The National League of Cities (NLC) has long advocated that Congress recognize and increase federal support for local governments’ efforts to improve housing attainability and affordability in cities, towns and villages. This week, the United States Senate, in a bipartisan vote, passed H.R. 6644, The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
NLC President Kevin Kramer, Councilmember, Louisville, Ky., issued the following statement:
“The ’21st Century ROAD to Housing Act’ maintains important local government provisions that improve existing programs like Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnership Program. NLC applauds Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren for developing practical solutions to the nation’s housing crisis and advancing bipartisan proposals to enhance and accelerate the growth of public and private sector efforts to improve housing attainability. Importantly, the bill targets new resources to improve the administrative planning capacity of local governments and reduces federal regulatory obstacles that unintentionally add to the cost of housing. Moreover, Senate amendments also restored authorization for the CDBG–Disaster Recovery program to be streamlined and funded annually, which will increase certainty and improve delivery of recovery resources to impacted households. NLC eagerly awaits the support of the U.S. House in sending this historic bipartisan housing legislation to the President for signature.”
Bill text and section-by-section are available for review.
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National League of Cities is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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