Category: Housing

HUD Nominee Scott Turner Outlines Housing Policy Priorities in Senate Hearing

Posted on by Abigail Grenadier

Scott Turner, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), emphasized the transformative potential of Opportunity Zones (OZs) and collaboration with the private sector during his Senate nomination hearing on Thursday. (The Hill, Jan. 16)

Senate Hearing Recap

  • At the hearing, members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs asked HUD nominee Scott Turner how he would address pressing housing challenges, including the affordable housing crisis, the rising rate of homelessness, and HUD reform. (Turner Testimony)

  • There is an estimated shortage of 5.5 million housing units, resulting in high rents and home prices in many parts of the country. Additionally, HUD released its 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, which found an 18 percent increase in the estimated point-in-time count of homeless individuals from 2023 to 2024.

  • Speaking on the housing challenges facing the country, Turner said, “We have a housing crisis in our country. We have the American people and families that are struggling every day…HUD, if you will, is failing at its most basic mission, and that has to come to an end.”

  • Turner continued, “As a country, we’re not building enough housing. We need millions of homes, all kinds of homes, multifamily, single-family, duplex, condo, manufacturing housing, you name it…I believe that we need to bring HUD staff back to the office to do the job and empower them to serve the American people.”

HUD Nominee’s Policy Priorities

  • Turner, who previously ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term, highlighted Opportunity Zones, public-private partnerships, and tailored local solutions as key elements of his plan to address the housing crisis.

  • As executive director of the Council, Turner was responsible for carrying out the implementation of Opportunity Zones, which were passed as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA).

  • The Roundtable—along with 22 other real estate organizations—urged the Senate to approve Turner’s nomination, writing in a Jan. 14 letter to the Senate committee that Turner is well-equipped to lead as Secretary of HUD.

The Power of Opportunity Zones

  • RER has long championed Opportunity Zones (OZs) as a transformative tool to stimulate economic growth and increase the supply of affordable housing in low-income areas. By creating tax incentives for investments in designated low-income census tracts, OZs have channeled investment into areas most in need.

  • Since its inception, the Opportunity Zones program has raised nearly $100 billion in private capital, catalyzed the creation of more than 500,000 jobs, and spurred multifamily housing developments in underserved areas. 20% of multifamily units under construction were located in OZs as of early 2024. (The New Localism, Jan. 9)

  • Given the program’s success, prominent experts, including Bruce Katz (Founding Director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University) and Steven G. Glickman (co-founder and former CEO of the Economic Innovation Group, former senior economic adviser in the Obama White House) have advocated for making OZs a permanent part of the tax code to ensure its long-term benefits. (Governing, Jan. 2)

  • RER has called on Congress to improve and extend the program, which is set to expire along with other key provisions of the TCJA at the end of this year.

RER will continue to work with policymakers in Congress and officials at HUD to build on the success of programs like Opportunity Zones. Through bipartisan policies that harness the power of the private sector to significantly increase the supply of affordable housing, the U.S. can make meaningful progress toward ending the housing crisis.

Real Estate Coalition Supports Affordable Housing Legislation

Posted on by Abigail Grenadier

On Tuesday, a coalition of national real estate associations, including The Real Estate Roundtable (RER), wrote to Congress urging support for the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act (ROAD) to Housing Act, (S. 5027 | H.R. 990). Introduced by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Representative French Hill (R-AR), this comprehensive legislation aims to make housing more affordable and widely available. (Letter, Dec. 10)

Addressing Housing Affordability

  • The nation faces a persistent housing affordability crisis rooted in a critical shortage of supply. Addressing this challenge requires bipartisan solutions that foster collaboration across government agencies, industry stakeholders, and policymakers.
  • The coalition praised the bill as “a step forward in addressing the root cause of housing affordability challenges—supply shortages.” (Letter, Dec. 10)
  • The key pillars of the bill are increasing access to affordable housing, promoting opportunity, incentivizing local solutions, and ensuring proper oversight and accountability over federal housing programs. (Sen. Scott Press Release, Sept. 12)
  • Rep. French Hill (R-AR) said, “With the ROAD to Housing Act, we are taking real steps toward creating a housing market that benefits everyone—renters, homeowners, and families striving for stability. I thank my friend Senator Tim Scott for spearheading this legislation in the Senate.” (Rep. Hill Press Release, Oct. 15)
  • The letter emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration in crafting sustainable, effective housing policy solutions.

