Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in federal, state and local races address leading up to the Nov. 3 election.

Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.

Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question.

Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:

The ROAD to Housing Act, which became law in July without the president’s signature, limits purchases of single-family homes by large investors and funds ready-made designs for duplexes and townhomes. Readers say buying a home in Johnson County remains out of reach for many young families, and some worry the area is adding too many apartments instead of single-family homes people can actually afford. What should Congress do next when it comes to housing affordability?

Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:

Sharice Davids (Democratic, incumbent)

Every Kansas family deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. Folks who have worked hard, built up strong credit scores, and played by the rules deserve a fair and honest deal.

I was proud to vote for the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which is the largest housing affordability bill in decades. It cuts red tape for new construction and stops predatory Wall Street private equity firms from buying up single-family starter homes. However, passing one law isn’t the finish line. We must keep working to expand inventory so Kansas families can actually buy a home.

Moving forward, Congress needs to focus on concrete steps that deliver real relief to everyday Kansans:

• Expand small-dollar mortgages: Right now, a family buying a $180,000 starter home or condo often gets turned away because banks prioritize massive loans. We need to ease rigid lending rules so young couples and first-time buyers can actually get pre-approved.
• Back local builders over Wall Street: Our local community banks and credit unions want to finance neighborhood builders construct duplexes and starter homes — not out-of-state corporate developers building massive apartment complexes. We need federal tools that empower local developers to build homes people can actually own.
• Help our workforce live where they work: Teachers, nurses, and first responders are getting priced out of the communities they serve. Expanding down-payment assistance ensures the people teaching our kids and keeping us safe can afford to put down roots right here in Johnson County.

Housing is fundamentally about stability and building wealth for the future. I will continue working across the aisle with local leaders, community lenders, and builders to lower housing costs and keep the American Dream within reach for every Kansas family.

Steve Hohe (Libertarian)

I base my Campaign on My Merit not My Party! I have ran for Congress over the last 10 years, I’ve stated that the National Debt is the problem of Affordability for all Americans.

In Housing, over my 10 year period, the National Debt has doubled, interest rates for buying homes has doubled on a 30 year fixed mortgage. Let’s not forget that Insurance to cover
the home has tripled too.

The Roads to Housing Act, HR6644, by looking at the Summary, looks like a lion with no teeth, large investors,6 in total, are limited to 350 homes, by the Stats they own 1/2 of one percent, unfortunately they don’t have the lion share of SFH, but the small to medium investors own 90% of the market, Slum Lords.

The Federal Government has more structural purchasing power than any American buying a home. Admit it! The Federal Government lack Financial Management Discipline with big pockets while everyday Americans struggle for the Basics .

Congress’s act is to downsize the scope of Federal Government, decreasing spending, and pay off the National Debt.This could easily achieved by expanding the tax base to include entrepreneurial businesses, normally blocked by regulations set up by Lobbyists, plus welcome foreign businesses to manufacture and sell in the U.S. avoiding tariff. This could double the intake of revenues and accelerate Debt reduction thus lowering interest rates.

A reader recognized too many apartments in Johnson County, the Republican Candidate approved several 25 year tax abatement for five apartment complexes in Shawnee as City Councilman.

Eric Jenkins (Republican)

Did not provide the Post with a response.

Coming up:

Tomorrow, we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:

The House has now voted three times to end U.S. involvement in the war with Iran, which Congress never authorized. Readers asked what the U.S. should be doing there and whether Congress has given up its war powers. What should the U.S. goal in Iran be, and would you vote to cut off funding if the war continues without authorization?