More than 21 months ago, the National Association of REALTORS® set out with an ambitious goal: build bipartisan support for the most significant federal housing package in a generation.
That effort culminated today as the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act officially became law—a sweeping package of nearly 50 individual housing measures designed to increase housing supply, improve affordability, expand access to homeownership, strengthen housing finance and support veterans.
The legislation marks the culmination of one of NAR’s largest coordinated advocacy campaigns in recent years.
Over nearly two years, REALTOR® members from every state worked alongside NAR’s advocacy team to make housing a national priority. Thousands of meetings with lawmakers and congressional staff, testimony before Congress, nationwide advertising campaigns, original research and polling, targeted calls for action, coalition building, Federal Political Coordinator engagement, letters to congressional leadership, development of the bipartisan Real Estate Caucus, and sustained outreach during the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings all helped build momentum for the legislation.
Rather than advocating for a single proposal, NAR worked to assemble broad bipartisan support for dozens of complementary policies that together address the nation’s housing shortage from multiple angles.
“The passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is the result of years of bipartisan collaboration and an unwavering commitment to solving one of America’s most pressing challenges,” says NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn. “On behalf of more than 1.4 million REALTORS®, we thank the members of Congress and the administration who came together to advance legislation that will benefit families and communities in every congressional district and every ZIP code across the country.”
For McGahn, the legislation also represents something increasingly rare in Washington. Having served in senior leadership on Capitol Hill during the housing crisis, she understands firsthand the difficulty of advancing legislation of this size and complexity.
“It takes years of trust, persistence and bipartisan partnership to move a package of this scope across the finish line,” McGahn says. “This wasn’t one bill—it was nearly 50 carefully negotiated measures brought together because lawmakers recognized that no single policy can solve America’s housing shortage. That’s what makes today’s achievement so significant.”
Housing has increasingly emerged as one of the few issues capable of bringing together lawmakers from both parties. The legislation reflects a growing consensus that increasing the nation’s housing supply is essential to improving affordability and expanding opportunities for future homeowners.
The American Property Owners Alliance conducted a poll during National Homeownership Month in June which found an overwhelming bipartisan support for the housing legislation. The poll, which surveyed 800 registered voters, found that 89% of voters backed the bill, including 87% of Republicans, 91% of independents and 92% of Democrats. The poll had a 3.46% margin of error.
Throughout the effort, NAR members helped keep housing at the forefront of the national conversation. NAR leaders testified before Congress, worked closely with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, provided technical expertise as legislation evolved and mobilized thousands of REALTORS® to advocate directly with their elected officials.
The association also formally urged House and Senate leadership to approve the package before final passage.
“For REALTORS®, the new law represents more than a legislative victory. It demonstrates what sustained advocacy, grassroots engagement and bipartisan collaboration can accomplish when focused on addressing one of the country’s most significant economic challenges,” McGahn says.
What’s in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
The legislation combines nearly 50 bipartisan measures focused on four broad priorities:
Increasing Housing Supply
The law includes provisions to help communities remove barriers to new housing, modernize federal housing programs, encourage modular and manufactured housing, streamline permitting and environmental reviews, preserve existing housing stock, support rural housing and expand local planning efforts to increase housing production.
Expanding Access to Homeownership
The package creates new opportunities for small-dollar mortgages, encourages lenders to serve underserved borrowers, supports homeownership savings initiatives and improves housing options for families using housing vouchers.
Expanding Access to Capital
Several provisions strengthen financing for affordable housing development, encourage community investment, support bank formation and improve access to capital needed to build more homes.
Supporting Veterans
The legislation expands awareness of Veterans Affairs home loan benefits, strengthens housing assistance for disabled veterans and improves transparency through the Veterans Affairs Loan Informed Disclosure Act, helping veteran home buyers better compare available financing options.
