In this crucial election year, NAHB is working hard to focus attention on housing and to elevate it as a national priority.
As part of that effort, we have compiled a "Top 10" list of critical points about housing that all candidates for public office need to know. I'd like to share that list with you because these are important concerns, and our industry will have a much greater impact if we speak with a unified voice on these issues. The "Top 10" critical points as identified by NAHB are:
10. Housing is an engine of economic growth and is leading the recovery.
9. Housing creates good paying jobs.
8. Housing generates wealth for individuals and the nation.
7. There is a major housing gap, and millions still struggle for decent, affordable shelter. Moreover, the minority homeownership rate is 25 points below white households.
6. The job of housing America is far from complete, and builders will need to construct 18 million new homes and apartments over the next decade to keep up with population growth.
5. There is growing need for affordable housing for America's workers.
4. Smart growth is key to meeting the nation's housing needs.
3. Credit is the lifeblood of the housing market.
2. Meeting the housing needs of the underserved is essential.
1. Housing must be a national priority.
I hope you will join me in emphasizing these important points to candidates during the final days of the election campaign. By reaffirming their commitment to housing, the next Congress and Administration can help fulfill the promise of the Housing Act of 1949, which set a goal of "a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family."
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