ROAD to Housing Act

  • The ROAD to Housing Act introduces targeted reforms and initiatives, including:
  • Enhanced financial literacy and housing counseling: Empowering individuals with tools to navigate homeownership and rental markets.
  • HUD’s Moving to Work (MTW) program: Fully authorizing this initiative to improve housing outcomes for low-income families. The MTW program helps public housing authorities and agencies implement innovative solutions that support affordable housing goals
  • Boosting affordable housing construction: Encouraging development through construction grants and support for small-dollar mortgage lending.
  • Opportunity Zones focus: Promoting affordable housing projects in designated Opportunity Zones to drive investment in underserved areas.
  • Federal coordination: Establishing regular dialogue between federal agencies and Congress to align housing policies with on-the-ground needs.

The Roundtable and its coalition partners will continue to educate and collaborate with policymakers to advance the ROAD to Housing Act and ensure that housing supply and affordability remain top priorities.

Impact of Rate Cuts on CRE and Housing Markets

Posted on by Abigail Grenadier

The Federal Reserve’s recent decision to cut rates renewed optimism in the commercial real estate market, following a prolonged period of high interest rates and economic headwinds. This monetary easing is seen as critical to the CRE sector’s path to recovery—reducing financing costs and helping stabilize property valuations.

Industry Insights

  • These predicted rate cuts, alongside lower bond yields, are expected to boost commercial real estate investment activity and asset values. (CBRE, Sept. 18)
  • Roundtable member Willy Walker (CEO, Walker & Dunlop) appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box, to discuss the importance of removing barriers such as zoning restrictions to increase housing supply. “It’s going to be a very healthy market for commercial real estate as rates start to come down.” (Watch)
  • Roundtable member David O’Reilly (CEO, Howard Hughes Holdings) discussed the resurgence of new construction in the housing market on Fox Business, anticipating that home prices will stabilize in response to interest rates cuts, influencing both demand and affordability. He also highlighted the effects of prolonged high rates on pricing and market trends. “As long as those rates continue to trend lower… demand picks up, more sales occur, prices will remain steady as home builders continue to deliver more supply to meet that demand.” (Watch)

Housing Affordability at the Forefront

  • The Senate Budget Committee, chaired by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), held a hearing this Wednesday, Sept. 25, on housing unaffordability. The hearing focused on the need for significant policy reform to boost housing supply, remove regulatory barriers to new construction, and deregulate land use and zoning. (Watch Hearing)
  • Chair Whitehouse introduced the Affordable Housing Construction Act, which aims to tackle the housing crisis by expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, loosening financing requirements, and ensuring affordability for 50 years— an increase from the previous 30-year mark. (Sen. Whitehouse News Release)
  • The bill also pushes for more sustainable, energy-efficient, and accessible housing.

Rate cuts from the Fed are providing relief for both CRE and housing markets, but sustained recovery and resolution of the affordability crisis will require continued policy reform, increased housing supply, and greater collaboration between public and private sectors.

New Study on Rent Control Shows Proposals Impede Housing Production

Posted on by Abigail Grenadier

In July, the White House announced a nationwide rent control plan that aims to cap rent increases at 5%. Owners of rental housing would only be able to take advantage of depreciation write-offs if they limit annual rent increases to no more than 5%, effectively trading depreciation deductions for price controls.

Economists on Rent Control Proposals

  • The White House’s recent rent control plan, while intended to make renting more affordable, would impede the production of much-needed housing, particularly for affordable units. (RW, July 19)
  • Last week, The Roundtable and a coalition of national real estate associations, wrote to President Biden expressing strong opposition to the proposed rent control measures. (RW, July 26)
  • Economists across the political spectrum widely agree that rent control is a discredited policy. Jason Furman, the former Obama administration’s top White House economist, asserts that rent control would worsen housing supply issues instead of solving them.
  • A recent study by the University of Chicago surveyed 45 economists from elite institutions, revealing near-universal agreement that national rent control measures would do little to aid Americans and would ultimately worsen the housing shortage. (NMHC, July 30)

Survey Findings:

  • No economist agreed rent control would substantially reduce income inequality.
  • 2% of economists surveyed agreed that a national rent cap would substantially improve the lives of middle-income Americans over the next 10 years.
  • 62% of the economists agreed or strongly agreed that the Administration’s rent cap proposal would substantially reduce the amount of available apartments over the next 10 years, compared to 7% who disagreed.

The Roundtable will continue to encourage policymakers to enact measures that will expand the nation’s housing infrastructure, develop more affordable units and reduce the costs of housing. 

