Realtor.com, Zillow, the National Association of Home Builders and a broad coalition of housing organizations have launched the “Let America Build” campaign. The initiative seeks to turn new federal housing legislation into local action, reduce construction barriers and encourage the development of more attainable homes amid a nationwide shortage.
Key takeaways
The campaign’s initial priorities include:
- Encouraging state and local officials to use the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
- Reducing zoning restrictions, permitting delays, fees and other development costs.
- Expanding collaboration among real estate, nonprofit and homebuilding organizations.
- Addressing an estimated national housing shortage of 4.03 million homes.
A broad industry coalition
Realtor.com launched Let America Build at SXSW in 2025 and has now expanded the effort with founding participants including Zillow, T3 Sixty, eXp Realty, NextHome, Veterans United, Habitat for Humanity, ICON, Land Use Labs, Home Services of America and RIS Media.
The coalition also includes the National Association of Home Builders, the Asian Real Estate Association of America, the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. Organizers describe these members as the initiative’s first participants and expect additional stakeholders to join.
Turning federal legislation into local action
The campaign is built around the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which passed earlier in 2026. The legislation is intended to support home construction by expanding financing options, helping communities streamline regulations and encouraging a wider range of housing types.
Let America Build aims to make housing supply a more visible priority for elected officials and residents. Its organizers say local discussions will be essential to determining how communities can create more opportunities for buyers and renters.
Construction costs remain a major obstacle
The group argues that the housing shortage is worsened by rules and expenses that make new construction more difficult. Government regulations, taxes, fees and other barriers can add more than 26% to the cost of an average newly built single-family home, according to the campaign.
Supporters say removing inefficient zoning rules, unnecessary regulations and permitting delays could help builders deliver homes more efficiently. The coalition also frames expanded construction as a necessary response to housing affordability pressures rather than a solution limited to one segment of the market.
Industry leaders call for unified action
Realtor.com CEO Damian Eales said the campaign grew from a call for the real estate industry to work together on housing supply. He said the new law gives public officials an opportunity to make housing a community priority and encourages Americans to engage in practical conversations about development.
NAHB CEO Jim Tobin said the initiative brings industry participants together with officials at every level of government. He characterized the campaign as a vehicle for advancing practical measures that can help builders increase the nation’s housing supply.
The coalition’s next challenge will be translating its national message into local policy changes, including zoning updates, faster approvals and support for diverse housing types.