Kamala Harris Pledges Major Funds To Address Housing Shortage As Trump Suggests Federal Land Expansion For New Developments

Housing affordability has become a hot-button issue for voters, with Redfin's survey showing that 80% consider it a key factor in their vote. The affordable housing shortage is especially challenging for low-wage workers who, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, can't afford a modest two-bedroom rental anywhere in the U.S. if earning minimum wage.

As candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump outline their housing plans, their approaches reveal sharply differing perspectives on addressing the crisis. 

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Shortly after stepping in as the Democratic nominee, Harris introduced a $25,000 down-payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers and a $40 billion innovation fund to drive local strategies for expanding housing stock. 

Harris has also emphasized federal support, allocating $85 million through the PRO Housing initiative to reduce barriers to housing developments, including land costs and outdated zoning. This initiative is part of her proposed $258 billion FY25 budget, featuring a $20 billion Innovation Fund to spur construction and creative housing solutions.

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In contrast, Trump's plan leverages federal land for housing projects to lower regulation and tax barriers. At the Economic Club of New York, Trump described these zones as "ultralow tax and ultralow regulation." He attributes housing shortages to demand pressures, often linking them to immigration. 

At a Tucson rally in September, the Republican nominee pledged to require proof of citizenship for subsidized housing tenants and to ban mortgages for undocumented immigrants. During the vice-presidential debate, Sen. JD Vance argued that immigrants increase housing costs, though experts countered that stricter immigration enforcement raises prices by reducing the construction workforce. 

The candidates' records reflect their approaches. As California attorney general, Harris passed the Homeowner Bill of Rights to curb foreclosure abuses, later supporting an $18 billion settlement for homeowners affected by fraudulent foreclosures.

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However, critics note that Harris faced backlash for deciding not to prosecute a bank accused of improper foreclosures. As a U.S. senator in 2018, she introduced the Rent Relief Act to provide tax credits to renters earning under $100,000, but it never reached a Senate vote.

Trump's first-term housing policies included budget cuts to affordable housing programs, which Congress countered by increasing funding. His administration also halted the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, an Obama-era policy that tackled housing discrimination, which Biden later reinstated.

Some housing proposals in Project 2025, The Heritage Foundation's blueprint for a potential second Trump term, echo actions from Trump's first term. Former HUD Secretary Ben Carson authored these proposals, though Trump's campaign has distanced itself from the project.

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