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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org
Bipartisan group of housing experts proposes national guidelines for housing reform
Hoping to set a new direction for federal housing policy, a bipartisan group of leading housing experts and policymakers today released a new report, Housing America’s Future: New Directions for National Policy, which details a set of principles and guidelines for creating a more resilient housing system. Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), was among the commissioners on the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Housing Commission who came together to discuss strategies and solutions for tackling some of the nation’s largest housing challenges. NCLR applauds the Housing Commission, under the leadership of former Sens. George Mitchell, Mel Martinez and Christopher Bond and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros, for continuing to push for solutions to this neglected but incredibly important issue.
“We’re thankful that the BPC gave us a seat at the table, because as bad as the housing crisis has been for most Americans, it’s been especially hard on Latinos families, who are struggling to stay above water,” said Murguía. “If we’re serious about stabilizing our housing market and getting our economy back on track, we must make sure that our housing policy works for Latinos, who will make up half of all homebuyers by 2020.”
The report focuses on a wide variety of issues that are both ailing and changing the overall housing market, including the housing finance system, mortgage affordability, rental assistance, changing demographics and tax incentives and credits for homeowners. NCLR specifically lent its expertise by helping to develop a set of principles that will ensure an accessible and affordable housing market for all families, including Latinos.
“Right now there are far too many Latinos who should be able to afford a home and access mortgage loans but can’t,” added Murguía. “We want to make sure that government guarantees to back mortgages are available to everyone who qualifies. Everybody deserves access to a good loan regardless of where they live or what language they speak.”
The report was developed after a thorough 16-month process that included roundtable discussions, regional housing forums, expert research and an overall broad engagement strategy with local housing providers and practitioners. To learn more about the Housing Commission, please visit http://bipartisanpolicy.org/projects/housing.
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