What #NAHREPVotes Means in 2026

A blog empowering Hispanic homeownership through advocacy and policy.

By Jovana Campos
April 23, 2026

NAHREP 10 Discipline 7: Be politically savvy, because public policy matters

There’s a reason being politically savvy found its way into the NAHREP 10 wealth-building disciplines: public policy shapes everything. From gas prices and the cost of healthcare to the job market and economic mobility, policy decisions ripple through every part of our lives. This is especially true in housing, one of the most highly regulated industries. Whether we pay attention to them or not, politics and public policy matter.

The Latino community has grown into a powerful economic force in the United States, leading the way in homeownership, workforce participation, business ownership, and beyond. As this influence continues to expand, it becomes increasingly important to protect and sustain these opportunities. And that’s where public policy and being politically savvy come in. Latinos are an important part of the electorate and one of the fastest-growing segments of the population. Yet, voter participation among Latinos continues to fall behind.

That is why #NAHREPVotes was created. To raise awareness and provide a platform for voter engagement within our network. As leaders in housing and advocates for the Hispanic community, we have the responsibility to demonstrate the importance of civic participation and help ensure accurate representation in our nation’s decision-making.

The Power of the Latino Vote

Latino voters are emerging as one of the most closely watched voting segments as we head into the 2026 midterm election cycle. With more than 36 million eligible voters, Latinos are the second-largest voting bloc in the country and growing. Latinos are younger than the overall population, and so are their voters. On average, about 1 million U.S.-born Latinos turn 18 each year, making them newly eligible to register to vote. Today, 31% of eligible Latino voters are between the ages of 18 and 29, compared to 20% of the overall eligible electorate.

Latinos are not only increasingly influencing election outcomes, but also have the potential to shape them. Latino voter participation has historically lagged behind other segments of the electorate. In the 2024 Presidential Election, 50.6% of eligible Latinos turned out to vote, compared to 65.3% of the general eligible. Although this shows an improvement compared to previous elections, there is still work to be done. Imagine if Latinos turned out at the same rate as the rest of the voting population; the impact would be monumental.

The 2026 Midterm Elections: The Time Is Now

In addition to relatively lower turnout rates, midterm elections are often generally overlooked, but their impact is more significant than you may think. During midterm elections, all 435 seats of the U.S House of Representatives and one-third of the U.S. Senate are up for election. Additionally, there are many high-profile gubernatorial elections taking place during the midterms. This year, there are 39 gubernatorial races, including in states with large Latino populations, such as California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Lastly, we can’t underestimate the power of local politics. There is a saying that goes, “all politics is local.” The issues people care about most, and the decisions that impact their daily lives, are often made close to home. While national debates get the attention, it’s local leaders and local policies that shape what people actually experience in their communities. That’s particularly true for housing, where decisions about zoning, land use, permitting, density, and development all happen at the local level. City councils, county boards, and planning commissions determine what gets built, where it gets built, and how quickly it moves forward.

Get Involved With #NAHREPVotes

With this year’s midterm elections underway, now is the time to get involved. Whether this is your first time voting or not, here are a few tips to help you get started and make an impact.

1. Learn Your Voting Options & Ballot. Understand how you can vote (In-person, early, or mail-in) and take time to review your ballot ahead of time so you know exactly what you’re voting for. Visit Vote 411 to research your state’s voting options and ballot.
2. Research Where Your Candidates Stand. Look at candidates’ positions on key issues surrounding NAHREP’s 2026 Policy Priorities, especially around housing supply, affordability, access to credit, and economic opportunity, to make informed decisions. Visit gov to find your local representatives and learn more about their current committee and subcommittee assignments.
3. Get Involved in Voter Outreach Efforts. Support nonpartisan organizations working to expand voter access and education through volunteering opportunities. Here are a few suggestions:
   • Fair Vote Action: Works to reform election systems and advocates for changes that make elections more accessible, representative, and fair.
   • Vote with the League of Women Voters: Helps register voters, provides nonpartisan election information, and focuses on encouraging informed participation in government.
   • Rock the Vote: Helps register voters and encourages young people to participate in elections. It focuses on increasing civic engagement through education, outreach, and easy access to voter registration.
   • Vote Forward: Empowers volunteers to encourage voter turnout by writing personalized, nonpartisan letters to potential voters. It uses grassroots outreach to help increase participation in elections, especially among underrepresented communities.

