Kamala Harris’s new ad highlights plan to combat inflation through housing expansion

Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has launched a new advertisement highlighting her ambitious plan to build 3 million homes over the next four years, aiming to alleviate inflationary pressures and differentiate her platform from that of former President Donald Trump.

The minute-long ad, released Tuesday, showcases Harris’s personal story of growing up in rental housing and her mother’s decade-long effort to save for a home. The campaign targets swing states such as Arizona and Nevada, where housing issues are pressing concerns. Alongside the ad, Harris’s campaign is organizing 20 events this week focused on housing reform.

Harris’s plan includes providing up to $25,000 in assistance to first-time homebuyers, a move intended to address rising shelter costs, which have been a significant contributor to overall inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shelter costs have increased by 5.1% over the past year, while overall inflation stands at 2.9%.

“Vice President Harris understands the urgent need to address our housing crisis. Her plan aims to eliminate the housing shortage by cracking down on corporate landlords and expanding incentives for homebuilders,” said Dan Kanninen, the campaign’s battleground states director. The proposal also includes tax breaks for homebuilders focusing on first-time buyers and increasing funding for local governments to ease zoning restrictions, boosting construction.

Trump’s response has been critical, focusing on his own ideas for housing reform, including halting illegal immigration to reduce housing demand and proposing new federal land for home construction. Trump has criticized Harris’s plan as unrealistic and financially untenable, questioning how it would be funded.

The Trump campaign argues that Harris’s policies exacerbate the housing affordability crisis, branding them as impractical and ideologically driven. Expanding the construction of apartments and condominiums has also been rejected by Trump’s team, who refer to it as a “war on the suburbs.”

In contrast, Harris’s campaign is positioning her as a proactive change candidate capable of opening up opportunities for the middle class. Upcoming events in key cities across Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina will further emphasize her commitment to addressing housing affordability and combating inflation.