National Homeownership Month Has New Meaning This Year
June is National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the benefits of homeownership for families, neighborhoods and communities.
This year, however, many Americans already understand the importance of home as the nation slowly emerges from two months of self-isolation. Before the pandemic, home for many people was a source of operations – the place where they slept before leaving for work, school and exercise.
Suddenly, home is the safest place in the world, and many Americans’ attitudes about ownership have changed. Some renters look around and realize that the place they call home could be bigger or better. They want to paint the walls, change the flooring and own something that continues to rise in value over time.
For many Americans, however, homeownership is at risk. Owners who lost jobs due to COVID-19 may find themselves on a forbearance plan, while some of those renters who dream of ownership have been shut out by tightened credit restrictions and stay-at-home orders.
Still, Americans generally agree that homeownership is one of the best vehicles for building wealth. In 2019, overall home prices rose 4% year-to-year. And while the coronavirus has created issues for the American economy, home prices have continued to rise with demand still outstripping supply.
National Homeownership Month has changed over time. It started as a week-long celebration in the 1920s by local real estate associations and eventually became a month-long celebration created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Americans can celebrate Homeownership Month by using #CreatingHome in their social media channels. But the best way to celebrate is to actually become a homeowner.