Despite the fact that Americans overwhelmingly support homeownership, legislative and regulatory proposals now under consideration would greatly harm homeowners, homebuyers, the housing market and the nation's economy. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has launched a new Website, ProtectHomeownership.com, to bring attention to the threats to homeownership and inspire the public to take action to protect it.
"American families aspire to homeownership because they know that it promotes stability and is critical in creating wealth and providing upward mobility and financial security for families. Equally important, homeownership supports the economy by creating jobs," said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. "Government policies that negatively impact families' ability to own a home would be devastating for home owners, the housing market and the nation's economy."
Tax, legislative and regulatory policies currently under consideration would scale back or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and make mortgages and small business loans unaffordable and even more difficult to obtain. ProtectHomesownership.com explains some of these threats and documents homeownership's importance to individual households and to local, state and national economies through an FAQ, poll data, economic analysis and reports.
The site also provides multiple ways for the public to take positive action to protect this very important aspect of American life. These include an online petition urging policymakers to keep housing a national priority, information about how to participate in homeownership rallies that are being held in a number of communities in 2012, and links to social media communities on Facebook.com/ProtectHomeownership and Twitter.com/4Homeownership.
"New home construction spurs productivity, creates jobs for millions of Americans and generates revenues for all levels of government," said Rutenberg. "This Web site will help educate the public about the imminent threats to the American Dream of homeownership and empower them to make sure their voices are heard."
