FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sharon Delia Stone (803) 807-2125

South Carolina REALTORS® Met with Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to Advocate for Housing

COLUMBIA, SC — (June 29, 2026) – One hundred thirty eight members of South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR) traveled to Washington, D.C., for the 2026 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Legislative Meetings, where they met with Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, as well as the offices of Representatives Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, Joe Wilson, William Timmons, Nancy Mace, Sheri Biggs, and Jim Clyburn to advocate for policies that increase housing supply, build stronger communities and support self-employed professionals.

During meetings on Capitol Hill, members urged support for:

  • The More Homes on the Market Act, which would update the tax exclusion on the sale of a primary residence and incentivize more long-term owners to sell their homes. Updating America’s tax law is a key pathway to more supply.

  • The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, to increase housing production, improve affordability, and reduce barriers to development.

  • The Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act, to encourage the conversion of underutilized commercial properties into housing and mixed-use developments.

  • Federal investments in fair housing, housing counseling and homebuyer education programs that expand housing opportunities and strengthen communities.

  • The Association Health Plans Act, which would expand access to affordable, high-quality health insurance for REALTORS® and other independent contractors.

“America has a shortage of more than 4 million homes, and the solution starts with smart policy,” said SCR President Corwyn Melette. “Our meetings on Capitol Hill gave SCR a chance to bring that message directly to lawmakers and make the case for concrete legislation that will get inventory moving and open the door for more Americans to buy a home.”

NAR and SCR are championing a suite of federal policies designed to boost housing supply, reduce development barriers and make homeownership more attainable. From converting vacant commercial buildings into new housing to updating outdated tax laws keeping homes off the market, these efforts aim to ease the affordability crisis affecting communities nationwide.

Throughout the meetings members also shared findings from a recently published report, Supporting the American Dream – Economic Impact of the Housing Industry on South Carolina.

The findings from the report, which was prepared by University of South Carolina Research Economist Dr. Joseph Von Nessen and commissioned by SCR, shows that the South Carolina housing industry generates an annual economic impact of approximately $77.5 billion, supports 278,745 jobs and provides $12.7 billion in labor income for residents. The report also highlighted the state’s population growth, which is first in the nation, among other factors.

“Realtors® are on the front lines of the housing market every day, and we see firsthand how housing issues impact families and communities,” added Melette. “The lawmakers we met with were receptive to our ideas and understand that investing in housing supply and supporting the professionals who help people buy and sell homes is good for the economy, good for South Carolina, and good for America.”

The Capitol Hill meetings were organized by the National Association of REALTORS®, along with state and local REALTOR® associations, as part of the association’s ongoing federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the real estate industry and the consumers it serves.

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South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR), the largest professional trade association in the state, serves as the voice of real estate for more than 30,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a professional in real estate who subscribes to a strict code of ethics as a member of SCR and the National Association of REALTORS®.