Congressman Tom McClintock Votes Against the American Dream

The American Dream Shouldn’t Be Reserved for Wall Street

Most of us know someone whose son or daughter can’t afford to buy a home in Calaveras County – or anywhere else in California, for that matter.

Many can’t even afford to rent one.

That’s not because they aren’t working hard. It’s because the rules of the housing market have changed—and Congress has too often stood by while everyday Americans fell further behind.

Recently, Congressman Tom McClintock (CA-5) voted against the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, one of only 37 Washington legislators to do so.  This legislation, which passed by an overwhelming majority in both houses of Congress, included reforms to encourage more housing construction, reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers, and limit the growing practice of large institutional investors purchasing single-family homes in bulk.

His explanation?

He argued that government grants and housing assistance only make homes more expensive and that restricting corporate purchases could increase rents.

Many economists agree that excessive subsidies alone aren’t enough to solve America’s housing shortage. But that’s only part of the story.

The reality facing families here in the Sierra Foothills is much simpler:

There aren’t enough homes.

And when Wall Street firms can outbid local families with all-cash offers, fewer young people ever get the opportunity to own one.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The median first-time homebuyer in America is now about 38 years old, compared with roughly 29 years old in the early 1980s. That’s nearly a decade longer before many Americans can achieve what generations once considered a cornerstone of the American Dream.

Here in Calaveras County, the challenge is even greater.

Our county has:

• Limited new housing construction
• Hundreds of short-term vacation rentals serving visitors
• Rising home prices
• Very few affordable rental options
• Young families forced to leave the community where they grew up

Teachers. Deputies. Firefighters. Healthcare workers. Young tradespeople.

Many simply cannot afford to live in the communities they serve.

That isn’t good for our schools.

It isn’t good for local businesses.

And it certainly isn’t good for the future of Calaveras County.

Something Worth Celebrating

Fortunately, there is also some very good news.

While our own Congressman has been voting against our interests, our own community has been quietly building solutions.

Habitat for Humanity Calaveras, working alongside the City of Angels, hundreds of volunteers, generous donors, local contractors, businesses, and future homeowners, is creating something remarkable: Eureka Oaks, a new neighborhood that will eventually provide 107 affordable workforce homes for local families. It is the largest Habitat for Humanity development in California history.

Infrastructure is now essentially complete, roads and utilities are in place, and vertical home construction is underway. Habitat reports that the first homes are expected to be completed as construction progresses, with additional homes coming online in phases as the neighborhood is built out.

That deserves recognition.

Not because Democrats built it.

Not because Republicans built it.

Because neighbors built it.

Volunteers built it.

Donors built it.

The City worked with a nonprofit.

Businesses donated materials.

Future homeowners are contributing hundreds of hours of “sweat equity.”

That’s what community looks like.

And that’s something every American can celebrate this Independence Day.

Housing Isn’t About Politics

Housing shouldn’t be a partisan issue.

It’s about whether your children can afford to live near you.

Whether your grandchildren can return after college.

Whether young families can put down roots instead of packing moving trucks.

Whether seniors can downsize without leaving the county they’ve called home for decades.

These are practical problems.

They deserve practical solutions.

It’s Time for Leadership That Builds

Congressman McClintock often speaks about protecting the American Dream.

But protecting the American Dream means making sure ordinary working families can actually achieve it.

That means supporting policies that increase housing supply, encourage responsible homeownership, and give local communities the tools they need to solve local problems.

Here in Calaveras County, Habitat for Humanity has shown us what’s possible when people stop arguing and start building.

Imagine if we had a Representative in Congress that actually cared about the working people he represents.

Vote Michael Masuda for Congress