Congress Poised to Pass Major Housing Bill

Congress is expected to advance the Housing for the 21st Century Act this year, setting up one of the most significant federal housing policy changes in years. The legislation would revise existing housing programs to expand financing and grant authority for affordable housing while targeting federal requirements that developers and local governments say slow construction.

Supporters argue the bill would help address persistent housing shortages by giving communities more tools to build affordable units and move projects through federal review more efficiently. If passed by both chambers and signed by the president, the measure would mark a major federal response to rising rents, constrained inventory and growing affordability pressures across the country.