ECHA represents corporations that seek to elevate housing policy as a national priority, including Airbnb, Amazon, and Zillow, among others. Their letter was sent to Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Representative Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee; and Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, and emphasized how “the supply-demand mismatch has impacted communities across the country, leading to a shortage of 4.3 million units and severe increases in housing costs.” 

The letter cited a poll from the Bipartisan Policy Center and Morning Consult that found three out of four adults said “The lack of an adequate supply of affordable homes is a problem in the United States, and 75% of adults think passing bipartisan legislation to increase the supply of affordable homes and help address high housing costs should be a priority for Congress this year.”

The signees concluded by encouraging Congress “to take steps to increase the supply of affordable homes, preserve our existing stock of low- and moderate-income housing, and support those struggling with high housing costs. These actions can improve the quality of life for all Americans and at the same time strengthen our nation’s economy.” The full text of the letter can be read here.