Northwest Ohio REALTORS® Met with Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to Advocate for Housing Supply and Opportunity, Stronger Communities, and the Real Estate Profession

Members of Northwest Ohio REALTORS® traveled to Washington, D.C., for the 2026 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings, where they met with Senator Jon Husted and Representative Marcy Kaptur to advocate for policies that increase housing supply, build stronger communities, and support self-employed professionals.

During meetings on Capitol Hill, members and staff of Northwest Ohio REALTORS® met with Senator Jon Husted and Representative Marcy Kaptur and urged support for:

• The More Homes on the Market Act, which would update the tax exclusion on the sale of a primary residence and incentivize more long-term owners to sell their homes. Updating America’s tax law is a key pathway to more supply.
• The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, to increase housing production, improve affordability, and reduce barriers to development.
• The Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act, to encourage the conversion of underutilized commercial properties into housing and mixed-use developments.
• Federal investments in fair housing, housing counseling and homebuyer education programs that expand housing opportunities and strengthen communities.
• The Association Health Plans Act, which would expand access to affordable, high-quality health insurance for REALTORS® and other independent contractors.
• [Association insert issue especially important to their Area]

“America has a shortage of more than 4 million homes, and the solution starts with smart policy,” said Shalonda Thurmond, President of Northwest Ohio REALTORS®. “Our meetings on Capitol Hill gave Northwest Ohio REALTORS® a chance to bring that message directly to lawmakers and make the case for concrete legislation that will get inventory moving and open the door for more Americans to buy a home.”

NAR and Northwest Ohio REALTORS® are championing a suite of federal policies designed to boost housing supply, reduce development barriers and make homeownership more attainable. From converting vacant commercial buildings into new housing to updating outdated tax laws keeping homes off the market, these efforts aim to ease the affordability crisis affecting communities nationwide.

“REALTORS® are on the front lines of the housing market every day, and we see firsthand how the shortage affects families and communities,” added Thurmond. “The lawmakers we met with were receptive to our ideas and understand that investing in housing supply and supporting the professionals who help people buy and sell homes is good for the economy and good for America.”

The Capitol Hill meetings were organized by the National Association of REALTORS®, along with state and local REALTOR® associations, as part of the association’s ongoing federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the real estate industry and the consumers it serves.