The bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, passed by the U.S. House 358–32 and Senate 85–5, now faces uncertainty after President Trump canceled the scheduled signing ceremony.
Announcing on Truth Social, he cited that he would not forward until Congress passes the separate SAVE AMERICA Act, which includes voter ID provisions.
About the ROAD to Housing Act
Considered one of the largest housing packages in decades, it includes more than 50 provisions targeting housing production, financing, and regulatory reform. Leaders revealed a bicameral compromise version of the bill last week after earlier versions passed the Senate in March and the House in May. At its core, the legislation seeks to remove barriers to new development with a focus on zoning reform and faster project approvals.
Importantly for builders and build-to-rent developers, the final package removed a Senate provision requiring institutional investors to sell single-family rental homes after seven years, a mandate industry groups warned could significantly reduce housing production.
Key Measures
- Streamlines environmental reviews for smaller and infill projects.
- Supports community banks to expand access to construction and development loans.
- Funds repairs to aging housing stock through grants and forgivable loans.
- Raises FHA multifamily loan limits and ties them to inflation to better reflect rising construction costs.
- Targets restrictive local policies by directing HUD to work with builders and developers on best practices, while incentivizing communities to adopt reforms that expand housing supply.
What They’re Saying About House Approval
Ali Wolf, chief economist for Zonda and NewHomeSource says, “Housing not only plays a vital role in wealth building and the American Dream, but it is also a major economic driver. Every home that is built creates jobs and generates economic activity in adjacent industries (think banking and furniture companies). While some uncertainty remains regarding when the bill will be signed, it represents a clear bipartisan effort to increase housing supply and improve affordability for American families.”
Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders says, “NAHB applauds lawmakers for working together in a bipartisan, bicameral effort to pass historic housing legislation that will deliver real benefits for the American people. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will help increase the nation’s housing supply by reducing regulatory barriers and encouraging local governments to reform zoning and land-use policies that have limited home building. By expanding homeownership and rental housing opportunities nationwide, this legislation will help ease the housing affordability crisis.”
Sarah Brundage, president and CEO of National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders says, “Today’s passage is a historic milestone for housing affordability in this country. This is the result of years of painstaking, bipartisan work—and today, Congress has delivered real solutions for the American people. We are grateful to the leaders in both chambers and both parties who got this done, and we look forward to the President signing this important legislation into law. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will help more Americans find a place they can afford to call home, and NAAHL looks forward to working with the Administration to put these tools to work for families nationwide. This is what Washington looks like when it works.”
What’s Next
If the ROAD to Housing Act is not vetoed and becomes law, it will mark one of the most comprehensive supply-focused housing efforts in years.
