WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris has launched a new advertising campaign to raise awareness of her proposal to construct 3 million new homes over four years. This initiative aims to address inflationary pressures while drawing a clear distinction from Republican Donald Trump’s approach.

In her one-minute ad, Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, emphasizes her plan by sharing her own experience of growing up in rental housing until her mother could afford to purchase a home after a decade of saving. The ad is targeted at voters in swing states such as Arizona and Nevada. Additionally, campaign surrogates are hosting 20 events this week focusing on housing issues.

Apart from boosting home construction, Harris proposes offering up to $25,000 in assistance to first-time homebuyers. This message is particularly significant as housing costs continue to drive up the consumer price index. Shelter costs have risen by 5.1% in the last 12 months, outpacing the overall inflation rate of 2.9%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Dan Kanninen, the campaign’s battleground states director, stated, “Vice President Harris recognizes the urgency of addressing our housing crisis through her plan to alleviate the housing shortage and combat the practices of corporate landlords and Wall Street banks that drive up rents and housing expenses.”

The Harris proposal includes creating tax incentives for homebuilders focusing on first-time buyers and expanding current incentives for companies building rental properties. Recognizing that local zoning regulations often limit housing supply, Harris also plans to double funding to $40 billion to encourage local governments to eliminate restrictions hindering construction.

Despite his background as a real estate developer, data indicate a housing shortage persisted during Trump’s presidency and continues to affect the market. The housing shortage exacerbated inflation following the pandemic recovery and increased food and energy costs due to international events.

While Trump has proposed various solutions to lower housing costs, Harris’s opponent has questioned the feasibility of financing her housing agenda. Trump’s criticism of Harris includes baseless claims about supporting illegal immigrants, suggesting she lacks a plan for funding her proposals.

The Harris campaign intends to hold events on housing affordability in key cities across Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and Georgia to engage with voters on this critical issue.