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Feb. 12, 2026

  • Feb 23
  • 3 min read

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® makes a big play with Homeownership Matters campaign

Yahoo! Finance

The CALIFORNA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) had the debut of its first-ever advertisement in the Official Super Bowl Program as part of its ongoing Homeownership Matters campaign --- a statewide public education and advocacy campaign to make homeownership a critical priority of California’s 2026 legislative housing agenda.


The ad, featured in the Official Super Bowl Program, reflects a new chapter in how C.A.R. engages the public: moving beyond traditional policy and industry channels to speak directly to millions of Californians about why homeownership remains central to economic security and community stability, while empowering consumers to help shape the conversation by sharing their personal experiences. The ad in the Official Super Bowl Program is one component of the broader Homeownership Matters effort, which will continue throughout 2026 with policy engagement, digital outreach and public explanation focused on explaining attainable pathways to ownership.





Mortgage affordability hits 4-year high as White House points to Trump housing policies

Fox Business

Mortgage affordability is at a four-year high after rates fell in January, with the White House touting President Trump’s economic policies and maintaining his promise to “unlock” the opportunity of homeownership for American families.


ICE Mortgage Technology’s February Mortgage Monitor Report showed that the mortgage rate declined in January and opened the door to refinancing opportunities for millions of borrowers. The report said the change brought housing affordability to a four-year high, according to HousingWire.





L.A. changes policy that made many veterans ineligible for housing vouchers

KTLA

Last week, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a policy change that will allow more veterans to access housing vouchers as part of a renewed push to assist homeless veterans. For years, income limits forced many Los Angeles veterans to choose between disability benefits and housing vouchers, leaving thousands of vouchers unused and veterans without stable housing.


Prior to the policy change, veterans who took health care benefits were typically ineligible for housing vouchers because health care benefits counted as income, Bass said. “That’s crazy to make veterans make the choice.” In addition to the policy change, Bass is encouraging landlords to accept the Section 8 housing vouchers that more veterans will now receive (even though state law now prohibits discrimination based on source of income, not all landlords are aware). Information will be posted on Metro buses and trains, and at Metro stations, to inform homeless veterans about available resources. About 3,000 veterans are estimated to be experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County.





House overwhelmingly passes sweeping bipartisan housing package

The Hill

The House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan, comprehensive bousing package Monday aimed at ameliorating the affordability crisis in the U.S. and increasing homeownership. The Housing for the 21st Century Act passed the lower chamber by a vote of 390-9. It now goes to the Senate, where lawmakers will likely make changes to the legislation.


The bill includes more than 20 provisions that would direct the Government Accountability Office to study gaps in federal housing programs and modernize the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program, among other actions. It aims to address the housing shortage by reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers, modernizing HUD programs, and giving banks flexibility to deploy capital to increase housing supply.





FHA mortgage demand rises as borrowers face affordability challenges

CNBC

Mortgage rates for conventional loans didn’t budge last week, and neither did overall demand, but borrowers are actively seeking other loan products that offer bigger savings. Total mortgage application volume increased 0.3 percent last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.


The average contract interest rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with conforming loan balances ($806,500 or less) remained unchanged at 6.21 percent, with points staying unchanged at 0.56, including the origination fee, for loans with a 20 percent down payment. Applications to refinance a home loan rose 1 percent for the week and were 101 percent higher than the same week one year ago. Mortgage rates were 74 basis points higher a year ago, and most lenders say if a borrower can save 75 basis points, then the cost of the refinance is worthwhile. Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home fell 2 percent for the week and were just 4 percent higher year-over-year. Homebuyers are still facing a pricey market, and supply is starting to fall again after rising for much of last year.



 
 
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