Homeownership essential to American Dream despite challenges

June is National Homeownership Month and owning a home is still an essential part of the American Dream says the National Association of Home Builders

Homeownership essential to American Dream despite challenges
June is National Homeownership Month and owning a home is still an essential part of the American Dream says the National Association of Home Builders.

Its research shows that two-thirds of Americans believe that owning their own home is vital to achieving the dream but it also highlights the challenges faced by many in realizing that goal.

“Americans continue to place a high priority on homeownership and work hard to achieve this goal for their families,” said NAHB Chairman Granger MacDonald, a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas.

Affordability remains a barrier to many Americans despite the relatively low interest rates and MacDonald says that cutting government regulations and tax code changes should not be increasing the challenges for potential first-time buyers.

“We have long fought for sensible reforms to burdensome regulations that needlessly increase the cost of homes for low- and middle-income families,” said MacDonald, noting NAHB research that shows government regulations add about 24% to the cost of housing.

The association supports the benefits of the mortgage interest deduction and says that it must continue to work to address the obstacles for many potential homebuyers.