   Research volunteering opportunities through your local city council or county departments to get involved in your community. Always ensure that the websites end with .gov for credibility.

4. Stay Informed & Spread the Word. Talk with friends, family, and your community. Sharing accurate information helps strengthen collective awareness and participation. As we head into the 2026 midterms, take a moment to reflect on the past two years of the decisions that have shaped our community, especially when it comes to housing and economic opportunity for the Latino voters can be when we are informed and engaged. Now is the time to turn that reflection into action.

Vote for yourself, for your community, and for those whose voices too often go unheard!

U.S. Census Bureau: Hispanics Reach 10.2 Million Homeowners

A New NAHREP report shows that Hispanics dominated homeownership and new household formation growth in 2025

SAN DIEGO—March 23, 2026 — The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP®), the nation’s largest Hispanic business organization, today released the 2025 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report, which revealed that 2025 was a record-breaking year for Hispanic homeownership. The report, citing government data, showed that Latinos experienced a net gain of 441,000 owner households, bringing their total to a new high of 10.2 million homeowners. This marks the largest single-year increase in Hispanic homeownership since the U.S. Census Bureau started tracking this data, occurring during a time when homeownership among most other demographic groups declined.

Without Hispanic buyers, the U.S. would have experienced a net loss of about 125,000 homeowners. Additionally, in 2025, Hispanics accounted for 1,094,000 new households, representing 92.6 percent of the total growth in household formation nationwide, a key indicator of future homebuyer activity.

The 2025 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report includes a qualitative study in which NAHREP interviewed 30 top-producing Latino agents and mortgage originators who work primarily with Hispanic homebuyers. Practitioners interviewed for the report described a market in which homes take longer to sell, price cuts are more common, and seller concessions such as closing cost credits and rate buydowns are once again frequently used tools to make deals work for buyers. At the same time, the report highlights that competition remains intense for well-priced homes under about $350,000, where supply significantly lags behind demand.

Key Findings:

1. Record-breaking year for homeownership gains. Hispanics saw a net gain of 441,000 owner-households, reaching a record high of 10.2 million Hispanic owner-households in 2025. The surge in Hispanic owner-households accounted for all U.S. homeownership growth last year, offsetting declines in other demographic segments.
2. Hispanic households are driving household formation growth in the U.S. At the same time, Hispanics added over 1 million new households, accounting for nearly all (92.6 percent) of national household growth, a primary indicator of future homeownership activity.
3. Housing market is no longer just a seller’s market. After years of pandemic-era volatility, the housing market began to stabilize in 2025, with slower home price appreciation, moderated interest rates, and more inventory at higher price levels. This shift has created a more balanced market, with more opportunities and negotiating power for homebuyers.
4. Aggressive immigration enforcement threatens housing market stability. Intensified immigration enforcement has emerged as a destabilizing force in 2025, dampening housing demand and weakening consumer confidence. At the same time, enforcement-related labor disruptions are constraining an already short-handed construction workforce.
5. Housing supply has seen some improvement, but there is a long way to go. While the housing supply crisis is showing signs of positive momentum, recovery is uneven, and significant challenges remain. With a national housing deficit of roughly 3.8 million homes, expanding supply, particularly at affordable price points, remains the single most effective way to broaden homeownership opportunities.
6. Broker compensation changes may be impacting first-time homebuyers. Broker compensation changes, including buyer‑broker agreements, from recent class-action settlements have generally benefited agents, with many reporting stable or increased commissions. While a benefit to buyers’ agents, first-time homebuyer activity has fallen to historic lows.

