In This Issue
- Landmark Housing Legislation Passes Senate
- The Advocacy Scoop Podcast: A Bipartisan Breakthrough on Housing: How NAR Helped Lay the Groundwork
- 25 Years of Building Better Communities: Grant Portal Sees Record Traffic
- Capitol Pulse: Executive Orders Tackle Housing Affordability
Senate Moves Forward on Major Housing Supply Bill
The U.S. Senate recently passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, advancing one of the most significant federal efforts to address the nation’s housing supply and affordability challenges in decades.
NAR strongly supported the bill, launching a targeted Call for Action through its Federal Political Coordinator program to ensure its passage. The effort reached more than half the Senate within the first 24 hours.
“REALTORS® applaud the Senate’s bipartisan approach to addressing our nation’s housing supply crisis,” says Shannon McGahn, NAR’s executive vice president and chief advocacy officer. “By tackling housing barriers at every level of government, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act offers the kind of comprehensive approach needed to address the affordability crisis and expand homeownership opportunities for more Americans.”
A Bipartisan Breakthrough on Housing: How NAR Helped Lay the Groundwork
After years of relationship building, NAR helped lay the foundation for a landmark housing bill taking aim at affordability and supply, proving once again that advocacy is a long game. In a special episode recorded live at the President’s Circle conference in Las Vegas, Shannon and Patrick explore what the bill actually does and whether it marks the beginning of a broader bet on housing in Washington.
Community Development Advocacy Grants Experience Record Surge
Following the launch of 25 Years of Building Better Communities, all Community Development Advocacy grant funding — Fair Housing, Housing Opportunity, Smart Growth, Placemaking, and Rural Outreach — is fully committed for 2026 ahead of the close of the application cycle.
Thank you to the REALTOR® associations nationwide driving meaningful impact in housing and community development. Take a glimpse at what’s being accomplished.
Looking ahead to next year? Now is the perfect time to start planning. Sign up for a Community Development Advocacy planning session or contact Christine Windle at cwindle@nar.realtor.
Capitol Pulse: Executive Orders Tackle Housing Affordability
NAR Responds to Executive Orders Aimed at Home Affordability, Mortgage Lending
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at improving home affordability and speeding up construction. The orders direct multiple government agencies to simplify processes and cut regulations surrounding home building.
Shannon McGahn, executive vice president and chief advocacy officer of the National Association of REALTORS®, weighed in on both orders.
Asa Fleming Joins National Housing Supply Summit Panel to Discuss Housing Accelerator Playbook
At the second annual National Housing Supply Summit—sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS® and over a dozen other housing-related organizations—NAR’s 2026 Vice President of Advocacy Asa Fleming spoke about the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook. The playbook’s approach to increasing housing supply emphasizes state and local options and is gaining momentum as Congress considers housing legislation.
Read more about Asa’s panel here.
NAR Member Testifies Before Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
NAR member Kurt Thompson, broker/owner of RE/MAX Liberty in Westminster, Massachusetts was invited to testify before the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity for an oversight hearing titled “Kitchen Table Issues: Lowering Costs for Veteran Families Through the VA Home Loan Program”.
Thompson, who is a veteran, shared a clear message with the committee: the VA home loan program remains a powerful tool for homeownership, but it needs updates to stay competitive in today’s market.
“The VA Home Loan Guaranty program has been one of the most important benefits our nation offers, and I am proud to have benefited from it personally. When it works well, it is a powerful path to achieve the American Dream of homeownership and the kind of wealth-building that can last generations,” Thompson said in his testimony.
Gain insight into the latest data and tools shaping efforts to address homeownership disparities in today’s market. Join NAR on April 23 for Fair Housing Forward Live, where expert panelists will share practical strategies you can apply in your community to advance fair housing and expand access to homeownership. Plus, be among the first to learn who NAR’s 2026 Fair Housing Champions are and celebrate the impact REALTORS® are making nationwide.
American Property Owners Allicance is Expanding!
The American Property Owners Alliance (APOA) has recently welcomed two new members to its team! Jacqueline Stein, APOA’s Events and Communications Manager, and Cobey Green, APOA’s Social Media and Marketing Manager, will work with APOA’s Executive Director, Colin Allen to drive the organization’s mission to educate property owners about federal policies and advocate for owners’ rights and interests. Look out for more to come from APOA in 2026!
Learn more about the APOA team here.
Housing Is a Bipartisan Issue
The Bipartisan Real Estate Caucus hit a milestone, with over 120 members (up from 50 total last year). This growth reflects the strength of NAR’s message and our powerful relationships on Capitol Hill.
RPAC Update
RPAC is hitting the ground running in 2026, raising $18.4 million toward the $45.5 million national goal, reaching 40% of goal compared to 36% at the same point in 2025.
The President’s Circle program has already raised $475,000 for target candidates with over 550 investors participating in the program.
The Pro-Property Platform
Heading into a crucial midterm election cycle, last year we launched the Pro-Property Platform — a new way for REALTORS® and their communities to support candidates who champion homeownership, private property rights, and the real estate profession. Giving through the Platform sends money with a message: that NAR members stand behind leaders who stand with us. It’s your voice, your choice — visit ProPropertyPlatform.com to learn more.
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The REALTOR® Party At Work
Advocacy Everywhere helps expand REALTOR® influence on public policy and boosts engagement in Calls for Action at all levels. In 2026 so far:
REALTOR® Party Success Stories
Link Library
FlyIn.realtor: Advocacy talking points and priorities
RealtorParty.realtor: REALTOR® Party grants and resources
NAR.realtor/AdvocacyMission: How NAR is making housing more affordable, available, and accessible
NAR.realtor/AdvocacyWins: One-stop shop for advocacy successes
Washington Report: Policy updates
Facts.realtor: Settlement information and resources
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