Senate Advances Bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in 84–6 Vote

By a vote of 84-6, the Senate took the first step toward passing comprehensive housing reform legislation.  The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act contains provisions from both the original ROAD to Housing Act and the Housing for the 21st Century Act previously passed by the House.  This bipartisan compromise legislation is the Senate’s attempt to assuage the House’s concerns with the original ROAD Act and get legislation to President Trump’s desk for his signature. 

As you can see from the Section-by-Section analysis, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act contains many provisions we have been advocating for, including: 

• lifting the public welfare investment cap from 15% to 20% 

• lifting the cap on RAD 

• changes to modular construction requirements 

• streamlining NEPA requirements 

• changes to CDBG to encourage housing production 

• permanently authorizing CDBG-DR at HUD 

Although the legislation does make changes to the HOME program, including exempting small developments from Section 3, it does not include any language related to Build America/Buy America. 

Another addition to the legislation is a section titled "Homes are for People, Not Corporations."  This is the provision President Trump demanded, excluding private equity from purchasing single-family homes in many circumstances. 

The Senate will next move to pass the legislation later this week. It will then be up to the House to accept this new legislation or begin a conference with the Senate to find a compromise between the two chambers' bills.  The White House has reacted favorably to the Senate bill, which may convince the House to accept and pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.  

Stay tuned.