The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 21, 2025 - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) chaired her first Senate Banking Subcommittee hearing on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development, spotlighting innovative solutions to America's housing crisis. The hearing, titled "Innovation in U.S. Housing: Solutions and Policies for America's Future," brought together national experts to discuss affordability, regulation, and scalable housing models.
Addressing the Housing Shortage
In her opening remarks, Senator Britt emphasized the urgency of the national housing shortage, citing a deficit of up to 4.7 million units. She noted that affordability remains a major barrier, with the median home price exceeding $410,000 in the second quarter of 2025.
"Homeownership remains a foundational element to the American Dream," Britt said. "But as we can see, it's out of reach for so many. Around 75% of U.S. households are unable to afford the median-priced home."
She also highlighted the growing age of first-time homebuyers-now often in their late 30s or early 40s-and the lack of new housing in small towns and rural communities.
Cutting Red Tape, Empowering Local Solutions
Senator Britt called for a shift away from federal bureaucracy and toward locally driven solutions. She advocated for reducing regulatory barriers and incentivizing private sector investment.
"We need to unleash locally driven solutions and cut red tape, while empowering builders," she said.
She praised the bipartisan passage of the ROAD to Housing Act, which aims to streamline housing development and expand access to affordable homes.
Spotlight on Alabama's Fortified Roof Program
Senator Britt invited Dr. Lawrence "Lars" Powell of the University of Alabama to discuss the economic impact of Alabama's Fortified Roof program. Dr. Powell shared findings from multiple studies showing that Fortified homes sell for 7% more than conventional homes due to insurance savings.
"The up-front cost difference is small," Powell explained, "but the long-term savings are significant-especially in coastal communities."
Tackling Regulatory Reform and Promoting Self-Sufficiency
Britt then turned to Mr. Dennis Shea of the Bipartisan Policy Center to discuss regulatory reform and the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program under HUD. She emphasized the importance of updating zoning and permitting laws to increase housing supply.
Mr. Shea praised the FSS Program, which helps families transition off government assistance by allowing them to build savings through escrow accounts.
"It's the only HUD program that actually seeks to move individuals off assistance," Shea said. "Studies show strong engagement and promising outcomes."
He thanked Senator Britt for her leadership in expanding the program to reach more families.
Modular Housing and the Future of Off-Site Construction
In her final line of questioning, Senator Britt explored the potential of manufactured and modular homes to address supply shortages. She asked Ms. Mary Tingerthal, founder of Construction Revolution, how off-site construction could be scaled more effectively.
Tingerthal pointed to public perception as a key barrier.
"There's a lingering myth that modular homes aren't high quality," she said. "The ROAD to Housing Act includes a provision for HUD to study and report on modular durability. That's a critical step toward wider acceptance."
She called for collaboration with the homebuilding industry to showcase real-world examples of high-quality modular construction.
Closing Remarks
Senator Britt concluded the hearing by thanking the witnesses and reaffirming her commitment to practical, community-driven housing solutions.
"It's the people out in America-the boots on the ground-who are dealing with this every day," she said. "We need to hear from them to address these challenges properly."
Reader Comments(0)