Housing

Safe, sustainable, and affordable housing is foundational to Americans’ economic security and expanding the path to the middle class. But for years, construction of housing has failed to keep pace with demand, leaving nearly half of rental households “cost burdened” and homeownership increasingly out of reach. Rising costs for education and health care further squeeze families’ budgets, and the search for housing often leads Americans to live far from work where public transit options are limited. Consequently, frequent moves brought on by economic insecurity can disrupt a child’s learning and social-emotional well-being and make it difficult for adults to form strong community bonds.

The Center for American Progress is dedicated to developing and advocating for policy solutions to expand housing supply and alleviate the burden of high costs. Our vision is not just to build housing but to support the growth of communities where Americans want to live, work, and gather for generations to come.

Latest

Compact View

Women’s Stories on Economic Justice and Health Care Article

Women’s Stories on Economic Justice and Health Care

This storybook features women in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and New Hampshire whose stories center on issues from prescription drug pricing and health insurance, to child care and paid leave.

Improving Retirement Savings in Maryland Testimony
cap-action-social-share

Improving Retirement Savings in Maryland

David Madland discusses a new private-sector retirement-plan type called the Secure, Accessible, Flexible, and Efficient, or SAFE, Retirement Plan before the Maryland Joint Committee on Pensions.

David Madland

Romney’s Housing Plan: Still Elusive Report
A foreclosure sign is see in front of a house in Spring, Texas. (foreclosure sign in front of house)

Romney’s Housing Plan: Still Elusive

David Abromowitz provides a sampling of positions on housing that Gov. Romney appears to hold based on remarks he or his surrogates have made during the campaign.

David M. Abromowitz

In Defense of Defined-Benefit Pensions Report

In Defense of Defined-Benefit Pensions

The way forward for most public-sector defined-benefit plans is through reform, not replacement, write David Madland and Nick Bunker.

David Madland, Nick Bunker

Three Ideas Mitt Romney Should Support on Housing Article
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney holds a discussion on housing and foreclosure, Monday, January 23, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. (AP/Charles Dharapak)

Three Ideas Mitt Romney Should Support on Housing

Mitt Romney says he wants to help struggling homeowners. John Griffith offers some ideas Romney should get behind.

John Griffith

Perspectives on the Health of the FHA Single-Family Insurance Fund Testimony
cap-action-social-share

Perspectives on the Health of the FHA Single-Family Insurance Fund

Sarah Rosen Wartell testifies before the House Committee on Financial Services about the financial status of the Federal Housing Administration’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.

Sarah Rosen Wartell

The Private Mortgage Market Investment Act Testimony
CAP Senior Fellow Janneke Ratcliffe              testified before the   House Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored   Enterprises on November 3rd, 2011, to discuss the Private Mortgage   Market Investment Act. (AP/ Paul Sakuma)

The Private Mortgage Market Investment Act

CAP Senior Fellow Janneke Ratcliffe testifies before the House Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises.

Janneke Ratcliffe

Effective National Mortgage Servicing Standards Are Essential Article
cap-action-social-share

Effective National Mortgage Servicing Standards Are Essential

Peter Swire explains that, in the absence of market discipline on servicers, an effective national set of mortgage standards is essential.

Peter Swire

Private Mortgage Insurance’s Role in Housing Finance Testimony
A Countrywide employee walks into the company's Northridge branch in Los Angeles, California. (AP/Kevork Djansezian)

Private Mortgage Insurance’s Role in Housing Finance

CAP Action Senior Fellow Janneke Ratcliffe testifies before the House Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises.

Janneke Ratcliffe

Making the Community Reinvestment Act More Effective Testimony
cap-action-social-share

Making the Community Reinvestment Act More Effective

Sarah Wartell testifies before the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on making the Community Reinvestment Act a more effective tool to help meet the needs of our communities.

Sarah Rosen Wartell, Janneke Ratcliffe, David M. Abromowitz

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Default Opt Ins

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Variable Opt Ins

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.