Housing Inventory & Attainability Watch
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The U.S. Congress has made addressing housing attainability and supply a priority, proposing extensive bipartisan housing reforms. The issue is a significant one for title and settlement servicers, as 95 percent of those who took the 2026 Voice of the Title Agent survey said housing affordability is a factor in their market.
The Housing Inventory & Attainability Watch library is your one-stop resource for stories from all four October Research publications on the latest developments surrounding housing supply and affordability solutions from state and federal governments, mortgage lenders, investors and the real estate industry. Check back often to stay on top of the conversation.
To share a housing inventory solution that's been successful in your market or to submit a story to the The Housing Inventory & Attainability Watch, please click here.
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Housing Inventory Solutions Report
The Housing Inventory Solutions report brings together leaders from across the real estate ecosystem to examine one of the industry’s most pressing challenges — how to increase housing supply and improve affordability in today’s market. Through data, analysis and real-world examples, the report explores practical solutions, going beyond theory to highlight where progress is already happening and how policy changes, collaboration and evolving market dynamics are shaping the future of housing inventory.
Download your copy today >>
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Articles
Monday, June 15, 2026
The Department of Housing and Urban Development published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would update the definition of a manufactured home and support innovative opportunities for multi-story manufactured housing as part of an effort to provide more affordable housing options. Comments are due Aug. 11.
Friday, June 12, 2026
A coalition of financial services organizations pressed the Federal Housing Finance Agency to expedite its work toward meeting housing policy goals described in a recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump, particularly those aimed at modernizing property valuations.
Friday, June 5, 2026
A recent analysis from ATTOM outlines the riskiest housing markets that were characterized by particularly high rates of unemployment and some of the worst foreclosure rates compared to the other counties included in the analysis.
Monday, June 1, 2026
The U.S. House voted 396-13 to pass its amended version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, sending the act to the Senate for approval. The National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Bankers Association released statements of support following the act’s passage.
Friday, May 29, 2026
The House voted 396-13 to pass its amended version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on May 20. The ball is once again in the Senate’s court to determine what happens next with the bill, which has gained strong bipartisan support from lawmakers and within the financial services sector.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus introduced an eight-bill package that aimes to unlock tools to help meet the demand for homes and apartments and make housing more affordable across the state.
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, announced that she and Chairman French Hill (R-Ariz.) reached a new bipartisan agreement to pass an improved version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to the Senate.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
The median home sale price rose 2.4 percent year-over year. The April jobs report showing stronger-than-expected hiring was likely a factor in fueling a pop in housing demand, according to Redfin.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
The survey from Advocus Partners also found that nearly 80 percent of voters across party lines believe the cost of housing is an extremely or very important issue.
Friday, May 8, 2026
The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased by seven basis points from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac, but remained lower than a year prior.
Share your experience in this brief 4-question housing survey
The housing affordability crisis is a pressing challenge in today's market, and your expertise as a title and settlement agent gives you a unique vantage point. We're asking for your input on a brief, 4-question survey on housing affordability in your area. Thank you for being part of the solution and for your continued commitment to improving the industry.
Other Housing Resources
Learn more about what's being done across the industry to address the housing shortage facing the nation.
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Keys to Real Estate Podcast:
Where Housing Policy Meets Reality with Kevin Cameron
With new FinCEN reporting requirements on hold and the ever-present need for new fraud protections, title and settlement professionals find themselves with a prime opportunity to make their voices heard in the nation’s capital.
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Keys to Real Estate Podcast:
Housing Policy Is Moving Fast... Right Now!! with Kevin Cameron
For housing professionals, this is one of those moments where the industry is being shaped in real time and the people on the ground have an opportunity to influence what’s coming next.
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Keys to Real Estate Podcast:
Why Local Advocacy is Key to Improving the Housing Market with Ed Pinto
Sometimes the best way to make things happen is to start small. Among the innovative and data-based policy solutions Pinto champions to increase housing supply, he also is a proponent of local advocacy, given its potential to move the needle.
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Keys to Real Estate Podcast:
When Housing Policy Ignores How Housing Really Works with Ed Pinto
Ed Pinto, senior fellow and co-director at the AEI Housing Center, explains why demand-based housing fixes fail and what actually works in this episode of Keys to Real Estate.
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Keys to Real Estate Podcast:
How to Fix Housing (Based on the Data) with Ed Pinto
In part two of the Keys to Real Estate discussion with Ed Pinto, senior fellow and co-director at the AEI Housing Center, Pinto digs into the implications of local zoning policies on home prices and what industry advocates may be able to do about it.
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2025 National Settlement Services Summit (NS3):
Housing Innovations session
In this session, hear from Mortgage Bankers Association Vice President of Affordable Housing Initiatives Wendy Penn, and Amy Shaftlein, executive director of United Housing, Inc. / Convergence Memphis, about what their organizations are doing to address today’s toughest housing challenges.
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