From everyone at Missouri REALTORS®, to our members and homeowners across the state, happy Homeownership Month.
The United States marked the first annual Homeownership Month back in June 2020. It was established as an opportunity for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Administration and others to “recognize the importance of homeownership and its impact upon the lives of American families, local neighborhoods, and the national economy.”
“For generations, homeownership has sustained and empowered Americans. Recently, we have been reminded that our homes are central to our health, our independence, and the well-being of our families,” said former President Donald Trump. “During National Homeownership Month, we acknowledge the many benefits of secure and affordable homeownership.”
Former HUD Secretary Ben Carson added, “Each June we commemorate the importance of homeownership. During the coronavirus outbreak, among our highest priorities at HUD has been to keep people secure in their homes. Representing more than 15% of gross domestic product, housing is critical to our economy, valuable to American families, and the bedrock of HUD’s mission. For most American families, their home is both their largest investment and biggest expense, and serves as the cornerstone of health and security, particularly during this challenging time.”
The pandemic completely redefined our living spaces, converting our homes into workplaces, classrooms, movie theaters, workout studios and, most importantly, a backdrop to reconnect with loved ones over board games and home cooked meals. Our homes were our sense of safety and sanity in a time of great uncertainty and fear. In 2020, our homes were quite literally everything to us. Now, as the world opens back up and we return to our offices, our schools, our gyms, our malls and our theaters, it’s worthwhile to celebrate and reflect on what it means to be an American homeowner once again.
As REALTORS® and firm believers in the American Dream of homeownership, how do you plan on recognizing Homeownership Month 2021?