The recent assertion by Vice President Kamala Harris that America needs more homes is not only a call to address the rampant housing issue but also a varied deviation from traditional approaches to housing in the United States. The vice president’s approach brings a fresh perspective that focuses not just on raising the quantity but also enhancing quality, affordability, and the aspect of inclusiveness.
Harris has been a longtime promoter of affordable housing, and her interests are deeply rooted in her time as California’s attorney general where she vigorously enforced housing laws and sued banks that were unfairly foreclosing on homeowners, taking advantage of the 2008 financial crisis.
At the heart of Harris’s housing policy is the belief that housing should be a right, not a privilege, and that everyone deserves a decent and affordable place to call home. This may seem like a standard take on housing by a Democrat, but one critical aspect sets Harris apart – her understanding of the intersectionality of housing with other societal structures and systems. This particular viewpoint signals a hard shift from traditional discussions and policies on housing, which typically narrow their focus to the sheer supply-demand gap.
Harris’s standpoint aims at dismantling the major barriers to homeownership, especially in minority communities. She has proposed substantial federal investment in housing development and infrastructure, but also puts significant emphasis on ways to negate discriminatory practices in housing. Her plan acknowledges the history of redlining and systemic discrimination, proposing a sizable down-payment assistance for those living in historically redlined neighborhoods.
Secondly, she has spotlighted the need for an increase in the supply of affordable housing alongside population growth. As cities and towns across America experience population growth, current housing supply simply can’t keep up. This imbalance, if not rectified, will make the American dream of owning a home even more elusive for lower- and middle-income families. Harris suggests that federal funds can play a crucial role in stimulating the production of affordable houses, thereby reducing housing costs and homelessness.
Also noteworthy is Harris’s focus on fair and just housing laws. She has been vocal about strengthening the fair housing act that seeks to cease discrimination in renting or selling houses based on race, religion, and country of origin among other things. This focus on inclusiveness is particularly pertinent in today’s America that boasts a diverse demographic.
Finally, environmental sustainability is another agenda in Harris’s housing policy. She supports the construction of energy-efficient homes and retrofitting of existing ones to reduce carbon footprints. In this way, her approach is not only about addressing short-term housing
