National Association of Realtors® President Kevin Sears joined national housing leaders Wednesday for a panel reception hosted by the National League of Cities and American Planning Association focused on the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook, a guide that contains more than 40 strategies for state and local governments to deploy in the fight for housing affordability.

The panel focused on the campaign to unite local governments, community planners, builders, financial institutions, housing policy associations, and state and federal partners to create, align and implement solutions for local housing supply challenges.

NAR partnered with key national stakeholders to create the Playbook.

"The U.S. is facing an underbuilding gap of 5.5 million units, translating to a $4.4 trillion underinvestment in housing. Addressing the nation’s housing affordability challenges starts with adding to the severely limited inventory, and that is the focus of the Housing Supply Accelerator," Sears said.

He further dove into NAR's commitment to collaboration. "The Housing Supply Accelerator is an all-hands-on-deck initiative that brings together key national stakeholders with extensive local networks. NAR has a state association in each state and territory and more than 1,200 local associations nationwide. Each of our local networks are vital to the success of this initiative and moving the needle on the housing supply and affordability crisis."

During panel questioning, Sears highlighted NAR's commitment to advocating for solutions to remedy the housing crisis, which is crucial for economic growth and generational wealth. NAR supports various bipartisan legislative efforts to increase housing supply, including the More Homes on the Market Act, Neighborhood Homes Investment Act and The Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act.

NAR's president closed his panel participation by tapping into the purpose behind the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook. Sears noted it is a resource for communities seeking solutions, and said, "The conversation around housing has bipartisan momentum building. Both presidential campaigns are talking about housing. The ability to afford a home was ranked as a top concern by an almost equal 70% share of Democrat, Republican, and Independent voters alike. The time to act is now, and this coalition can help lead these efforts over the next year."

About the National Association of Realtors®

The National Association of Realtors® is America's largest trade association, representing 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes – from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation – visit facts.realtor.