WTAS: Gallego Unveils Plan to Lower Housing Costs, Rebuild the American Dream Through Homeownership

The four-pillar plan includes short- and long-term solutions to address America's housing affordability crisis

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released his plan to tackle America's housing affordability crisis, "The Path Home: Rebuilding the American Dream and Restoring Housing Affordability." The plan lays out Senator Gallego's vision to build more, build faster, and ensure working people can afford the homes we build.

Since its release earlier today, the plan has received support from organizations, union leaders, and elected officials.

Here's what they are saying in Arizona:

"Housing affordability is central to the Arizona Promise, and I'm thankful for Senator Gallego for putting forward this comprehensive plan for renters and homebuyers across the country. I welcome continued federal attention on the urgent need to lower housing costs," said Governor Katie Hobbs. "Arizona has already taken decisive action to address housing affordability, including expanding homebuyer assistance through the Arizona is Home program, cutting red tape so more housing can be built, investing in weatherization and energy-efficient home upgrades, and helping more veterans out of homelessness. Building on this momentum will require partnership at every level of government to increase supply and bring costs down for families."

"I commend Senator Gallego for introducing a commonsense housing plan that takes concrete steps to ban algorithmic rent setting, a problem my office helped uncover with our investigation and subsequent lawsuit against RealPage and colluding corporate landlords. Rents skyrocketed in Arizona in recent years because these bad actors rigged the system in their favor," said Attorney General Kris Mayes.

"I support Senator Gallego's The Path Home: Rebuilding the American Dream and Restoring Housing Affordability plan. The included framework will provide the opportunity to increase the number of housing units and expand homeownership opportunities for all," said Titus Mathew, Housing Director for the City of Phoenix.

"Housing affordability is the top issue for Tucson families, and we need partners in Washington who understand what cities are facing. I commend Senator Ruben Gallego for putting forward a plan that meets this moment and recognizes the leadership of communities that are taking action. This proposal helps cities like Tucson move faster to create stable and affordable homes for the people who make our communities work," said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero.

"In Flagstaff, affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues for our city and residents. Senator Gallego's housing plan addresses some of the critical challenges that Flagstaff and so many communities are confronting to ensure that housing is available and affordable. It takes aim at some of the specific issues we face in Flagstaff from ensuring our homes can weather disasters such as catastrophic wildfire to streamlining and strengthening key federal housing programs. All of these elements are critical for tackling this important challenge, and I thank Senator Gallego for his leadership on this issue," said Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett.

"The Southwest Fair Housing Council applauds Senator Ruben Gallego's plan to address America's fair and affordable housing crisis with a comprehensive approach that includes critical funding for fair housing services, ensuring everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home," said Jay Young, Executive Director of Southwest Fair Housing Council.

Here's what they are saying around the country:

"LIUNA commends Senator Ruben Gallego for putting forward a serious plan to confront our nation's housing crisis. By encouraging the use of workforce development programs and requiring that federally assisted housing construction pay fair and competitive wages, Senator Gallego's plan works to grow the national housing stock while protecting the livelihoods of construction workers who make these projects possible," said Brent Booker, General President of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA). "LIUNA looks forward to working with Senator Gallego and other stakeholders as policymakers advance solutions that strengthen our housing market and support good union jobs."

"Senator Gallego is right to focus on the lack of housing supply as the leading cause of the nation's housing crisis," said Jeffrey D. DeBoer, President and CEO of the Real Estate Roundtable. "His proposals to expand the low-income housing tax credit; encourage the conversion of obsolete buildings into housing; and reward local jurisdictions for streamlining zoning and land use laws each would promote building more homes. Also, Senator Gallego's proposal to improve the Housing Choice Voucher Program would help make rental housing more affordable for millions of Americans. We look forward to helping Senator Gallego and his team advance these important proposals in the most impactful way possible."

"The housing shortage is raising costs for families, but we've seen incredible turnarounds for cities and states that are simply building more. Senator Gallego's plan would clear permitting roadblocks and get more housing constructed quickly. These are exactly the kind of solutions we need," said Adam Kovacevich, CEO of the Chamber of Progress.

The Rebuild, the Chamber of Progress: "The path forward isn't complicated: build more, cut red tape, help people access homeownership, strengthen the safety net, and prepare for the future. But it does require summoning the political will to actually do it. Gallego's laid out the roadmap. The question is whether anyone else in Washington has the stomach for the fight that following it demands. Whether the American Dream, in the 21st century, is a visceral reality or a faded myth may depend on the answer."

"America's housing affordability crisis is primarily a supply problem. One that makes access to opportunity and family formation metrics worse for millions of people. Senator Gallego's ambitious framework will help align federal policies to spur new housing supply where it's needed most and enable more Americans to live where and how they want," said Andrew Justus, Housing Analyst for the Niskanen Center.

