Full Breakdown
Bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act Passes House
2/11/2026, 12:31:38 AM
Overview of the Legislation
On Monday, the House of Representatives passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act with an overwhelming vote of 390-9. This bipartisan legislation aims to address the ongoing affordability crisis in the United States by increasing the supply of affordable housing and modernizing existing housing programs. Sponsored by House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill (R-Ark.) and ranking member Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), the bill includes over 20 provisions designed to streamline housing development and improve access to homeownership.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The Housing for the 21st Century Act seeks to enhance federal housing programs, including the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grants. Notably, it proposes raising the public welfare investment cap from 15% to 20%, which would unlock additional funding for affordable housing initiatives. The legislation also encourages localities to relax zoning regulations and streamline permitting processes to facilitate the construction of multifamily homes and other affordable housing options.
Support and Endorsements
The bill has garnered support from more than 50 advocacy groups, including the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition and the American Hotel and Lodging Association. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) emphasized the need for this legislation, citing rising housing costs as a significant burden on American families. He stated, “Today’s House passage of the Housing for the 21st Century Act is a critical step toward addressing this shortage by reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers.”
Criticism and Opposition
Despite the broad support, some dissenting voices have emerged. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), have expressed concerns about the House's focus on community banking provisions and the potential for deregulation. Warren warned that altering the Senate's ROAD to Housing Act, which has already received White House backing, could jeopardize bipartisan support. She stated, “Adding or taking things away risks losing the unanimous coalition that we have built in the Senate.”
Next Steps in the Legislative Process
With the House's approval secured, the legislation now moves to the Senate, where it will face scrutiny and potential amendments. The Senate has its own housing bill, the ROAD to Housing Act, which shares some similarities with the House version but also includes provisions that some House Republicans oppose. Negotiations will be necessary to reconcile the differences between the two bills, particularly regarding funding and regulatory approaches.
Broader Implications
The passage of the Housing for the 21st Century Act is seen as a crucial step in addressing the housing supply crisis, which has left millions of Americans struggling to afford homes. The median age of first-time homebuyers has risen to 40, highlighting the urgency of expanding affordable housing options. As lawmakers prepare for the upcoming midterm elections, housing affordability is expected to remain a key issue.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Housing for the 21st Century Act provides a set of common sense, bipartisan housing proposals that would increase the supply of affordable housing at a time when housing affordability is top of mind in every part of the country,” — Emily Cadik, CEO of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition
- “Housing costs have soared beyond the reach of millions of American families thanks to Bidenflation, while outdated and burdensome red tape has constrained our nation’s affordable housing supply and limited our ability to expand it,” — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.)
- “The housing shortage did not happen overnight,” — David M. Dworkin, President and CEO of the National Housing Conference
The Housing for the 21st Century Act represents a significant legislative effort to tackle the housing crisis, but its success will depend on the Senate's willingness to negotiate and find common ground.
