Democratic Platform Cites Need To Expand Housing Opportunities
Despite claiming credit for the longest and most prosperous economic expansion in the nation’s history, the Democratic Party Platform conceded that, “In too many communities, however, owning or renting an affordable home seems an impossible dream.” “That declaration in the Democratic platform shows why we believe it is so important to develop a national housing policy to expand homeownership opportunities, increase the supply of affordable rental housing and reduce the number of Americans still living in substandard shelter or paying too much of their incomes for housing,” said Robert Mitchell, a home builder from Rockville, Md., and president of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Even though homeownership rates are at record levels, millions of working American families have critical housing needs and must spend more than half of their income for housing or live in severely substandard units, Mitchell added. In an effort to elevate housing as a national priority, NAHB testified last month before the Democratic Party Platform Committee, and Mitchell and an NAHB delegation are attending the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles to discuss key housing issues with the Democratic leadership. In addition, NAHB is calling on Democrats to support recommendations outlined in “Housing Policy for the 21st Century,” a joint policy statement on housing adopted by NAHB and four other organizations that represent 12 million workers who build, sell and finance housing, in order to address the very real problems affecting housing and meet the nation’s crucial housing needs. “We are pleased that the Democratic Party Platform has acknowledged housing’s profound significance by setting forth a national housing policy goal promoting the American dream of homeownership as a ‘foundation for building wealth and economic security for families, and it provides a vital anchor enabling neighborhoods to thrive,’” said Mitchell. “The platform also reiterates support for critical housing tax incentives such as the mortgage interest deduction and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, which is one of the few tools available to increase the availability of affordable rental housing.” In high-growth job markets where housing demand is strongest, Mitchell noted that rampant no-growth sentiments and excessive regulations are unnecessarily driving up the cost of housing, depriving tens of thousands of young American families of the chance to achieve the American dream of homeownership and affordable rental housing. “Those who are priced out of these markets are teachers, police and firefighters – the communities’ most vital service providers,” Mitchell added. The Democratic plank appears to recognize this serious situation, stating: “We must ensure that housing costs in thriving communities do not outpace the income of middle class families. We must encourage the renovation and construction of affordable housing closer to places of work and to mass transit so workers can get to their jobs without being tied up in traffic for hours.” “Housing Policy for the 21st Century” lays out a set of principles to guide the development of a national housing policy for both political parties to consider as the presidential campaign season gets into full swing. “NAHB believes that housing is not a Democratic or a Republican issue,” said Mitchell. “It is a national issue that deserves the support of both the Democratic and Republican parties and presidential nominees.” The key section on housing in the Democratic Party Platform reads as follows: “Democrats are committed to building an America in which no neighborhood or town see joblessness and shuttered businesses commonplace or inevitable, and where no families or young adults surrender their God-given right to work hard and live the American dream. “Part of that dream is homeownership. Under Democratic leadership, we have achieved an all-time high in homeownership, including among groups that have historically been left out. We are committed to continuing this progress, because homeownership is a foundation for building wealth and economic security for families, and it provides a vital anchor enabling neighborhoods to thrive. In too many communities, however, owning or renting an affordable home seems an impossible dream.
Al Gore and Democrats have long defended the mortgage interest deduction and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and believe we must reinvigorate our communities and support our families through partnerships and targeted investments and eliminating community redlining by lenders that will better harness the power of markets to create the housing we need. We must pay down the debt to keep interest rates low. We need to create a continuum of care for homeless people so that they get help in getting themselves off the streets and back on their feet. We must ensure that housing costs in thriving communities do not outpace the income of middle class families. We must expand the supply of life cycle housing. We must encourage the renovation and construction of affordable housing closer to places of work and to mass transit so workers can get to their jobs without being tied up in traffic for hours.” | 
