U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is working to revive one of the tenets of the American Dream, growing increasingly out of reach for many: Homeownership. 

In a stark increase from the 1980s, when the average first-time home owner was in their late 20s, the average age of first-time home owners is 38 — an all-time high.

Now, Britt has made one of her legislative priorities bringing back what she calls the “hallmark of the American Dream.” 

Through her work as Chairman of the Senate Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee, Britt is tasking agencies like the Federal Housing Finance Agency, FHFA, to identify ways to increase the affordable housing supply and expand access to homeownership.

According to Britt, this includes taking a modern approach to building homes. In doing so, she is playing a leading role to bring FHFA and industry stakeholders together to identify what she describes as commonsense solutions. 

One of those potential solutions was recently announced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which were chartered by Congress in 1938 and 1970, respectively, to support the U.S. housing finance system.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will expand their CHOICEHome and MH Advantage financing programs to include CrossMod homes, which are off-site built homes that look, perform and appraise like traditional site-built homes. This effort aims to expand the nation’s housing supply and make homeownership attainable for more Americans through innovative financing options.

“Under President Trump, U.S. Federal Housing is committed to delivering affordable homeownership and finding ways to grow our nation’s housing supply,” FHFA Director Bill Pulte said following the announcement.

“Modern single-section factory-built homes can offer high-quality alternatives at a lower price point. Freddie Mac’s expansion of the CHOICEHome program helps make more homes accessible to more Americans through the conventional mortgage market.”

Subsequently, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will boost production of single-section CrossMod homes.

One industry stakeholder with a large Alabama presence, Clayton, credited Britt for her work to make housing more affordable through innovative solutions.

“We’re grateful for Senator Britt’s unwavering commitment to innovative housing solutions that work,” Colt Davis, Chief Operating Officer of Clay Home Building Group said.

“By championing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s adoption of single-section CrossMod financing, Senator Britt has helped the effort to dramatically increase homeownership opportunities for families in Alabama and across the country.”

Single-section CrossMod homes have become increasingly popular in recent years as lawmakers seek ways to combat what many call an increasing housing crisis. 

Their factory-build setting streamlines the construction process and reduces costs while maintaining high building standards and attractive, modern designs.

“There’s no question our nation faces a housing affordability crisis,” U.S. Senator Katie Britt said.

“It’s our job to find creative, fiscally responsible ways to tackle this issue. I’m proud to champion solutions, like this expansion of the CHOICEHome and MH Advantage programs and I’ll continue to fight to eliminate barriers to homeownership.”

Earlier this summer, Britt, as a member of the Senate Banking Committee, voted to advance the bipartisan Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025, which passed out of committee unanimously. 

According to Britt, this comprehensive housing package takes important steps to increase access to affordable housing for Americans across the country by expanding and preserving housing supply, improving housing affordability, and increasing oversight and efficiency of federal regulators and housing programs.