Make lasting changes to lower housing costs by knocking down barriers to boost construction and bringing more first-time homebuyers into the market.

We need to make lasting changes that will finally put Americans first in the housing market. This means knocking down barriers to boost construction, bringing more first-time home buyers into the market, and taking on predatory special interests who are driving up costs.

Commits to housing-market reforms aimed at increasing supply and helping first-time buyers.

Blueprint for a Better America | Representative Tom Barrett
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The VA Home Loan Affordability Act will modernize this life-changing program by updating outdated rules, cutting the red tape that can cause unnecessary delays in the loan process, and getting veterans into homes faster.

Barrett committed to modernizing VA home loan rules to reduce costs and speed homeownership for veterans.

Barrett Helps Lead Plan to Streamline VA Home Loan Program | Representative Tom Barrett
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These proposals will help first-time buyers make a down payment, boost new home construction, protect grieving spouses from unfair tax burdens, and ensure that homes go to families who need them — not just big investment corporations looking to profit.

Barrett says he is introducing and supporting housing bills to make homes more affordable, help first-time buyers, boost construction, and prioritize families over corporate buyers.

Barrett Launches Second Pillar of Blueprint for a Better America To Revive the American Dream | Representative Tom Barrett
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Today, Barrett introduced the Time to Heal Act (H.R. 7349). This bill would eliminate the requirement that widowed spouses must sell their home within two years of their spouse’s death to receive the $500,000 exemption on capital gains taxes for married couples, rather than the $250,000 exemption for single sellers.

Barrett introduced legislation to help widowed spouses keep their housing tax benefit without having to rush to sell after a spouse’s death.

Barrett Launches Second Pillar of Blueprint for a Better America To Revive the American Dream | Representative Tom Barrett
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The higher exemption would better reflect the rising cost of homes and give first-time homebuyers access to more capital to make a down payment.

Barrett backed a bill to let first-time homebuyers withdraw more from IRAs penalty-free for down payments.

Barrett Launches Second Pillar of Blueprint for a Better America To Revive the American Dream | Representative Tom Barrett
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This bill would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop best practices playbooks to help state and local governments cut red tape to build more housing — increasing supply and reducing costs.

Barrett supported legislation directing HUD to help governments reduce red tape and increase housing supply.

Barrett Launches Second Pillar of Blueprint for a Better America To Revive the American Dream | Representative Tom Barrett
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It would create a 180-day “first look” period for single-family homes put on the market by the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and other federal housing and lending agencies. During the first-look period for a home, only individuals, families, housing nonprofits, local governments, and community land trusts would be eligible buyers.

Barrett backed a bill to give families and community groups first access to certain federally handled homes before corporate buyers.

Barrett Launches Second Pillar of Blueprint for a Better America To Revive the American Dream | Representative Tom Barrett
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These new proposals build on two additional pieces of legislation Barrett introduced last month to make homeownership more affordable, including: Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act (H.R. 7009) to expand eligibility for VA home loans for members of the National Guard and Armed Forces Reserve. American Dream Act (H.R. 7051) to incentivize older Americans to sell their homes, including secondary properties like rentals and vacation homes, by expanding the waiver of capital gains taxes on a sale to a first-time homebuyer.

Barrett highlighted earlier housing bills to expand VA home loan eligibility for Guard and Reserve members and to encourage more existing homes to be sold to first-time buyers.

Barrett Launches Second Pillar of Blueprint for a Better America To Revive the American Dream | Representative Tom Barrett
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I am proud to introduce this legislation, which takes meaningful steps toward restoring the American Dream of homeownership and a future for young people.

Barrett backs legislation to expand access to homeownership for first-time buyers by creating a tax incentive for seniors who sell homes to them.

Barrett, McGuire Introduce Legislation to Revive the American Dream for First-Time Homebuyers | Representative Tom Barrett
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Barrett said his Blueprint for a Better America would address housing costs and the rising age of first-time homebuyers, including making real reforms to put Americans first in the housing market.

Official office statement of the housing-costs plank and intended policy direction.

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Barrett Announces Bold Reform Agenda to Restore Trust in Government, Challenge the Status Quo in Congress
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The blueprint says Barrett wants to make lasting changes in the housing market by knocking down barriers to boost construction and bringing more first-time homebuyers into the market.

Official policy page stating the housing promise in near-exact terms.

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Blueprint for a Better America | Representative Tom Barrett
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Barrett introduced the Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act to lower homebuying costs by expanding VA home-loan eligibility, and said the blueprint's goals include lowering housing costs for families.

Concrete legislative action aimed at reducing housing-cost barriers, but not enactment.

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Barrett Continues Blueprint Rollout, Introduces Plan to Make Housing Affordable for National Guard and Reservists | Representative Tom Barrett
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Barrett co-introduced the American Dream Act, which would expand a capital-gains tax waiver when a home is sold to a first-time homebuyer, with the stated aim of putting more starter homes on the market and driving costs down for new buyers.

Additional concrete legislative attempt to expand supply and help first-time buyers.

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Barrett, McGuire Introduce Legislation to Revive the American Dream for First-Time Homebuyers | Representative Tom Barrett
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Barrett said the First-Time Homebuyer Empowerment Act would let buyers use leftover 529 savings tax-free for a down payment, and described it as part of his broader effort to lower costs for homebuyers and boost construction.

Official follow-on legislation aimed at easing entry into homeownership, but still only proposed action.

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Empowering First-Time Homebuyers
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Barrett said his blueprint already includes seven bills to cut red tape, encourage more home construction and sales, and lower costs to help more people achieve homeownership.

Shows continued legislative activity toward the promise, not evidence of completed delivery.

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Making Housing Affordable
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