BPCs Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy Launches New Executive Council for Housing Affordability

By Justin Johnson.
Updated Jul 12, 2023

WASHINGTON (PRWEB) July 12, 2023 - Too many Americans are struggling with high and unsustainable housing costs. Potential first-time homebuyers are finding themselves shut out of the market, families cannot find an apartment they can afford to rent, and the demand for an affordable home far exceeds available supply. Todays housing affordability crisis demands nothing less than a comprehensive, bipartisan response at the federal level.

To help create a more effective voice in support of federal action, the Bipartisan Policy Center's J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy is launching a new Executive Council for Housing Affordability. Current members of the Executive Council are Airbnb, Amazon, Matrix Rental Solutions, Pretium, USAA, Weyerhaeuser, and Zillow. The Terwilliger Center expects to expand the executive councils membership over the coming year.

The executive council will help the Terwilliger Center:

We are grateful to our corporate partners for their leadership and look forward to working with them to elevate housing affordability as a top national priority, said Terwilliger Center Executive Director Dennis Shea. It's critical that federal policymakers hear directly from all segments of the private sector, both inside and outside the housing industry, about how high housing costs and the lack of affordable homes are impacting their businesses and their workers as well as broader economic growth and productivity. The Terwilliger Center hopes to provide a platform for these important discussions.

Launched in 2021, the J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy is committed to an America where every family, regardless of wealth or background, can live in a decent, safe, and affordable home. The center works to advance public policies at all levels of government that support access to affordable housing by addressing the severe shortage of affordable homes for both rent and sale, while ensuring that Americas lowest-income families can obtain the housing assistance they need.

The cost of housing is up everywhere, for everyone. Airbnb wants to be part of the solution and we are proud to join the Bipartisan Policy Center's efforts to advocate for sensible policies to help boost housing supply and get at the core of housing affordability, said Mike Signer, North America policy director for Airbnb.

Were grateful for the opportunity to participate in this council, to collaborate with its members on this critical work, and to help elevate awareness of the need to make meaningful progress on housing affordability at a national level, said David Swift, senior project manager for the Amazon Housing Equity Fund.

'Through advanced technologies and innovative solutions, the Executive Council for Housing Affordability can revolutionize the way housing affordability is addressed, bringing about meaningful change for individuals and communities. Our deep knowledge of technology positions us to drive impactful outcomes, and I am eager to share with the council how AI can serve as a powerful change agent in this pursuit, said Sipho Simela, founder and CEO of Matrix Rental Solutions.

It is an honor to join this group of leaders tasked with addressing Americas critical housing issues, including the availability of safe, high-quality, and affordable housing for our nations veterans, servicemembers, and their families, said John Hughes, USAA's senior vice president for government and industry relations.

I am honored to join Terwilligers Executive Council on Housing Affordability. Single family rentals are a valuable part of the affordable housing ecosystem. I look forward to our collaboration in moving the industry and its solutions forward, said Andrea Gift Allan, managing director of real estate for Pretium.

Weyerhaeuser is proud and excited to join the Terwilliger Centers Executive Council for Housing Affordability. We believe addressing the affordability crisis and our current housing deficit will require engagement at all levels of public policy, and we look forward to working with the Terwilliger Center and other members of the executive council to help advance housing opportunities for all Americans, said Kristen Sawin, vice president of corporate affairsfor Weyerhaeuser.

Too many Americans can't afford a home. We need all hands on deck to tackle this challenge, and Zillow is proud to help drive this important conversation alongside the Terwilliger Center and industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates, said Dr. Skylar Olsen, Zillow chief economist.

To follow the work of BPCs Executive Council for Housing Affordability as it moves forward, please subscribe to our newsletter and visit the housing program webpage.