Homeownership is at the heart of the American dream — but I hear from Iowans every day who are working hard and still watching that dream slip further out of reach.
The problem: For more than 20 years, Congress failed to modernize federal housing programs. Supply didn’t keep up with demand, and families paid the price. Today, America is short 3 to 5 million homes.
Here’s what that looks like in Iowa:
💸 Rent takes up nearly 40% of household income
⏳ First-time buyers waiting until their mid-40s to buy a home
Iowans are clear about what needs to change: cut the red tape, fix what’s broken, and let local communities build. That’s exactly the approach I’m fighting for in Congress.
What’s new: This week, the House passed the most significant housing reform in a generation — the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act — by an overwhelming 390–9 vote.
I spoke on the House floor to make the case for Iowa families and explain why this bill matters. ⬇️
This legislation puts rural Iowa front and center. It includes my Rural Housing Service Reform Act designed to help small towns grow and keep families rooted by:
🏡 Updating rural housing programs stuck in the past
⏱️ Slashing approval times from months — or years — down to weeks
🌾 Expanding access for first-time homebuyers and home repair loans
Bottom Line: This is a historic step forward. We’re lowering costs, expanding homeownership, and giving Iowa communities the room they need to grow. I’ll keep pushing to get this across the finish line and signed into law.