The market has responded en masse to the landmark housing legislation that passed in mid-July. Housing professionals across the spectrum have hailed the legislation and what it may mean for filling out the missing middle in domestic housing.
Yes, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law. In June, the U.S. Senate voted 85-5 to approve the bill, and the House of Representatives quickly followed with a 358-32 vote; more bipartisan and bicameral than any piece of legislation in recent memory.
Removal of the requirement for all manufactured homes to be built on a permanent chassis, clarification on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as the primary and final regulator for the manufactured housing industry, and provisions on zoning for manufactured housing have been part of the dialogue between manufactured housing professionals and lawmakers for years.
“This achievement reflects years of work by housing advocates, industry leaders, community organizations, and policymakers from both parties who recognized the urgent need for action,” National Housing Conference President and CEO David Dworkin said.
The Manufactured Housing Institute commended Congress for reaching an agreement on housing.
“This legislation affirms that manufactured housing is central to meeting the nation’s affordability challenges, including through its dedicated focus on ‘Manufactured Housing for America.’ By reinforcing a proven federal framework that enables high-quality homes to be built efficiently and placed in more localities, this bill clears the way for meaningful progress in delivering attainable homeownership,” MHI CEO Lesli Gooch said. “We appreciate the leadership that brought this effort across the finish line in Congress and look forward to working with the administration on enactment and implementation.”
The American Land Title Association issued a statement lauding the bill that “represents a significant step forward in expanding America’s housing supply, modernizing federal housing policy and improving access to the American dream of homeownership.”
At a time when housing affordability remains a top concern for families across the country, it said, this new law demonstrates that leaders in Washington can come together around practical solutions that help homebuyers, homeowners, and communities.
“ALTA congratulates Chairman Tim Scott, Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren, Chairman French Hill, Ranking Member Maxine Waters and congressional leaders for advancing this historic legislation,” ALTA CEO Chris Morton said. “This is a big win for the American people. Homeownership is one of the most important ways families build stability, security and generational wealth, and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is an important step toward helping more Americans achieve that dream.”
Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, applauded Congress for its work.
“By reducing regulatory barriers, helping builders increase supply, and expanding opportunities for homeownership and rental housing, this landmark law is an important step toward easing the nation’s housing affordability crisis,” Owens said. “We look forward to working with the administration and Congress to implement it.”
Congressman Wesley Bell from Missouri characterized ROAD to Housing as a transformative piece of housing legislation.
“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will do so much for the people of the St. Louis region, the state of Missouri, and millions of Americans across the country,” he said. “I hear all the time from folks in the district about the housing crisis in America. This bill will help people build generational wealth through homeownership and give them a shot at a foundational piece of the American Dream.”
Todd Gloria, the mayor of San Diego and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, thanked lawmakers for following through on the effort to provide more attainable housing.
“Congress answered the call with bold, bipartisan action to help communities build more homes and expand access to housing people can afford,” Gloria said. “America’s mayors applaud this landmark legislation because we know the solution is clear: we need more homes, and we need them now.
“This bill represents the most significant step Congress has taken in decades to confront our housing affordability crisis — but it cannot be the last,” he said. “Mayors are on the front lines of this challenge, and we stand ready to partner with leaders at every level of government to turn this legislation into real results: more homes built, costs lowered, and families given a fair shot at the future.”
Congressman French Hill from Arkansas, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, said the new law confirms a long-held belief in what Washington lawmakers can do.
“When I first ran for Congress, I set out to author and pass legislation that improves the lives of central Arkansans and prove that Washington could still work for the American people,” he said. “Having this historic housing bill become law today is the realization of those goals, that by working together, debating in good faith, and putting the interests of Americans ahead of politics, good policy can become law.
“This legislation strengthens community banks, modernizes building codes, and cuts red tape. More houses will be built, more families will enter the market, and homes across the country will be more affordable,” Hill said.
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