Closing the Latino Homeownership Gap: Policy Solutions for Expanding Access, Affordability, and Equity
In testimony to the House Financial Services Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, UnidosUS highlights the housing crisis in the United States and its disproportionate impact on Latino families.
Despite the importance of homeownership for building wealth and achieving economic mobility, Latinos face systemic obstacles such as overrepresentation in low-wage jobs, higher poverty rates, and discriminatory lending practices. As a result, the Latino homeownership rate is significantly lower than that of white households, contributing to a substantial wealth gap.
UnidosUS proposes four key areas of focus to increase Hispanic homeownership:
- Improving homebuyer readiness through policies like the Downpayment Toward Equity Act, Language Access in Mortgage Servicing Act, and Decent, Affordable, Safe Housing for All (DASH) Act.
- Expanding access to credit by addressing structural and racial disparities in the credit system through legislation like the Expanding Access to Credit through Consumer-Permissioned Data Act and Housing Fairness Act.
- Increasing the housing supply by incentivizing states to undertake zoning and land use reforms, supporting the Housing Crisis Response Act, and expanding attainable homeownership through manufactured housing.
- Preserving homeownership by closing the value gap in distressed neighborhoods, protecting Latino home values, and helping Latinos stay in their homes through the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act and robust funding for the Housing Counseling Program.
The testimony emphasizes the urgent need for congressional action to address the Latino homeownership gap, as it is crucial for both economic justice and the overall health and stability of the U.S. economy.
