The House of Representatives has passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act with a decisive 390–9 vote, signaling strong bipartisan support to address the country’s housing affordability and supply issues. Co-sponsored by House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (R-AR) and Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), the bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
Lawmakers view the bill as a targeted solution to the rising home prices and rents, which are largely attributed to a limited housing supply and regulatory barriers that delay construction. Rather than creating new subsidy programs, the legislation focuses on modernizing existing federal housing policies and cutting down the obstacles that drive up the cost and time required for new home development.
A central aspect of the bill is the directive for the Government Accountability Office to identify inefficiencies within federal housing programs and suggest improvements. The bill also seeks to update the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program to better align with current needs. Additionally, it aims to ease regulatory burdens and offer banks more flexibility in directing capital toward housing projects.
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that the legislation is part of a broader strategy to address affordability challenges. By expanding the housing supply and reducing red tape, the bill seeks to stabilize home prices. Supporters argue that when demand exceeds supply, home prices inevitably rise, making it crucial to remove barriers to development.
The overwhelming vote in favor of the bill reflects rare bipartisan agreement in a divided Congress. Lawmakers from both sides have recognized the need for supply-focused housing reforms. With its passage in the House, the bill now moves to the Senate, where similar concerns about housing shortages have been voiced.
If enacted, the legislation could become one of the most significant bipartisan housing reforms in recent years. The bill’s progress indicates growing momentum for practical solutions to the country’s ongoing housing affordability crisis.
