ICYMI: Rep. Sykes Hosts “Call With Your Congresswoman” Focused on Housing Affordability and Homeownership in OH-13
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday night, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted a “Call With Your Congresswoman” telephone town hall focused on housing affordability and homeownership challenges facing families across Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
The telephone town hall brought together constituents from across the district to discuss rising housing costs, barriers to homeownership, and federal housing policy solutions.
Rep. Sykes was joined by Cheryl Stephens, President and CEO of the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Rep. Laura Friedman (CA-30) to discuss housing affordability challenges and policy solutions. Reps. Sykes and Friedman are Co-Conveners of the House Democrats’ Housing Affordability Working Group, one of five member-driven groups launched by Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee to lower the cost of living for working families.
The conversation highlighted the status of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, landmark bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding housing opportunities and lowering costs for working families. Rep. Sykes noted that the legislation remains pending as President Trump refuses to sign the bill. Rep. Sykes also highlighted provisions she helped advance through the bill, including elements of her Houses Over Middle-Class Exploitation Schemes (HOMES) Act, which seeks to prevent large corporate investors from purchasing single-family homes by eliminating certain tax advantages that give institutional investors an edge over prospective homebuyers.
“As housing costs continue to rise, too many families in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District are being priced out of homeownership or struggling to keep up with rent,” said Rep. Sykes. “These conversations are critical to ensuring that the policies we advance in Congress reflect the real challenges people are facing every day.”
Stephens provided an on-the-ground perspective on housing affordability challenges in Northeast Ohio and the work of community-based organizations to expand housing opportunities and strengthen neighborhood stability.
“I ask Congress to protect the opportunity for all Americans to own a home of their own. Homeownership is central to our quality of life as Americans and the belief that the American Dream is attainable. Homeownership, at its best, supports good health, the opportunity to learn, and a way to build wealth,” said Stephens.
Rep. Friedman discussed efforts in Congress to increase housing supply, reduce barriers to construction, and advance practical solutions to improve affordability for renters and homeowners nationwide.
“Families across this country are being crushed by the cost of housing, and they deserve leaders like Rep. Sykes who show up for them. It was great to join her telephone town hall to hear directly from the people we're working for. Rep. Sykes has been a tireless champion in this fight, and her constituents and our nation are lucky to have her in their corner. Together, we'll keep working to cut red tape that delays projects for years, and to develop legislation to make life more affordable for everyone,” said Rep. Friedman.
Rep. Sykes emphasized that housing remains one of the most urgent cost-of-living challenges facing working families and reaffirmed her commitment to continuing direct engagement with constituents through telephone town halls and community engagement opportunities.