NMHC, HUD Secretary Turner & Congressman Evans Tour Build-to-Rent Community
The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) President Sharon Wilson Géno, along with NMHC members Jared Ford, President of BTR and Multifamily at Catamount Constructors, and Josh Hartmann, CEO of NexMetro Communities, joined HUD Secretary Scott Turner and Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO-8) on a tour of a Build-to-Rent (BTR) community in Colorado.
The visit highlighted growing national attention on Build-to-Rent housing as a practical solution to the ongoing housing affordability crisis in the United States. The group toured a BTR community in Commerce City, Colorado, developed by NMHC member NexMetro Communities and constructed by NMHC member Catamount Constructors, Inc. The project showcased how purpose-built rental housing can serve a wide range of residents while addressing increasing demand for quality housing options.
During the visit, NMHC President Sharon Wilson Géno emphasized the urgent need for scalable housing solutions across the country. She noted that many families continue to face challenges in finding affordable and accessible homes, and Build-to-Rent developments are helping to bridge this gap.
“Families across the country are struggling to find affordable places to live. Build-to-Rent (BTR) homes offer a real, immediate solution—providing badly needed homes in communities nationwide,” Géno said. She added that it was a privilege to join Secretary Turner and Congressman Evans in touring the Commerce City development, which she described as a strong example of successful collaboration between policymakers and housing providers.
The community visited, Avilla Buffalo Run, represents a growing segment of the housing market designed specifically for renters who want the feel of single-family living without the long-term financial commitment of homeownership. These communities typically include detached or semi-detached homes with shared amenities, offering residents privacy, flexibility, and a neighborhood-style environment.
According to NMHC representatives, the tour also served as an opportunity to demonstrate the real-world impact of BTR housing on diverse groups of residents. These include young adults beginning their careers, families working toward eventual homeownership, retirees looking to downsize, and military service members and veterans seeking stable housing options. The model is increasingly seen as a flexible solution that adapts to changing lifestyle needs across demographics.
Géno highlighted that the timing of the visit was particularly significant, as policymakers continue to evaluate housing policy reforms ahead of broader legislative discussions. She noted that housing affordability has become a central issue in national policy debates, and innovative development models such as Build-to-Rent are gaining increased attention from both parties.
“The visit by the Secretary and Congressman highlights how important housing affordability and innovative BTR communities like Avilla Buffalo Run are to policymakers during this election season,” she said.
In addition to showcasing the community itself, NMHC used the opportunity to underline the importance of continued collaboration between the private sector, housing advocates, and government leaders. The organization has consistently advocated for policies that expand housing supply and remove barriers to development, particularly as demand continues to outpace availability in many regions.
Géno also used the moment to stress the importance of legislative decisions currently under consideration, including provisions in the proposed “21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.” She expressed concern over language in the bill that could potentially limit or eliminate Build-to-Rent development, warning that such restrictions could reduce housing options at a time when they are urgently needed.
“As Congress considers its next steps on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, we strongly urge members in both parties to remove the language effectively ending BTR so the legislation will act as intended and offer Americans more housing opportunities and, at the same time, increase housing affordability,” she stated.
Industry participants involved in the tour echoed the sentiment that Build-to-Rent communities play a critical role in expanding housing supply and providing flexibility in a constrained market. Developers like NexMetro Communities and builders such as Catamount Constructors have been instrumental in scaling this housing model across multiple states, responding to rising demand for rental alternatives that resemble traditional single-family neighborhoods.
The Commerce City development served as a tangible example of how such projects can be successfully executed while meeting both market demand and community needs. Stakeholders emphasized that continued support from policymakers will be essential to ensure that similar developments can be delivered at scale in the future.
As housing affordability remains a pressing national concern, the NMHC-led tour underscored the importance of innovative housing solutions like Build-to-Rent. The collaboration between federal leaders, industry experts, and developers highlighted a shared commitment to addressing the housing shortage and expanding access to quality living options for Americans across all income levels and life stages.
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