A safe, stable place to live is the absolute foundation of a healthy life, a strong family, and a thriving community. Without housing security, it becomes incredibly difficult to maintain stable employment, keep children enrolled in the same school, or manage long-term health needs. Yet, across Tennessee, working families are facing an unprecedented housing crisis. Home prices have skyrocketed, rents continue to rise faster than wages, and corporate speculators are buying up local properties, pricing out everyday buyers. Jim Torino refuses to let the American dream of homeownership slip away for an entire generation.

Torino views housing security as a critical economic and social issue that requires urgent federal attention. Through his work establishing The Friend Foundation, he has seen firsthand how sudden housing displacement disrupts families and strains local support networks. He knows that housing is not just an asset class for outside investors; it is where community life happens.

"We are watching working families get squeezed out of the very neighborhoods they helped build," Torino says. "When young professionals, teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders can no longer afford to live in the communities where they work, our entire social fabric suffers. We must take immediate action to lower housing costs and expand availability."

Torino’s housing strategy begins by addressing the supply shortage. He advocates for expanding the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to incentivize private developers to build more dedicated affordable rental units and entry-level homes. He also supports creating direct federal grants to help local municipalities modernize zoning laws, encouraging the construction of mixed-income housing, duplexes, and transit-oriented developments that make efficient use of local land.

To assist first-time homebuyers, Torino proposes a robust federal down-payment assistance program targeted specifically at working-class families and multi-generational renters. This program would help bridge the wealth gap that prevents many young families from transitioning from renting to owning, allowing them to start building long-term equity.

Equally important is protecting the existing housing market from predatory corporate behavior. Torino supports federal legislation to eliminate tax loopholes for large institutional investors and private equity firms that purchase thousands of single-family homes solely to convert them into high-priced rentals. By disincentivizing corporate speculation, federal policy can return inventory to traditional buyers, lowering artificial price pressures and giving local families a fair shot.

Torino’s plan also includes strong support for community land trusts and local housing authorities. By providing federal matching funds to these entities, communities can purchase land and preserve affordable housing options permanently, ensuring they remain protected from future market spikes. For renters, he advocates for enhanced transparency requirements for corporate landlords, capping junk fees, and ensuring fair eviction diversion programs to keep families housed during temporary financial hardships.

Torino's background as an executive and nonprofit founder gives him a distinct advantage in tackling this issue. He understands how to balance market incentives with public accountability, and he knows how to bring developers, local leaders, and federal agencies together to execute large projects. He recognizes that solving the housing crisis requires a multi-pronged approach that protects renters, supports buyers, and expands supply.

Jim Torino is committed to fighting for housing policies that put local families first. By expanding the availability of affordable homes and curbing corporate speculation, he aims to restore stability to neighborhoods and ensure that every resident has a safe, affordable place to call home.