new leadership mean for the housing agenda in the year ahead?
We will also consider how the midterm elections could shape housing priorities in Congress, the Administration, and state governments, and where opportunities exist for bipartisan collaboration and action.
Housing supply will be a major focus throughout the day. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes provisions intended to enhance development opportunities to facilitate more rapid production of housing, but implementation will ultimately determine how those policies work in practice. We will look at how public attitudes toward development are changing, which zoning and land-use reforms are producing results, and what it takes to translate pro-housing policies into actual homes.
As states are increasingly taking a leading role in advancing housing solutions, we will explore efforts some are taking to remove barriers to production through zoning and permitting changes, infrastructure investment, and regulatory reform. In addition, we will look at the approaches states and localities are taking to leverage shared-equity models, community land trusts, and down payment assistance to make homeownership more attainable.
Increasing housing production also requires having the workforce to build it. Labor shortages, an aging construction workforce, and gaps in the skilled trades are adding time and cost to development. Our discussions will examine training and apprenticeship programs, partnerships with employers and educational institutions, new pathways into the trades, and innovations that can improve construction productivity.
The convening will also tackle some of the most consequential regulatory issues facing the housing community, bringing together differing perspectives on federal civil rights developments, fair housing enforcement, and the ongoing debate over disparate impact. We will consider ways to maintain focus on protecting consumers from discrimination while providing clear and workable standards for housing stakeholders.
Housing finance will be another important part of the conversation. Changes in the macroeconomic environment and proposed changes to community development and housing affordability programs can have significant implications for mortgage credit, affordable housing investment, and community development. We will look at where federal policy is headed, what changes could mean for access to capital and credit, and what the housing community should watch in the year ahead.
Just as no single piece of legislation will solve America’s housing affordability crisis, neither will a single convening. But bringing the right people together, examining what is working, and identifying opportunities are essential next steps on the road to greater housing access and affordability.
That is what Solutions for Affordable Housing is about.
Early bird registration is now open
NHC members receive additional discounted registration rates. With housing leaders from across the country coming together for a full day of substantive conversations and networking, I encourage you to register early.
There are also sponsorship opportunities available for organizations that want 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 community 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.