Housing for All

Summary:

I. Introduction

II. Stop Wall Street from Buying Our Neighborhoods

III. Expand the VA Home Loan

IV. Support and Expand Community Land Trusts

V. Support and Expand Shared Equity Programs

VI. Support and Expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)

VII. Incentivize Rent-to-Own Programs

VIII. Improve Access and Streamline Section 8 Housing

Every person in this country deserves the security and dignity that comes with owning a home. It’s about more than just four walls — it’s about having a place to build your future, raise your family, and be part of a community. Homeownership is the number one way Americans build equity and generational wealth, and it’s long been the foundation of a strong middle class. It gives people a real stake in their neighborhoods, making them more invested in the well-being of their communities. We must stand up to corporate greed that’s driving housing costs through the roof, while also implementing bold new policies to make homeownership achievable for working families once again.

Here's how I'll fight for you and your family to make housing more affordable:

II. Stop Wall Street from Buying Our Neighborhoods:

I will work to make it illegal for corporations like BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street to buy up entire neighborhoods and drive up housing prices. These massive investment firms use their size, influence, and access to capital to outbid individual buyers, often purchasing hundreds of homes at a time in cash. Because of their scale, they secure bulk deals from developers and benefit from favorable financing terms unavailable to regular families. Then, they convert these homes into long-term rentals, inflating prices and squeezing out first-time buyers. Homeownership should be for families, not large investors.

III. Expand the VA Home Loan:

Make homeownership more affordable by creating a new loan program modeled after the VA home loan system—one that offers the same proven benefits to millions of hardworking Americans. This new program would extend zero down payments, low interest rates, and no mortgage insurance requirements to those who serve our communities every day, including members of the Reserves, National Guard, health workers, first responders, teachers, public employees, and potentially those in other industries. Leveraging the highly successful VA-backed loan program will make housing significantly more affordable without adding a single cent to the national debt.

IV. Support and Expand Community Land Trusts:

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations that acquire and hold land in trust to ensure long-term housing affordability. In a typical CLT model, residents own their homes but lease the land from the trust, keeping prices stable and accessible. Homeowners build equity while agreeing to resale restrictions that maintain affordability for future buyers.

To strengthen and expand CLTs nationwide, we should increase federal and state funding for land acquisition, provide technical assistance to local governments and nonprofits, and support policies that allow residents to build equity through shared appreciation or gradual buy-ins. Additionally, we should create pathways for residents who wish to eventually purchase the land itself, offering full ownership opportunities that enable working families to build greater wealth, deepen their stake in their communities, and preserve affordability for generations to come.

V. Support and Expand Shared Equity Programs:

Shared Equity Programs help make homeownership more accessible by partnering with buyers to lower upfront costs—typically through down payment assistance or co-investment in the property. In exchange, homeowners agree to share a portion of the home’s future appreciation, ensuring affordability for buyers. To strengthen these programs, we should expand funding and eligibility while also creating pathways for participants to convert to full ownership over time. 

VI. Support and Expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC):

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is the nation’s primary tool for incentivizing the development of affordable rental housing through tax credits to private developers. While it has successfully expanded access to low-cost rentals, we should modernize LIHTC to include pathways to ownership—such as converting rental units to affordable condos or co-ops after a set period. By pairing LIHTC projects with homeownership education and down payment assistance, we can help renters transition into owners, enabling low-income families to build equity and invest in their communities.

VII. Incentivize Rent-to-Own Programs:

Incentivize rent-to-own programs that allow renters to earn credits toward purchasing their homes while reducing the upfront payment typically required in traditional agreements. By offering higher rent credits and extending the payment period, we can lower monthly payments, giving renters more time to save for a down payment and gradually build equity. This extended period allows renters to manage their finances more easily, gather the necessary funds, and work toward full ownership without the immediate financial strain of traditional home buying.

VIII. Improve Access and Streamline Section 8 Housing:

In cases where homeownership is just not possible, we want to extend housing assistance to more families. Section 8, a federal program established in 1974, helps low-income families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities afford rental housing by subsidizing a portion of their rent. This support ensures participants pay only a portion of their income toward housing, with the program covering the rest. However, the current system often leaves families waiting months, even years, for help, while rental costs continue to rise. I've heard from landlords who feel discouraged by the process, with paperwork "as thick as a phone book," and tenants who also struggle with navigating the application. To address these concerns, we must streamline the application process for both tenants and landlords and make it more available to those in need.