HOME - Policy
Policy
Transform the federal policy environment and the policy environments in selected states to remove systemic barriers to increase Latino homeownership.
The Home Ownership Means Equity (HOME) initiative is dedicated to transforming the economic trajectory of Latinos by advancing systemic change to enable the creation of 4 million new Hispanic homeowners by 2030. Meeting this goal requires a bold policy agenda, expanding partnerships, deepening community outreach, and elevating the importance of Latino homeownership.
Federal Policy Agenda
Building bipartisan support for housing policies that meet the needs of prospective Hispanic homebuyers.
UnidosUS will:
- Advocate for increased funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Counseling Programs to prepare Latinos and others for homeownership.
- Promote First-Time Homebuyer (FTHB) tax credits to combat the primary barrier of insufficient savings for down payment through a policy brief and legislative advocacy.
- Elevate federal legislation to revitalize distressed urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods by providing federal tax credits to homeowners and developers involved in building and rehabilitating owner-occupied homes
Advancing Administrative and regulatory efforts to improve key housing policies.
UnidosUS will advocate that the Administration:
- Enhance the second round of Equitable Housing Finance Plans.
- Issue a Final Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule that includes robust plans to engage the Latino Community.
- Increase immigrant inclusion by supporting individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) mortgages.
Leveraging state legislature flexibility to address housing issues.
States are at the forefront of addressing the housing affordability crisis, demonstrating the capacity to implement impactful changes through mechanisms that are unavailable at the federal level. For example, ongoing efforts in state zoning reforms and pro-housing supply policies are crucial for increasing the starter home supply and mitigating affordability challenges.
Building power by shaping public discourse, educating the Latino electorate and elevating Hispanic housing leaders.
Our 2024 HOME Policy Agenda is not just a blueprint for legislative and regulatory action, it is a call to amplify the voices and needs of the Latino community. By promoting an accurate narrative of Latino voters and their priorities and enhancing the visibility of housing policy solutions, we aim to place Latino economic empowerment at the forefront of policy discourse.
