Opinion: Tackling the Housing Affordability Crisis

National Multifamily Housing Council President Doug Bibby weighs in on what it will take to tackle our nation’s housing affordability crisis. 

In cities and suburbs, in blue states and red, a growing number of hard-working Americans are struggling to find housing they can afford. According to a recent national poll of mayors, housing affordability is the first or second most frequent issue they hear about from constituents for cities large, medium and small. In Nevada, it’s estimated that between now and 2030, 7,733 new apartment homes will need to be built each year to keep up with demand generated by a fast-growing population.

This might explain why many of the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge President Trump have laid out detailed housing proposals in recent months. The candidates must draw on the lessons learned in our great cities, pursuing real solutions to this national challenge — and avoiding the mistakes of the past including rent control.

Elected officials at the state and local level across the country are already experimenting with new policies and exciting public-private partnerships to tackle housing needs in their communities. As the presidential candidates debate housing policy this election season, they should work alongside the mayors and city councils across the country to elevate constructive solutions, and just as importantly, discourage harmful policies.  

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