Housing Opportunity Program

Housing Opportunity Program

Better Home Affordability

The nation's housing affordability crisis is fed by economic, demographic, and regulatory characteristics. The issue will not go away on its own. Because wages have not kept pace with rising home prices and rents, millions of American households struggle to meet their housing costs. REALTORS® participate in innovative activities, programs, and events that help increase the availability of affordable housing in their communities.

REALTORS® Can Make a Difference 
Every day, REALTORS® across America reach out and connect thousands of people with the homes and communities that are right for them. Those connections extend far beyond the closing table. They are the start of long-term business relationships with clients; they make our neighborhoods more attractive and marketable; and they strengthen communities and the national economy.

When consumers cannot afford homes in the neighborhoods where they work, those connections are broken. A lack of available and affordable housing reduces access to employment, education, a good environment, and safe neighborhoods. And a lack of affordable housing and comparable home sales affects all segments of the real estate market, including first-time purchasers, low-income, minorities, seniors, disabled, renters, and single-family buyers as well as rental property owners and developers.

If REALTORS® do not work now to help those households to find more affordable housing, our communities, our businesses and our nation will suffer the loss. Learn how you can get involved to help create better home affordability today.

Housing Opportunity is Good Business

Creating housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families can have a concrete bottom-line impact on the real estate industry. The reasons are clear:

• Research consistently shows a homeownership gap for underserved families, especially those with low or moderate incomes. This is a growth market. Much of the gap can be closed—and revenue
generated for REALTORS®—if prospective homebuyers are adequately served.
• REALTORS® have the opportunity to gain the loyalty of first-time buyers who may become repeat customers as they move up the housing ladder.
• For the many REALTORS® who develop and manage affordable rental housing, more support for affordable housing means more business and fewer expensive battles against community opposition.
• Neighborhoods are stronger and more marketable where housing costs are within reach of the workforce of nearby employers. Communities are stronger where public service employees are close
to their jobs. Healthier neighborhoods and communities mean stronger product for REALTORS® to sell and rent.
• REALTORS® who promote housing opportunity are seen as effective, service-oriented advocates for housing for every segment of the community.