Bipartisan Housing Summit Champions Precision Policies to Tackle U.S. Housing Shortage

In the heart of Washington, D.C., leaders from across the political spectrum and housing industry convened at Union Station for the 4th Annual Terwilliger Center Summit on Housing Supply Solutions. Hosted by the J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy and the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), the summit focused on driving practical, bipartisan strategies to close the housing supply gap and expand access to affordable homes across the country.

The event drew senior policymakers, state officials, mayors, nonprofit leaders, and private sector investors together under one roof with a clear mission: to find solutions to the nation’s worsening housing affordability crisis.

HUD Secretary Urges Action to Restore the American Dream

U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner set the tone for the day with a passionate appeal to refocus federal priorities on expanding access to homeownership. “We know over 80% of Americans still view homeownership as part of the American Dream,” Secretary Turner said. “But that dream is drifting further out of reach.”

With home prices surging and inventory at historic lows, Turner cited a shortage of 7 million homes and a national median sale price that has jumped 21% in just three years to $414,000. “This isn’t just a data point. These are real families, real Americans. We have to act,” he added.

Finding Common Ground in Congress

The summit’s opening panel, “Finding Common Ground: Advancing Affordable Housing Through Bipartisanship,” featured Senators Mike Rounds and Mark Warner, who shared insights on cross-party collaboration. Moderated by Pamela Patenaude, former HUD Deputy Secretary, the discussion emphasized the importance of persistent communication and practical policymaking to move the needle on housing legislation.

Ron Terwilliger, the event’s namesake and a longtime advocate for affordable housing, echoed the urgency: “Housing is not red or blue. It’s an issue that touches every community in America.”

Local Leaders Rethink the Urban Housing Playbook

A standout panel featuring Mayors Danny Avula (Richmond, VA) and Jim Ross (Arlington, TX) explored how cities are tackling affordability in innovative ways. From zoning reforms to partnerships with nonprofit developers, both leaders described how local governments are rewriting outdated policies to prioritize working families and renters.

Shena Ashley, President of the Capital One Insights Center, guided the conversation, noting that scalable solutions often emerge at the local level. “Cities are the frontlines of the housing crisis, and they’re also incubators for solutions,” she said.

Fixing the Housing Choice Voucher Program

A panel led by National Apartment Association CEO Bob Pinnegar turned the spotlight on the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Despite being a lifeline for millions, the program faces roadblocks from slow inspections to administrative red tape that discourage landlord participation.

Panelists like Alan Ferguson (Atlanta Housing) and Bonnie Smetzer (Asset Living) called for modernization efforts to streamline the process, while RAND’s Jason Ward highlighted research-backed policy improvements to boost effectiveness.

States Stepping Up

In a compelling discussion on state-led housing initiatives, policy leaders from Maryland, Rhode Island, New York, and Utah shared insights on how they are leveraging local authority and public-private partnerships to accelerate affordable housing production.

“We’re past the stage of analysis. Now’s the time for action,” said Steve Waldrip, Senior Housing Advisor for Utah. From tax credits to land-use reform, each official detailed specific tools being used to unlock development at scale.

Post-Disaster Housing Innovations

With climate events displacing more Americans each year, the summit addressed post-disaster housing in a forward-looking session led by former Acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman. Tech platforms like Airbnb, represented by housing economist Taylor Marr, shared how flexible housing inventory is being used to respond to emergency needs faster than traditional FEMA responses.

Sara Morgan of Fahe and Carlos Martín of Resources for the Future emphasized the role of cross-sector coordination and data analytics in future-proofing recovery efforts.

Congressional Collaboration in Action

Katy O’Donnell of Politico moderated a conversation with Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Sen. Todd Young both recipients of the 2025 Terwilliger Bipartisanship in Housing Award. They discussed their continued efforts to push affordable housing bills through gridlock and their belief that housing remains one of the last bipartisan issues left in Congress.

Financing the Housing Supply Fix

Abha Bhattarai of the Washington Post led the final panel exploring financial innovation. Industry leaders like Citi’s Barry Krinsky and Mercy Housing’s Ismael Guerrero highlighted the capital challenges of affordable housing deals and stressed the importance of federal credit support, tax incentives, and community investment.

Conclusion: Policy in Motion

The summit made one thing clear: no single fix exists for America’s housing shortage, but with coordination, innovation, and political will, meaningful progress is within reach. The call to action was unambiguous states, cities, the private sector, and Congress must work together to make housing a foundation for a stronger, more equitable America. For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit 👉 Nadlan Capital Group.