The J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy recently hosted the 4th Annual Terwilliger Center Summit on Housing Supply Solutions at Union Station in Washington, D.C.
The event brought together leaders from government, business, philanthropy and more to discuss solutions to the nation’s shortage of affordable housing.
Hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), a not-for-profit organization that ensures policymakers work across party lines to craft bipartisan solutions, members of Congress and housing policy leadership alike weighed in during a series of panel discussions geared toward finding solutions to enhancing the nation’s stock of affordable housing.
With the U.S. not having enough housing supply to meet demand, resulting in an uptick in cost and limited options for renters and homeowners alike, HUD Secretary Scott Turner addressed what it will take to boost housing supply.
“We recognize that more than 80% of American adults believe that homeownership is part of the American Dream, and that they want to own a home someday,” said HUD Secretary Turner. “A home is much more than a financial investment. Homeownership is about providing a sanctuary for your family … a place of joy, of love, of family formation, and creating a legacy that you can pass on to your children and your grandchildren.”
Moderated by Dennis Shea, EVP and Chair of the J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy for the BPC, “Home Matters: A Conversation on Housing Affordability” was led by the HUD Secretary detailing how HUD is working to create more opportunities to unlock the American Dream of homeownership.
“A home is more than just brick and mortar. Sadly, many Americans today feel a long way away, and they feel that the American dream of homeownership is beyond their reach. We need about seven million units of housing in our country today,” added the HUD Secretary in addressing the lack of affordable units available. “Housing prices are going up, and sales are going down, and I know that with the experts here and this distinguished group, you understand that we need millions of units. The median home price as of this past April was $414,000 in America—a 21% increase from April of 2021. Home sales last year were at their all-time lowest level in the last three decades. This is not sustainable for our country. These are not just numbers on a page. All these numbers represent American people who are not living the American dream currently … who are seeing this dream pass further and further out of their reach. We have to do something about this for our beloved country, and the beloved people of this country.”
Margaret Spellings, President and CEO, BPC outlined the day’s agenda, welcoming several dignitaries and introducing the opening panel discussion, “Finding Common Ground: Advancing Affordable Housing Through Bipartisanship.” Moderated by Pamela Hughes Patenaude, Board Vice Chair, for the BPC and Former Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Sens. Mike Rounds and Mark Warner joined Ron Terwilliger, Board Member of the BPC and Chairman Emeritus of Trammell Crow Residential Company in a discussion on the potential for bipartisan collaboration on housing policy, and how to advance meaningful legislation in the 119th Congress.
The second session, moderated by Shena Ashley, VP of Capital One Community Impact and Investment and President, Capital One Insights Center, focused on solutions for the urban market. “How Cities Are Rewriting the Housing Playbook” featured Mayors Danny Avula of Richmond, Virginia and Jim Ross of Arlington, Texas discussing the topic of the affordability challenges the mayors face in their communities, strategies they are pursuing to provide relief, and how stakeholders across the affordable housing ecosystem can best support these efforts.
During the “Unlocking Our Nation’s Housing Supply: Strengthening the Housing Choice Voucher Program to Incentivize Housing Provider Participation” session, Bob Pinnegar, President and CEO of the National Apartment Association, led a panel featuring Alan Ferguson, Chief Housing and Real Estate Officer of Atlanta Housing; Bonnie Smetzer, EVP of Asset Living; and Jason Ward, Co-Director, RAND Center on Housing and Homelessness and Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School, detailed the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and the administrative challenges behind this program. Once an essential tool for expanding access to housing, helping millions affordably rent homes in the private market, burdensome inspection requirements, and insufficient support have caused many property owners to drop out of the program. Panelists explored opportunities to improve the HCV program to encourage greater housing provider participation, and foster greater usage of the voucher program.
Next up, Henry Cisneros, Board Chair of the BPC and Former Secretary of HUD welcomed a panel featuring Julia Glanz, Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development; Deborah Goddard, Secretary of Housing for the State of Rhode Island; RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner and CEO of the New York State Homes and Community Renewal; and Steve Waldrip, Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation, State of Utah, for the session, “A State-Led Agenda to Tackle the Housing Affordability Crisis.” As states continue to shape policies and direct investments that impact housing supply and affordability, state leaders are advancing practical solutions to expand access and lower costs. The panel of senior housing officials shared the challenges they face, strategies that deliver results, and innovations that are driving progress in their states.
With natural disasters and climate-related events displacing more each year, the “Innovations in Post-Disaster Housing” session examined how state and local governments, along with the private sector, can improve recovery efforts, and ensure that survivors gain access to safe, stable housing. Adrianne Todman, Former Acting Secretary of HUD, led the panel discussion featuring Taylor Marr, Senior Housing Economist with Airbnb; Carlos Martín, VP for Research and Policy Engagement with Resources for the Future; and Sara Morgan, President of Fahe.
Katy O’Donnell, Financial Services Reporter with Politico, moderated the next session, “Collaborating in Congress: Finding Solutions to the Housing Supply Shortage.” Featuring two of the 2025 recipients of the Terwilliger Bipartisanship in Housing Award, which recognizes lawmakers working to promote bipartisan solutions to America’s affordable housing challenges, Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Todd Young discussed the potential for bipartisan collaboration, and what it will take to advance legislation that would have a meaningful impact for Americans with the greatest housing needs.
During the “Financing the Fix to the Housing Supply Shortage” panel, Abha Bhattarai, Economics Correspondent with the Washington Post, led a panel discussing potential policies and program improvements to scale up success and help solve the housing affordability crisis. Thomas Bryan, Executive Director and CEO of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority; Ismael Guerrero, President and CEO of Mercy Housing; and Barry Krinsky, National Production Manager with Citi Community Capital offered their perspectives on the challenges they have faced securing financing, and provided ways they have made projects pan out.
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