With a median age of 31, many Hispanic households are just now aging into prime household formation and homebuying years. Hispanics remain the youngest major racial or ethnic group in the country, and nearly 69 percent of Latinos are millennials or younger. One in five people in the U.S., about 68 million individuals, identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Over the last decade, Latinos have accounted for nearly 60 percent of total U.S. population growth.​

“In a year in which affordability and economic uncertainty kept many Americans on the sidelines, Latino buyers are effectively supporting the housing market,” said Edwin Acevedo, NAHREP 2026 National President. “Their youth and resilience in a tough environment indicate that the influence of Latino buyers will only grow over time,” Acevedo added.

The 2025 report was announced at NAHREP’s 2026 Homeownership & Housing Policy Conference, March 23–25, at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C., sponsored by Chase. The conference convenes housing industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates to discuss the findings and advance solutions that unlock more opportunities for Hispanic families to become homeowners.

For more information and to download the 2025 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report, visit nahrep.org/shhr.

About NAHREP:

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP®), a nonprofit 501(c)(6) trade association, is dedicated to advancing sustainable homeownership for the Hispanic community in America. NAHREP has a network of over 62,000 real estate professionals and 100 local chapters nationwide. It hosts several national events per year and publishes multiple industry cornerstone reports and multimedia content annually. Join us in advocating for policies that grow sustainable Latino homeownership; read our 2025 policy priorities here.

Press Contact:
press@nahrep.org
(619) 719-4801

Housing Leaders and U.S. Lawmakers Convene in Washington to Address the Future of Hispanic Homeownership

HUD Secretary Scott Turner and U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Ruben Gallego among the featured Speakers

SAN DIEGO, CA — March 20, 2026 — National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) today announced its headline speakers for the 2026 Homeownership & Housing Policy Conference (HHPC), taking place March 23–25, 2026, at the JW Marriott Washington, DC in Washington, D.C.

The annual conference convenes housing industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates to address the most urgent issues shaping the future of housing and Hispanic homeownership in the United States. Through high-level briefings, keynote conversations, and policy discussions, the event empowers attendees to advocate for sustainable housing policy and economic opportunity. NAHREP will release its annual State of Hispanic Homeownership Report and install its 2026 National President, Edwin Acevedo, from Los Angeles, who succeeds Oralia Herrera from Chicago.

This year’s program features prominent voices from government, media, and industry, including:

Headline Speakers

• Scott Turner, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• Catherine Cortez Masto, United States Senator
• Ruben Gallego, United States Senator
• Frank Cassidy, Federal Housing Commissioner and Assistant Secretary for Housing, Office of Housing and the Federal Housing Administration, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Carolina Jannicelli, Managing Director and Global Head of Diversity, Opportunity & Inclusion, JPMorganChase
• Mike Miedler, President & CEO, Century 21 Real Estate
• Jimmy Gomez, United States Congressman
• Diana Olick, Senior Climate and Real Estate Correspondent, CNBC

Together, these leaders and journalists will explore the evolving housing landscape, including housing supply challenges, mortgage access, and policy solutions that support long-term homeownership and economic mobility.

“Homeownership remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic and social prosperity in America,” said Gary Acosta, Co-founder & CEO of NAHREP. “The Homeownership & Housing Policy Conference brings together the top voices shaping policy and the professionals on the front lines of housing to educate the industry about the power of the Hispanic market and ensure all Americans have access to the opportunities homeownership provides.”

Featured Policy and Industry Speakers

Additional speakers include leaders from national housing and advocacy organizations:

• Emily Terrell, Business Coach and National Speaker, Tom Ferry Coaching
• Laura Arce, Senior Vice President, Economic Initiatives, UnidosUS
• Juan Proaño, CEO, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
• Bryan Greene, Vice President, Policy Advocacy, National Association of Realtors
• Ken Wingert, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Association of Home Builders
• Rebecca Shi, Executive Director, American Business Immigration Coalition
• Kara Murray-Badal, Director, Housing Venture Lab, Terner Labs

Presented by Chase as Title Sponsor, the conference will kick off with a keynote luncheon, followed by a welcome reception featuring a live performance by musical artist Frankie Negron, and culminate with the Presidential Installation Gala, sponsored by Century 21, where Edwin Acevedo will be installed as NAHREP’s 2026 National President.

