Housing Act

• The U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 24, 2026, sending it back to the House to increase housing supply through reforms. • The legislation targets zoning and permitting barriers to boost construction amid ongoing housing shortages. • Passage marks a key step in addressing national housing crisis, potentially easing affordability for millions if enacted.

• The Senate passed H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, on March 12, 2026, with a bipartisan vote of 89 to 10, combining housing supply and community investment measures. • The bill includes provisions to raise caps on bank community development investments, update the definition of manufactured housing to include modular and prefabricated homes, and restrict large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes. • The White House Office of Management and Budget issued a statement strongly supporting the Senate amendment and indicating the president's advisors would recommend signing it into law if presented in its current form.

• Senate Banking Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) released the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, merging House H.R. 6644 and Senate S. 2651. • Provisions restrict large institutional investors from single-family home purchases, prohibit Federal Reserve digital dollar, and expand manufactured housing via HUD standards. • Bill reflects Trump administration priorities, eliminates chassis requirements for manufactured homes, and reauthorizes PRICE grants for community preservation.

The Senate approved the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 12, 2026, with an 89-10 bipartisan vote, marking the first major housing reform in a decade and including LeadingAge-supported policies for affordable senior housing. The bill creates grants for planning affordable housing, streamlines environmental reviews, and updates manufactured home standards to increase supply. It represents key wins by empowering state and local governments to revise zoning and regulatory barriers hindering development. Further reforms and House action remain needed to fully address senior housing shortages.

The US Senate passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) on March 12, 2026, by a 89-10 vote, incorporating a temporary prohibition on the Federal Reserve issuing a central bank digital currency defined as a widely available US dollar-denominated digital asset. Section 901(b) bans large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, while Title III eliminates the permanent chassis requirement for manufactured homes to boost affordable housing production. The legislation combines House and Senate versions, reflecting Trump administration priorities, and now awaits House reconciliation amid opposition to Senate amendments. Provisions also increase FHA multifamily loan limits and expand appraiser training to address housing supply shortages.

The US Senate passed a broad bipartisan housing bill on March 12, 2026, aimed at increasing construction and curbing institutional home purchases amid affordability woes. The bill's path in the House remains uncertain despite White House support announced March 2. Complementing President Trump's recent executive orders, it addresses voter concerns over home prices five times median income heading into midterms. Implementation hinges on state policies and market rates, with potential construction boosts eyed for relief.