This past week, I was in Miami with my NAHREP familia discussing the recent Hispanic Wealth Project (HWP) Annual Report. The report discusses trends in Hispanic household wealth in America. The financial clout of the Hispanic community is growing, but the metric we hear most frequently is Hispanic buying power not wealth. The fact is, Hispanic wealth is painfully low as compared to other demographics in America. This year’s HWP Annual Report concluded that Hispanic wealth is modestly improving primarily due to three years of gains in homeownership. Additionally, Hispanics are starting small businesses at a fast rate, but still have trouble scaling those businesses. Unfortunately, Hispanics are not yet showing a great deal of momentum investing in non-cash financial assets such as stocks, retirement accounts, and mutual funds – one of the pillars of wealth creation in this country. My sense is that the lack of Latino representation in the financial services industry is one of the problems. I believe Latinos are savers, but holding money in cash or savings accounts doesn’t even keep up with inflation much less grow or build wealth. Conversations about investing in the stock market need to start happening more frequently in Latino circles. Mastermind groups are common in the real estate industry. Lets hope the practice spreads to the subject of investing – the destiny of the next generation of Latinos may depend on it.
Realtors help families navigate the largest and most intimidating financial transaction of their lifetime. They serve as guides, counselors, cheerleaders, and protectors. Many of them remain friends of their clients for life. America is at its best when its citizens are stakeholders.
The usual solutions will not solve the current housing affordability crisis. Any solution that does not begin and end with a sustainable plan to radically increase housing supply is just noise. The barriers to increasing housing supply are complex and require the crucial cooperation of both public and private sectors, and more education.
It has been long understood that a nation of stakeholders makes for a strong union, and for that reason, closing the minority homeownership gap has been a goal and a topic of discussion for decades.