Real Estate Coalition Opposes Federal Rent Control Proposal

Posted on by Abigail Grenadier

On Monday, a coalition of national real estate associations, including The Real Estate Roundtable, wrote to President Biden expressing strong opposition to recently proposed nationwide rent control measures. (Letter)

Key Points

  • Last week, the White House announced a nationwide rent control plan that aims to cap rent increases at 5%. Owners of rental housing would only be able to take advantage of depreciation write-offs if they limit annual rent increases to no more than 5%, effectively trading depreciation deductions for price controls. (Roundtable Weekly, July 19)
  • Negative impacts of rent control: Rent control consistently leads to instability in the housing market and reduced supply, undermining efforts to foster a healthy and equitable housing environment.
  • Economic consensus: Economists across the political spectrum widely agree that rent control is a discredited policy. Jason Furman, the former Obama administration’s top White House economist, asserts that rent control would worsen housing supply issues instead of solving them.
  • Disincentive for investment: Rent control discourages necessary housing investments, particularly in areas with limited affordable options. It disproportionately benefits higher-income renters, impeding access for lower-income households.

Coalition Recommendations

  • Increase housing subsidies: Instead of imposing rent control, the coalition urges the administration to increase subsidies for those in need and to work with housing providers on solutions that expand the affordable housing supply.
  • Support proven solutions: The coalition advocates for enhancing federal programs such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and Section 8, which have been effective in creating and preserving affordable housing units.

Industry Testimony

  • On Wednesday, the House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing, “Housing Solutions: Cutting Through Government Red Tape” to discuss the nation’s housing affordability crisis and burdensome federal government reviews and permitting processes.
  • NMHC Chair Schloemer stated in his testimony, “Decades of research shows that rent regulation devastates rental housing quality and harms affordability. The Biden administration proposal to cap rents will not add a single new unit of housing, and, in fact worsens housing availability and quality.”
  • Hastening the permit approval process must be a critical part of any policy legislation aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing. (NYT, July 8)

The Roundtable and the coalition will continue to educate policymakers about and push back against flawed rent control policies while advocating for bipartisan solutions to boost supply and affordability.

White House Calls on Congress to Enact Federal Rent Price Control Measure, Eliminate Depreciation Write-Offs to Help Reduce Housing Costs

Posted on by Abigail Grenadier

This week, the White House unveiled a nationwide rent price control plan that calls on Congress to “pass legislation giving . . . landlords a choice to either cap rent increases on existing units at 5% or risk losing current valuable federal tax breaks.” (White House Fact Sheet)

While the package is focused on imposing flawed rent price control policies and eliminating long-standing depreciation write-offs, it also includes policies to help build more housing. (WSJ, July 16)

Housing Proposals

  • Under President Biden’s plan, beginning this year and for the next two years, owners of rental housing would only be able to take advantage of faster depreciation write-offs if they limit annual rent increases to no more than 5%, effectively trading depreciation deductions for rent price controls.
  • This would apply to landlords with over 50 units in their portfolio, covering more than 20 million units nationwide—nearly half the U.S. rental market. It would include an exception for new construction and substantial renovation or rehabilitation. (White House Fact Sheet)
  • While intended to make renting more affordable, these proposals would impede the production of much-needed housing, particularly for affordable units. (Bloomberg, July 17)
  • The Biden-Harris Housing Plan also includes initiatives to:
    • Call on all federal agencies to assess surplus federal land that can be repurposed to build more affordable housing;
    • Rehabilitate distressed housing, build more affordable housing, and revitalize neighborhoods; and
    • Authorize $325 million in Choice Neighborhoods grants under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to build new deeply-affordable homes and spur economic development in communities across the country.
  • The proposal would require congressional action to become law.

FHFA Proposed Tenant Protections

  • This is the first time tenant protections will be a standard component of Enterprise multifamily financing.   
  • These protections apply to future loans acquired by the Enterprises and would include:
    • Requiring 30-day notice before rent increases;
    • Requiring 30-day notice on lease expiration; and
    • Providing a 5-day grace period before imposing late fees on rental payments.

Industry & Roundtable Response

(L-R): Heidi Sommer (POLITICO), Jeffrey DeBoer (The Real Estate Roundtable), and Shannon McGahn (National Association of Realtors)
  • This week at the Republican National Convention, our National Real Estate Organizations (NREO) partnered with POLITICO to host a series of discussions on the elections, affordable housing, revitalizing cities, the commercial real estate industry, and proactive policy solutions. (Watch here)
  • The Roundtable’s President & CEO Jeffrey DeBoer was a featured speaker alongside Shannon McGahn (National Association of Realtors), joining Heidi Sommer (POLITICO) for a discussion on affordable housing, upcoming tax priorities, interest rates, and the economy.
  • DeBoer stated in response to the administration’s recent rent cap proposal, “Rent control is fundamentally flawed and historically ineffective. Wage and price controls, even during wartime, have consistently failed to deliver the intended results. Implementing such measures now will only exacerbate the root cause of America’s housing problem by discouraging new housing development and reducing investment in existing housing.”

The Roundtable is developing comments on the proposed plans and will continue work to enact measures that will help spur the expansion of America’s affordable housing infrastructure.