Celebrating Diversity During Hispanic Heritage Month

As housing affordability and attainability slip farther out of reach for American families, a contingent of building industry professionals took their concerns to Capitol Hill in mid-June. 

David Lehde, director of government affairs for Dallas Builders Association, led the group, which included Dallas Builders Association members who also participate in coinciding meetings at the National Association of Home Builders.

The panel visited the offices of nine elected officials — Congress members Colin Allred, Michael Burgess, Jake Ellzey, Pat Fallon, Lance Gooden, Ronny Jackson, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Beth Van Duyne, and Marc Veasey.

“Housing is the centerpiece of kitchen-table issues,” Lehde said. “America wants our government to focus on issues that make this country work. The situation we’re in right now is threatening to harm the economic expansion of this country.”

David Lehde

Inflation and surging interest rates are negatively affecting the housing market, and industry leaders are honing in on specific matters with the hopes that bills can be passed to provide opportunities for those who want to build affordable homes in a timely manner, get approved for a mortgage, and buy a home. The agenda of the local contingent is bolstered by data produced and priorities set by the National Association of Home Builders. 

“Somewhere right now there’s a dad and a mom who have been working hard, saving up money and they want to get their kids into a home they can build memories in,” Lehde said. “Somewhere there is a single mom who would like to live closer to work so she could, say, make it to her daughter’s recital and won’t get stuck in traffic. Somewhere there is a couple that would like to retire in the town they grew up in. They need a mortgage they can afford on a fixed budget. All these people deserve to have a roof over their heads and a place they can call home. That’s our legislative approach, to continue to address those needs.”