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The US House of Representatives has passed a major housing affordability bill, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump for approval in what lawmakers describe as a rare bipartisan breakthrough on a pressing economic issue.
The bill, known as the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, is designed to expand housing supply, reduce regulatory bottlenecks in construction, and improve access to homeownership at a time when rising rents, elevated mortgage rates, and limited housing stock continue to strain household finances across the United States.
The House vote followed a strong Senate endorsement, with the package passing 85–5, signalling unusual cross-party alignment on an issue that has become central to voter concerns ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
The legislation has already received political backing from President Trump, who is expected to sign it into law once it reaches his desk.
At its core, the bill seeks to accelerate housing development by streamlining approval processes, supporting local authorities in expanding residential projects, and increasing the availability of manufactured and modular housing options.
A notable provision limits large-scale corporate investment in the housing market, prohibiting firms that already own 350 or more properties from purchasing single-family homes. Lawmakers have described this as an attempt to curb institutional dominance in housing and rebalance access for individual buyers.
Additional measures include incentives to convert underused buildings into residential units, reforms to outdated zoning rules, and financial support through grants and loans for the rehabilitation of ageing housing stock.
Senators Tim Scott, Republican chair of the Banking Committee, and Elizabeth Warren, the committee’s top Democrat, said in a joint statement that the bill reflects sustained cross-party collaboration. They described the vote as “an important step toward addressing America’s housing affordability crisis and giving families across this country a fair shot at the American Dream.”
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar also welcomed the legislation, stating: “Democrats and Republicans came together to make it easier to afford a home.”
The bill now awaits presidential assent, with expectations that it will become law in the coming days.
