Rising home prices, increased housing costs, and today’s tightened mortgage market have put homeownership out of reach for many working families.

In fact, nearly 40 percent of Americans believe there is a shortage of available affordable housing, according to a recent survey by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

The survey also found eight out of 10 Americans believe that having enough money for down payment and closing costs is an obstacle to purchasing a home. Another 69 percent think it’s difficult to find a home that they both like and can afford.

To promote more affordable housing solutions for the nation’s workforce, hundreds of housing advocates from across the country are coming together Monday for the first-ever conference on employer-assisted housing benefits.

“Employer-Assisted Housing: Bring Workers Home” is taking place in Chicago at the InterContinental Hotel. The conference will highlight case studies of successful EAH programs from public and private sector employers and local governments and allow key stakeholders to connect and explore opportunities to work together to help increase awareness about EAH benefits.

“REALTORS® build communities and care about the lack of housing opportunities available to America’s low- to moderate-income working families, many of whom can’t find affordable housing near their workplace,” says NAR President Dick Gaylord.

The conference keynote speakers are national housing consultants Beverly Barnes and Beth Marcus; Sharon H. Douglas, vice president of human resources and chief people person, Aflac; and Carl Guardino, Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

NAR is sponsoring the event in partnership with the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Illinois Association of REALTORS ®, Metropolitan Planning Council, National Association of Counties, National Housing Conference and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Source: NAR