Shaping the Future of Hispanic Homeownership

This year’s State of Hispanic Homeownership Report will reveal that Hispanic homebuyers are leading the demand for homeownership in the United States and are the driving force behind the current and future housing markets. The conference provides a platform for collaboration among policymakers, lenders, real estate professionals, and advocates working to expand access to homeownership.

Attendees will gain insight into market trends, housing supply challenges, and legislative developments while engaging directly with policymakers shaping the nation’s housing agenda.

Registration and full program details are available at nahrep.org.

About NAHREP:

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP®), a nonprofit 501(c)(6) trade association, is dedicated to advancing sustainable homeownership for the Hispanic community in America. NAHREP has a network of over 62,000 real estate professionals and 100 local chapters nationwide. It hosts several national events per year and publishes multiple industry cornerstone reports and multimedia content annually. Join us in advocating for policies that grow sustainable Latino homeownership; read our 2025 policy priorities here.

Press Contact:
press@nahrep.org
(619) 719-4801

U.S. Census Bureau: Hispanics Post a Net Gain of 441,000 Homeowners in 2025

A forthcoming NAHREP Report will highlight that Latinos accounted for 139.6 percent of total U.S. homeownership growth and 92.6 percent of household formation growth nationally

SAN DIEGO—February 10, 2026 —The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP®), the nation’s largest Latino business organization, today previewed key findings from its upcoming 2025 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report (SHHR), to be released at the 2026 Homeownership and Housing Policy Conference, sponsored by Chase, March 23-25, 2026, at the JW Marriott, Washington D.C. The report offers data-driven insights into Latino homebuying trends, the obstacles Hispanic households face, and the policy solutions needed to sustain long-term homeownership growth.

In 2025, Hispanics had a record year for both homeownership and household formation, adding 441,000 net new homeowners and 1,094,000 overall households. Latinos accounted for 139.6 percent of total U.S. homeownership growth and 92.6 percent of household formation growth nationally. Without Hispanic homebuyers, the total number of U.S. homeowners would have declined.

Despite these gains, the overall homeownership rate declined slightly across nearly all demographic groups for the second consecutive year. Among Latinos, household formations continued to outpace homeownership growth, underscoring the gap between families ready to buy and the limited number of homes available to them.

“Hispanics had a record year for both homeownership and household formation, while the broader U.S. housing market continues to struggle with affordability challenges,” said Gary Acosta, NAHREP Co-Founder & CEO. “Latinos are driving demand and strengthening communities, while tight inventory, interest rates, and higher home prices are keeping many qualified families on the sidelines.”

The 16th edition of the State of Hispanic Homeownership Report will be officially released at NAHREP’s Homeownership and Housing Policy Conference, March 23–25, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The conference will convene housing industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates to discuss the findings and advance solutions that unlock more opportunities for Hispanic families to become homeowners.

For more information and to download the 2025 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report when it is released, visit nahrep.org/shhr.

About NAHREP:

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP®), a nonprofit 501(c)(6) trade association, is dedicated to advancing sustainable homeownership for the Hispanic community in America. NAHREP has a network of over 62,000 real estate professionals and 100 local chapters nationwide. It hosts several national events per year and publishes multiple industry cornerstone reports and multimedia content annually. Join us in advocating for policies that grow sustainable Latino homeownership; read our 2025 policy priorities here.

Press Contact:
press@nahrep.org
(619) 719-4801

Three State-Level Housing Reforms to Watch in 2026

A blog empowering Hispanic homeownership through advocacy and policy.

By Elizabeth Nimmons
January 29, 2025

As federal housing debates continue, state legislatures across the U.S. are quietly advancing structural reforms that expand where and how housing can be built. For real estate professionals focused on expanding access to homeownership, especially in Latino and first-time buyer markets, understanding these state policy developments is essential.

