Trump v. Kamala on Housing

Housing affordability might be a topic to watch this election cycle. (WaPo)

The latest: Republicans are ramping up their attacks on the rising cost of housing under the Biden-Harris administration.

• Meanwhile, Democrats are running ads about housing affordability and attacking GOP politicians’ real estate investments.

Trump-Kamala: Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have both laid out a platform for bringing down housing costs, but from very different directions.

• Harris has vowed to build 3 million additional homes and proposed $25,000 in down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers.

• Harris’ plan also contains tax incentives for builders.

• Trump’s focus has been on slashing burdensome regulations that have slowed down construction and he also said he wants to open up federal land for building.

Zoom in: Economists say Harris’ $25,000 down payment assistance program will end up raising the price of housing.

• A 2022 study of a similar initiative in Germany found giving home buyers $11,000 in down payment assistance drove up housing prices by roughly the same amount, meaning that buyers, on average, did not benefit from the policy.

The vibes: Housing affordability is the top issue for Gen Z Americans, with 91% of them saying it’s an essential factor in their vote.

• Overall, a majority of voters say the government should play a role in the housing market.