I still remember when my parents bought their first house – the same one they live in today. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties and the summer after graduating from the University of Arizona. Up until then, our family of five had lived in a two-bedroom apartment. It was a lifelong goal that my parents worked towards day in and day out. And as immigrants, for my parents, it was a pillar in achieving their American Dream.

It’s why our family, and so many others like us, come to this country: for a stable job, a good education, and a safe roof over their heads. But today, it is becoming harder and harder for Americans to find affordable housing, much less become a homeowner.

Today’s housing affordability crisis is directly related to the inadequate supply of affordable homes. Over the past 15 years, the United States has underbuilt housing by millions of homes. This undersupply is driving both rental costs and home sale prices steadily higher, making it more and more difficult for both individuals and families to live in the communities where they work, attend school, or even grew up. Without adequate housing, our communities’ growth will be majorly stunted.

In June, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco — Arizona’s regional, government-sponsored enterprise that promotes housing affordability — we held a roundtable to examine ongoing solutions to the housing affordability crisis. Together with housing experts, bank and credit union leaders, along with my work on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee on the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee – we discussed housing solutions for the short- and long-term future.

During the discussion, I offered my plan for a multi-agency demonstration program designed to encourage collaboration, innovation, and public-private partnerships with the goal of increasing affordable housing production. Earlier this month, I introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Wiley Nickel from North Carolina that reflects this effort: the Speeding Up Production of Essential Residences (SUPER) Demonstration Act (H.R. 9195).

This legislation creates a pilot program in 10 geographically diverse communities that meet a selection criterion, of which reflects unique communities like ours in southern Arizona. The program would allow qualifying municipalities to apply for funds after demonstrating how they have streamlined processes that were previously barriers for developers and communities to construct affordable housing.

With no cost to the taxpayer, the program strategically deploys unused COVID-19 funds, requiring no new federal funding. It also calls for extensive program metrics and accountability to ensure it’s a responsible use of dollars as well as allowing for the examination of the program’s successes and areas for improvement. The current housing supply emergency requires a quick and effective response, and this model demonstrates the impact that a thoughtful, deregulatory approach can have.

Ultimately, this effort is focused on cutting red tape for developers and encouraging public-private collaboration. For years, public-private partnerships have yielded the most innovative solutions in a wide variety of industries, and I believe it can do the same for the housing crisis. By removing regulatory burdens, we are not only incentivizing private businesses but also reducing the time and costs of the construction of affordable housing. This puts us on a fast track to solving the housing crisis facing communities across the country.

Just as public safety and job opportunities are critical to developing strong communities, so is accessible and affordable housing. If our cities cannot offer a safe roof over Arizonans’ heads, how do we expect them to grow and thrive? While this program is aimed at the affordable housing industry, it is a direct investment into the overall development and improvement of our communities.