Listen to the article
A new initiative led by conservative influencer Benny Johnson and the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) aims to tackle America’s growing housing affordability crisis through a comprehensive policy plan called “Make Housing Great Again.”
The initiative, which launched in November, has unveiled a detailed blueprint for making homeownership more attainable for Americans. Johnson, who brings a substantial following to the cause, serves as national spokesperson and co-chair. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and developer Michael Burkentine have joined as advisors.
According to AFPI’s policy white paper, housing affordability has reached crisis proportions, with home prices increasing 167% over the past half-century. This dramatic rise has pushed the median age of first-time homebuyers to 40, up from 33 just four years ago. The report highlights a troubling economic gap: while median household income grew by 99.7% between 2000 and 2024, median single-family home prices surged by 150.1% during the same period.
“The America First vision of housing affordability is to restore the American Dream to what it once was,” states the initiative’s policy document. “By taking a pragmatic and targeted approach to the affordability crisis, these proposals will increase the housing supply, provide direct relief to home buyers, bring prices down, and, ultimately, allow all Americans to obtain the cornerstone of the American Dream: a place to call their own.”
The initiative identifies several factors driving the housing crisis, including excessive regulations limiting supply, immigration-induced demand increases, high mortgage rates, and record debt burdens among young Americans.
To address these challenges, the plan focuses on five key areas. First, it emphasizes deregulation at the local level through market-driven solutions. Since housing regulations primarily fall under local jurisdiction, the federal government cannot impose national deregulation mandates. Instead, the initiative proposes that HUD incentivize localities to expand housing supply by tying federal housing benefits to deregulation efforts.
One innovative proposal is the creation of a “Working Families Housing Fund,” dubbed the “TRUMP Fund” (Targeted Regional U.S. Middle-Class Prosperity Fund). This would invest in professionally managed housing funds designed to provide financial assistance to middle-income, working-class families earning 80% to 120% of their area’s median income. Communities would only be eligible if they demonstrate concrete steps to reduce barriers to housing construction.
The second focus area targets construction costs by addressing the skilled labor shortage in the building trades. Industry experts estimate a current shortage of approximately 350,000 workers each month in construction trades, with the National Association of Home Builders projecting a need for 723,000 new workers annually to meet demand and close a nationwide housing gap of 1.5 million homes.
“By increasing interest in skilled trades and reducing barriers to entry, it is possible to increase the pipeline of workers entering skilled trades and, by extension, reduce the costs of building new homes,” the report argues.
Third, the plan calls for implementing tax benefits for first-time homebuyers through tax-advantaged savings plans, a family formation mortgage credit for young couples planning to have children, and a new fixed 30-year mortgage rate for first-time buyers supplemented by HUD.
Fourth, the initiative proposes expanding economic “Opportunity Zones” with a new “Opportunity Zones Plus” program that would create enhanced benefits for affordable housing construction in qualifying low-income communities.
The fifth major component focuses on reducing foreign housing demand. According to the white paper, foreign investors purchased $56 billion worth of U.S. homes during a 12-month period between 2024 and 2025, with 47% of those properties intended as vacation homes or rentals. These buyers typically pay cash at significantly higher rates than American homebuyers, further driving up market prices.
Additional proposals include consumer protections against predatory lending practices, such as capping Annual Percentage Rates (APR) at 36% for most consumer borrowing, including payday loans and credit cards—similar to protections already in place for military families.
“The fight for homeownership is a fight for the survival of our culture and civilization,” Johnson told Fox News Digital. “Young Americans cannot build families without homes, and a nation without families cannot survive. The American Dream is dying before our eyes. This is a generational betrayal, and we must reverse it for our children and for their future.”
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
10 Comments
The housing affordability numbers cited are certainly alarming. I’m curious to understand the root causes behind the dramatic price increases and income-housing mismatch. A comprehensive, data-driven policy response could make a real difference.
Agreed, a deep dive into the underlying drivers of the affordability crisis is important. Examining factors like land use regulations, construction costs, and mortgage financing could shed light on effective solutions.
Interesting initiative to tackle the housing affordability crisis. While the America First approach may be controversial, I’m curious to learn more about the specific policy proposals and how they aim to make homeownership more attainable for Americans.
I agree, the housing affordability issue is a major concern that deserves serious policy solutions. It will be important to evaluate the proposed plan objectively, beyond partisan politics.
While the political affiliations of those involved raise eyebrows, I’ll withhold judgment until I can review the actual policy proposals. Restoring the American Dream of homeownership is a worthy goal, if the plan can deliver tangible results.
That’s a fair assessment. Maintaining an open mind and focusing on the substance of the policy recommendations, rather than just the messengers, seems prudent here.
It’s good to see attention being brought to the housing affordability crisis. However, the partisan nature of this initiative gives me pause. I hope the policy solutions can transcend political divides and genuinely address the needs of aspiring homeowners across the country.
I share your concerns about the partisan framing. Ultimately, the success of this plan will depend on its ability to craft inclusive, evidence-based policies that can garner broad support and make a real difference in people’s lives.
Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream, so I’m glad to see efforts focused on making it more accessible. However, the Trump alignment raises some questions. I hope the policy plan can find bipartisan support to truly address the crisis.
Valid point. Bipartisanship will be crucial for any meaningful and lasting housing reforms. The challenges are complex, so an open, evidence-based approach seems warranted.