Federal Impacts
Landmark Housing Legislation Advances: U.S. House Passes 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
summary
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed a major housing bill by a 396–13 bipartisan vote, showing very strong support for federal action on housing through planning and zoning reform.
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The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aims to increase housing supply and improve affordability, using both funding and policy changes to make federal housing programs work better.
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Now, the bill has to go back to the U.S. Senate for final passage.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in a 396-13 vote on Wednesday, May 20, marking another significant step forward for federal action on housing solutions for communities nationwide.
The bipartisan housing package is grounded in several APA-endorsed pieces of legislation. The current bill is a combined iteration of what began as the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act out of the U.S. Senate and the Housing for the 21st Century Act out of the House, and is now an amended version of the Senate's recently passed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
In partnership with dozens of leading organizations, APA expressed firm support for the House-amended legislation:
"While there's more to do to solve America's housing affordability crisis, we all agree that this proposal would be a historic step to increase housing supply, improve affordability, and broaden housing choice in communities across the country."
APA continues to advocate for housing as part of its national policy priorities, recognizing that planning-led reforms must be part of the solution.
Statement from APA President Sue Schwartz, FAICP, about the U.S. House passage of The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aims to support local planning and zoning reforms, as well as improve building codes and opportunities for modular and manufactured housing. In addition to critical funding, the legislation also focuses on policy changes to improve the efficiency of federal programs that planners leverage to foster housing supply growth across the country.
Next, the bill moves back to the Senate for final passage. Stay tuned as APA digs deeper into this legislation with expert policy analysis and what it means for planners and their impact on local communities.
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Top image: iStock/Getty Images - benedek
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