LeaseLock Attends Advocacy Day in Washington DC with NMHC and RETTC: Policy Momentum Builds Around Housing Affordability

LeaseLock on The Hill

This month, LeaseLock attended the Advocacy Day, where bipartisan energy filled the room. Lawmakers, economists, and housing advocates came together around a shared goal: addressing the nation’s housing affordability crisis with new ideas and measurable outcomes.

“It’s an exciting time for housing here on The Hill.”
Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)

The ROAD to Housing Act’s unanimous passage through the Senate Banking Committee underscored the urgency of action. The takeaway was clear: housing affordability has become a rare point of bipartisan agreement.

Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Todd Young, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Rep. Mike Flood, Rep. Tom Suozzi, and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick all emphasized that although strategies differ, the mission is shared.

Innovation as the Path Forward

A central theme throughout the event was innovation.

“We really need new ideas in the space. How do we think in a more innovative, even radical way?”
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)

“If you have new thoughts, innovative ideas, always know that you are welcome at HUD. We need your ideas to better serve the American people.”
Scott Turner, Secretary of Housing

At LeaseLock, that innovation is already taking shape through solutions like Deposit Replacement and LeaseLock Shield AI which empower operators to remove deposits entirely, automate risk decisions, and enhance accessibility for renters. These modern tools reduce administrative friction, lower move-in costs, and protect assets with predictive intelligence.

(Image Caption Placeholder: LeaseLock’s SVP of Strategic Partnerships, Andrew Bowen, at the NMHC + RETTC Advocacy Day in D.C.)

Aligning Federal Incentives with Local Outcomes

Speakers explored how federal funding could be linked to local housing production, rewarding municipalities that successfully expand supply.

This approach mirrors how LeaseLock aligns incentives for operators and residents. Our Deposit Replacement program creates a win-win framework: residents gain immediate access to homes with zero upfront cost, and operators unlock new financial efficiency across portfolios. Both sides benefit when progress is tied to measurable outcomes.

Reframing the Narrative Around Rental Housing

Another recurring topic was how rental housing is perceived by the public.

“How do you turn gentrification like The Wharf in Washington DC into the positive story it is?”
Roger Ferguson, President & CEO, TIAA

“Poverty does not have a party. It’s not Republican. It’s not Democrat. Neither does Housing.”
Scott Turner, Secretary of Housing

For LeaseLock, reframing this narrative starts with data transparency and fairness. Tools such as LeaseLock Insights give operators actionable intelligence on risk and performance trends, helping shift the conversation toward accessibility, accountability, and long-term financial health in every community.

Understanding Division and Driving Unity

The Forum also addressed why progress can feel slow in Washington.
Former Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) noted that only a small percentage of voters determine most House seats, while former Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) stressed that compromise begins with constituents holding leaders accountable.

That same principle applies to the private sector. LeaseLock partners with owners, operators, and investors to create shared accountability in risk and affordability, empowering each stakeholder to contribute to a healthier housing ecosystem.

Confronting Economic Uncertainty

Economic unpredictability remains a defining pressure on housing.

“The biggest thing that is driving this economy is uncertainty.”
Roger Ferguson, President & CEO, TIAA

LeaseLock solutions help mitigate that uncertainty. Through AI-powered risk analysis and flexible deposit-free leasing programs, operators can stabilize revenue, reduce bad-debt exposure, and deliver a better resident experience even in volatile markets.

Looking Ahead: Data, Policy, and Progress

Panelists agreed that many government data sources are outdated. As the Federal Reserve and Bureau of Labor Statistics rely on lagging indicators, the industry needs faster, smarter insights.

LeaseLock continues to close that gap with LeaseLock Insights, a real-time data platform designed to help operators, lenders, and policy leaders understand emerging risk signals and make confident decisions about pricing, leasing, and investment strategy.

Closing Thoughts

As Andrew Bowen, LeaseLock’s SVP of Strategic Partnerships, summarized after the event:

“This was one of the most forward-looking policy discussions I have seen on housing. The energy around innovation, collaboration, and data-driven problem solving gives our industry a real reason to be optimistic.”

The discussions at NMHC + RETTC reinforced LeaseLock’s mission to eliminate deposits for good and advance risk technology that benefits both operators and residents. Through continued partnership and innovation, we are helping shape a rental housing future that is more inclusive, efficient, and resilient.