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A broad housing package aimed at easing the nation’s shortage of roughly 5 million homes has passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate.
Lawmakers approved the Housing for the 21st Century Act in a 390-9 vote. The measure seeks to make construction faster and less expensive while improving access to homeownership at a time when the median first-time buyer is 40 years old.
The legislation would address zoning and regulatory obstacles, streamline environmental reviews that can delay construction and eliminate overlapping federal requirements. It also would modernize the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grant program while updating rules governing manufactured housing.
The National Association of REALTORS® backed the bill and lobbied Congress for its passage. The group cited polling showing that 85% of voters still consider homeownership part of the American dream.
The association plans to continue working with lawmakers in both chambers to move the legislation through the Senate and ultimately to the president.