Advocacy Starts Here: Putting NAHREP’s 2025 Policy Priorities to Work

A blog empowering Hispanic homeownership through advocacy and policy.

By Elizabeth Nimmons
April 22, 2025

At last month’s Homeownership and Housing Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. NAHREP released the 2025 Policy Priorities, which will guide the organization’s advocacy efforts throughout the coming year. A blend of tried and true methods and bold new policy proposals, these Priorities provide a roadmap to expanding access to sustainable Hispanic homeownership by addressing the nation’s most pressing housing challenges. This month’s Housing Hub blogpost provides an overview of the 2025 Policy Priorities and outlines concrete action steps members can take to advocate at the local, state, and federal levels.

What are NAHREP’s new priorities?

Housing Affordability

The lack of affordable homes is one of the biggest barriers to homeownership today, especially for first-time and moderate-income buyers. There simply are not enough homes for sale, and the ones that are available often cost too much. This shortage is, in part, due to outdated zoning rules, long and expensive permitting processes, and high construction costs. NAHREP supports zoning reforms that allow more housing types—like townhomes and duplexes—as well as faster, simpler permitting to reduce delays and costs for developers.

NAHREP also calls for increase investments in the construction of affordable homes, including incentives for private developers and public funding for housing infrastructure. By making it easier and more cost-effective to build and maintain affordable housing, policymakers can give more Latino families a real shot at homeownership.

Access to Credit

Equitable access to affordable mortgage credit is key to advancing Hispanic homeownership, but many Latino homebuyers face unnecessary barriers when applying for a mortgage. Traditional credit scoring methods often do not accurately reflect the financial habits of many Latino borrowers—like paying rent, utility bills, or sending money to family.

NAHREP advocates for more flexible and inclusive ways to assess creditworthiness so responsible borrowers are not left out of the market based on the types of documentation they are able to provide. Policies and programs that support credit access for first-time and low- to moderate-income buyers are particularly important. These changes would help more Latino families—especially those buying a home for the first time—get approved for the loans they need to succeed. When lenders take a broader, more realistic view of credit, more people can access the benefits of homeownership.

Industry Best Practices

The strength of the housing market is dependent on fair and transparent practices in the real estate industry and a diversity of professionals that can relate to and communicate with the communities they serve. NAHREP calls on the industry to strengthen these practices, including Broker Cooperation and Clear Cooperation, and its accountability to historically underserved communities.

In particular, NAHREP emphasizes the importance of having more Latino professionals in the housing industry and making sure services are culturally and linguistically appropriate. More real estate agents, lenders, and housing counselors should reflect the communities they serve and can help buyers navigate the process with confidence.

Macroeconomic Issues

The housing ecosystem does not function in a vacuum – it is intimately tied to the economic wellbeing of the nation. NAHREP advocates for policies that address the health of the broader economic context and support the role of homeownership in building generational wealth, including support for Latino-owned business, financial education, and asset planning and protection.

Immigration is also particularly important in the link between the housing industry and the economy. The current supply and affordability crisis is, in part, driven by a shortage of workers needed to build homes. Given that 25% of the construction workforce and 33% of the construction trades are made up of immigrants, it is critical that immigration reform be included in the conversation about building more homes in the U.S.

What can you do to help?

Stay Informed:

• Read NAHREP’s 2025 Policy Priorities to better understand specific recommendations for policymakers and industry leaders.
• Join NAHREP’s National Advocacy Committee (NAC) to stay up-to-date on policy recommendations and actions.

Engage Locally:

• Attend local government meetings, including city council and planning commission convenings, and share NAHREP’s priorities.
• Build relationships with local officials and share the importance of advancing Hispanic homeownership in your area.

Take Federal Action:

• Reach out to your Congressional Representatives and Senators to express your support for pro-housing policies.
• Share stories and data that reflect the housing needs of the Hispanic community in your area.

Leverage NAHREP’s Advocacy Resources:

• Use NAHREP-provided talking points and publications, including the State of Hispanic Homeownership Report, to communicate the organization’s mission and priorities to elected officials and industry leaders.
• Participate in NAHREP-organized advocacy events, like NAC meetings and annual Capitol Hill Visits.

Ready to take a deeper dive into one of NAHREP’s top policy priorities? Join us for the first installment of our 2025 Policy Priorities Webinar Series:

Breaking Barriers: How Zoning Reform Can Unlock Latino Homeownership

Date: Tuesday, May 14 at 10am PT/12pm CT/1pm ET

Zoning and land-use reform is one of the most powerful tools we have to address the housing affordability crisis as these rules shape what gets built, where, and for whom. In the first installment of NAHREP’s 2025 Policy Priorities Webinar Series, join us for a conversation with David Garcia, Director of Policy at Up for Growth, to unpack how zoning and land-use reform can expand access to sustainable Hispanic homeownership. We’ll explore the local policies driving today’s housing shortage and what NAHREP members can do to advocate for smarter, more inclusive solutions in their communities.