The National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) has released a new white paper detailing a multi-pronged strategy to address the nation’s housing affordability crisis.
The report, “Solving America's Housing Affordability Crisis: A Comprehensive Framework for Expanding Homeownership Opportunities,” warns that rising home prices, elevated interest rates, restrictive lending requirements, and limited housing supply have combined to lock millions of families out of homeownership, threatening the foundation of the American dream.
The white paper proposes an integrated approach combining federal legislative initiatives with NAMB’s 2026 regulatory priorities to expand homeownership opportunities.
Key solutions include increasing housing supply, lowering transaction costs, reducing barriers for creditworthy borrowers, and expanding access to affordable financing for first-time and moderate-income buyers. Central to this effort is strengthening the mortgage broker channel, which NAMB identifies as a critical access point for underserved communities.
Among the federal legislative initiatives highlighted are the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644), and the ROAD to Housing Act (S. 2651). Collectively, these bills aim to expand affordable housing production, streamline regulatory requirements, modernize federal housing programs, and increase financing options for first-time buyers.
For example, H.R. 1 permanently expands Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and lowers bond financing thresholds, projected to create more than 1.2 million additional affordable homes by 2035.
NAMB’s regulatory priorities complement these legislative efforts by addressing market inefficiencies that directly affect affordability. Recommendations include reducing Loan-Level Price Adjustments (LLPAs) on investment and second homes, shortening GSE refinance waiting periods from 12 to six months, regulating credit reporting and rapid rescore costs, and increasing Area Median Income (AMI) thresholds to 130% for HomeReady and Home Possible programs. These reforms aim to lower upfront and ongoing costs, giving borrowers — especially first-time buyers — greater access to financing options.
The white paper emphasizes the essential role of mortgage brokers, who provide access to multiple lenders, competitive pricing, and specialized expertise that particularly benefits first-time buyers, self-employed borrowers, and minority or low-income communities. Brokers also deliver personalized guidance throughout the loan process, supporting wealth building and homeownership stability in communities where large banks may have limited presence.
“America’s housing affordability crisis is urgent, but solvable,” NAMB said in the white paper. “By combining legislative reforms with targeted regulatory changes and empowering the broker channel, we can ensure that homeownership remains within reach for first-time and moderate-income buyers across the country.”
Miki Adams, president of CBC Mortgage Agency, feels that by enhancing down payment assistance options will help smooth the path to homeownership.
"Down payment assistance is essential in today's market. For many qualified buyers, it’s the single factor that determines whether homeownership is possible, and mortgage brokers play a critical role in delivering that access," said Adams. "We can modernize regulations and expand supply, but without meaningful down payment assistance, too many families remain locked out. Brokers help ensure these programs reach the hardworking buyers they’re designed to serve. The biggest hurdle for many first-time buyers isn’t income — it’s saving for the down payment. Down payment assistance, guided by knowledgeable brokers, is one of the most effective tools we have to expand homeownership today."