These reforms are not one-size-fits-all fixes to the national housing supply and affordability crisis, but they represent concrete steps toward unlocking supply and making more homes attainable in high-demand regions. Below are three state reforms worth tracking this year and why they matter for housing affordability and homeownership opportunity.

1. California’s Transit-Oriented Upzoning and Environmental Review Reforms

California continues to lead on housing supply innovation, and 2025 brought some of the most consequential reforms in years. One of the most closely watched pieces of legislation is Senate Bill 79, also known as the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act. The bill, which was signed into law October 10, 2025 and is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, requires upzoning near major transit stations, allowing developers to build taller, denser residential housing, regardless of existing local zoning restrictions.

SB 79 is paired with broader state reforms that streamline environmental reviews and permitting for infill housing. For example, Assembly Bill 130 exempts many infill housing projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a historically complex review process that has long delayed housing development.

Why it matters:

• Upzoning near transit helps shift housing production toward walkable, job-rich corridors where supply has historically lagged.
• CEQA streamlining reduces legal and administrative barriers that often leave projects stuck for years.
• Together, these reforms signal a continued state commitment to increasing housing capacity.

For industry professionals, the key takeaway is that location matters more than ever, both in terms of where new supply may materialize and where buyers may find emerging opportunities.

2. Arizona’s Expansion of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rights

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become an increasingly popular tool for expanding housing options without large-scale development, especially in areas with limited open land.

In 2025, Arizona passed House Bill 2928, which strengthens state requirements for ADUs in municipal and county zoning codes. The law mandates that counties allow at least one attached and one detached ADU wherever single-family homes are permitted, and it limits local restrictions on size, setbacks, and parking requirements.

Why it matters:

• ADUs can provide additional housing units on existing residential lots with minimal infrastructure costs.
• By removing common regulatory barriers, Arizona’s law broadens the contexts in which ADUs can be built, including rural and suburban areas that previously lacked clear pathways for accessory units.
• For markets with tight supply, ADUs represent a flexible strategy to expand inventory and create more attainable entry points for both buyers and renters.

Industry professionals should watch how ADU implementation evolves locally, as clear and permissive rules can make these units a practical supply lever for owner-occupied and rental housing.

3. Florida’s Live Local Act: State Preemption to Expand Housing Zones

Florida’s Live Local Act continues to reshape statewide housing policy by preempting restrictive local zoning in favor of broader development authority. Originally passed in 2023 and significantly expanded through 2025 updates, the law allows developers to build multifamily and mixed-use housing on sites traditionally limited to commercial or industrial use without needing rezoning or lengthy hearings, provided a portion of units are set aside as affordable or workforce housing.

Why it matters:

• Florida’s approach flips the typical land-use process on its head by using state authority to override local restrictions seen as barriers to supply.
• By tying local preemption to specific affordability commitments, the law aims to expand housing options where supply has lagged demand.
• These reforms could unlock new development patterns especially in fast-growing urban and suburban regions, helping meet the needs of working families priced out of traditional single-family markets.

For real estate professionals, Florida’s experience offers a case study in aggressive state-level action and a preview of how state preemption might evolve in other markets.

What This Means for Real Estate Professionals

State housing reforms are evolving quickly, and supply strategies that seemed novel a few years ago are now being codified into law. Whether through upzoning near transit, facilitating ADUs, or expanding by-right development opportunities, these reforms reflect a broader acknowledgement: local action alone is not enough. State policy change is vital to unlocking housing production.

For real estate professionals serving first-time and Latino homebuyers, understanding these state trends can:

• Help anticipate where new inventory and development opportunities may emerge.
• Inform conversations with buyers about long-term value and access.
• Provide context for how policy shifts influence market dynamics in high-growth regions.

Looking Ahead

As 2026 progresses, keep an eye on how these reforms are implemented and where similar measures arise in other states. From permitting timelines to zoning flexibility and state-level incentives, the policy tools that expand housing supply will remain central to addressing affordability.

NAHREP will continue spotlighting critical state and federal housing policy developments that impact access to homeownership for Latino families. Stay engaged, informed, and ready to leverage these insights in your professional work.