"We appreciate Sen. Gallego's attention to addressing our nation's vast affordable housing shortage, and for featuring the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit prominently as part of the solution," said Emily Cadik, CEO of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. "The Housing Credit has had a tremendous impact in Arizona and around the country, and building upon its success will allow more working families, seniors and veterans to live in homes they can afford."

"Senator Gallego's housing plan offers a thoughtful and necessary path forward by combining common-sense reforms with innovative solutions that expand housing supply, improve affordability, and increase accessibility for all Americans. NAHREP applauds the Senator's leadership to meet the scale of the nation's current housing crisis with urgency and creativity," said Gary Acosta, Co-Founder and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals.

"Housing costs are the biggest factor making life unaffordable for millions of Americans," said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth Action. "Senator Gallego's plan reflects a clear understanding that the affordability crisis is fundamentally a housing crisis. By pairing increased housing supply with regulatory reform, targeted assistance, and climate-resilient construction, this approach addresses both the long-term shortage and the near-term pressures households face. Up for Growth Action welcomes this framework and looks forward to working with members of Congress and stakeholders to translate it into durable, effective legislation."

"It's long past time for bold action from our federal government on America's devastating housing shortage. This framework correctly treats housing shortages as a national catastrophe requiring federal leadership, pushing and enabling local jurisdictions to address the problem. At a time of deep housing scarcity, this proposal reflects a serious, evidence-based commitment to building the homes America needs. This proposal aligns federal policy with what the evidence shows: jurisdictions that allow more housing see better affordability and stronger regional growth," said Laura Foote, Executive Director of YIMBY Action.

"Senator Gallego's plan represents exactly the kind of smart, comprehensive approach we need to tackle America's housing affordability crisis. This proposal targets the real barriers that have constrained housing production and driven up prices for far too long, recognizing that we cannot regulate, subsidize, or tax our way out of our housing shortage - we have to build," said Derek Kaufman, President of Inclusive Abundance Action.

"The National NeighborWorks Association (NNA) applauds Senator Gallego for his leadership and vision in proposing a bold plan to tackle the housing affordability crisis," said Lou Tisler, Executive Director of the National NeighborWorks Association. "Senator Gallego rightly recognizes that America needs a comprehensive set of housing solutions- from streamlining outdated regulations to launching innovative programs like a national home repair initiative. NeighborWorks organizations across the country deliver proven solutions to address housing affordability every day. NNA looks forward to working with the Senator and his colleagues to advance policies that ensure everyone has access to a safe, affordable home."

"Senator Gallego's comprehensive housing plan represents bold, commonsense action to tackle our nation's housing crisis. By expanding the housing supply, lowering costs, and unlocking new tools to build more homes, this plan moves us closer to a future where every family has a safe, affordable place to call home. It's the kind of pragmatic leadership our communities urgently need," said Donald Whitehead, Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless.

"With the ongoing housing crisis, more than ever, we need comprehensive housing solutions that create more housing units around the nation, especially for people at the lowest incomes and at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The Alliance would like to thank Senator Gallego for his leadership in introducing these much-needed reforms that would allow more people access to housing which we believe is a human right," said Steve Berg, Chief Policy Officer of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

"This housing plan rightfully elevates home repair and preservation to the same level of urgency as new construction; it recognizes that we cannot solve our housing crisis through new construction alone. By investing in the homes families already have, this plan directly advances stability, affordability, and dignity for low- and moderate-income households who have been left behind for far too long," said Freyja Harris, CEO of the Coalition for Home Repair.

"At a time when housing affordability and supply are central concerns discussed around kitchen tables in every American community, MBA welcomes the introduction of Senator Gallego's housing initiative. Efforts to boost supply, lower costs, modernize related federal programs, and encourage state and local permitting and zoning reforms are welcome elements to the ongoing housing debate. We look forward to continuing our work with him and his office - and other congressional leaders - at a time when housing legislation is poised to move in both chambers of Congress," said Bill Killmer, Senior Vice President of Legislative & Political Affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

"Improving the affordability and availability of housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation. The American Planning Association applauds Senator Gallego for advancing a comprehensive housing plan that will help planners and communities remove obstacles, reform systems, and provide incentives to increase housing supply and opportunity for all. APA supports this initiative and its aim to use a range of policy approaches to help drive local housing solutions," said Sue Schwartz, President of the American Planning Association.

"We are grateful that Senator Gallego is focused on housing issues and the Appraisal Institute applauds his continued support for the critical role appraisers play in a healthy housing market," said Michael Acquaro-Mignogna, 2026 President of the Appraisal Institute.

"NAIHC commends Senator Gallego's housing plan and appreciates its recognition that Tribal housing must be part of any serious solution to the national affordability crisis. His call to reauthorize NAHASDA and reduce regulatory barriers at the federal level reflects a clear understanding of what Native communities need to build and sustain quality, affordable housing," said Rudy Soto, Executive Director of the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC).

1/14/26