HOME - Policy
Policy
Transform the federal policy environment and the policy environments in selected states to reduce systemic barriers and increase Latino homeownership.
UnidosUS’s Home Ownership Means Equity (HOME) initiative is dedicated to transforming the economic trajectory of Latinos by advancing systemic change to add 4 million new Hispanic homeowners by 2030. We’re more than halfway to meeting this goal, but the work ahead of us requires a bold policy agenda, an expansion of partnerships, deep community outreach and an elevation of the importance of Latino homeownership.
Federal Policy Agenda
Home Ownership Means Equity (HOME)
UnidosUS envisions a prosperous America that supports every family in their housing journey. We have an ambitious goal of adding 4 million new Hispanic homeowners by 2030. To support this goal, we champion policy solutions in which Latino and other working-class families can build wealth, achieve upward mobility and become homeowners.
Our HOME policy agenda seeks to move every family along in their housing journey — preparing tomorrow’s first-time homebuyers, supporting prospective homeowners and helping current homeowners preserve the value of their wealth.
In 2025, the third year of our HOME policy agenda, we will:
- Building of more “starter homes” that are affordable to first-time homebuyers.
- Modernizing mortgage credit and underwriting rules.
- Protecting homeowner equity and legacy.
I. Build more “starter homes” affordable to first-time homebuyers.
- Establish a federal tax credit to incent the building and rehabilitating of homes for homeownership by enacting the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act.
- Promote bipartisan legislation to expand housing supply and affordability by cutting regulatory barriers and boosting homeownership opportunities such as manufactured housing.
- Enhance Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) financing products for construction and rehabilitation, such as the 203(k) program and construction-to-permanent financing.
- Advance policies that reduce zoning barriers to building homes and streamline permitting and building approval processes.
- Champion reasonable immigration policies that address labor shortages in the residential construction sector.
II. Modernize mortgage credit rules and underwriting practices.
- Preserve the critical role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in our nation’s liquid and stable housing finance system and in ensuring broad access to affordable mortgage credit.
- Protect federal funding for HUD’s Housing Counseling Assistance program and advocate for legislation to expand financial literacy education.
- Foster a level playing field by honoring our fair housing and equal credit laws.
- Modernize underwriting approaches, such as expansion of positive rent reporting and better serving of self-employed and multi-earner households.
III. Protect homeowner equity and legacy.
- Identify and promote policy solutions for heirs’ property that preserve housing stability, protect home values, and safeguard generational wealth.
- Advocate for a comprehensive and fair disaster relief system that improves resiliency and supports recovery following natural disasters.
- Promote a stable, affordable and fair insurance marketplace for homeowners.
