NAR Calls on Congress to Fund Essential Housing Programs in FY 2027

On April 30, NAR sent a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, requesting full funding for essential housing programs in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 funding bill.

The Housing Choice Voucher program provides critical housing stability for millions of families, and its success depends on the small, independent housing providers, including many REALTORS®, who participate in it. The letter urges Congress to maintain full funding for the program and to support mobility services that help families access a broader range of housing options.

NAR strongly supports robust fair housing enforcement and calls for full funding of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, the Fair Housing Assistance Program, and full staffing of HUD's Office of Fair Housing. Many REALTOR® associations collaborate with local fair housing organizations on education and outreach in their communities, and the potential closure of these organizations would remove an essential resource for both consumers and housing professionals. At the same time, state and local fair housing agencies serve as HUD's enforcement partners, processing the vast majority of fair housing complaints and conducting investigations on behalf of families and housing providers, and their capacity to do so depends on reliable federal funding.

NAR also urges full funding for HUD's Housing Counseling Assistance program. NAR research shows that due to affordability challenges driven by the lack of housing supply, the share of first-time buyers has fallen to a record low of 21 percent, down from 44 percent in 1981, and the typical first-time buyer is now 40 years old. Full funding will ensure HUD-approved agencies can continue delivering the complete range of counseling services, including prepurchase counseling, to the families who need them most.

Finally, the letter urges Congress to preserve the HOME Investment Partnerships and Community Development Block Grant programs, which give local governments the flexibility to address their unique housing challenges while leveraging private investment to expand supply and strengthen neighborhoods.

NAR looks forward to working with Congress throughout the FY 2027 appropriations process to ensure these programs receive the resources they need.