Opening Doors to Opportunity: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

“We know the enormous role housing plays in the American Dream; we also know that for too many Americans, that dream feels out of reach. I’m proud of the work we’ve done in DC to make housing more affordable. In just the past 12 years, we’ve added more than 60,000 new homes and helped more than 30,000 Washingtonians move into affordable housing. But we know cities and states can’t do it alone, and this bipartisan federal legislation will be a powerful tool for helping communities across the country lower the cost of housing and ensure more families get a fair shot at the American Dream.”

“It is a major step toward rebuilding America’s housing ladder. I am proud of the role the National League of Cities has played in the process. Since 2023, the Housing Supply Accelerator, America’s Housing Comeback and elected officials from across the country have worked alongside the offices of Senators Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren to shape a bill that cuts red tape, speeds up permitting with ready‑to‑use, pre‑approved home designs and modernizes federal programs so cities can plan, finance and build new housing faster. By streamlining rules, updating tools like the HOME program and manufactured housing standards, and targeting new investment to communities that need it most, this law gives mayors and local leaders the flexibility and resources they’ve been asking for to add homes, stabilize aging neighborhoods and bring down costs. It is a bipartisan, bicameral blueprint for a true housing comeback in cities across America.”

“The passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act signifies a monumental step forward in our efforts to reduce housing supply challenges. It sets a pathway for homeownership, addresses supply demands across the housing continuum, incorporates manufactured and workforce housing, reduces regulatory burdens; all while preserving local control over land-use decisions. I am certain that this legislation will yield historical results. Its passage also reflects the limitless possibilities and demonstrates what can be achieved when every level of government and leadership works together. I am proud to serve as a member of the Board of National League of Cities and want to commend NLC’s staff for their significant contributions towards this effort.”

“Local governments are often the first to respond and the last to leave after a disaster. The passage of the landmark 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act permanently authorizes Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery funding. Cutting through the red tape and delays that will allow cities to do what we do best: help our communities recover.

Families deserve immediate support, neighborhoods deserve the opportunity to rebuild faster and local governments deserve the certainty needed to plan for long-term resilience. The ROAD to Housing Act delivers on all three.”

“Housing has been at the center of my work for much of my career because I know that opportunity starts with having a place to call home. In Memphis, we’ve set a goal of creating 10,000 new homes by 2030, and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act gives cities important tools to help make that vision a reality.”

“Housing and affordability are the greatest challenges of our time. Over the last four years, I have advocated with National League of Cities to deliver housing, and the passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act is a testament to that advocacy.  Due to this advocacy, Redmond has an opportunity to build more housing, diversify housing options and target resources toward low to middle-income individuals and families who work in Redmond.”

“Housing is health. Housing is opportunity. Housing is whether a family can put down roots in the city they helped build. In Alexandria, we are striving to create healthy, safe and resilient housing that is affordable and meets residents’ needs now and years ahead. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act shows what’s possible when everyone comes to the table for the common good.  The bill gives cities like Alexandria real tools to match our ambition — expanded CDBG, HOME and Innovation funds to increase housing supply, as well as new pilot programs and protections to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing and support for residents through public housing redevelopment. It will provide real opportunities to grow homeownership and rental housing for the renters and workers who have the fewest options today. Alexandria has done the planning. Now we get to build. This is our moment, and we are ready to seize it.”

 “Vibrant, healthy communities need a diversity of housing and we’re proud of the strides we’ve made to increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing in Tempe. Communities that are doing the hard work of updating zoning, streamlining permitting and innovating to expand housing opportunity deserve federal support. The Innovation Fund recognizes local leadership and advances the work of cities to create even more homes for residents.”

“Homeownership is about so much more than having your name on a deed. It’s the equity you draw on to start a business, the stability that creates opportunity and the wealth you pass down to the next generation. When we close the door to homeownership, we don’t just deny people a place to live; we deny them a launching pad.

Communities like ours have watched institutional investors buy up starter homes, pricing out the first-time buyers and young families who would put down roots and build wealth right here. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act begins to change that equation. I’m grateful to the bipartisan coalition that made this possible and recognized no matter our politics, every American deserves the opportunity to own their own home. I’m excited to get to work to make sure the promise of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act reaches every family in College Park.”