A Message from NAAHL President & CEO: 5 Points the President Should Make in the SOTU
February 24, 2026
This evening, the nation will tune in to hear President Trump deliver the State of the Union address. At NAAHL, we believe there is one issue that deserves a clear, prominent place in the national conversation: housing.
Affordability is front and center for Americans across the country who are feeling the strain of rising housing costs. Here are five housing messages we believe everyone could agree on:
Renters and owners alike need access to affordable housing.
Expanding homeownership is a goal worth championing. But more than a third of American households rent, and their ability to afford a stable home is just as essential to a strong workforce and a thriving economy. A productive housing agenda serves everyone, renters and future and current homeowners alike.
America has done this before. We can do it again.
We have seen housing booms in this country, and we know how to build. What is needed now is a sustained commitment to building a full range of housing types that meet people where they are: essential workers, growing families, aging seniors, and everyone in between. Most importantly, a national housing strategy must put affordability at the center because the market alone won’t get us there.
Congress has bipartisan solutions ready. It’s time to act.
This month, the House passed bipartisan housing legislation, signaling a meaningful step forward. Now it’s time to finish the job. Congress should move quickly to enact the bipartisan priorities reflected in both the Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act and the House’s Housing for the 21st Century Act. Additionally, Congress should take up the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, which would immediately help spur construction and renovation of affordable starter homes for owner-occupancy. These bills have broad support. What they need now is urgency.
The private sector is ready to do its part...with a strong public partner.
NAAHL’s members lent and invested more than $75 billion in affordable housing and community development in just one year. We can have an even greater impact, but private investment works best when paired with strong public programs and consistent federal partnership. HUD and the rest of the federal government have tools that incentivize and leverage private investment, and we must prioritize the federal resources that catalyze support for communities.
Investing in housing is investing in the economy.
Every dollar invested in affordable housing and community development is a dollar invested in families, local businesses, and the long-term strength of the American economy. As we like to say, homes are where jobs go to live. We need sustained support from investors, lenders, and public-sector partners to scale and innovate to meet this moment. A serious economic agenda must include a serious housing agenda.
Read more of my thoughts on the 2026 outlook for affordable housing in Affordable Housing Finance.
For over three decades, NAAHL has brought together public, private, and nonprofit partners who finance affordable housing. We know solutions exist. We know that bipartisan champions exist. And we know that the urgency has never been greater.
We will be watching tonight and remain committed to advancing housing solutions that work.